In early February 2023, the U.S. military shot down a series of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) over North America, marking an unprecedented nine-day period of aerial encounters. On February 12, the fourth and final object in this sequence was downed over Lake Huron, off the coast of Michigan. This followed earlier incidents in Alaska, Canada’s Yukon Territory, and South Carolina, where a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon had been taken down.
The object over Lake Huron was reported to be octagonal in shape and unmanned, flying at approximately 20,000 feet—an altitude posing a risk to civilian air traffic. Military officials did not immediately identify the object’s origin or purpose but were cautious following heightened security concerns. U.S. officials emphasized that there was no indication these UFOs were extraterrestrial, but their presence triggered a rapid response, including the use of F-16 fighter jets.
This series of incidents highlighted broader concerns about airspace security and surveillance, especially in the context of geopolitical tensions with China. While the initial balloon was identified as a surveillance tool, the exact nature of the other objects remained under investigation, prompting ongoing speculation and security reassessments across North America.