YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan - The United States Navy is currently investigating the authenticity of aerial photos and videos posted on social media depicting the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier. The imagery, which includes shots taken from a drone, was shared on X and has raised questions about potential security breaches.

The photos and video were posted by a user named @Xiao_Hao_4 over the past two months. A set of four photos, uploaded on April 4, showcases the USS Ronald Reagan along with the USS Blue Ridge and destroyers, as well as sections of the naval base. Another post on May 8 included two additional photos and a video that appeared to have been captured from a drone flying directly over the aircraft carrier.

Justin Keller, spokesperson for the Yokosuka Naval Base, confirmed that the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) has been investigating the authenticity of the imagery. Keller stated that, thus far, there is no evidence to suggest that a drone actually flew over the USS Ronald Reagan. He further mentioned that the base maintains robust force protection measures at all times, ensuring the security of both the base and the crew of the aircraft carrier.

The X account responsible for posting the imagery, primarily in Chinese, describes itself as a "Secret account for Secret contents". Thus far, the account holder has not revealed their identity and has declined to comment on the matter.

This is not the first time unauthorized drone footage has emerged over military bases in Japan. On April 2, the same X account shared similar imagery of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka, including a video of the helicopter destroyer JS Izumo. Japan has already outlawed unauthorized drone flights over military installations.

During a news conference, Japan Defense Minister Minoru Kihara expressed concern over the footage, stating that it was highly likely to be authentic. The Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces are taking the matter seriously due to the potential damages that drones could inflict on defense-related facilities. As a result, Japan is planning to introduce new countermeasure equipment to enhance base security.

The Ministry of Defense spokesperson declined to provide further information about their analysis of the footage, citing the need to protect their information gathering and analysis capabilities. However, they confirmed that Japan is closely cooperating with the United States on matters related to information warfare.

The investigation into the authenticity of the drone imagery of the USS Ronald Reagan continues. Both the United States Navy and Japan are determined to ensure the security of their military bases and prevent any potential breaches. As the investigation progresses, updates on the findings will be reported.

Alex Wilson, who covers the U.S. Navy and other services, and Hana Kusumoto, a reporter/translator specializing in Japanese local authorities, contributed to this article from Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan.