Mystery objects/ Balloons over north America

[brihard]

Apparently 2 x F-22 and 2 X CF-18's where scrambled. Why did the F-22 shoot down the object over Cdn territory "on order of our Prime Minister"?

Because NORAD.

 

[Rifleman62]

Yes, but why the F-22 and not the CF-18?

 

[SeaKingTacco]

Yes, but why the F-22 and not the CF-18?

The order was “whoever had the best shot was to take it”. The two element leads apparently worked it out.

There is no conspiracy here.

 

[SeaKingTacco]

How much longer before people shouting, "Its not balloons - its Aliens!!"

Why can’t both things be true?

(cue X-files music….)

 

[medicineman]

There is no conspiracy here.

That takes all the fun out of things though....

 

[daftandbarmy]

China's getting into the game too...

https://twitter.com/x/status/1624759215255420935

 

[brihard]

Yes, but why the F-22 and not the CF-18?

I’m guessing here, but probably a simple matter of Elmendorf WFB, Alaska was a lot closer than CFB Cold Lake, Alberta, and the F-22s got there first.

 

[Jarnhamar]

Yes, but why the F-22 and not the CF-18?

If the 4 jets were colocated then that's a good question. I'd guess the PM would rather the optics of the US shooting it down and face complaints about why no CF-18s, than having Canada shoot it and face China.

I've also read the US planes were 1500kms closer so logistically in a better place to shoot it.

 

[medicineman]

China's getting into the game too...

https://twitter.com/x/status/1624759215255420935

Will there be serial photos of the same view with flames in front of the lens as the camera vehicle meets its demise?

 

[Kat Stevens]

The order was “whoever had the best shot was to take it”. The two element leads apparently worked it out.

There is no conspiracy here.

That's just what I'd expect you to say...

 

[TacticalTea]

Anyone else a bit ticked off that Trudeau said he ''ordered'' the ''takedown'' of the UFO?

I imagine at some point between now and when I apparently fell into a months-long coma Trudeau became King of North America and somehow got WWE wrestlers to manhandle that UFO.

 

[KevinB]

Anyone else a bit ticked off that Trudeau said he ''ordered'' the ''takedown'' of the UFO?

I imagine at some point between now and when I apparently fell into a months-long coma Trudeau became King of North America and somehow got WWE wrestlers to manhandle that UFO.

It was over Canadian airspace. Hence he was the one to say take it out.

I’m guessing here, but probably a simple matter of Elmendorf WFB, Alaska was a lot closer than CFB Cold Lake, Alberta, and the F-22s got there first.

I’d agree, plus the F-22 is faster, can fly significantly higher, and has much better sensors and weaponry to do that.

 

[TacticalTea]

It was over Canadian airspace. Hence he was the one to say take it out.

Eh, it's more the issue of someone not in the Chain of Command making the order. Prime Minister, an advisor, as opposed to President, the Commander-in-Chief.

Then again, I don't really know exactly how it works at that level, perhaps it's perfectly normal...

 

[KevinB]

Eh, it's more the issue of someone not in the Chain of Command making the order. Prime Minister, an advisor, as opposed to President, the Commander-in-Chief.

Then again, I don't really know exactly how it works at that level, perhaps it's perfectly normal...

National Sovereignty, while he’s not technically the HoS, he is effectively the HoS.
The Governor General is only theoretically the CinC (as the King’s rep) of the CAF.

 

[The Bread Guy]

Seen a tweet from the PM that another has been shot down over the Yukon.

The info-machine's latest output (also archived here), for the record ...

Good evening.

As Minister of National Defence, my top priority is the safety and protection of Canadians.

Working in collaboration with our partners, including the United States, NORAD and other departments, Canada was tracking a high-altitude object over Central Yukon.

North American Aerospace Defense Command detected this object and launched Canadian and US fighter aircraft to investigate. The object was visually identified using fighter aircraft assigned to NORAD.

In collaboration with our partners, including the United States, NORAD and other departments, Canada was tracking a high altitude object over the central Yukon.

NORAD Command detected the object and launched Canadian and U.S. fighter aircraft to investigate. The object was visually identified using fighter aircraft assigned to NORAD.

This exemplifies what NORAD is and what NORAD does best – and I was pleased to discuss this operation earlier today with my colleague, United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

Today, at the direction of the Prime Minister, aircraft assigned to NORAD successfully took down this high altitude airborne object at approximately 3:41 pm Eastern Standard Time.

To the best of our knowledge, this was the first time that a NORAD operation has downed an aerial object.

The object was flying at an altitude of approximately 40,000 feet, had unlawfully entered Canadian airspace, and posed a reasonable threat to the safety of civilian flight. The object was downed approximately 100 miles from the Canada, United States Border, over Canadian territory, in central Yukon.

Recovery operations are underway and will be supported by the Canadian Armed Forces, in coordination with the RCMP. This coordinated operation will allow a further investigation into this object.

We have no further details about the object at this time, including any description of its capabilities, purpose, or origin. It appears to be a small, cylindrical object, smaller than the one downed off the coast of North Carolina.

I also spoke today with Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai and conveyed that we’ll continue to work hand in hand with the territory.

I, and our government, will continue reaching out to Indigenous peoples potentially affected by this incident to provide information and updates as needed, out of respect for reconciliation.

Today is a historic day.

Canada and the United States continue to work together through the bi-national command of NORAD to defend our two nations, and I will recognize again the importance of this extremely close relationship we have with the United States.

Just yesterday, I met with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon to reaffirm that North American air sovereignty is a key priority, which is why we continue to work in partnership with the United States, NORAD and the broader security community to protect Canadian and U.S. interests. We will continue our work to modernize NORAD and ensure the protection of our air sovereignty — and I’ll be seeing the Secretary Again next week.

Through NORAD, we will continue to work hand in hand with our closest ally to ensure the protection of our continent — as we showed today. I thank all members of our military, and the United States’ involved in this operation.

Thank you, Merci.

 

[blacktriangle]

National defense airspace declared again, this time over Lake Michigan. There's a KC-135 orbiting in the area, likely supporting operations. There's an E-3 IVO Lake Michigan as well.

 

[medicineman]

 

[brihard]

National defense airspace declared again, this time over Lake Michigan. There's a KC-135 orbiting in the area, likely supporting operations.

Flight restriction cancelled already. Betcha it’s not the last one today.

 

[MilEME09]

Since there is no thread yet, let's get one going for the objects shot down off Alaska, the Yukon, and now it looks like near southern Ontario. It's amazing that these are just popping up everywhere now that NORAD is investigating every radar anomaly

https://twitter.com/x/status/1624852897174257666

 

[brihard]

Suggest thread merge: Photo from KSVI-TV shows a massive Chinese spy balloon over Montana