Unidentified aircrafts described as car-sized drones have been spotted hovering over San Diego County in recent weeks, sparking intrigue and concern among residents. The sightings, marked by highly coordinated and silent flight patterns, mirror a wave of similar incidents reported in New Jersey and other parts of the country.
One of the earliest local accounts came from Colin Rambo, a Lemon Grove archaeologist, who captured video footage late at night of glowing red lights moving silently across the sky. 鈥淚 saw at least 25 glowing red orbs within five minutes,鈥� Rambo said in an interview with CBS8. While he initially suspected they might be paper lanterns, their unusual size, speed, and precision left him questioning that theory.听
One of the earliest local accounts came from Colin Rambo, a Lemon Grove archaeologist, who captured video footage late at night of glowing red lights moving silently across the sky. 鈥淚 saw at least 25 glowing red orbs within five minutes,鈥� Rambo said in an interview with CBS8. While he initially suspected they might be paper lanterns, their unusual size, speed, and precision left him questioning that theory.听
"Whatever they were, they were too coordinated and unusual to ignore."
Days later in Temecula, local musician and producer @itsnomadmusic reported a similar sighting of silent, car-sized drones executing rapid and erratic maneuvers. 鈥淭hey weren鈥檛 like any commercial or hobbyist drones I鈥檝e seen,鈥� he said. Law enforcement officials confirmed the objects were not part of any municipal or law enforcement operations, deepening the mystery surrounding their origin.
Days later in Temecula, local musician and producer @itsnomadmusic reported a similar sighting of silent, car-sized drones executing rapid and erratic maneuvers. 鈥淭hey weren鈥檛 like any commercial or hobbyist drones I鈥檝e seen,鈥� he said. Law enforcement officials confirmed the objects were not part of any municipal or law enforcement operations, deepening the mystery surrounding their origin.
Across the country, New Jersey residents have reported similar phenomena since mid-November, with car-sized drones seen flying over areas like the Picatinny Arsenal and Round Valley Reservoir - locations with known military or environmental significance. The timing coincides with a recent push to advance testing of Uncrewed Aerial Systems and Advanced Air Mobility technologies along the East Coast.听
A revealed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement between U.S. Transportation Command, Air Mobility Command, and New Jersey's National Aerospace Research & Technology Park, establishing an East Coast test corridor for drone research and development. The agreement enables testing of drones and emerging air mobility technologies within designated corridors between New Jersey's Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and Dover Air Force Base. Though no official connection has been made between the San Diego sightings and ongoing research initiatives, the recent reports raise questions about whether similar testing or experimental operations could be taking place on the West Coast.
National Security spokesperson John Kirby has suggested that some of these reports may involve manned aircraft rather than drones, but the explanation has done little to calm public concern. Speculation continues to range from government testing of advanced aerial systems to private-sector experiments or covert surveillance by foreign or domestic actors.
While the Pentagon maintains these objects do not pose a direct threat to national security, calls for transparency are growing louder. In New Jersey, the surge in drone activity has prompted demands for stricter drone regulations and real-time detection systems to monitor these flights, particularly in sensitive areas.
"People want answers," said Rambo. "Whether these drones are part of a government project, private enterprise, or something else entirely, we deserve to know what鈥檚 happening in our skies."
As sightings continue to multiply nationwide, San Diego residents remain watchful, documenting the strange, coordinated drones that continue to dominate conversations鈥攁nd imaginations鈥攁cross the country.
National Security spokesperson John Kirby has suggested that some of these reports may involve manned aircraft rather than drones, but the explanation has done little to calm public concern. Speculation continues to range from government testing of advanced aerial systems to private-sector experiments or covert surveillance by foreign or domestic actors.
While the Pentagon maintains these objects do not pose a direct threat to national security, calls for transparency are growing louder. In New Jersey, the surge in drone activity has prompted demands for stricter drone regulations and real-time detection systems to monitor these flights, particularly in sensitive areas.
"People want answers," said Rambo. "Whether these drones are part of a government project, private enterprise, or something else entirely, we deserve to know what鈥檚 happening in our skies."
As sightings continue to multiply nationwide, San Diego residents remain watchful, documenting the strange, coordinated drones that continue to dominate conversations鈥攁nd imaginations鈥攁cross the country.
Originally published on December 12, 2024.听
