US air defense intercepts unidentified balloon over Utah; origins remain undetermined
4:22 AM EST, February 24, 2024
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) stated that although the object resembled a small balloon, it lacked maneuvering capabilities and did not pose a threat to US national security, including air navigation.
NORAD command collaborated closely with the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) during the operation, NORAD spokesman John Cornello reported. The flight path of this mysterious balloon, whose origins remain undetermined, is currently being monitored.
Another case of mysterious balloon sightings over the US
Notably, American media recalls that in early February 2023, US air forces shot down a large Chinese spy balloon over South Carolina. The balloon had been encroaching on US airspace for some time.
The Pentagon reported that the balloon, which was operating at an altitude uncommon for commercial and research objects of this type, was being used by China for espionage activities. This decisive action by the US was met with protest from Beijing, insisting that the object was simply a weather balloon that had unintentionally entered US airspace.
The media has noted that these Chinese spy balloons have repeatedly violated Taiwanese airspace.
