Introduction to Drone Surveillance
The use of drones for surveillance has become a topic of concern in recent times, especially with the deployment of unarmed MQ-9 Predator drones over protests in Los Angeles. Video clips posted on social media by the Department of Homeland Security, labeled as "DHS drone footage," confirm the use of these drones for high-altitude surveillance of protests that followed immigration enforcement operations around downtown Los Angeles.
Confirmation of Drone Deployment
The video clips were watermarked with the logo of CBP Air and Marine Operations, which is the DHS unit that operates its drones and a variety of other aircraft. This confirms that the drones were indeed operated by the Air and Marine Operations unit of Customs and Border Protection.
Screenshot via ADS-B Exchange captured on Sunday, June 8, 2025.
Public Reaction and Concerns
DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the drone use. However, publicly-collected flight tracking data reviewed by NBCLA over the weekend showed an unknown aircraft, marked with a light blue icon and flight track, flying hexagonal orbits over Downtown Los Angeles at an altitude of approximately 22,000 feet. This flight pattern and altitude are previously associated with domestic drone surveillance flights.
Investigation and Findings
404media, an independent outlet focused on technology, first reported the flights, after an aviation tracker posted on X (Twitter) that air traffic controllers captured in recordings at stations along the mystery flight path made references to the presence of "Q-9" drones in communications with other aircraft.
I’ve confirmed that the two targets operating in hexagonal surveillance orbits over DTLA these past 36 hours are both MQ-9s, callsigns TROY701 and 703
As 703 replaced 701, they passed each other in the airspace near Yuma, AZ where I found this needle in the haystack! Listen
DHS aircraft often use the callsign "Troy," including several other DHS and CBP helicopters that conducted flights and operations around Southern California in recent days.
Base of Operations
DHS’s Air and Marine Operations Center is based at the March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, where flights of other manned DHS aircraft originated before arriving over Downtown Los Angeles, the flight tracking records showed.
Conclusion
The deployment of Predator drones over LA protests raises concerns about surveillance and privacy. The use of these drones for high-altitude surveillance of protests is a topic of debate, with many questioning the necessity and legality of such actions. As the use of drones for surveillance continues to grow, it is essential to address these concerns and establish clear guidelines for their deployment.
FAQs
Q: What type of drones were used for surveillance over LA protests?
A: Unarmed MQ-9 Predator drones were used for high-altitude surveillance of protests in Los Angeles.
Q: Who operated the drones?
A: The drones were operated by the Air and Marine Operations unit of Customs and Border Protection.
Q: What was the altitude of the drones during surveillance?
A: The drones flew at an altitude of approximately 22,000 feet.
Q: How were the drone flights tracked?
A: Publicly-collected flight tracking data reviewed by NBCLA showed the unknown aircraft flying hexagonal orbits over Downtown Los Angeles.
Q: What is the base of operations for DHS’s Air and Marine Operations Center?
A: The base of operations is at the March Air Reserve Base in Riverside.
