The US Air Force detected Chinese spy balloons over the Central Command area of responsibility in the Middle East, but the plane did not appear to pose any danger to US or allied forces, a US Air Force general said Monday. USA
“Although we’ve seen high-altitude balloons in the region before, they haven’t been a threat, they haven’t been a concern to us,” Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, commander of the US Air Forces Central Command, told the Conference Center. for the New American Security on Monday.
“I understand why people are asking the question in the current context, but it’s not something I lose sleep over.”
The revelation comes after an F-22 shot down a Chinese spy balloon off the coast of South Carolina on February 4.
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White House officials have said the surveillance plane shot down earlier this month was part of a “fleet of balloons developed to conduct surveillance operations” by China.
“When you look at the scope of this program, which operates on at least five continents in regions like Latin America, South America, Southeast Asia, East Asia and Europe, again, it shows why, for the Department of Defense, China it remains the pacing challenge and something we will continue to focus on,” Defense Department press secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said last week.
US forces recover the debris of a downed Chinese surveillance balloon. (US Fleet Forces)
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Three other flying objects have been shot down in recent days over northeast Alaska, Canada’s Yukon Territory and Lake Huron.
So far the nature of these objects and their country of origin are unknown. Recovery efforts are underway.
