Drones spotted over Camp Pendleton in California posed no threat: report

Drones have been spotted flying over Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Southern California over the past week, but they reportedly posed no threat to operations at the installation. According to base spokesman Capt. James C. Sartain, there were six instances of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) entering the airspace over Camp Pendleton between Dec. 9 and 15. However, these drones did not impact installation operations and did not require any countermeasures to be taken.

While Camp Pendleton officials have not provided further details on the drone sightings, reports of similar incidents have been coming in from military installations across the country. In New Jersey, drones have been spotted near Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle, while Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio had to close its airspace over the weekend due to drone activity.

Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder stated that the drones seen over New Jersey are not U.S. military assets and are likely used by hobbyists for recreational purposes. He also mentioned that bases like Picatinny and Earle are implementing equipment to detect and track objects in their airspace, with the ability to disrupt drone signals if necessary.

Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, believes that the drones flying over military installations are being operated by the People’s Republic of China. He emphasized the need to identify the source of these drones, especially those flying over military sites, which he suspects are adversarial in nature.

Despite concerns raised by some officials, Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., reassured the public that there is no evident threat coming from the drones. She called for responsible reporting and messaging regarding the drone sightings, emphasizing the importance of legislation to address potential drone threats.

As the holiday season approaches and more drones are expected to take flight, it is crucial for officials to continue monitoring and addressing any potential security risks posed by these unmanned aircraft. The safety and security of military installations and the public remain a top priority in the face of evolving technology and emerging threats.