The mysterious drone sightings that have been reported across the country now seem to have spread to Jacksonville.
>>> STREAM EVENT NEWS JAX LIVE <<
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
A local man captured footage of what he described as a “large drone” flying Tuesday night near NAS JAX.
Jack Jones has been flying drones as a hobbyist for 10 years, but what he saw on his way home from work on Tuesday was unlike anything he had ever seen.
“When I got a closer look I realized it was a big drone,” Jones said.
Jones took several pictures of the suspected drone, which he estimated was 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 cannot operate in.
We asked if he believed the drone was flying in a no-fly zone.
“I would think so,” Jones replied.
According to a source at NAS JAX, the base does not have large quadcopter-style drones as described by Jones, and rarely has aircraft-style Triton drones on site.
“Naval Air Station Jacksonville had no issues noted regarding drone activity at the station Tuesday evening. However, air traffic controllers are investigating the matter,” a NAS JAX spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
In a follow-up statement at 5 PM Thursday, the Navy told Action News Jax, “No signs of any untoward activity” were found on the radar tapes.
Congressman John Rutherford (R-FL 5th District) argued that Jones’ sighting should be taken seriously, as the FBI is currently investigating similar sightings that have been reported across the country in recent weeks.
“I am very worried about what is happening here with these things,” said Rutherford.
Rutherford noted this week, a Chinese national was arrested and charged with flying an airplane and taking aerial photographs of the Space Force Base in California.
“All this may appear to be a very sincere attempt by the Chinese Communists to develop intelligence on our military bases,” said Rutherford.
Jones shares that fear and said he would encourage others to watch the skies and report anything suspicious.
“Anybody that’s flying an unauthorized drone in a no-fly zone, I’m concerned,” Jones said.
Action News Jax also reached out to the local FBI office and asked if they have received any reports of suspected drone activity in the area.
We are waiting to hear back.
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Click here download free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here download the Action News Jax Now app to your smart TV and click here streaming Action News Jax live.