US shoots down 'high-altitude object' over Alaska

Object was flying at altitude of 40,000 feet, posed reasonable threat to civilian flight, White House official says

WASHINGTON (AA) – The US military has shot down a “high-altitude object” over Alaska within the last hour, an official said on Friday.

The Department of Defense was tracking the object over Alaska airspace in the last 24 hours, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters at a daily press briefing.

“The object was flying at an altitude of 40,000 feet and posed a reasonable threat to the safety of civilian flight,” he said.

Upon the Pentagon’s advice, President Joe Biden ordered the military to shoot down the object, he said.

“We don’t understand the full purpose. We don’t have any information that would confirm a stated purpose for this object,” Kirby added.

The incident comes just days after the US shot down a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon spotted in American airspace off the coast of South Carolina.

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