U.S. officials say the massive Chinese spy balloon, first seen above Montana, was shot down over U.S. airspace over South Carolina.
It is expected to land in U.S.territorial waters, the official said, adding that airspace will be reopened once it’s in the water.
The balloon was spotted Saturday over parts of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Northern Greenville county in South Carolina.
The Federal Aviation Administration has closed airspace in parts of North Carolina and South Carolina. All operations at Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Wilmington airports have been paused for national security initiatives.
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The alerts were in effect until 2:45 p.m.
President Joe Biden on Saturday made his first public comments on the Chinese surveillance balloon flying over the continental U.S.
Biden, who is traveling to New York, was asked by a reporter if there were plans to shoot the balloon down.
“We’re going to take care of it,” he responded.
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