US Tracking Suspected Chinese Spy Balloon Over Montana Written 3 February 2023
USAF, Airman 1st Class Jackson Ligon prepares a spacer on an intercontinental ballistic missile during a Simulated Electronic Launch-Minuteman test Sept. 22, 2020, at a launch facility near Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana. | Credit: Tristan Day/U.S. Air Force; Associated Press–©
The AP reports that the US “is tracking a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that has been spotted over U.S. airspace for a couple days, but the Pentagon decided not to shoot it down due to risks of harm for people on the ground, officials said Thursday. The discovery of the balloon puts a further strain on U.S.-China relations at a time of heightened tensions.” Bloomberg reports that the balloon “was loitering over Montana – home to Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile silos – but posed no physical or intelligence threat, a senior Defense Department official said.” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin informed President Biden, “but recommended leaving it alone because of the possible risk of falling debris.”
Full Story (Associated Press); More Info (Bloomberg)
Video
Chinese spy balloon spotted above over US. | ABC News; YouTube)