Pentagon says balloon debris found in Alaska has been in ocean for ‘over a year’

The Pentagon said the balloon debris fishermen found off the coast of Alaska last month had been underwater for “more than a year.”

“Initial examination of the balloon debris indicates that it has been underwater for more than a year,” Pentagon spokeswoman Sue Goff said in an email to The Hill on Saturday. . “Some materials were transferred to a U.S. government facility for further investigation and analysis.”

The FBI previously confirmed the discovery of the balloon fragments, but did not reveal the possible source.

“The FBI is aware of wreckage discovered off the coast of Alaska by a commercial fishing vessel,” the bureau said in a statement. “We will continue to work with our partners to assist with the logistics of debris recovery.”

The Chinese reconnaissance balloon flew over the United States for a week before being shot down by the US military off the coast of the Carolinas in early February 2023.

President Biden later said the Chinese reconnaissance balloon was “more embarrassing” to the Chinese than “it was intentional.”

“I don’t think the leadership knew where it was, what was in it, what was going on,” Biden told reporters. “It was—I think it was more embarrassing than intentional.”

“So I hope to meet with them over the next few months.” [Chinese leader] Xi [Jinping] “Once again, we will not only discuss our legitimate differences, but also how there are areas where we can get along,” he added.