Pentagon Tracking Suspected Chinese Spy Balloon Over Northern US

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Header

The U.S. military is currently tracking a suspected Chinese spy balloon over Montana, according to a senior Pentagon official.

“The United States Government has detected and is tracking a high altitude surveillance balloon that is over the continental United States right now,” said Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder in a Feb. 2 statement.

A senior defense official told reporters the Pentagon has a “very high confidence” that the balloon comes from China.

The high-altitude surveillance balloon allegedly floated over the Aleutian islands and Canada before crossing over the airspace of Montana, according to an NBC report that cited three unnamed government officials.

Ryder said that North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected the balloon some days ago and that the military had taken measures to conceal any sensitive information that could be spotted from such a craft.

“The U.S. government, to include NORAD, continues to track and monitor it closely,” Ryder said. “The balloon is currently traveling at an altitude well above commercial air traffic and does not present a military or physical threat to people on the ground.”

“Instances of this kind of balloon activity have been observed previously over the past several years. Once the balloon was detected, the U.S. government acted immediately to protect against the collection of sensitive information.”

A senior defense official said that Pentagon leadership including Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin convened a meeting to determine whether or not the balloon should be shot down, but ultimately decided against that course of action “due to the risk to safety and security of people on the ground from the possible debris field.”

While declining to specify the exact dimensions of the balloon, the official said the Pentagon assessed that the balloon, which is traveling in the atmosphere over U.S. airspace, is “large enough to cause damage from the debris field if we downed it over an area.”

The official said that the balloon’s “current flight path does carry it over a number of sensitive sites,” without providing detail.

By Andrew Thornebrooke and Frank Fang

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.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.

The Real Reason Why the Left is Unhinged

Nine out of thirteen of the original states required you to be a Bible believing Christian to serve in government at the time of the founding.

The Sacrificial Lambs of the Riyadh Standup Scene

Which is the greater injustice: jailing political dissidents, or millions dead from pharma crimes with no accountability for those responsible?

No Kings Exposes Odd Things!

The “No Kings” protests held around the nation are not grassroots spontaneous people’s protests but are highly organized events by paid provocateurs.

President Trump Needs Much Better Protection

President Trump faces threats from foreign adversaries and domestic radicals prone to violence, people suffering from severe “TDS.”

Science Has Finally Come For Transgenderism

British biologist Richard Dawkins said “trans women are men,” calling transgender ideology a movement that undermines biological truth.

Gold Registers Sharpest Single-Session Selloff in 5 Years

Gold prices suffered their sharpest single-session selloff since 2020, declining more than 5 percent on Oct. 21.

DNC Increases Spending in Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania Races

The DNC pledged an extra $500,000 to support get-out-the-vote efforts in Virginia and New Jersey governor’s races and Pennsylvania judicial contests.

Curtis Sliwa Vows to Stay in NYC Mayoral Race Despite Pressure to Quit

Curtis Sliwa, GOP NYC mayoral candidate, vows to stay in despite growing pressure, just days before early voting starts.

Tylenol Manufacturer Resists Proposed Label Changes

Kenvue Brands LLC, maker of Tylenol, challenged FDA demands to add more safety warnings on its labels, defending current labeling practices.

Trump Calls off Meeting With Putin, White House Says

White House says Secretary Rubio and Russia’s Lavrov had a productive call; no further meetings or Trump-Putin talks are planned soon.

President Signs Rare Earth Agreement With Australia’s PM

President Trump hosted Australian PM Albanese at the White House, where both leaders signed a new agreement on rare earth mineral cooperation.

Trump Says Insurrection Act Is ‘Strongest Power a President Has’

President Trump detailed plans to invoke the Insurrection Act to address rampant crime, calling it the “strongest power a president has.”

Army Corps of Engineers to Pause $11 Billion in Projects During Shutdown: Vought

Russ Vought, director of the White House’s OMB, has added to the growing pile of federal projects paused during the government shutdown.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central