Representative Elissa Slotkin reported Sunday afternoon that an object flying over Lake Huron has been shot down by the U.S. Air Force and National Guard.
UPDATE: Dept. of Defense believes object shot down over Lake Huron is same as spotted in Montana
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The update came just 40 minutes after Slotkin’s initial Twitter post about an object over Lake Huron.
In her post, she said “great work by all who carried out this mission both in the air and back at headquarters.”
Slotkin did not give details as to what the object is that the Air Force shot down but said they’re all interested in what it is and its purpose.
She followed up with a message about the objects in U.S. and Canadian airspace saying:
“As long as these things keep traversing the US and Canada, I’ll continue to ask for Congress to get a full briefing based on our exploitation of the wreckage.”
Slotkin is holding a news conference on Monday, Feb. 13, to discuss projects in Livingston County. It is likely she will field questions about the Sunday incident, but that’s not certain at this time.
The object has been downed by pilots from the US Air Force and National Guard. Great work by all who carried out this mission both in the air and back at headquarters. We’re all interested in exactly what this object was and it’s purpose. 1/ https://t.co/LsjwtjntCv
— Rep. Elissa Slotkin (@RepSlotkin) February 12, 2023
More from Michigan officials
Representative Jack Bergman posted to Facebook Sunday afternoon confirming reports of a decommissioned object over Lake Huron. In his post he wrote:
“I’ve been in contact with DOD regarding operations across the Great Lakes region today. The US military has decommissioned another “object” over Lake Huron. I appreciate the decisive action by our fighter pilots. The American people deserve far more answers than we have been given.”
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said she has been in contact with the federal government and partners who have been tracking the object in our airspace.
In a tweet, Whitmer said: “Our national security and safety is always a top priority. I’ve been in contact with the federal government and our partners who were tracking an object near our airspace. I’m glad to report it has been swiftly, safely, and securely taken down. The MINationalGuard stands ready.”
Our national security and safety is always a top priority. I’ve been in contact with the federal government and our partners who were tracking an object near our airspace. I’m glad to report it has been swiftly, safely, and securely taken down. The @MINationalGuard stands ready.
— Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) February 12, 2023
Senator Gary Peters added to the mix tweeting: “I’ve been in touch with the Pentagon, DHS, and FAA regarding the closure of air space over the Great Lakes. I’m glad the object was neutralized over Lake Huron and I’ll continue pressing DoD for transparency.”
I've been in touch with the Pentagon, DHS, and FAA regarding the closure of air space over the Great Lakes. I'm glad the object was neutralized over Lake Huron and I'll continue pressing DoD for transparency.
— Senator Gary Peters (@SenGaryPeters) February 12, 2023
Representative John James applauded the U.S. Air Force and the Wisconsin National Guard in a tweet saying:
“I received a call today from the DeptofDefense today regarding operations over the Great Lakes region. Moments ago the US military shot down another “high altitude object” over Lake Huron & continues to monitor the situation. I applaud our US Air Force and Wisconsin National Guard for their swift action, but we must not wait until these objects are over America’s heartland before we act. The People deserve the truth and this cannot happen again.”
I applaud our US Air Force and Wisconsin National Guard for their swift action, but we must not wait until these objects are over America’s heartland before we act. The People deserve the truth and this cannot happen again.
— John James (@JohnJamesMI) February 12, 2023
Representative Debbie Dingell sent out a statement shortly after the news of the object being shot down broke. In her statement she wrote:
“The increasing incidents of unidentified objects, the latest over Lake Huron in Michigan airspace, are disturbing. We need the facts about where they are originating from, what their purpose is, and why their frequency is increasing. Our national security is of the utmost importance and we must work in a bipartisan way with this Administration and all relevant partners for answers and the appropriate reaction. I’m thankful to the Air Force, National Guard, and all our military forces who are working vigilantly to keep us safe.”
Previous report
Representative Elissa Slotkin tweeted on Sunday saying there is an object over Lake Huron that the U.S. Department of Defense has a “close eye” on.
According to her tweet, the state representative received a call from the U.S. Department of Defense on Sunday advising her that the military has “an extremely close eye on the object above Lake Huron.”
This social media post comes hours after the FAA lifted an airspace restriction over Lake Michigan.
Slotkin said they will know more about what the object is in the coming days, but says “all parties have been laser-focused on it from the moment it traversed our waters.”
The airspace restriction over Lake Michigan and now the object above Lake Huron come days after sightings in Montana’s airspace as well as days after the U.S. shot down an unknown object near Alaska’s coast.
Also: Sen. Schumer says 2 downed objects believed to be balloons
This is a developing story and will be updated as we receive information.