Pentagon Releases U-2 Pilot’s Photo of Chinese Spy Balloon Before It Was Shot Down

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Header

The Pentagon released a photo of the Chinese spy balloon on Wednesday taken by a U.S. Air Force pilot before it was shot down earlier this month.

The photo of the Chinese spy balloon hovering over the central continental United States was captured by a U-2 pilot on Feb. 3. The image depicts the pilot observing the suspect balloon from above.

The Chinese spy balloon was shot down by the Air Force the next day off the coast of South Carolina. The last of the debris was collected on Feb. 16 by U.S. Navy assets assigned to U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), which oversees the defense for much of North America.

NORTHCOM said in a statement on Feb. 17 that the debris would be given to the FBI for analysis.

The incident set off an uproar in the United States and forced Secretary of State Antony Blinken to cancel a planned visit to Beijing, which would have been the first trip a U.S. Secretary of State took to China in five years.

The Biden administration viewed the trip to China as an opportunity to improve relations that had deteriorated due to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in 2022.

The Biden administration has said it wants to maintain open lines of communication with Beijing even after it announced that the Chinese balloon, which hovered over U.S. airspace for longer than a week, was part of a worldwide surveillance program that impacts more than 40 nations, including Washington’s “closest allies and partners.”

“I expect to be speaking with President Xi, and I hope we are going to get to the bottom of this,” President Joe Biden stated at a Feb. 16 news conference, although he added that he makes “no apologies for taking down that balloon.”

US Condemned Chinese Incursion

Blinken ultimately met with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 19.

By Caden Pearson

Read Full Article on NTD.Com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

CHARLIE KIRK, YOU WEREN’T PROVED WRONG

"I want to be remembered for courage for my faith,” Kirk had said in a podcast merely two months ago. May his courage spur us to be bolder in our faith.

Trump’s Proposal For NATO To Stop Buying Russian Oil & Start Tariffing China Is Unrealistic

Trump proposed on social media that NATO stop buying Russian oil and start tariffing China 50-100% as part of his plan for ending the Ukrainian Conflict.

The Choices We Make

Death and disagreement are inevitable. Love and hate are choices. We will all die. Before we do, what choices will we make?

Elon Musk Speaks at Unite the Kingdom Rally

Tommy Robinson held rally, with Elon Musk appearing virtually, calling attention to leftist politicians who allow foreign immigrants to invade England.

Doxed Democrats Are Getting Fired Left and Left

Not a misprint because a title of “left and...

House Passes Resolution to Honor Charlie Kirk

The House of Representatives on Sept. 19 passed a resolution remembering conservative influencer Charlie Kirk and condemning his assassination.

ABC Suspends Jimmy Kimmel: 5 Things to Know

ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel indefinitely over remarks about Charlie Kirk’s assassination, following an FCC warning its head would act against the network.

Judge Rules Pro-Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil Should Be Deported

A U.S. judge ordered pro-Palestinian activist and Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil deported after finding he omitted information on his green card application.

Charlie Kirk’s Widow, Erika, Named New CEO of Turning Point USA

Turning Point USA announced it named Erika Kirk as new CEO and board chair of Turning Point USA, which late husband, Charlie Kirk, co-founded.

Trump, Starmer Seal Record $340 Billion ‘Tech Prosperity Deal’

President Trump and British PM Keir Starmer announced a new partnership worth $340 billion in technology, nuclear power, and private equity.

DOJ Sues Maine, Oregon Over Voter Registration Lists

The DOJ said that it is suing Oregon and Maine for failing to provide information on how their election offices maintain valid voter registration rolls.

Rubio Says US Visa Revocations Underway After Charlie Kirk Death Celebrations

SoS Marco Rubio said foreign nationals who made celebratory comments over Charlie Kirk’s assassination will have their U.S. visas revoked.

Trump Supports Designating Antifa a Terrorist Organization

President Trump said he would support designating the antifa movement a terrorist organization in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination last week.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central