US Fighter Jet Shoots Down Unidentified Object in Joint Operation with Canada
On Saturday, a joint operation by the United States and Canada led to the downing of an unidentified object in Canadian skies. The operation was authorized by US President Joe Biden and conducted in coordination with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Canadian and US aircraft were scrambled, and a US F-22 fighter jet successfully fired at the object. The incident was the second such takedown in their skies since the downing of a suspected Chinese spy balloon a week ago.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the takedown of the object in a tweet and stated that Canadian forces in the Yukon will recover and analyze the wreckage. The operation was a result of a series of mysterious air intrusions, and Trudeau confirmed that he spoke with President Biden over the latest incursion, while Canada's Defense Minister also spoke with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The two leaders "reaffirmed that we'll always defend our sovereignty together," according to Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand.
US and Canadian planes flew together to take on the object on Saturday, according to the US Department of Defense. The operation was authorized by President Biden and involved US fighter aircraft assigned to North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) working with Canada to bring down a high-altitude airborne object over northern Canada. The F-22 fighter jet monitoring the object fired an AIM 9X missile that brought it down.
The White House confirmed that President Biden and Prime Minister Trudeau spoke on Saturday and commended NORAD's and US Northern Command's strong and effective partnership. They agreed to continue their close coordination to detect, track, and defend their airspace. The object was shot down over the Yukon, which borders Alaska, where fighter jets had downed another object the previous Friday off the US state's north coast near the village of Deadhorse.
The downing of the mysterious object follows the recent incident of a giant balloon carrying electronics, which the Pentagon described as a spy vessel, that flew over Canada and the United States. The balloon sparked a diplomatic flare-up with China, which acknowledged ownership of what it said was a harmless weather balloon blown off course. However, the balloon's path took it over several US military installations, including ones with silos of nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles, causing concern among US officials.
The balloon was eventually shot down over the Atlantic Ocean off South Carolina on February 4, after traversing Canada and much of the United States. President Biden's decision to allow the balloon to cross the mainland unimpeded before shooting it down over water was criticized by Republican lawmakers, who said it should have been shot down upon entering US airspace.
Federal recovery teams, comprising both divers and unmanned remote-control minisubs, continue to survey for debris of the balloon in shallow coastal waters. US officials have stated that images of the balloon show that it had surveillance equipment that could intercept telecommunications, as well as a solar array to power multiple sensors.
In conclusion, the joint operation by the US and Canada to bring down the unidentified object highlights the commitment of both countries to defend their airspace. The recent incidents of mysterious air intrusions, including the downing of the suspected Chinese spy balloon, have caused concern among US and Canadian officials and emphasize the importance of maintaining strong partnerships to defend their sovereignty. The recovery and analysis of the wreckage of the object will provide more information about the capabilities, purpose, and origin of the object.