FBI behind mysterious surveillance aircraft over US cities

The FBI is operating a small air force with scores of low-flying planes across the U.S. carrying video and, at times, cellphone surveillance technology—all hidden behind fictitious companies that are fronts for the government, The Associated Press has learned.

The planes' surveillance equipment is generally used without a judge's approval, and the FBI said the flights are used for specific, ongoing investigations. In a recent 30-day period, the agency flew above more than 30 cities in 11 states across the country, an AP review found.

FBI behind mysterious surveillance aircraft over US cities

From the article: "Some of the aircraft can also be equipped with technology that can identify thousands of people below through the cellphones they carry, even if they're not making a call or in public. Officials said that practice, which mimics cell towers into coughing up basic subscriber information, is rare."

Or maybe not so rare, it's similar to the Stingray and Triggerfish technology, which is being used by police without warrants. Mass surveillance on everyone. Time to make a lead-lined phone case.

Yep.

We need to put an immediate stop to our governments shinanigains.

If your a sensible terrorist or criminal you wouldn't carry a phone, and since the most dangerous criminals and terrorists are the sensible ones, this will probably not prevent major acts of terrorism or the big crimes being committed.

a reply to: Blackmarketeer

"Some of the aircraft can also be equipped with technology that can identify thousands of people below through the cellphones they carry, even if they're not making a call or in public.

I have a feeling that they are doing more than just identifying who is down there.
I would guess that they are listening to conversations in real time and reading texts/emails.
ETA:
What the heck is up with them using fake arse companies as covers for what they are doing? Each time it has happened, people have been quick to pick up on the flight patterns and trace the plane back to the same place in Bristow, VA and the varying fake company fronts. Why use the easy to see through fake charade?

a reply to: butcherguy

That would be due to incompetence.

this is low level spying by the gub'ment, not the real deal. All of those phonecalls and texts are being recorded and monitored in real time already, higher up.

If I had to guess, this is some small branch who was told by some manager to do this work under business names for financial purposes.

Think about it- if it's a business doing the spying, they can sell that business off to the local PD

I just heard this story on NJ 101.5 radio this morning so it IS "MSM Approved" Perhaps the sellout government scum are getting seriously paranoid that the Sheeple which see them for the garbage that they are and try to organize resistance. My opinion is that while this may be possible this is just further evidence that as a beast grows in size and numbers, it gets starved for feed and actively goes about hunting for every little scrap it can stuff into it's belly to keep it growing and getting stronger.

originally posted by: Blackmarketeer
Time to make a lead-lined phone case.

Perhaps it is time to fight back, and, here is something you can do...

Don't use "Cell" technology...

I know it nearly ubiquitous, but, "Cell" technology isn't used exclusively any more in cell phones...Where I live I can't get a cell signal...not sure why. but I get "no bars"...

I have a Galaxy 4, and it has the ability to use my private LAN to place and receive calls, completely bypassing the "Cell" circuitry, and radio sets. It is possible, in my phone to completely shut off the Cell aspect and only use wify...the police will have greater trouble "hacking" the wifi...especially IF you set up you your LAN, and phone correctly.

This feature exists in virtually ALL cell phones currently in use and, in all of the more advanced devices.

If they want to use technology against you; turn the tables and use that technology against them!

a reply to: Blackmarketeer

FBI charged with preventing any populist movements. Domestic spying, spying on behalf of corporations and interest groups.

They've illegally harassed a number of citizen initiatives. Civil Rights movement, Vietnam protests, OWS, Keystone XL protests, nuclear protests, protests against oil drilling. False flag operations on US and foreign soil. (you might call them setups but they serve the purpose)

What hasn't been revealed (yet) about this lawless group?

Spying on political threats and election tampering? (Ron Paul, Bernie Sanders?)
Spying on judges?
Spying on police brutality protests?
Spying on Monsanto protests?
Trade treaty enforcement?
Domestic assassinations?

who are they really working for?

originally posted by: tanka418

originally posted by: Blackmarketeer
Time to make a lead-lined phone case.

Perhaps it is time to fight back, and, here is something you can do...

Don't use "Cell" technology...

I know it nearly ubiquitous, but, "Cell" technology isn't used exclusively any more in cell phones...Where I live I can't get a cell signal...not sure why. but I get "no bars"...

I have a Galaxy 4, and it has the ability to use my private LAN to place and receive calls, completely bypassing the "Cell" circuitry, and radio sets. It is possible, in my phone to completely shut off the Cell aspect and only use wify...the police will have greater trouble "hacking" the wifi...especially IF you set up you your LAN, and phone correctly.

This feature exists in virtually ALL cell phones currently in cue and, in all of the more advanced devices.

If they want to use technology against you; turn the tables and use that technology against them!

What you just described is true when there are no cell towers in range of the device. When you are in range of one and the device power is off or on, it's communicating with the network. Battery out is the only easy way to prevent your personal phone from locating you (e.g. your EMEI registered account) in an urban environment. The Wi-Fi also has a bit of a range problem but if it was just that, you could probamly make it work. Maybe you could open the phone and de-solder the cell radio antenna. That might work but would need to be tested. In any case, the gov always has high power devices to jam you if they really want to. I bet the FBI Cessnas have wifi counter measures.

a reply to: hotel1

Some how many doubt that it's about terrorism but it sure peeks ones mind to ask just what the heck is it really about .There seems to be no shortage of money's and teck at their disposal .

a reply to: InverseLookingGlass

Your phone must be older than mine...I can tell mine to NOT use the Cell infrastructure, and only use Wifi.

There are plenty of unsecured Wifi LANs to take care of you in an Urban environment...even in a small Texas town.

The other day I was out running an errand and saw a small plane just like that picture flying really low, circling overhead. So low it seemed like it was dangerously close to high-wires...in fact, I half expected to see it crash.

It was circling in a counter-clockwise direction, and eventually flew off still at low altitude.

I have a hard time judging altitude - but this plane was the lowest-flying I've seen in this area. We are near the downtown airport, and also in the flight path for the Big Airport - lots of small planes fly around - but a lot higher than this one did.
I wondered what the hell it was doing - way too low to be a student in a small plane.....or a legitimate altitude to be anywhere near landing at EITHER airport.

Is there a complete list of what states and cities are being surveilled?
There ARE criminal elements in this area - we hear gunfire routinely. (And always call it in).

a reply to: Blackmarketeer

So they can't spy Amish.

FBI has hundreds of these planes.

Most of them fly so high, you can't see them with the naked eye... they can see you though... very well.


I know, I have ridden on these planes. Nothing the average person needs to be concerned about.

a reply to: RickinVa

I trust that you are right with what you said, but the potential, the fear, at least a concern is that a mix up occurs and the wrong people are targeted and assaulted. It may not happen every day but it only takes once if you are the unfortunate victims. And do not forget that the Federal government itself admits that it is INCOMPETANT every time they screw up or fail to do it's job and something goes South.

I was fueling planes like this for the FBI in 1990. It wasn't open knowledge that these belonged to the FBI, but it wasn't totally secret either.

originally posted by: JIMC5499
I was fueling planes like this for the FBI in 1990. It wasn't open knowledge that these belonged to the FBI, but it wasn't totally secret either.

Exactly... in the division I worked in, we had three aviation off-sites.... classified.... went so far as to create you a fake identity and everything just to access the sites..... funny thing was.... as much as the FBI tries to keep it a secret.... you could go to either airport and ask people... they would always reply.... the FBI building? Oh yeah it's that one over there.......

Wasn't really much of a secret to the people around the area.... they knew.

originally posted by: RickinVa
FBI has hundreds of these planes.

Most of them fly so high, you can't see them with the naked eye... they can see you though... very well.


I know, I have ridden on these planes. Nothing the average person needs to be concerned about.

And how high is that???

Certainly not above 5,000 feet(1 mile)

And, nope nothing to be concerned about; only the illegal circumvention of your constitutional rights!

Nothing to see here, move along...

This reminds of a scene from Casino when the FBI surveillance plane runs out of fuel and has to land of the golf course.

I'm sure this has been going on for decades, however now the surveillance equipment is much more advanced. In fact, I think ATS has a thread or two about the 'stingray', 'kingfish', or ' triggerfish' cell phone mimickers are now being carried in Cessna surveillance planes.

That said, in the past year I have seen a plane or two that I have been suspicious of.

Funny, I seen a few of those making circles around and over my backyard. So close I was able to get the tail number once or twice. I don't live in a city. Hmmm...

I'm sure they have a dedicated fleet just for me exclusively, for simply sharing my views on ATS.

They got to justify their overbloated budget somehow.