U.S. fighter jets have shot down a second possible reconnaissance balloon on President Biden's orders.
Administration spokesman John Kirby revealed that the takedown occurred over a frozen body of water in Alaska. A recovery effort is underway.
There was no further explanation as to why similar action wasn't taken last week over sparsely populated Montana.
The dimensions of this โhigh-altitude object,โ as Kirby dubbed it, were significantly difference from the balloon that traversed the entire continent gathering intelligence.
According to preliminary reports, it posed a threat to civilian aircraft.
WATCH:
The New York Times has more:
Mr. Kirby said the object was traveling at 40,000 feet. He said officials were describing it as an object because that was the best description they had of it.
โPresident Biden ordered the military to down the object, and they did,โ Mr. Kirby said. He added later that a fighter jet took down the object.
A U.S. official said there were โno affirmative indications of military threatโ to people on the ground from the object. Officials said they could not confirm whether there was any surveillance equipment on the object that was shot down.
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The latest breach, officials said, took place over Alaska. One official described it as a โfast-movingโ situation that was still developing. It is not clear if the object was from an adversarial power, or a commercial or research operation that has gone astray, the official said.
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4 Comments
Once bitten twice shy.
Joey might have learned a thing or two in the past couple of weeks.
Story is lacking most known information. Long past due for an update.
When you accept millions from our enemies you belong to them.. they own you! I would guess Biden was told to not shoot down that first ballon until hit the Atlantic Ocean!! John Kirby is a weak knee coward. Our country is doomed under the Biden administration!! Many of them should be in prison for treason against America!! Vote ever democrat out the first chance you get! Stop Biden from selling our strategic oil reserve to our enemies China and Russia!!!