A suspected Chinese surveillance balloon device has been seen flying over the continental United States this week, according to the Defense Department.
“The United States Government has detected and is tracking a high altitude surveillance balloon that is over the continental United States right now,” Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement. “The U.S. government, to include NORAD, continues to track and monitor it closely. 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,” Ryder added. “Once the balloon was detected, the U.S. government acted immediately to protect against the collection of sensitive information.”
????#BREAKING: More video of the Chinese spy balloon⁰
????#Montana | #USAMore video is coming out as
The Chinese high altitude surveillance balloon was seen over Billings Montana yesterday.
The size of balloon is three buses wide and has been flying over the Northern U.S. for days pic.twitter.com/4iUVvJQCG8— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) February 2, 2023
A senior Defense Department official told reporters during a press conference that the United States has decided not to shoot down the balloon due to safety risks.
“Secretary Austin convened senior DoD leadership yesterday, even as he was on the road in the Philippines,” the official said. “It was the strong recommendation by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Milley, and the commander of NORTHCOM, General VanHerck, not to take kinetic action due to the risk to safety and security of people on the ground from the possible debris field.”
