A suspected Chinese spy balloon has been spotted over the continental United States.
U.S. Air Force F-22s first spotted the balloon in Billings, Montana, according to ABC News. Pentagon officials say the balloon first flew from China over the Aleutian Islands in Alaska and then into Canada before being spotted in the continental U.S., according to the New York Times.
All commercial air traffic in Billings was temporarily grounded for two hours in a “ground stop” while the U.S. Military provided information to the White House.
The Pentagon said it has been tracking the balloon for several days as it flies across the country.
President Joe Biden has been advised against using “military options” due to the risk it could have on civilians, U.S. officials said on Thursday.
Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said the balloon was “traveling at an altitude well above commercial air traffic and does not present a military or physical threat to people on the ground.”
“NORAD continues to track and monitor it closely,” Ryder said.
The balloon is the size of three buses and contains a technology bay, reported ABC News.
Officials said they will closely watch the balloon and relay any concerns to their Chinese counterparts.
Defense officials told ABC News this is not the first time a high-altitude reconnaissance balloon has been spotted over the continental U.S., but they “are confident” that China sent the balloon.
Another senior U.S. official told ABC that the military balloon seemed to be specifically designed this time, and its path does not appear to be random, adding that the military believes the balloon can take high-resolution pictures and is flying over areas with military bases and missiles.
“We have made clear we will do whatever is necessary to protect our people and our homeland,” the official said.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has requested a “Gang of Eight” briefing on the balloon, referring to the eight members of Congress that deal with significant intelligence activity: four members from the U.S. House and U.S. Senate Select Committees on Intelligence, and the four leaders of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate.
“China’s brazen disregard for U.S. sovereignty is a destabilizing action that must be addressed, and President Biden cannot be silent,” said McCarthy in a tweet.
Several politicians expressed their displeasure with the U.S. response to the balloon.
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) said the Department of Defense owes Congress and the American people an explanation.
“The Department of Defense owes Congress and the American people a full and accurate accounting of why U.S. forces did not take proactive measures to address this airspace incursion by the People’s Republic of China,” Wicker said.
“Information strongly suggests the Department failed to act with urgency in responding to this airspace incursion by a high-altitude surveillance balloon. No incursion should be ignored, and should be dealt with appropriately.”
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte said he was briefed on the issue on Wednesday. “From the spy balloon to the Chinese Communist Party spying on Americans through TikTok to CCP-linked companies buying American farmland, I’m deeply troubled by the constant stream of alarming developments for our national security,” said Gianforte.
Montana Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke took it even further.
“Shoot.it.down.,” he tweeted. “The Chinese spy balloon is clear provocation. In Montana we do not bow. We shoot it down. Take the shot.”
