Flying objects flying over the American skies are not alien-made. “I don’t think the American people need to worry about aliens, with respect to these craft. Period,” said NSC Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby at the White House press briefing.
A National Security Council Spokesperson revealed the three high-altitude objects the US military shut down do not seem to have been designed for surveillance purposes but that it can’t be ruled out. “While we have no specific reason to suspect they were conducting surveillance of any kind, we couldn’t rule that out,” said Kirby.
Kirby explained that out of an abundance of caution to protect the security of the American people, the President, with the recommendation of military leaders, decided to shoot down the flying objects.
In the case of the Chinese balloon, the administration however is certain that it was a surveillance device with maneuverable capabilities.
China, according to Kirby, has a high-altitude balloon program connected to the People’s Liberation Army. “We have been able to determine that China has a high altitude balloon programme for intelligence collection that’s connected to the People’s Liberation Army,” confirmed Kirby.
The China’s surveillance program was active during the previous administrations but was not detected until now.
Biden’s top priority
Kirby conveyed that the safety and security of the American people are President Biden’s top priorities. “We always do what we need to do to protect our nation’s secrets,” declared Kirby.
The reason why these objects are suddenly appearing more often than before, according to Kirby, is because the airspace security team has adapted the radar parameters. They are now able to identify slow-moving moving objects with high altitudes and small radar cross-sections.
“If we are looking for more, it is likely that we are going to find more,” noted Kirby.
Kirby: We are not flying surveillance balloons over China
Asked at the briefing if the US has any surveillance flying objects in Chinese airspace, Kirby pushed back. “We are not flying surveillance balloons over China. I am not aware of any aircraft that we are flying in the Chinese airspace.”
The administration is working to recover some of the debris from the objects that were taken down.
The White House is hopeful that when, or if, the materials are recovered, the administration will learn more about the devices and how the US can fight this phenomenon.
According to Kirby, the objects shot down around Alaska and Canada are in the ice and wilderness.The search for the devices’ remains is difficult, as the materials are hard to locate in winter weather.
Concerning the object located off the coast of South Carolina, some of the debris and electronics have been recovered, reassured Kirby. The search efforts are ongoing and remain the top priority.
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