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The Commonwealth, and this area in general, received an odd Christmas present over the last week, with reports of the mysterious drones showing up. It’s not just here in Central Virginia. What started in New Jersey last month has made its way throughout the Commonwealth, with Virginia State Police (VSP) saying they’ve received more than 150 reports documenting the odd “swarm” of drones popping up everywhere from Hampton Roads to the Shenandoah Valley and yes, even around Cumberland and Buckingham counties. 

“All over the Commonwealth,” VSP Public Relations Coordinator Matthew Demlein said, when The Herald asked where the reports were focused. 

Typically this is where we plug in the backstory to a situation, but this entire issue revolves around the lack of information about this “swarm”, which started showing up in the Northeast back in November and now have made their way down the East Coast. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security and now several Virginia agencies are investigating the different reports, some of which have turned out not to be drones at all. Some have turned out to be helicopters, others were radio controlled or other unmanned aircraft and a couple were legal drones, being used to photograph different activities in the area. Demlein said that all the reports are being investigated, with results given to police, sheriff’s offices and other local officials. 

A lack of information on drones 

Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, as well as Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin received a classified briefing on Thursday, Dec. 19, hearing reports from the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Justice and the FBI involving the unexplained “swarm” of drones sighted in Virginia. Afterward, however, the senators shared with The Herald and other media outlets that they were less than satisfied with the results. 

“While we appreciate the agencies taking the time to update us on the situation, this briefing was insufficient and unsatisfactory,” Warner and Kaine said in a joint statement. “It has been more than a year since these sightings over key military facilities in Virginia (started) and the lack of answers about the nature, intent and origin of these incidents is completely unacceptable.” 

Both senators said they requested additional details from the agencies, while asking the federal government for better coordination with state and local officials. 

Why not shoot one down? 

Now VSP officials are asking residents to reach out and report if they see the “swarm”, but not to engage. The Herald pointed out there are a lot of hunters in this area, and asked what the problem would be if someone just shot down one or more of the “swarm” if they happen to encounter it. VSP officials responded by pointing out that would be illegal. 

“It is against the law to shoot at a drone,” said Demlein. “Airspace is governed by the Federal Government. (Virginia) state law does prohibit flying drones with 50 feet of a residence, unless the person is authorized by the federal government to operate and is doing so lawfully and consistent with federal regulations.” 

Even if they’re not following state or federal law, that doesn’t mean you can shoot one down, The Herald was told. 

As for those rules, drones are required to remain in sight of either the operator or a visual observer. They can only legally climb to a maximum altitude of 400 feet unless given permission by federal regulators. Also, before you can fly one, you need a remote pilot certificate for recreational use or a license from the FAA for commercial use. 

Call, don’t shoot

Instead of shooting, VSP officials ask residents to simply email the Virginia Fusion Center, if the “swarm” is spotted. The Virginia Fusion Center is basically a hub where different state and local agencies coordinate efforts in a situation like this. 

“We encourage anyone that witnesses a drone flying over critical infrastructure, such as energy installations, or military sites, to contact the Virginia Fusion Center,” said Virginia State Police Special Agent D. Robinson. “This will enable us to work with our partners to determine exactly what is occurring, and how to move forward.”

You can reach the Fusion Center at vfc@vfc.vsp.virginia.gov.