The United States shot down an unidentified high-altitude airborne object over northern Canada after it entered US airspace from Alaska. President Biden authorized the action in coordination with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The object was closely monitored by NORAD and the US Northern Command before being taken down by a US F-22 fighter jet. Biden and Trudeau emphasized the importance of determining the object's purpose or origin and praised the strong partnership between the two countries in protecting their airspace.
IMAGE: A US Air Force F-22 fighter jet. Photograph: South Korean Defence Ministry/Handout via Reuters
On Saturday, United States fighter jets shot down an unidentified, unmanned high-altitude airborne object over northern Canada, following a phone call between US President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The White House stated that the object was closely monitored and tracked by North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) for 24 hours, and the President was continuously updated by his national security team.
The decision to take down the object was made out of an abundance of caution, as per the recommendation of their militaries. Biden authorized the use of US fighter aircraft assigned to NORAD to conduct the operation and a US F-22 shot down the object in Canadian territory in close coordination with Canadian authorities.
The object was flying at an altitude of about 40,000 feet off the northern coast of Alaska, and was first spotted by the US on Friday. The leaders discussed the importance of recovering the object to determine its purpose or origin. Biden and Trudeau commended the strong and effective partnership between NORAD and US Northern Command and agreed to continue their close coordination to detect, track, and defend their airspace.
Two F-22 aircraft from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska monitored the object over US airspace, with the assistance of Alaska Air National Guard refuelling aircraft. The monitoring continued as the object crossed into Canadian airspace, with Canadian CF-18 and CP-140 aircraft joining the formation to further assess the object. Brig Gen Ryder stated that the aircraft took the time to characterize the nature of the object, tracking it closely.
The shooting down of the unmanned object in Canadian airspace highlights the increasing concern over the security of national airspace in the modern era. The development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other advanced technologies have led to a significant increase in the number of objects that can penetrate national airspace. This has led to the need for improved and more advanced air defence systems to protect against any potential threats.
The NORAD is a bi-national organization responsible for the defence of the North American airspace. It was established in 1958 in response to the growing threat posed by the Cold War, and has since evolved to meet the changing security needs of the region. The NORAD operates 24/7, continuously monitoring the airspace over Canada and the United States, and is equipped with advanced technologies and capabilities to detect, track and defend against potential threats.
The partnership between the US and Canada in the defence of their national airspace is a testament to the strong relationship between the two countries. This close collaboration allows for a more comprehensive and coordinated response to potential threats, ensuring the safety and security of their citizens. The Biden-Trudeau phone call and the shooting down of the object in Canadian airspace is an example of the commitment of both leaders to the defence of their national airspace.
In conclusion, the shooting down of the unmanned object in Canadian airspace is a significant event in the current security landscape. The increase in the number of objects that can penetrate national airspace highlights the need for improved air defence systems and close collaboration between countries to ensure the safety and security of their citizens. The strong partnership between the US and Canada in the defence of their national airspace is a model for other countries to follow and serves as a testament to the commitment of both leaders to the security of their nations.