Hill Air Force Base officials said Monday there have been recent drone sightings close to the base, amid numerous mysterious drones being reported on the East Coast.
The unmanned flying objects have been seen over New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, even shutting down Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s airspace in Ohio, according to TV station WCPO. White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Monday there have not been any public safety or national security risks from the sightings, The Associated Press reports .
Monday night, the Department of Homeland Security issued a joint statement alongside the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Defense, saying the FBI received more than 5,000 drone sighting tips in the last few weeks, generating around 100 leads.
“We have sent advanced detection technology to the region. And we have sent trained visual observers,” they said.
“We can confirm that unmanned aerial systems were spotted in the vicinity of (Hill Air Force Base) recently,” said spokesperson Kendahl Johnson. “To date, unmanned aerial systems have not impacted (Hill Air Force Base) operations, and all appropriate measures are being taken to safeguard (Hill) personnel, assets and infrastructure.”