A mysterious drone plaguing the skies of the Northeast closed the runway at Stewart International Airport Friday night, prompting Gov. Hochul to call for federal authorities to intervene.
“This has gone too far,” Hochul said in a brief statement Saturday, noting that the Orange County facility's runway was closed for an hour due to an unidentified aircraft.
Stewart Airport serves both commercial and military flights and is adjacent to the New York National Air Force Base. This is where the 105th Airlift Wing is based.
The unidentified drone has been hovering over New Jersey for about a month, and has also been seen in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, and recently over LaGuardia International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport. was also spotted flying.
Hochul demanded that the Biden administration is providing federal law enforcement assistance to the region “to ensure the safety of critical infrastructure and the public,” and in mid-November, “Drone sightings were reported to the New York State Information Center.” I have instructed them to actively investigate the information.”
He also called on state police to “work with federal law enforcement to address this issue.”
Hochul said “these efforts are ongoing,” but it's time for Congress to act.
“I am now asking Congress to pass legislation to allow state law enforcement to address this issue. Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act Against UAS Authoritiesfirst introduced in June by Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.).
“This bill would reform the legal authorities against UAS, strengthen the FAA's oversight of unmanned aircraft, and expand anti-UAS efforts to some state and local law enforcement agencies.” she said in a statement. Counter-UAS stands for “Counter Unmanned Aircraft System.”
“Extending these powers to New York and other states is essential. Until these powers are granted to state and local officials, the Biden administration will continue to take steps to ensure the safety of critical infrastructure and the public. We need to direct and intervene additional federal law enforcement in New York and the surrounding area.”
Drone sightings have been reported not only on Long Island but also in five boroughs.
Most of the sightings have occurred in New Jersey, where numerous drones have been spotted by Coast Guard sailors and local police officers.
