A U.S. Coast Guard crew member has publicly disputed the Biden administration’s claims that a mysterious drone encounter off New Jersey’s coast was misidentified aircraft. Speaking anonymously, the crew member provided details of the incident, which involved dozens of drones following their vessel for over 15 minutes.

The drones reportedly appeared at around 9 p.m., hovering approximately 80 to 100 feet above the Coast Guard vessel. Described as seven feet wide with flashing red, green and white lights, the drones mirrored the boat’s movements before flying toward the shore.

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby dismissed the incident, suggesting the crew had mistaken commercial airliners for drones. He claimed forensic analysis confirmed no drones were involved, a statement the Coast Guard member described as “insulting.”

“Commercial airplanes don’t behave like that,” the crew member argued, adding, “We’re trained to recognize drones. These weren’t the kind you buy at a store — they were government-grade.”

The incident has drawn criticism from those questioning the administration’s response. Despite claiming the sightings posed no national security risks, the FAA has imposed a temporary ban on drone operations in parts of New Jersey and warned they may shoot down drones deemed threatening.

This isn’t the first time mysterious drones have been reported near sensitive sites in the region. Observers say the administration’s dismissive stance leaves more questions than answers, particularly given the growing presence of drones near military installations.