According to breaking new reporting across multiple outlets and publications, the suspected Chinese spy balloon that has raised tensions and controversy as it’s made its way across the United States air space this week has officially been shot down by US military officials just off the Carolina coast.
Due to national security operations surrounding the alleged Chinese spy device, the airspace along the coast of North and South Carolina has been closed in recent days, in preparation for bringing down the balloon that’s gained infamy across social media this week.
Officials within the US government have spoken with The Associated Press, on the condition of anonymity, and confirmed that the operation to disable and bring down the balloon was given the green light to go forward by President Joe Biden himself.
A spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the FAA issued a ground stop against three airports in North and South Carolina as the alleged spy device floated through their airspace.
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The spokesperson’s official statement reads, “The FAA has paused departures to Wilmington (ILM), Myrtle Beach International (MYR) and Charleston International (CHS) airports to support the Department of Defense in a national security effort.”
While there’s been no solid confirmation thus far, the balloon was suspected to be a spy device deployed by China, conducting intelligence collection and spying activities over United States air space, namely collecting intelligence on the US military.
The AP further reported that four US officials previously said that the plan had always been to bring the balloon down over the ocean, as soon as the device was no longer over civilized airspace, and immediately begin to collect the remnants.
Multiple civilians confirmed that they spotted planes circling the alleged Chinese spy balloon just off the coast of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina this afternoon, shortly before the device was shot down by US military officials.
Multiple Twitter accounts have posted footage of the balloon being shot down over the ocean, as well as live coverage from Fox News:
Fox News airs live footage of the Chinese spy balloon coming down after it was shot.
“First of all, well done!” Gen. Jack Keane exclaims while watching it float down. pic.twitter.com/QYkxQhJpNf
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) February 4, 2023
BALLOON IS DOWN. I REPEAT. THE BALLOON IS DOWN. pic.twitter.com/O7VI9u3rzf
— The Intel Crab (@IntelCrab) February 4, 2023
— Sam Guichelaar (@SamGuichelaar) February 4, 2023
This story is breaking and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Featured image via screen capture
