That we begin tonight with the breaking headline late today.
The Pentagon briefing reporters just before we came on the air saying they
are now tracking a suspected Chinese spy balloon hovering over the northern us.
It was spotted over Montana and other northern states, Montana,
of course home to several sensitive nuclear sites.
Now we are told the suspected Chinese surveillance balloon is
the size of three buses with a technology base suspended below
and for a time in Montana air traffic control imposing a
ground stop at the buildings airport in the last 24 hours
and look at this tonight,
the contrails from F-22 seen in the sky as they circled
an area where the balloon was spotted southwest of the city
tonight.
A senior defense official saying President Biden was
briefed that he asked for military options.
So this evening, what next? And is there any possible threat here?
Abc's Terry Moran leading us off from the White House tonight
tonight.
A senior defense official says authorities are tracking a giant Chinese spy
balloon that has been hovering over the northern US for several days.
This thing is up in the sky
and I have no idea what it is.
The United States government has detected and is tracking a high altitude
surveillance balloon that is over the continental United States right now.
So
ABC news,
the unmanned high altitude balloon is the size
of three buses with a technology bay underneath.
Officials say President Biden asked for military options
but decided to follow the recommendation of senior
military leaders not to shoot the balloon down
due to safety risks for people on the ground
that balloon spotted over Montana forcing a temporary
ground stop Wednesday at the airport in Billings,
that ground stop covering a 50 mile radius.
No flights including commercial air traffic were allowed to
land or take off for at least an hour.
Montana is home to several sensitive nuclear weapons sites.
The US moved quickly to shield them once the balloon was detected,
the US government acted immediately to protect
against the collection of sensitive information.
Well, this is really something let's get right to Terry Moran.
He's live at the White House tonight.
Terry, we know the Pentagon briefing reporters just before we came on tonight.
So what are they saying about
any potential threat here?
No threat to civilians and has the US reached out to China?
That's right.
David,
the Pentagon does say that they have been tracking this
balloon that it does not pose a threat to civilians.
They also say it's not the first time that a handful
of other times over several years dating back to previous administrations.
They've seen balloons like this.
They say they do not think it poses an intelligence risk
and they have communicated to China that this cannot continue.
David
still unsettling Terry Moran leading us off tonight. Terry. Thank you.
Hi, everyone. George Stephanopoulos here.
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