The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is providing assistance to Canada in the investigation of the unidentified object that was shot down over Yukon on Feb. 11, Defence Minister Anita Anand stated on Feb. 14. Anand noted that there is “intense collaboration” on the analysis of the debris and that the FBI is involved. The FBI declined to comment on which unit or field office is involved and in what numbers.
The RCMP and the U.S. Department of Defence were contacted to find out if they are involved in the search efforts, with personnel, vehicles, or satellites, but neither responded immediately. The Conservative Official Opposition has criticized U.S. involvement in the shoot-down.
According to Major General Paul Prévost, CF-188 fighter jets were minutes away from the area when the U.S. F-22 fighter engaged the target. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau emphasized the collaborative nature of continental defence through the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Anand said the shoot-down was NORAD’s first operation, probably meaning first kinetic operation.
Trudeau noted that there is “some sort of pattern” to the objects, other than the Chinese balloon, which have been taken down in recent days over North America. NORAD Commander General Glen VanHerck said he wouldn’t categorize the objects as “balloons,” but said he is unable to describe how they stay aloft.