South Carolina Ping 
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Posted on 02/05/2023 10:02:11 AM PST by thegagline
President Joe Biden ordered the action on Wednesday, but it was delayed until the balloon was over water off the coast of South Carolina to ensure no Americans on the ground were harmed.
"The balloon, which was being used by the PRC in an attempt to surveil strategic sites in the continental United States, was brought down above U.S. territorial waters," Austin said.
The action was taken in coordination and support of the Canadian government. "We thank Canada for its contribution to tracking and analysis of the balloon through [North American Aerospace Defense Command] as it transited North America," Austin said. "Today's deliberate and lawful action demonstrates that President Biden and his national security team will always put the safety and security of the American people first while responding effectively to the PRC's unacceptable violation of our sovereignty," Austin said referring to the Peoples Republic of China.
U.S. officials first detected the balloon and its payload on January 28 when it entered U.S. airspace near the Aleutian Islands. The balloon traversed Alaska, Canada and re-entered U.S. airspace over Idaho. "President Biden asked the military to present options and on Wednesday President Biden gave his authorization to take down the Chinese surveillance balloon as soon as the mission could be accomplished without undue risk to us civilians under the balloon's path," said a senior defense official speaking on background. "Military commanders determined that there was undue risk of debris causing harm to civilians while the balloon was overland."
An F-22 Raptor fighter from the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, fired one AIM-9X Sidewinder missile at the balloon.
The balloon did not pose a military or physical threat. Still its intrusion into American airspace over several days was an unacceptable violation of U.S. sovereignty. The official said Chinese balloons briefly transited the continental United States at least three times during the prior administration.
THE CORRECT RESPONSE IS FOR bidet TO SEND A FOUR STAR GENERAL TO MEET WITH PRESIDENT XI.
Gee safely shoot down an unarmed, slow moving balloon. What’s next the kiddie airplane ride at the grocery store?
I don’t believe it. Not for one minute. Unless it was hidden from Trump and he had no knowledge. THAT I do believe.
fired one AIM-9X Sidewinder missile at the balloon.
= = =
Is that a heat seeker?
Or is there some other mode?
What was the target, the balloon, or the ‘school busses’?
United States = Clown Shoes. It takes an F-22 to shoot down a balloon!
If he goes dressed by like Austin wearing a Jr Space Cadet style COVID Helmet, it’s probably a waste of time!
Advanced infrared-tracking.
Why the hell would they blow the thing up and allow all evidence to be lost at sea? Real men of genius right there? Who is running this show? Joe Biden?
The story says Chicom balloons ‘briefly’ transited the U.S. under Trump. Wonder what ‘briefly’ means. This current balloon came in over Alaska, then Canada. Seems to have entered the U.S. again over Washington or Idaho. This was not a ‘brief’ journey.
China Joe let it get out all the way over the Atlantic before downing it.
“The official said Chinese balloons briefly transited the continental United States at least three times during the prior administration.”
Who is the official? Since this is such a huge deal, the official should come forward and be interviewed by Congress.
President Joe Biden ordered the action on Wednesday, but it was delayed until the Wire transfer to the Bank of Panama cleared...
I make sure all of my “spy balloons” are a different color than the sky…
South Carolina Ping Please ping me if you see an article that would be of interest to fellow SC FReepers.
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“The official”
Name him.
I think his last name is "Tuttle".
Do you some other means? It was ABOVE the operational altitude of most aircraft.
Should of used a laser to bring that beeeach down.
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