NORAD conducted multiple air defense exercises after three UFOs were shot down. However, NORAD does routinely conduct exercises, so it’s unclear if this was unusual or not. Here’s a look at the timing of NORAD’s exercises compared to when the UFOs were shot down.
NORAD’s Air Defense Exercises Began Shortly After the UFOs Were Shot Down
NORAD began a series of air defense exercises shortly after the three UFOs were shot down. The balloon that officials knew was a Chinese spy balloon was shot down on February 4, AP reported, followed by the Alaskan UFO, the Candian Yukon UFO on February 11, and the Lake Huron UFO on February 12.
The first air defense exercises then began. On February 14, the Alaskan Region of NORAD conducted a “routine intercept of Russian aircraft entering Air Defense Identification Zone” and noted in a tweet that this was “in no way related to recent NORAD and U.S. Northern Command operations associated with airborne objects over North America during the last two weeks.”
NORAD conducts routine intercept of Russian aircraft entering Air Defense Identification Zone. pic.twitter.com/rJdML4Co1x
— North American Aerospace Defense Command (@NORADCommand) February 14, 2023
Then on February 15, NORAD hosted a “planned, life-fly air defense exercise off the coast of British Columbia and Washington State.” This was noted to be “in no way related to recent NORAD and U.S. Northern Command operations associated with airborne objects over North America during the last two weeks.”
NORAD Air Defense Exercise off the coast of British Columbia and Washington State. pic.twitter.com/VxwlFmXQic
— North American Aerospace Defense Command (@NORADCommand) February 15, 2023
Then again on February 15, NORAD hosted another air defense exercise — a “live, fly-air defense exercise” — this time off the coast of North Carolina. This was also noted to be “in no way related to recent NORAD and U.S. Northern Command operations associated with airborne objects over North America during the last two weeks.”
NORAD Air Defense Exercise over water, off the coast of North Carolina. pic.twitter.com/jv8NQfnuRc
— North American Aerospace Defense Command (@NORADCommand) February 15, 2023
Then, again on February 15, NORAD announced an air defense exercise over Key West and west of Everglades National Park, also not related to recent airborne objects.
NORAD Air Defense Exercise over water, north of Key West and west of Everglades National Park. pic.twitter.com/lHkgirVbgF
— North American Aerospace Defense Command (@NORADCommand) February 15, 2023
NORAD does routinely host air defense exercises. We know that in January 2023 and throughout 2022 they hosted operations called Noble Defender, which were training operations in the Arctic and in other locations. In August 2022, they tweted about air defense exercises in central California. A look back at their past tweets does indicate that they frequently do air defense exercises in Washington D.C., but it’s unclear how often the other locations like Washington State occur.
Recap of the 3 Shot-Down UFOs
Here’s a quick rundown of the three objects that were shot down:
- Alaska: This object was the size of a small car, the Guardian reported. It was smaller and tougher to detect and landed off the coast of Alaska in “difficult terrain” with temperatures in the “minus 40s.” (Gen. Mark Milley via NBC News)
- Canadian Yukon UFO: This one was smaller and tougher to detect (Crenshaw tweet.) It landed in the Canadian Rockies and the Yukon and is “very difficult” to get to. (Gen. Milley via NBC News)
- Lake Huron UFO: This object, shot down near the Canadian border, was octagonal in shape and looked like it might have strings attached, the Guardian reported. It is believed to be the same object originally seen in Montana. Rep. Crenshaw tweeted that this one was larger and easier to pick up by radar, more closely resembling a balloon. According to Milley, this one is probably “a couple 100 feet depth” in Lake Huron and will take time to recover. (Gen. Milley via NBC News)
The searches for debris from all three objects have been called off.
This work by Stephanie Dwilson is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0
. Please note that this license does not include photos or videos that may be in the story.
