US jets down 4 objects in 8 days, unprecedented in peacetime
Part of the reason for the repeated shootdowns is a “heightened alert” following a spy balloon from China that emerged over U.S. airspace in late January, Gen. Glen VanHerck, head of NORAD and U.S. Northern Command, said in a briefing with reporters.
U.S. authorities have made clear that they constantly monitor for unknown radar blips, and it is not unusual to shut down airspace as a precaution to evaluate them. But the unusually assertive response was raising questions about whether such use of force was warranted, particularly as administration officials said the objects were not of great national security concern and the downings were just out of caution.
Asked if officials have ruled out extraterrestrials, VanHerck said, “I haven’t ruled out anything at this point.” The extraordinary air defense activity began in late January, when a white orb the officials said was from China appeared over the U.S. and hovered above the nation for days before fighter jets downed it off the coast of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. That event played out over livestream. Many Americans have been captivated by the drama playing out in the skies as fighter jets scramble to shoot down objects.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘Unidentified object’ downed over Lake Huron, 3rd this week - Terrace Standard‘Unidentified object’ downed over Lake Huron, 3rd this week
Read more »
Highway 97 crash claims life of Williams Lake area teenage girl, critically injures brother - Terrace StandardHighway 97 crash claims life of Williams Lake area teenage girl, critically injures brother
Read more »
'Unidentified object' downed over Lake Huron, 3rd this weekU.S. officials said an “unidentified object” has been shot down Sunday for the third time in as many days, this time over Lake Huron, after earlier downings in Alaska and Canada.
Read more »
‘Unidentified object’ downed over Lake Huron, 3rd this weekU.S. and Canadian authorities had restricted some airspace over the lake earlier Sunday as planes were scrambled to intercept and try to identify the object.
Read more »
U.S. military shoots down unidentified object over Lake HuronIt was the fourth flying object in less than two weeks to be downed over North American airspace.
Read more »
'Unidentified object' downed over Lake Huron, 3rd this weekThe United States believes the unidentified objects shot down by American fighter jets over Canada and Alaska were balloons, though smaller than the China balloon downed over the Atlantic Ocean last weekend, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Sunday.
Read more »