Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder has told NBC News that they are currently monitoring a suspected Chinese military spy balloon that has been hovering over northern parts of the United States for the past several days.
Any clue as to what this is in the sky? It’s moved a little bit in the past 40 minutes, but it was just as bright in daylight hours. pic.twitter.com/sNRnJSfJ7G
— John Martin (@MartinInMontana) February 2, 2023
Ryder said “The United States government has detected and is tracking a high-altitude surveillance balloon that is over the continental United States right now,” adding “We continue to track and monitor it closely. Once the balloon was detected, the U.S. government acted immediately to protect against the collection of sensitive information.”
Military officials are debating whether or not to shoot it down.
The balloon was last seen over Billings, Montana, which has prompted local flights to be grounded, Billings Airport director Jeff Roach told Ravalli Republic.
