Say Hello to a Chinese Reconnaissance Balloon

 

A Chinese reconnaissance balloon has been hovering over Alaska, Canada, and Montana. The Pentagon says it has stayed for longer than “normal.” Normal? Is it normal for Chinese reconnaissance balloons to stay for any amount of time over the US? Apparently so.

But the Pentagon is not concerned. They don’t believe these balloons can collect much information that China can’t get from other means anyway. Plus, it might be dangerous to shoot it down.

What in the actual hell? The Pentagon can’t figure out why the Chinese keep sending these “useless” balloons to fly near military installations? Maybe, just maybe, they are not useless.

General Milley should be required to wear a dress to work until that thing is shot down.

Published in Foreign Policy
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  1. CarolJoy, Not So Easy To Kill Coolidge
    CarolJoy, Not So Easy To Kill
    @CarolJoy

    Kevin Schulte (View Comment):

    The Chinese get better intelligence from members of the Senate and House . That’s what the guy from the Pentagon was trying to say without saying it .

    What guy from the Pentagon?

    I believe you but don’t think I read about it.

    • #31
  2. DaveSchmidt Coolidge
    DaveSchmidt
    @DaveSchmidt

    Jim McConnell (View Comment):

    Flicker (View Comment):

    Steve Fast:

    General Milley should be required to wear a dress to work until that thing is shot down.

    You assume that would be a punishment.

    You stole my comment, Flicker!

    Quicker at the draw. 

    • #32
  3. DaveSchmidt Coolidge
    DaveSchmidt
    @DaveSchmidt

    Stad (View Comment):

    Gee, the Chinese forced one of our spy planes down early in the Bush administration. Either shoot down this balloon, or capture it for the intel . . .

    We have been losing drones all over the place. 

    • #33
  4. Chowderhead Coolidge
    Chowderhead
    @Podunk

    I think I seen it a couple days ago. I was driving down the coast of Maine to my house in central MA. An hour or two before and after sunset it looked like a bright star straight west. First I thought it was a planet but it never changed position. I used my Sky View app and it said there was nothing there. I was going to get my telescope out then something else caught my interest. I wouldn’t think I could see it from that distance.

    • #34
  5. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    Chowderhead (View Comment):

    I think I seen it a couple days ago. I was driving down the coast of Maine to my house in central MA. An hour or two before and after sunset it looked like a bright star straight west. First I thought it was a planet but it never changed position. I used my Sky View app and it said there was nothing there. I was going to get my telescope out then something else caught my interest. I wouldn’t think I could see it from that distance.

    That brings up another question.  How do they manage to get a balloon to maintain its position so well? 

    I get to watch a lot of hot air balloons around here, though it seems not so many in recent years.  My little pasture is just a little too hard to access for them to want to land here, but I can tell when they give it a look, and then look for somewhere better.  So we’ve never been presented with the bottle of wine that supposedly goes with a landing.  And some have taken off from our next door neighbor’s place, but my front yard is just not suitable.  This Chinese thing is not a hot air balloon, but still I would guess it doesn’t have complete control over where it goes.

    • #35
  6. Chowderhead Coolidge
    Chowderhead
    @Podunk

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Chowderhead (View Comment):

    I think I seen it a couple days ago. I was driving down the coast of Maine to my house in central MA. An hour or two before and after sunset it looked like a bright star straight west. First I thought it was a planet but it never changed position. I used my Sky View app and it said there was nothing there. I was going to get my telescope out then something else caught my interest. I wouldn’t think I could see it from that distance.

    That brings up another question. How do they manage to get a balloon to maintain its position so well?

    I get to watch a lot of hot air balloons around here, though it seems not so many in recent years. My little pasture is just a little too hard to access for them to want to land here, but I can tell when they give it a look, and then look for somewhere better. So we’ve never been presented with the bottle of wine that supposedly goes with a landing. And some have taken off from our next door neighbor’s place, but my front yard is just not suitable. This Chinese thing is not a hot air balloon, but still I would guess it doesn’t have complete control over where it goes.

    It can ‘suggest’ a location. By that I mean it could have a propeller to fight the jet stream. You can see from the pics it has larger solar panels than is needed to power the electronics.

    • #36
  7. No Caesar Thatcher
    No Caesar
    @NoCaesar

    It’s obviously an embarrassment to this corrupt regime.  The Chinese are doing a nose tweaking that would normally happen at the beginning of a new administration.  I can only think of 2 real reasons why it’s not been shot down:

    1. There’s something dangerous on board (i.e. Nuclear fuel, etc.)  
    2. Some kind of quid pro quo related to the CCP pay-offs to the Bidens over the years.  

    I think #2 is the most likely.  Or maybe Gen Milley is protecting his Chinese pen pals.  (Yes, I do seriously consider it plausible that Chairman Milley has been turned and has/is committing treason.  Afterall he made it explicit during his Congressional testimony during the last administration.)

    The Pentagon now has no credibility on anything.  Under this SecDef and JCOS Chair it is utterly corrupted and politicized.  Another example of why we will lose our next war, badly.  And the likelihood that this moronic regime will stumble us into one grows daily.  Failing to shoot it down is the provocative act. 

    • #37
  8. Metalheaddoc Member
    Metalheaddoc
    @Metalheaddoc

    It has been spotted recently in my area of Kansas City. The local National Weather Service office spotted it and confirmed it’s not an NWS ballon. Whiteman AFB is near here. 

    • #38
  9. Chowderhead Coolidge
    Chowderhead
    @Podunk

    Sputnik II

    It’s obviously there to send a message. We are weak and helpless. Too scared to pop a balloon. 

    • #39
  10. Seawriter Contributor
    Seawriter
    @Seawriter

    The Reticulator (View Comment):
    That brings up another question.  How do they manage to get a balloon to maintain its position so well? 

    See the solar panels? Those provide electricity which run electric motors. Those move the balloon, albeit slowly. They also control the orientation of the platform.

    The US does the same thing with reconnaissance balloons. They can stay up virtually forever, hovering over a desired location.

    • #40
  11. No Caesar Thatcher
    No Caesar
    @NoCaesar

    https://babylonbee.com/news/biden-says-hell-shoot-down-chinese-spy-balloon-as-soon-as-hes-done-letting-it-spy 

    • #41
  12. WilliamDean Coolidge
    WilliamDean
    @WilliamDean

    I suspect they don’t want to shoot those balloons down until they can figure out what is in it. It’s been asked many times in this thread what can reconnaissance a balloon can provide that their hi-tech satellites can’t? Has it been considered that perhaps reconnaissance isn’t it’s purpose? What balloons can do that satellites can’t is carry things, and potentially deliver them. We have no idea what could be on that thing. My imagination can conjure up a lot of possibilities that would lead me to not want that thing coming to ground anywhere near us.

    • #42
  13. DrewInWisconsin, Oik Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oik
    @DrewInWisconsin

    No Caesar (View Comment):

    https://babylonbee.com/news/biden-says-hell-shoot-down-chinese-spy-balloon-as-soon-as-hes-done-letting-it-spy

    Sadly, this is correct. The Pentagon has apparently stated something like “Well, it’ll be around for a few more days.”

    • #43
  14. Chowderhead Coolidge
    Chowderhead
    @Podunk

    WilliamDean (View Comment):

    I suspect they don’t want to shoot those balloons down until they can figure out what is in it. It’s been asked many times in this thread what can reconnaissance a balloon can provide that their hi-tech satellites can’t? Has it been considered that perhaps reconnaissance isn’t it’s purpose? What balloons can do that satellites can’t is carry things, and potentially deliver them. We have no idea what could be on that thing. My imagination can conjure up a lot of possibilities that would lead me to not want that thing coming to ground anywhere near us.

    My AR can poke a couple pretty little holes in it and bring it down slowly. Well, if I could reach it. You get the point. It is there for intimidation.

    • #44
  15. Django Member
    Django
    @Django

    WilliamDean (View Comment):

    I suspect they don’t want to shoot those balloons down until they can figure out what is in it. It’s been asked many times in this thread what can reconnaissance a balloon can provide that their hi-tech satellites can’t? Has it been considered that perhaps reconnaissance isn’t it’s purpose? What balloons can do that satellites can’t is carry things, and potentially deliver them. We have no idea what could be on that thing. My imagination can conjure up a lot of possibilities that would lead me to not want that thing coming to ground anywhere near us.

    Persistence over the target. 

    • #45
  16. No Caesar Thatcher
    No Caesar
    @NoCaesar

    WilliamDean (View Comment):

    I suspect they don’t want to shoot those balloons down until they can figure out what is in it. It’s been asked many times in this thread what can reconnaissance a balloon can provide that their hi-tech satellites can’t? Has it been considered that perhaps reconnaissance isn’t it’s purpose? What balloons can do that satellites can’t is carry things, and potentially deliver them. We have no idea what could be on that thing. My imagination can conjure up a lot of possibilities that would lead me to not want that thing coming to ground anywhere near us.

    That’s my reason #1.  This current crop running the 5-sided building and Le Blanc Maison don’t have credibility on that.  

    However, I suspect we do know what’s on board.   With modern survailence technology it shouldn’t be hard.

    • #46
  17. DrewInWisconsin, Oik Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oik
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Pentagon Briefing On Chinese Spy Balloon: “Does Not Pose A Risk To People On The Ground”

    The balloon “has the ability to maneuver” and has “changed course,” he explained. “Currently it does not pose a physical or military risk to people on the ground.”

    “It will probably be over the US for a few days.”

    “The balloon continues to move eastward… We’re not going to get into an hour-by-hour location of the balloon. We’re monitoring it closely. As I mentioned, it is over the center of the continental United States, that’s about as specific as I’m going to get,” he said.

    “Does the public not have a right to know?” a reporter asked.

    “The public certainly has the ability to look up at the sky and see where the balloon is,” he replied.

    Another reporter asked: “If the [Chinese spy balloon] is violating our airspace, why not take it down?”

    The Pentagon spokesman replied: “We assessed that it does not pose a risk to people on the ground as it is traversing the continental United States.”

    What the hell, Pentagon?

    • #47
  18. DrewInWisconsin, Oik Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oik
    @DrewInWisconsin

    • #48
  19. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    No Caesar (View Comment):
    However, I suspect we do know what’s on board.   With modern survailence technology it shouldn’t be hard.

    I wonder if we have any photos showing it has a name that translates to something like “CPCS Mathias Rust.” 

    • #49
  20. DrewInWisconsin, Oik Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oik
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Is our entire government compromised by the Chinese?

    Have we already been conquered?

    • #50
  21. Django Member
    Django
    @Django

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik (View Comment):

    Pentagon Briefing On Chinese Spy Balloon: “Does Not Pose A Risk To People On The Ground”

    The balloon “has the ability to maneuver” and has “changed course,” he explained. “Currently it does not pose a physical or military risk to people on the ground.”

    “It will probably be over the US for a few days.”

    “The balloon continues to move eastward… We’re not going to get into an hour-by-hour location of the balloon. We’re monitoring it closely. As I mentioned, it is over the center of the continental United States, that’s about as specific as I’m going to get,” he said.

    “Does the public not have a right to know?” a reporter asked.

    “The public certainly has the ability to look up at the sky and see where the balloon is,” he replied.

    Another reporter asked: “If the [Chinese spy balloon] is violating our airspace, why not take it down?”

    The Pentagon spokesman replied: “We assessed that it does not pose a risk to people on the ground as it is traversing the continental United States.”

    What the hell, Pentagon?

    I remember someone saying that “over-flying a country without its permission is an act of war.” More than one legal beagle has said that is true. If you do it with a B-52, it has to be. Satellites don’t care about boundaries and Kepler don’t lie, so we all look the other way. Where do balloons fit in? Is shooting it down an act of war? 

    • #51
  22. DrewInWisconsin, Oik Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oik
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Django (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik (View Comment):

    Pentagon Briefing On Chinese Spy Balloon: “Does Not Pose A Risk To People On The Ground”

    The balloon “has the ability to maneuver” and has “changed course,” he explained. “Currently it does not pose a physical or military risk to people on the ground.”

    “It will probably be over the US for a few days.”

    “The balloon continues to move eastward… We’re not going to get into an hour-by-hour location of the balloon. We’re monitoring it closely. As I mentioned, it is over the center of the continental United States, that’s about as specific as I’m going to get,” he said.

    “Does the public not have a right to know?” a reporter asked.

    “The public certainly has the ability to look up at the sky and see where the balloon is,” he replied.

    Another reporter asked: “If the [Chinese spy balloon] is violating our airspace, why not take it down?”

    The Pentagon spokesman replied: “We assessed that it does not pose a risk to people on the ground as it is traversing the continental United States.”

    What the hell, Pentagon?

    I remember someone saying that “over-flying a country without its permission is an act of war.” More than one legal beagle has said that is true. If you do it with a B-52, it has to be. Satellites don’t care about boundaries and Kepler don’t lie, so we all look the other way. Where do balloons fit in? Is shooting it down an act of war?

    I dunno, but wouldn’t it be great if some patriots from Flyover, USA took it out?

    • #52
  23. Nanocelt TheContrarian Member
    Nanocelt TheContrarian
    @NanoceltTheContrarian

    Steve Fast (View Comment):

    Vance Richards (View Comment):

    Flicker (View Comment):

    Steve Fast:

    General Milley should be required to wear a dress to work until that thing is shot down.

    You assume that would be a punishment.

    He would have some familiar company . . .

    Did they play real football or powderpuff football?

    Can we still use the phrase “Peter principle”?

    • #53
  24. Django Member
    Django
    @Django

    • #54
  25. Chuck Coolidge
    Chuck
    @Chuckles

    Seawriter (View Comment):

    The Reticulator (View Comment):
    That brings up another question. How do they manage to get a balloon to maintain its position so well?

    See the solar panels? Those provide electricity which run electric motors. Those move the balloon, albeit slowly. They also control the orientation of the platform.

    The US does the same thing with reconnaissance balloons. They can stay up virtually forever, hovering over a desired location.

    I’m guessing it has already been mentioned, but Epoch Times reports on Pentagon confirmation that the balloon is maneuverable:

    https://www.theepochtimes.com/chinese-spy-balloon-can-maneuver-will-be-us-for-few-days-pentagon-says_5032412.html?utm_source=share-btn-copylink

    • #55
  26. DrewInWisconsin, Oik Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oik
    @DrewInWisconsin

    • #56
  27. Chuck Coolidge
    Chuck
    @Chuckles

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik (View Comment):

    Django (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik (View Comment):

    Pentagon Briefing On Chinese Spy Balloon: “Does Not Pose A Risk To People On The Ground”

    The balloon “has the ability to maneuver” and has “changed course,” he explained. “Currently it does not pose a physical or military risk to people on the ground.”

    “It will probably be over the US for a few days.”

    “The balloon continues to move eastward… We’re not going to get into an hour-by-hour location of the balloon. We’re monitoring it closely. As I mentioned, it is over the center of the continental United States, that’s about as specific as I’m going to get,” he said.

    “Does the public not have a right to know?” a reporter asked.

    “The public certainly has the ability to look up at the sky and see where the balloon is,” he replied.

    Another reporter asked: “If the [Chinese spy balloon] is violating our airspace, why not take it down?”

    The Pentagon spokesman replied: “We assessed that it does not pose a risk to people on the ground as it is traversing the continental United States.”

    What the hell, Pentagon?

    I remember someone saying that “over-flying a country without its permission is an act of war.” More than one legal beagle has said that is true. If you do it with a B-52, it has to be. Satellites don’t care about boundaries and Kepler don’t lie, so we all look the other way. Where do balloons fit in? Is shooting it down an act of war?

    I dunno, but wouldn’t it be great if some patriots from Flyover, USA took it out?

    Yes but that would prove to be their death sentence.

    • #57
  28. DrewInWisconsin, Oik Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oik
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Chuck (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik (View Comment):

    Django (View Comment):

    I remember someone saying that “over-flying a country without its permission is an act of war.” More than one legal beagle has said that is true. If you do it with a B-52, it has to be. Satellites don’t care about boundaries and Kepler don’t lie, so we all look the other way. Where do balloons fit in? Is shooting it down an act of war?

    I dunno, but wouldn’t it be great if some patriots from Flyover, USA took it out?

    Yes but that would prove to be their death sentence.

    Who would be the executioner? The Chinese government or ours?

    And is there a difference?

    • #58
  29. Chuck Coolidge
    Chuck
    @Chuckles

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik (View Comment):

    Chuck (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik (View Comment):

    Django (View Comment):

    I remember someone saying that “over-flying a country without its permission is an act of war.” More than one legal beagle has said that is true. If you do it with a B-52, it has to be. Satellites don’t care about boundaries and Kepler don’t lie, so we all look the other way. Where do balloons fit in? Is shooting it down an act of war?

    I dunno, but wouldn’t it be great if some patriots from Flyover, USA took it out?

    Yes but that would prove to be their death sentence.

    Who would be the executioner? The Chinese government or ours?

    And is there a difference?

    1. I don’t know
    2. Yes
    3. No, not really.
    • #59
  30. DrewInWisconsin, Oik Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oik
    @DrewInWisconsin

    This Chinese balloon(s) story is another pile of hot garbage (Update)

    First of all, China is saying they have “no intention to violate the territory and airspace of any sovereign countries.” So they’re implying that one of their surveillance balloons just accidentally got loose and drifted halfway around the globe and over a state where some of our nuclear silos are located? Nonsense. We all know enough about drift and global weather patterns at this point to control the flight of balloons pretty well.

    And then there’s the response from the Pentagon. We’re being told they “considered shooting it down but opted not to out of fear the debris could cause injuries.” Really? It’s a balloon. And it was over Montana. How much damage was it going to cause aside from maybe hitting a couple of elk? Yes, the first balloon was reportedly the size of three buses and had some sort of technology suite attached to it, but there’s only so much of an impact it could make. If we don’t know how to conduct a controlled deflation and descent of a balloon by now, we probably shouldn’t be trusted with jet planes. Reports this morning are saying that Joe Biden himself made the decision not to bring it down. Why? Was he afraid of provoking Beijing?

    . . .

    John offered one of the few decent explanations for this puzzle last night. China could be engaged in a deliberate act of provocation just to test us and see how we would respond. He also predicted that they might do it again with two balloons. It looks like that’s already happened. If he’s correct, then China is probably taking a significant message away from these events. If we won’t respond and shoot down something in our own airspace that is potentially flying over Malmstrom Air Force Base, we’re probably not going to go to Code Red if China invades Taiwan.

    Put this balloon incident in context with everything we’ve got going on with the Russians in Ukraine at the moment. We seem to be edging closer and closer to a war with one or both of the other two largest nuclear powers on the planet. Is everyone really okay with that? America must always remain ready to fight to defend our nation if required, but diplomacy is always preferable to missiles when possible. The situation is getting out of control and the people we pay to go to Washington and supposedly serve our interests need to step up to the plate here.

    • #60
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