[pfflier]

"strong" recommendations from defense officials not to shoot down the aircraft due to safety to people on the ground.,

That is a really weak argument. The population density in Montana is 7.5 people per square mile. The population density of South Dakota is 5.9 people per square mile, 48th and 49th respectively in the entire US.

[erlayman]

If there is a substance that could get airborne I think is what they meant. Anyway, the Pentagon says it will only be there a few days. And how do they really know ??