JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The mysterious drone sightings reported throughout the country now appear to have spread to Jacksonville.
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A local man captured images of what he described as a “large drone” flying Tuesday night near NAS JAX.
Jack Jones has been flying drones as a hobbyist for a decade, but what he saw on his trip home from work on Tuesday, was unlike anything he’d seen before.
“When I took a better look I realized it was a large drone,” said Jones.
Jones captured several grainy images of the suspected drone, which he estimates was roughly the size of a car hood.
He told Action News Jax that the drone appeared to be flying near NAS JAX, which is surrounded by restricted airspace that regular commercial drones are unable to operate in.
We asked whether he believed the drone was flying within the no-fly zone.
“I would think so,” Jones responded.
According to a source at NAS JAX, the base does not have large quadcopter-style drones like the one described by Jones, and only rarely has airplane-style Triton drones on site.
“Naval Air Station Jacksonville had no issues noted regarding drone activity over the station Tuesday evening. However, air traffic controllers are currently investigating the matter,” a NAS JAX spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
In a follow-up statement around 5 PM Thursday, the naval base told Action News Jax, “No indications of any anomalous activity” were found on the radar tapes.
Congressman John Rutherford (R-FL 5th District) argued Jones’ sighting should be taken seriously, as the FBI is currently investigating similar sightings that have been reported throughout the country in recent weeks.
“I’m very concerned about what’s going on here with these things,” said Rutherford.
Rutherford noted just this week, a Chinese national was arrested and charged on suspicions he’d flown a drone and captured aerial photos of a Space Force Base in California.
“All of this could appear to be a very earnest attempt by the Chinese Communists to develop intelligence on our military bases,” said Rutherford.
Jones shares those fears and said he would encourage others to keep an eye on the skies and report anything suspicious.
“Anytime anybody is flying an unauthorized drone in an unauthorized flying area, I’m very concerned,” said Jones.
Action News Jax also reached out to the local FBI office and asked whether it has received any reports of suspicious drone activity in the area.
We’re waiting to hear back.
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