Drones Spotted Over Jets Training Camp in Cortland

     On Wednesday morning, August 1, staff members of the New York Jets spotted at least two drones, possibly more, circling high in the sky over Cortland, New York. The sightings were verified by members of the press and various television crews. 
     Everyone is guessing, but no one can explain why these drones are positioned over Cortland.
     Drones are remote-controlled unmanned aircraft operated by the United States Air Force. They are usually deployed at international 'hot spots' or along the borders with Canada and Mexico.
     Coach 'T. Rex' thinks the drones came from Buffalo, New York, home of the Buffalo Bills.
     "I wouldn't put it past them," he said to his staff. "The Bills have been known to use electronic devices the size of crickets to steal our signals and game plans. I have found cricket cameras hidden in stadium seats and in VIP rooms at topless bars in New York City."
     Meanwhile, the frenetic media are making phone calls, sending and receiving emails, and searching the Internet for answers.
     There is a drone base at Hancock AFB in Syracuse, New York. The Cortland Contrarian knows someone who works there, and we conducted a telephone interview this morning. Since drone deployments and operations are classified Top Secret, we will protect the informant's name, rank and serial number.
     Informant: "We are operating unarmed drone surveillance flights over Cortland."
     CC: Why?
     Informant: "The general ordered us to deploy drones over Cortland, so we followed orders. We don't ask questions."
     CC: "We will ask the questions, if you don't mind. When did the Air Force start these surveillance flights over Cortland?"
     Informant: "Since the Jets arrived at training camp in Cortland."
     CC: "What is the purpose? Who at Hancock AFB is in charge?"
     Informant: "I can't tell you about our mission. However, Captain Homer Pigeon is in charge."
     CC: "The general--can you tell us his name too?"
     Informant: " General Manning."
     CC: "Is he related to the Manning brothers, professional football players?"
     Informant: "I don't know. But Captain Pigeon's hometown is Indianapolis, and General Manning's hometown is Denver."
     CC: "Thanks for the info. We will file a report this morning."


Editor's note: Read more about drones and drone pilots operating at Hancock AFB: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/30/us/drone-pilots-waiting-for-a-kill-shot-7000-miles-away.html?_r=1 and  http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2013/04/174th_attack_wing.html#incart_m-rpt-2
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Domestic and foreign deployment of drones sparks Senate filibuster: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/06/rand-paul-does-not-go-quietly-into-the-night/?hpw