BEATRICE – It’s an ongoing mystery that’s caught the attention of Midwest residents, if for nothing else, out of sheer curiosity.
Who’s conducting low-altitude drone flights across parts of Colorado and Nebraska, and for what reason?


Beyond the curiosity, there are legitimate security and safety concerns…..for one, by Nebraska Airports. 


"The first thing, they're supposed to stay at least three miles away from the airport, which I've heard reports they are not. Of course, that raises concerns and that's why they are looking at getting a task force to figure out, find out exactly what is going on".


Beatrice Municipal Airport Manager Diana Smith says there have been several reports of the drones since they first were observed in Colorado, moving east into areas across southern Nebraska, including around Fairbury and Beatrice. Up to this point, Smith says no pilots of aircraft coming into, or leaving the Beatrice facility, have witnessed the drone flights.
"Just a lot of people in and around the Kearney area in their backyards, seeing them. They're flying in between 200 and 400 feet off the ground. But, I have not heard of any, as far as aircraft, actually seeing them".


The Beatrice Airport fields daily business aircraft flights at around 8 p.m.…such as flights delivering packages or other goods. Smith says Nebraska airports have been contacting their local emergency management agencies as officials try to solve the mystery. Smith says persons utilizing drones are required to contact airports about such flights ahead of time, if they operate within three miles of an airport.


"Which is one reason it's kind of a red flag with these.....because they're not making any phone calls".


Gage County Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson says his office has been getting calls reporting the drone flights.
"The county assessor had fielded a call, they thought they were maybe flying over for tax purposes...but I doubt that would happen in evening hours. Then I heard that the military might be checking on the old missile silos we have.....one in the north and one in the south part of the county...but I don't think they'd do that at night. So, we really don't know what to make of it".


One theory by civilian intelligence is that someone is illegally scanning missile fields, for nuclear warheads. Another theory is that it’s testing being conducted of new drone-based search and reconnaissance technology.


Gustafson says his deputies have investigated some calls reporting the drones.
"One or two deputies had some calls on it, and they tried to trace it and track it. But, it goes across as the crow flies and it gets ahead of you so quick, you lose sight of it. I think they've maybe had two. (reports)"


Gustafson encourages citizens to continue to report any sightings to his office.
"At least we can try to get out there. One of these times, we get enough reports on it, we may be lucky to catch someone operating it. We always want to know about it, so we can document it. Maybe we can map it eventually and see if its in a certain area most of the time....and we can narrow it down".


Some reports of the drones indicate they are larger than most drones used by law enforcement or other agencies for aerial video or mapping applications….and are flying in formation.