The Shocking Truth About a Chinese Spy Balloon That Entered US Airspace Last Year
In February 2023, a massive, white balloon was spotted floating over the Canadian border and entered US airspace, sparking widespread panic. Chinese officials insisted it was a civilian meteorological device that had blown off course, but it was later determined to be a Chinese spy balloon.
The balloon’s trajectory took it near Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, which is home to some of America’s intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). The military scrambled two F-22 Raptor stealth fighters and two armed F-16s to deal with the balloon, but it was not until President Joe Biden gave the green light that the balloon was shot down over the Atlantic Ocean.
According to retired Air Force General Glen VanHerck, who led the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) at the time, officials should have been warned about the balloon in advance. “It’s a failure of multiple intelligence, Department of Defense agencies. I should not get surprised by something that’s coming into my area of responsibility… Anybody who knows about it should pass that on. It shouldn’t be less than 24 hours’ notice,” he said.
The balloon’s presence sparked concerns about the potential for attacks to arrive without warning, with VanHerck stating, “We’re not going to see long-range cruise missiles. We’re not going to see balloons over the horizon. Your time is limited to respond to those types of things.”
The incident highlights the need for better communication and coordination among intelligence agencies and the military. “I didn’t get surprised by something that’s coming into my area of responsibility. I should have been told about it earlier,” VanHerck said.