US officials adjusted radar parameters to look for flying objects at higher altitudes: Bryan Llenas
Fox News correspondent Bryan Llenas reports form Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on how the Chinese spy craft shot down last week has helped the U.S. spot other aircraft in recent days on 'Fox Report.'
NORAD's chief did not rule out the possibility of an extraterrestrial origin for the unknown "objects" shot down across the U.S. and Canada in recent days, though White House officials would later clarify the U.S. did not actively consider the possibility.
Gen. Glen VanHerck, who leads NORAD and the U.S. Northern Command, said he would leave the possibility of aliens up to the intelligence community. U.S. fighter jets shot down three unidentified "objects" in as many days this week, and the military has yet to confirm what they are.
"I'll let the intel community and the counterintelligence community figure that out. I haven't ruled out anything," VanHerck told reporters Sunday when asked about the possibility of the objects being extra-terrestrial.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby later clarified that the U.S. was never actively considering aliens as a possibility, however.
"I don't think the American people need to be worried about aliens. Period," Kirby told reporters during a Monday White House briefing.
CHINESE SPY CRAFT PAYLOAD LOCATED OFF WATERS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, MOSTLY INTACT: US OFFICIAL
U.S. fighter jets have shot down three unidentified "objects" in recent days, and the military is not ruling out aliens. (US NORTHCOM/NORAD)
Air Force Gen. Glen VanHerck has declined to rule out aliens as the source of "objects" over the U.S. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
VanHerck went on to confirm that both U.S. and Canadian NORAD forces have ramped up their radar systems to make them more sensitive, a possible explanation for why the objects seem to have appeared so suddenly.
The object President Biden ordered shot down over Lake Huron on Sunday was described as "octagonal" in shape with strings hanging off, flying at roughly 20,000 feet. U.S. military officials had stated that the craft have no discernable propulsion systems.
However, the prior two craft shot down over Alaska and Northern Canada are believed to be balloons according to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who received a briefing on the issue on Sunday.
The three objects flew much lower than the Chinese spy balloon shot down off the coast of South Carolina more than a week ago, which floated well above civilian air traffic at 60,000 feet.
Sailors recover a high-altitude surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Feb. 5, 2023. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Spec. 1st Class Tyler Thompson)
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The U.S. and Canada are currently working to recover debris from all four craft. Only the one shot down off of the U.S. East Coast is known to be of Chinese origin, however.
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