VIDEO: We got exclusive access to the tank firing range where Canada's soldiers are training Ukrainian frontline troops on western-donated Leopard 2 tanks.
https://t.co/85Mc9vhwQt
VIDEO: Canada’s largely unknown role training tens of thousands of Ukrainians on NATO tactics for years before Russia’s invasion. https://t.co/irdzhFZPtD
Airborne objects update from Canada:
- RCMP leading recovery efforts in Yukon
- Area is vast, mountainous terrain
- Canadian military helicopters forward deployed to Whitehorse & Dawson City
- Weather is a significant challenge
- Could be in 3000 sq km area.
NEW detail on Yukon shootdown
- Canadian officials say CF-18's arrived AFTER US F-22 shot down the object in Canadian airspace
- Canadian jets were "very close", ready to take over operations
- Would not reveal Canadian armaments, but say sufficient to address the object
On YUKON device
- will make every effort to locate it, but no guarantee that we will
- on LAKE HURON effort, marine conditions not conducive now to recovery now
Now the work of trying to find the debris, if possible. There is an E3B airborne surveillance aircraft in the area. It would fine tune where the object was, where it landed, and control the various military aircraft which responded.
NEW: According to Canadian senior government source with direct knowledge of the situation.
-- U.S. forces have taken down another object, this time over Lake Huron
-- object was completely over U.S. airspace at the time
-- Canada had closed its airspace nearby as a precaution
What we know now: US Congressman says pilots have "decommissioned" object over Lake Huron. Response aircraft airborne now. Earlier, restricted airspace over Lake Michigan (just to the west) was reopened. Now, Canadian airspace restricted over portion of Lake Huron.
Another air defence operation over Canada, this time near Tobermory, Ontario. Airspace closed. Could be something or, like Montana yesterday, a radar blip and nothing more. @cbcnews
@jrfan1980@CBCNews The origin and purpose of most recent objects is not known. But the US says China operates a vast surveillance operation, and has launched spy balloons for several years. They are directed at multiple countries, including the US.
https://t.co/Xf5tvTxqlG
Another air defence operation over Canada, this time near Tobermory, Ontario. Airspace closed. Could be something or, like Montana yesterday, a radar blip and nothing more. @cbcnews
UPDATE: The FBI has been called to help with the search and recovery efforts of the object shot down over the Yukon. The RCMP is asking people to stay away from the debris site, and if anyone recovers any debris, they're asked to call police.
@DrJacobsRad The F22 involved in the takedown is certainly more sophisticated, better targeting pod, better air to air capabilities, especially compared to aging CF-18s. But I would want to know the deciding factor from those involved, rather than just make an educated guess.
Another shoot down, this time over Canadian airspace, with a US jet. Why Americans shooting over Canada? This is part of the long-standing NORAD agreement: in short, whichever nation can get the right aircraft to the necessary place fastest.
Update: PM Trudeau confirms he ordered the take down of unidentified object that violated Canadian airspace. Says NORAD shot down the object over the Yukon. Canadian and U.S. aircraft were scrambled, and a U.S. F-22 successfully fired at the object. https://t.co/Qg9lNNEErd
Given the trajectory of previous airborne objects, good likelihood this flew through Canadian airspace before crossing border. US F15's now look set to take it down over Montana. Doesn't mean @NORADCommand didn't detect earlier, just didn't interdict until now.
Given the trajectory of previous airborne objects, good likelihood this flew through Canadian airspace before crossing border. US F15's now look set to take it down over Montana. Doesn't mean @NORADCommand didn't detect earlier, just didn't interdict until now.
@ennuibc Because it fell from 40,000', the wreckage is likely spread out over kilometers, and in pieces. So it will probably take a long time. Pilots would likely have taken many photos. Add the wreckage to that evidence.
NEW details on Canada shootdown:
- Takedown occurred at 3:41pm ET
- Over central Yukon at 40,000 feet
- Wreckage site being monitored by Canadian CP-140 surveillance aircraft
- F22's launched from Elmendorf AFB in Alaska
- CF18's from Cold Lake, Alberta
@RickAnderson In a case like this, a US plane would most likely need weapons release clearance from both US and Canada command structure. But pilots aren't talking to everyone. In this case, Canadian controller communicated approvals and direction.
@RickAnderson Under NORAD practice, pilots speak to controller for country they're in. Canadians speak with US when in US and vice versa. All aircraft need to be under a single control system, to avoid conflicts, but those controllers are looping in both command of both nations.