from：
https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/12/politics ... index.html
US military shoots down high-altitude object over Lake Huron on Sunday
By Oren Liebermann and Kylie Atwood, CNN
Updated: 4:02 PM EST, Sun February 12, 2023
Source: CNN
The US military shot down another high-altitude object over Lake Huron on Sunday afternoon, according to a US official and a congressional source briefed on the matter.
The operation marks the third day in a row that an unidentified object was shot down over North American airspace. An unidentified object was shot down over northern Canada on Saturday. On Friday, an unidentified object was shot down in Alaska airspace by a US F-22.
And last weekend, a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon was taken down by F-22s off the coast of South Carolina.
Earlier Sunday, Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan tweeted that she had received a call from the Department of Defense saying that the US military “has an extremely close eye” on an object above Lake Huron.
“Just got a call from @DeptofDefense — our military has an extremely close eye on the object above Lake Huron,” Slotkin said in a tweet on Sunday. “We’ll know more about what this was in the coming days, but for now, be assured that all parties have been laser-focused on it from the moment it traversed our waters.”
This is a breaking story and will be updated.
第四个飞行物-US military shoots down high-altitude object over Lake Huron on Sunday
版主： Zephyrca， HBBH
第四个飞行物-US military shoots down high-altitude object over Lake Huron on Sunday
上次由 zczna 在 2023年 2月 12日 16:36 修改。
Re: 第四个飞行物-US military shoots down high-altitude object over Lake Huron on Sunday
from：
https://www.wenxuecity.com/news/2023/02 ... 40082.html
wenxuecity.com
第三只间谍气球被击落 中国秘密气球发射场被锁定 | 文学城
华尔街日报
7–8 minutes
中共位于内蒙古的热气球发射场照片，位于内蒙古四子王旗处（位置41°46'52.21"N - 111°54'0.43"E），可以清晰看到类似NASA的八角形气球发射场。（Google地图截图）
《华尔街日报》2月9日率先披露，在内蒙古荒无人烟的草原上，一块八角形的混凝土板是中共的气球发射场。有西方气象爱好者通过搜索，证实该气球发射场位置是在内蒙古四子王旗处，距离格根塔拉草原旅游区以东三英里的地方。
阿根廷追踪气球领域数据库StratoCat的账号管理员周六在推特上（点击）说：“经过12个小时的艰苦搜索，使用苹果地图一英里又一英里地找，我终于找到了《华尔街日报》最新文章中提到的中国气球发射场的位置。
“它位于呼和浩特市北部138公里处的四子王旗。”
该账号还公布了具体的发射场的位置数据。
中共位于内蒙古的热气球发射场座落在内蒙古四子王旗处（位置41°46’52.21″N – 111°54’0.43″E），可以清晰看到类似NASA的八角形气球发射场。（Google地图截图）
StratoCat的编辑路易斯·帕切科（Luis E. Pacheco）之前接受华日采访时表示，中方对外分享的气球项目信息非常有限。
2月4日，美国军机在大西洋沿岸击落了一颗中共间谍气球。据悉，它携带了用于收集情报和通信的天线和传感器。10日下午，美国军机在阿拉斯加领空高空击落了一个物体，大约有一辆小汽车那么大。但官方没有透露是否是气球，也没有透露它来自哪里。
帕切科说，在美国最近的气球事件之前，StratoCat的狂热用户已提交了2022年在印度洋、菲律宾和夏威夷附近上空发现的类似入侵美国领空的中共间谍气球的照片。
华日说，旧金山卫星成像公司Planet Labs PBC向他们提供了一张发射场的卫星照片，并经位于加州蒙特雷的明德大学蒙特雷国际研究学院（Middlebury Institute of International Studies）鉴定，确定了这个气球发射场的位置区域。但报导没有给出具体的位置所在。
华日引述Planet Labs的话说，从上空俯视，这个位于内蒙古的气球发射场与美国国家航空航天局（NASA）位于德州哥伦比亚科学气球中心（Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility）的发射场十分相似。但NASA的气球研究跟美国军方没有任何关系。
根据公开信息、政府报告和外国行业分析人士，中共一直通过国有的研究机构和企业在研发和提升高空气球领域。
这个四子王旗气球发射场属于中共最高的技术科学院中国科学院。早在2017年，它就在四子王旗建立气球飞行基地。
根据中科院旗下《中国科学报》2018年的一篇报导，中科院光电研究院气球飞行器研究中心主任姜鲁华透露，中科院气球飞行器中心与内蒙古农牧业科学院合作，于2017年在内蒙古乌兰察布市四子王旗建立了新的高空气球飞行试验基地，“目前已经具备开展高空气球发放和飞行的基本条件”。
美国周五（2月10日）已将六家支持中共军方航空航天项目的中国企业列入黑名单。这些项目包括飞艇、气球以及相关材料和部件。
被美国商务部列入黑名单的公司有：北京南江空天科技有限公司、中国电子科技集团公司第四十八研究所、东莞凌空遥感技术有限公司、鹰门航空科技集团有限公司（Eagles Men Aviation Science and Technology Group Co., Ltd.）、广州天海翔航空科技有限公司和山西鹰门航空科技集团有限公司（Shanxi Eagles Men Aviation Science and Technology Group Co., Ltd.）。
美方声明说，中共军方（PLA）正在利用高空气球（HAB）进行情报和侦察活动。
被列入黑名单的企业需要遵守额外的美国出口许可要求，在大多数情况下，所有“受EAR约束的物品”（涵盖大多数美国原产货物、软件和技术，以及一些含有美国元素的非美国原产产品）的出口，都需要获得美国出口许可证，且任何与这些实体相关的出口许可证的申请，都将被默认为拒绝。
https://www.wenxuecity.com/news/2023/02 ... 40082.html
wenxuecity.com
第三只间谍气球被击落 中国秘密气球发射场被锁定 | 文学城
华尔街日报
7–8 minutes
中共位于内蒙古的热气球发射场照片，位于内蒙古四子王旗处（位置41°46'52.21"N - 111°54'0.43"E），可以清晰看到类似NASA的八角形气球发射场。（Google地图截图）
《华尔街日报》2月9日率先披露，在内蒙古荒无人烟的草原上，一块八角形的混凝土板是中共的气球发射场。有西方气象爱好者通过搜索，证实该气球发射场位置是在内蒙古四子王旗处，距离格根塔拉草原旅游区以东三英里的地方。
阿根廷追踪气球领域数据库StratoCat的账号管理员周六在推特上（点击）说：“经过12个小时的艰苦搜索，使用苹果地图一英里又一英里地找，我终于找到了《华尔街日报》最新文章中提到的中国气球发射场的位置。
“它位于呼和浩特市北部138公里处的四子王旗。”
该账号还公布了具体的发射场的位置数据。
中共位于内蒙古的热气球发射场座落在内蒙古四子王旗处（位置41°46’52.21″N – 111°54’0.43″E），可以清晰看到类似NASA的八角形气球发射场。（Google地图截图）
StratoCat的编辑路易斯·帕切科（Luis E. Pacheco）之前接受华日采访时表示，中方对外分享的气球项目信息非常有限。
2月4日，美国军机在大西洋沿岸击落了一颗中共间谍气球。据悉，它携带了用于收集情报和通信的天线和传感器。10日下午，美国军机在阿拉斯加领空高空击落了一个物体，大约有一辆小汽车那么大。但官方没有透露是否是气球，也没有透露它来自哪里。
帕切科说，在美国最近的气球事件之前，StratoCat的狂热用户已提交了2022年在印度洋、菲律宾和夏威夷附近上空发现的类似入侵美国领空的中共间谍气球的照片。
华日说，旧金山卫星成像公司Planet Labs PBC向他们提供了一张发射场的卫星照片，并经位于加州蒙特雷的明德大学蒙特雷国际研究学院（Middlebury Institute of International Studies）鉴定，确定了这个气球发射场的位置区域。但报导没有给出具体的位置所在。
华日引述Planet Labs的话说，从上空俯视，这个位于内蒙古的气球发射场与美国国家航空航天局（NASA）位于德州哥伦比亚科学气球中心（Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility）的发射场十分相似。但NASA的气球研究跟美国军方没有任何关系。
根据公开信息、政府报告和外国行业分析人士，中共一直通过国有的研究机构和企业在研发和提升高空气球领域。
这个四子王旗气球发射场属于中共最高的技术科学院中国科学院。早在2017年，它就在四子王旗建立气球飞行基地。
根据中科院旗下《中国科学报》2018年的一篇报导，中科院光电研究院气球飞行器研究中心主任姜鲁华透露，中科院气球飞行器中心与内蒙古农牧业科学院合作，于2017年在内蒙古乌兰察布市四子王旗建立了新的高空气球飞行试验基地，“目前已经具备开展高空气球发放和飞行的基本条件”。
美国周五（2月10日）已将六家支持中共军方航空航天项目的中国企业列入黑名单。这些项目包括飞艇、气球以及相关材料和部件。
被美国商务部列入黑名单的公司有：北京南江空天科技有限公司、中国电子科技集团公司第四十八研究所、东莞凌空遥感技术有限公司、鹰门航空科技集团有限公司（Eagles Men Aviation Science and Technology Group Co., Ltd.）、广州天海翔航空科技有限公司和山西鹰门航空科技集团有限公司（Shanxi Eagles Men Aviation Science and Technology Group Co., Ltd.）。
美方声明说，中共军方（PLA）正在利用高空气球（HAB）进行情报和侦察活动。
被列入黑名单的企业需要遵守额外的美国出口许可要求，在大多数情况下，所有“受EAR约束的物品”（涵盖大多数美国原产货物、软件和技术，以及一些含有美国元素的非美国原产产品）的出口，都需要获得美国出口许可证，且任何与这些实体相关的出口许可证的申请，都将被默认为拒绝。
Re: 第四个飞行物-US military shoots down high-altitude object over Lake Huron on Sunday
from yahoo.com
https://www.yahoo.com/news/sen-schumer- ... 59573.html
'Unidentified object' downed over Lake Huron, 3rd this week
FILE - In this photo provided by the U.S. Navy, sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 recover a high-altitude surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Feb. 5, 2023. A missile fired on Feb. 5 by a U.S. F-22 off the Carolina coast ended the days-long flight of what the Biden administration says was a surveillance operation that took the Chinese balloon near U.S. military sites. It was an unprecedented incursion across U.S. territory for recent decades, and raised concerns among Americans about a possible escalation in spying and other challenges from rival China. (U.S. Navy via AP)
8/8
United States Aerial Objects
FILE - In this photo provided by the U.S. Navy, sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 recover a high-altitude surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Feb. 5, 2023. A missile fired on Feb. 5 by a U.S. F-22 off the Carolina coast ended the days-long flight of what the Biden administration says was a surveillance operation that took the Chinese balloon near U.S. military sites. It was an unprecedented incursion across U.S. territory for recent decades, and raised concerns among Americans about a possible escalation in spying and other challenges from rival China. (U.S. Navy via AP)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
FILE - In this photo provided by Chad Fish, the remnants of a large balloon drift above the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of South Carolina, with a fighter jet and its contrail seen below it, Feb. 4, 2023. A missile fired on Feb. 5 by a U.S. F-22 off the Carolina coast ended the days-long flight of what the Biden administration says was a surveillance operation that took the Chinese balloon near U.S. military sites. It was an unprecedented incursion across U.S. territory for recent decades, and raised concerns among Americans about a possible escalation in spying and other challenges from rival China. (Chad Fish via AP, File)
2/8
United States Aerial Objects
FILE - In this photo provided by Chad Fish, the remnants of a large balloon drift above the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of South Carolina, with a fighter jet and its contrail seen below it, Feb. 4, 2023. A missile fired on Feb. 5 by a U.S. F-22 off the Carolina coast ended the days-long flight of what the Biden administration says was a surveillance operation that took the Chinese balloon near U.S. military sites. It was an unprecedented incursion across U.S. territory for recent decades, and raised concerns among Americans about a possible escalation in spying and other challenges from rival China. (Chad Fish via AP, File)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
FILE - Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., speaks with The Associated Press about his new role on the House Intelligence Committee, in his office on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. U.S. security officials believe the two latest unidentified objects shot down by American fighter jets over Alaska and Canada were also balloons. Himes urged the Biden administration to be as forthcoming as possible about the two latest mystery objects, saying the shortage of solid information was fueling speculation online about malign action by foreign rivals. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
3/8
United States Aerial Objects
FILE - Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., speaks with The Associated Press about his new role on the House Intelligence Committee, in his office on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. U.S. security officials believe the two latest unidentified objects shot down by American fighter jets over Alaska and Canada were also balloons. Himes urged the Biden administration to be as forthcoming as possible about the two latest mystery objects, saying the shortage of solid information was fueling speculation online about malign action by foreign rivals. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The U.S. military detected and shot down an unidentified aerial object Friday near Alaska's border with Canada. (AP Digital Embed)
4/8
US-Aerial Object
The U.S. military detected and shot down an unidentified aerial object Friday near Alaska's border with Canada. (AP Digital Embed)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
FILE - Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 2, 2023. Schumer says the 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. Schumer tells ABC’s “This Week” that he was briefed on Saturday night by President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, after the incident hours earlier over the Yukon. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
5/8
United States Aerial Objects
FILE - Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 2, 2023. Schumer says the 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. Schumer tells ABC’s “This Week” that he was briefed on Saturday night by President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, after the incident hours earlier over the Yukon. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
FILE - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. On Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, Trudeau said that on his order a U.S. warplane shot down an unidentified object that was flying high over northern Canada, acting a day after U.S. planes took similar action over Alaska. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
6/8
Canada Aerial Object
FILE - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. On Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, Trudeau said that on his order a U.S. warplane shot down an unidentified object that was flying high over northern Canada, acting a day after U.S. planes took similar action over Alaska. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
FILE - This image provided by the U.S. Navy shows sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 recovering a high-altitude surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Feb. 5, 2023. A missile fired on Feb. 5 by a U.S. F-22 off the Carolina coast ended the days-long flight of what the Biden administration says was a surveillance operation that took the Chinese balloon near U.S. military sites. It was an unprecedented incursion across U.S. territory for recent decades, and raised concerns among Americans about a possible escalation in spying and other challenges from rival China. (U.S. Navy via AP, File)
7/8
United States Aerial Objects
FILE - This image provided by the U.S. Navy shows sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 recovering a high-altitude surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Feb. 5, 2023. A missile fired on Feb. 5 by a U.S. F-22 off the Carolina coast ended the days-long flight of what the Biden administration says was a surveillance operation that took the Chinese balloon near U.S. military sites. It was an unprecedented incursion across U.S. territory for recent decades, and raised concerns among Americans about a possible escalation in spying and other challenges from rival China. (U.S. Navy via AP, File)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
FILE - In this photo provided by Chad Fish, a large balloon drifts above the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of South Carolina, with a fighter jet and its contrail seen below it, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. A missile fired on Feb. 5 by a U.S. F-22 off the Carolina coast ended the days-long flight of what the Biden administration says was a surveillance operation that took the Chinese balloon near U.S. military sites. (Chad Fish via AP)
8/8
United States Aerial Objects
FILE - In this photo provided by Chad Fish, a large balloon drifts above the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of South Carolina, with a fighter jet and its contrail seen below it, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. A missile fired on Feb. 5 by a U.S. F-22 off the Carolina coast ended the days-long flight of what the Biden administration says was a surveillance operation that took the Chinese balloon near U.S. military sites. (Chad Fish via AP)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
FILE - In this photo provided by the U.S. Navy, sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 recover a high-altitude surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Feb. 5, 2023. A missile fired on Feb. 5 by a U.S. F-22 off the Carolina coast ended the days-long flight of what the Biden administration says was a surveillance operation that took the Chinese balloon near U.S. military sites. It was an unprecedented incursion across U.S. territory for recent decades, and raised concerns among Americans about a possible escalation in spying and other challenges from rival China. (U.S. Navy via AP)
FILE - In this photo provided by Chad Fish, the remnants of a large balloon drift above the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of South Carolina, with a fighter jet and its contrail seen below it, Feb. 4, 2023. A missile fired on Feb. 5 by a U.S. F-22 off the Carolina coast ended the days-long flight of what the Biden administration says was a surveillance operation that took the Chinese balloon near U.S. military sites. It was an unprecedented incursion across U.S. territory for recent decades, and raised concerns among Americans about a possible escalation in spying and other challenges from rival China. (Chad Fish via AP, File)
FILE - Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., speaks with The Associated Press about his new role on the House Intelligence Committee, in his office on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. U.S. security officials believe the two latest unidentified objects shot down by American fighter jets over Alaska and Canada were also balloons. Himes urged the Biden administration to be as forthcoming as possible about the two latest mystery objects, saying the shortage of solid information was fueling speculation online about malign action by foreign rivals. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
The U.S. military detected and shot down an unidentified aerial object Friday near Alaska's border with Canada. (AP Digital Embed)
FILE - Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 2, 2023. Schumer says the 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. Schumer tells ABC’s “This Week” that he was briefed on Saturday night by President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, after the incident hours earlier over the Yukon. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
FILE - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. On Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, Trudeau said that on his order a U.S. warplane shot down an unidentified object that was flying high over northern Canada, acting a day after U.S. planes took similar action over Alaska. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
FILE - This image provided by the U.S. Navy shows sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 recovering a high-altitude surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Feb. 5, 2023. A missile fired on Feb. 5 by a U.S. F-22 off the Carolina coast ended the days-long flight of what the Biden administration says was a surveillance operation that took the Chinese balloon near U.S. military sites. It was an unprecedented incursion across U.S. territory for recent decades, and raised concerns among Americans about a possible escalation in spying and other challenges from rival China. (U.S. Navy via AP, File)
FILE - In this photo provided by Chad Fish, a large balloon drifts above the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of South Carolina, with a fighter jet and its contrail seen below it, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. A missile fired on Feb. 5 by a U.S. F-22 off the Carolina coast ended the days-long flight of what the Biden administration says was a surveillance operation that took the Chinese balloon near U.S. military sites. (Chad Fish via AP)
COLLEEN LONG and LOLITA C. BALDOR and ELLEN KNICKMEYER
Sun, February 12, 2023 at 7:02 AM PST
WASHINGTON (AP) — An "unidentified object” was shot down Sunday for the third time in as many days, this time over Lake Huron, after earlier ones in Alaska and Canada, U.S. officials said.
Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., tweeted that “the object has been downed by pilots from the U.S. Air Force and National Guard." The shootdown was confirmed by two U.S. officials who were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
U.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.
The news comes as U.S. officials were still trying to precisely identify the other two objects blown from the sky by F-22 fighter jets over the past two days, and were working to determine whether China was responsible as concerns escalate about what Washington says is Beijing's large-scale aerial surveillance program.
The object shot down Saturday over the Yukon was described by U.S. officials as a balloon significantly smaller than the three school bus-size balloon hit by a missile Feb. 4 while drifting off the South Carolina coast after traversing the country. A flying object brought down over the remote northern coast of Alaska on Friday was more cylindrical and described as a type of airship.
Both were believed to have a payload, either attached or suspended from them, according to the officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation. Officials were not able to say who launched the objects and were seeking to figure out their origin.
U.S. officials said the two more recent objects were much smaller in size, different in appearance and flew at lower altitudes than the suspected Chinese spy balloon that fell into the Atlantic Ocean after the U.S. missile strike. They said the Alaska and Canada objects were not consistent with the fleet of Chinese aerial surveillance balloons that targeted more than 40 countries, stretching back at least into the Trump administration.
That large white orb first appeared over the U.S. in late January, and since then Americans have been fixated on the sky above them. U.S. authorities 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.
On Sunday, the U.S. briefly closed the airspace over Lake Michigan; on Saturday night, that was done over rural Montana. Officials Sunday said they were no longer tracking any objects over those locations.
___
Associated Press writers Zeke Miller and Tara Copp contributed to this report.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/sen-schumer- ... 59573.html
'Unidentified object' downed over Lake Huron, 3rd this week
FILE - In this photo provided by the U.S. Navy, sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 recover a high-altitude surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Feb. 5, 2023. A missile fired on Feb. 5 by a U.S. F-22 off the Carolina coast ended the days-long flight of what the Biden administration says was a surveillance operation that took the Chinese balloon near U.S. military sites. It was an unprecedented incursion across U.S. territory for recent decades, and raised concerns among Americans about a possible escalation in spying and other challenges from rival China. (U.S. Navy via AP)
8/8
United States Aerial Objects
FILE - In this photo provided by the U.S. Navy, sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 recover a high-altitude surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Feb. 5, 2023. A missile fired on Feb. 5 by a U.S. F-22 off the Carolina coast ended the days-long flight of what the Biden administration says was a surveillance operation that took the Chinese balloon near U.S. military sites. It was an unprecedented incursion across U.S. territory for recent decades, and raised concerns among Americans about a possible escalation in spying and other challenges from rival China. (U.S. Navy via AP)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
FILE - In this photo provided by Chad Fish, the remnants of a large balloon drift above the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of South Carolina, with a fighter jet and its contrail seen below it, Feb. 4, 2023. A missile fired on Feb. 5 by a U.S. F-22 off the Carolina coast ended the days-long flight of what the Biden administration says was a surveillance operation that took the Chinese balloon near U.S. military sites. It was an unprecedented incursion across U.S. territory for recent decades, and raised concerns among Americans about a possible escalation in spying and other challenges from rival China. (Chad Fish via AP, File)
2/8
United States Aerial Objects
FILE - In this photo provided by Chad Fish, the remnants of a large balloon drift above the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of South Carolina, with a fighter jet and its contrail seen below it, Feb. 4, 2023. A missile fired on Feb. 5 by a U.S. F-22 off the Carolina coast ended the days-long flight of what the Biden administration says was a surveillance operation that took the Chinese balloon near U.S. military sites. It was an unprecedented incursion across U.S. territory for recent decades, and raised concerns among Americans about a possible escalation in spying and other challenges from rival China. (Chad Fish via AP, File)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
FILE - Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., speaks with The Associated Press about his new role on the House Intelligence Committee, in his office on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. U.S. security officials believe the two latest unidentified objects shot down by American fighter jets over Alaska and Canada were also balloons. Himes urged the Biden administration to be as forthcoming as possible about the two latest mystery objects, saying the shortage of solid information was fueling speculation online about malign action by foreign rivals. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
3/8
United States Aerial Objects
FILE - Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., speaks with The Associated Press about his new role on the House Intelligence Committee, in his office on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. U.S. security officials believe the two latest unidentified objects shot down by American fighter jets over Alaska and Canada were also balloons. Himes urged the Biden administration to be as forthcoming as possible about the two latest mystery objects, saying the shortage of solid information was fueling speculation online about malign action by foreign rivals. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The U.S. military detected and shot down an unidentified aerial object Friday near Alaska's border with Canada. (AP Digital Embed)
4/8
US-Aerial Object
The U.S. military detected and shot down an unidentified aerial object Friday near Alaska's border with Canada. (AP Digital Embed)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
FILE - Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 2, 2023. Schumer says the 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. Schumer tells ABC’s “This Week” that he was briefed on Saturday night by President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, after the incident hours earlier over the Yukon. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
5/8
United States Aerial Objects
FILE - Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 2, 2023. Schumer says the 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. Schumer tells ABC’s “This Week” that he was briefed on Saturday night by President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, after the incident hours earlier over the Yukon. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
FILE - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. On Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, Trudeau said that on his order a U.S. warplane shot down an unidentified object that was flying high over northern Canada, acting a day after U.S. planes took similar action over Alaska. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
6/8
Canada Aerial Object
FILE - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. On Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, Trudeau said that on his order a U.S. warplane shot down an unidentified object that was flying high over northern Canada, acting a day after U.S. planes took similar action over Alaska. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
FILE - This image provided by the U.S. Navy shows sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 recovering a high-altitude surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Feb. 5, 2023. A missile fired on Feb. 5 by a U.S. F-22 off the Carolina coast ended the days-long flight of what the Biden administration says was a surveillance operation that took the Chinese balloon near U.S. military sites. It was an unprecedented incursion across U.S. territory for recent decades, and raised concerns among Americans about a possible escalation in spying and other challenges from rival China. (U.S. Navy via AP, File)
7/8
United States Aerial Objects
FILE - This image provided by the U.S. Navy shows sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 recovering a high-altitude surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Feb. 5, 2023. A missile fired on Feb. 5 by a U.S. F-22 off the Carolina coast ended the days-long flight of what the Biden administration says was a surveillance operation that took the Chinese balloon near U.S. military sites. It was an unprecedented incursion across U.S. territory for recent decades, and raised concerns among Americans about a possible escalation in spying and other challenges from rival China. (U.S. Navy via AP, File)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
FILE - In this photo provided by Chad Fish, a large balloon drifts above the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of South Carolina, with a fighter jet and its contrail seen below it, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. A missile fired on Feb. 5 by a U.S. F-22 off the Carolina coast ended the days-long flight of what the Biden administration says was a surveillance operation that took the Chinese balloon near U.S. military sites. (Chad Fish via AP)
8/8
United States Aerial Objects
FILE - In this photo provided by Chad Fish, a large balloon drifts above the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of South Carolina, with a fighter jet and its contrail seen below it, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. A missile fired on Feb. 5 by a U.S. F-22 off the Carolina coast ended the days-long flight of what the Biden administration says was a surveillance operation that took the Chinese balloon near U.S. military sites. (Chad Fish via AP)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
FILE - In this photo provided by the U.S. Navy, sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 recover a high-altitude surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Feb. 5, 2023. A missile fired on Feb. 5 by a U.S. F-22 off the Carolina coast ended the days-long flight of what the Biden administration says was a surveillance operation that took the Chinese balloon near U.S. military sites. It was an unprecedented incursion across U.S. territory for recent decades, and raised concerns among Americans about a possible escalation in spying and other challenges from rival China. (U.S. Navy via AP)
FILE - In this photo provided by Chad Fish, the remnants of a large balloon drift above the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of South Carolina, with a fighter jet and its contrail seen below it, Feb. 4, 2023. A missile fired on Feb. 5 by a U.S. F-22 off the Carolina coast ended the days-long flight of what the Biden administration says was a surveillance operation that took the Chinese balloon near U.S. military sites. It was an unprecedented incursion across U.S. territory for recent decades, and raised concerns among Americans about a possible escalation in spying and other challenges from rival China. (Chad Fish via AP, File)
FILE - Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., speaks with The Associated Press about his new role on the House Intelligence Committee, in his office on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. U.S. security officials believe the two latest unidentified objects shot down by American fighter jets over Alaska and Canada were also balloons. Himes urged the Biden administration to be as forthcoming as possible about the two latest mystery objects, saying the shortage of solid information was fueling speculation online about malign action by foreign rivals. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
The U.S. military detected and shot down an unidentified aerial object Friday near Alaska's border with Canada. (AP Digital Embed)
FILE - Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 2, 2023. Schumer says the 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. Schumer tells ABC’s “This Week” that he was briefed on Saturday night by President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, after the incident hours earlier over the Yukon. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
FILE - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. On Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, Trudeau said that on his order a U.S. warplane shot down an unidentified object that was flying high over northern Canada, acting a day after U.S. planes took similar action over Alaska. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
FILE - This image provided by the U.S. Navy shows sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 recovering a high-altitude surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Feb. 5, 2023. A missile fired on Feb. 5 by a U.S. F-22 off the Carolina coast ended the days-long flight of what the Biden administration says was a surveillance operation that took the Chinese balloon near U.S. military sites. It was an unprecedented incursion across U.S. territory for recent decades, and raised concerns among Americans about a possible escalation in spying and other challenges from rival China. (U.S. Navy via AP, File)
FILE - In this photo provided by Chad Fish, a large balloon drifts above the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of South Carolina, with a fighter jet and its contrail seen below it, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. A missile fired on Feb. 5 by a U.S. F-22 off the Carolina coast ended the days-long flight of what the Biden administration says was a surveillance operation that took the Chinese balloon near U.S. military sites. (Chad Fish via AP)
COLLEEN LONG and LOLITA C. BALDOR and ELLEN KNICKMEYER
Sun, February 12, 2023 at 7:02 AM PST
WASHINGTON (AP) — An "unidentified object” was shot down Sunday for the third time in as many days, this time over Lake Huron, after earlier ones in Alaska and Canada, U.S. officials said.
Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., tweeted that “the object has been downed by pilots from the U.S. Air Force and National Guard." The shootdown was confirmed by two U.S. officials who were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
U.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.
The news comes as U.S. officials were still trying to precisely identify the other two objects blown from the sky by F-22 fighter jets over the past two days, and were working to determine whether China was responsible as concerns escalate about what Washington says is Beijing's large-scale aerial surveillance program.
The object shot down Saturday over the Yukon was described by U.S. officials as a balloon significantly smaller than the three school bus-size balloon hit by a missile Feb. 4 while drifting off the South Carolina coast after traversing the country. A flying object brought down over the remote northern coast of Alaska on Friday was more cylindrical and described as a type of airship.
Both were believed to have a payload, either attached or suspended from them, according to the officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation. Officials were not able to say who launched the objects and were seeking to figure out their origin.
U.S. officials said the two more recent objects were much smaller in size, different in appearance and flew at lower altitudes than the suspected Chinese spy balloon that fell into the Atlantic Ocean after the U.S. missile strike. They said the Alaska and Canada objects were not consistent with the fleet of Chinese aerial surveillance balloons that targeted more than 40 countries, stretching back at least into the Trump administration.
That large white orb first appeared over the U.S. in late January, and since then Americans have been fixated on the sky above them. U.S. authorities 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.
On Sunday, the U.S. briefly closed the airspace over Lake Michigan; on Saturday night, that was done over rural Montana. Officials Sunday said they were no longer tracking any objects over those locations.
___
Associated Press writers Zeke Miller and Tara Copp contributed to this report.