Weeks after a Ge-68 radioactive source vanished in New Jersey—apparently not worth urgent action—federal authorities now impose Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) over twenty-two sites through January 17, 2025. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) threatens “deadly force” against unmanned aircraft deemed an “imminent security threat.” Quite the timely response, no?
The FAA claims these TFRs come “at the request of federal security partners.” In the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM):
“THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT MAY USE DEADLY FORCE AGAINST THE AIRBORNE ACFT, IF IT IS DETERMINED THAT THE ACFT POSES AN IMMINENT SECURITY THREAT.”
Strangely, a recent joint statement by the FBI, FAA, DHS, and DoD downplayed any danger:
“We have not identified anything anomalous and do not assess the activity to date to present a national security or public safety risk…”
So after a month of twiddling thumbs over a missing radioactive source, they’ve pivoted to lethal measures. John Ferguson of Saxon Aerospace LLC once suggested that mystery drones might be seeking “missing or rogue nuclear material.” That sounded wild—until now.
The DHS told Flying Magazine these TFRs are enacted “out of an abundance of caution.” Sure, because real caution clearly didn’t start until weeks had passed. As the Ge-68 remains missing, maybe it’s time to examine why our ever-vigilant officials took so long to show even a hint of urgency. If we’re ready to shoot drones, perhaps we should also investigate the government figures whose slow-motion response made this fiasco possible.
