Photos Show Navy Recovering Chinese Balloon Shot Down Over South Carolina

The U.S. Navy launched pictures Tuesday displaying its sailors recovering elements of a suspected Chinese language surveillance balloon that was shot down Saturday off the coast of Myrtle Seashore, South Carolina.

The balloon, which was roughly the dimensions of three faculty buses, drifted throughout the U.S. over a number of days at an altitude of about 60,000 toes earlier than an F-22 fighter jet shot it with a missile off the South Carolina coast. President Joe Biden mentioned he requested the Pentagon Wednesday to shoot the balloon down, however was suggested to attend till the balloon was not in an space the place falling particles may presumably strike folks.

The Pentagon mentioned the balloon was carrying sensors and surveillance gear, however China has maintained that the balloon was used primarily for meteorological analysis and that it went off target attributable to robust winds.

On Sunday, sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 recovered the craft. The Navy posted a number of footage of the operation.

The Division of Protection mentioned in an announcement that suspected spy balloons from China beforehand handed over the U.S. 3 times throughout President Donald Trump’s administration, however no motion was taken.