When exactly did the Lake Huron F-16 shoot-down happen?

On the afternoon of February 12, 2023, over Lake Huron on the Michigan-Ontario border. A USAF Air National Guard F-16CM destroyed the UAP with an AIM-9X Sidewinder missile.

Why was the footage classified for 3 years?

AARO's post-incident analysis concluded the object was likely a balloon, but sensitive IR sensor signatures and redacted weapon system / callsign metadata required processing time. It was first publicly released in PURSUE Phase 2 (May 22, 2026).

What did AARO conclude the object was?

Classified as 'likely a balloon'. It coincided with the February 2023 Chinese reconnaissance balloon (South Carolina) timeframe but is the only case where a U.S. military missile (AIM-9X) was used to engage.

Why deploy an F-16 + AIM-9X?

NORAD alert level was elevated, and standing orders called for active interception of all unidentified objects. Using an AIM-9X (~\$400,000+) on a balloon raises cost-effectiveness questions.

Why is this the centerpiece of PURSUE Phase 2?

It's the first publicly released video of a U.S. military weapon actually engaging a UAP. Front-page coverage by The Aviationist, TWZ, TMZ, and aerospace press.

What unresolved questions remain?

(1) The asymmetric shape in the IR footage doesn't match a typical weather balloon; (2) 3-year delay despite the balloon conclusion; (3) Debris analysis results are still undisclosed — Phase 3 may include more analysis.

Lake Huron F-16 UAP Shoot-Down Video (2023-02-12) — PURSUE 5/22 Release — PURSUE 큐레이션

📅 Overview

On February 12, 2023, a USAF Air National Guard F-16CM fighter shot down an unidentified aerial phenomenon (UAP) over Lake Huron at the US-Canadian border. The infrared (IR) sensor footage was first publicly released in the PURSUE Phase 2 batch on May 22, 2026, becoming one of the most discussed declassifications.

USAF F-16 IR view — Lake Huron shoot-down moment illustration — **Reproduced F-16 IR view (illustration)** — Original footage released in PURSUE Phase 2 (May 22, 2026)
🎨 findlatlng.org AI illustration (fal.ai FLUX 1.1 Pro Ultra)

🔍 Details

Location: Over Lake Huron, Michigan
Interceptor: USAF Air National Guard F-16CM, AIM-9X Sidewinder missile
Shoot-down time: Afternoon of February 12, 2023
Source platform: Infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in USNORTHCOM AOR
Callsign / weapon system: Listed in the file but partially redacted

🛂 Official Handling

AARO assessment (released 2026-05-22):

"AARO assesses that this video is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Northern Command area of responsibility in 2023. The object is likely a balloon."

Official classification: Likely balloon
Coincided with the broader February 2023 series of object shoot-downs

🤔 Questions

If it was a balloon, why deploy an F-16CM with an AIM-9X (cost $400k+)?
3-year delay in releasing the footage despite the balloon assessment
IR profile shows asymmetric shape — inconsistent with typical weather-balloon geometry

📺 Significance

The most discussed video in the PURSUE Phase 2 release (out of 40+)
First case where the shoot-down video + AARO assessment were released together
Front-page coverage by The Aviationist, The War Zone (TWZ), TMZ

📅 Overview

🔍 Details

🛂 Official Handling

🤔 Questions

📺 Significance

🔗 Related Curation (Same Category)

Greece Video — Object Executing 90° Turn at 80 mph

Syria 2024 — 'Misshapen Ball of White Light' UAP

Middle East 2013 — Eight-Pointed Starfish-Shape UAP (PR038)