US navy releases first pictures of Chinese spy balloon recovery

This image provided by the US Navy shows sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 recovering a high-altitude surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach (US navy/AP)

The US navy has used underwater drones, warships and inflatable vessels to gather all of the pieces of the massive Chinese spy balloon a fighter jet shot down off the coast of South Carolina.

In the newest images released by the Navy on Tuesday, sailors from Explosive  Ordnance Disposal Group 2 are seen leaning over a rigid hull inflatable boat and pulling in pieces of the balloon’s white outer fabric and shell structure.