The unexpected journey of a Chinese spy balloon through U.S. airspace early in 2023 has uncovered some unsettling gaps in America’s intelligence and defense systems. Retired Air Force General Glen VanHerck, who once led the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), recently shed light on this incident, underscoring vulnerabilities in national security.
The massive balloon, reportedly the size of three buses, was initially detected over Alaska’s Aleutian Islands on January 27 before it drifted over St. Matthew Island in the Bering Sea.
The balloon’s entry into U.S. airspace near the Canadian border caused a significant stir as it floated over sensitive military zones, including Montana’s Malmstrom Air Force Base, which is home to 150 intercontinental ballistic missile silos.
In response, NORAD scrambled two Raptor stealth fighters and two armed F-16s to shadow the balloon. These jets had to maintain speeds exceeding 400 miles per hour to stay aloft in the thin atmosphere at an altitude of 10,000 feet. Although the balloon wasn’t considered an immediate physical threat, deciding to shoot it down required President Joe Biden’s authorization.
As the balloon continued its path, it passed close to other critical installations, such as Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, known for housing the U.S. Strategic Command, and Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, the hub for B-2 bombers.
Concerns grew as the balloon lingered over these vital sites. VanHerck revealed that NORAD was alerted to the balloon’s approach just under 24 hours before it entered U.S. airspace. Reports have emerged suggesting that U.S. intelligence had been tracking the balloon from its launch in Hainan Island, China, but failed to relay timely updates to NORAD.
“It’s a failure of the entire system to not notify everyone that this thing’s out there and potentially drifting into North American airspace,” VanHerck remarked. This delay in coordination shone a light on potential communication issues between intelligence agencies and the Department of Defense.
The incident has sparked questions about the decision-making processes within NORAD, as VanHerck mentioned that the command lacked the authority to act without presidential consent, further complicating efforts.
After public sightings of the balloon, particularly in Montana, President Biden gave the green light for its takedown. On February 4, an Air Force F-22 Raptor successfully shot down the balloon over the Atlantic Ocean with a Sidewinder missile, ensuring minimal risk to civilians and infrastructure.
NASA had previously warned that destroying the balloon over land could result in a debris field stretching up to 100 miles wide. China’s government maintained that the balloon was a civilian device for weather research that had veered off course, a claim the U.S. countered by confirming its surveillance capabilities. An FBI analysis post-recovery indicated that the balloon hadn’t transmitted any intelligence to China during its flight, according to VanHerck.
“In the end, the best outcome for the Canadian and American people occurred. China didn’t collect any intelligence, we know that for a fact. We maximized our intelligence collection, and we exposed the PRC’s actions.
Most importantly, the Canadian and American people were kept safe,” VanHerck commented. However, the delayed response drew criticism from Republican leaders. Senator Tom Cotton voiced his displeasure, saying, “I think it was a grave mistake to let a Chinese spy balloon traverse the entire country.”
VanHerck emphasized that this incident is a stark reminder of the swift emergence of modern threats. He pointed out that advanced missile systems and technologies present new challenges for NORAD, and the balloon incident highlighted the need for perpetual vigilance. The episode has reignited discussions about the preparedness of U.S. defense systems and the necessity for improved communication between intelligence agencies and military command.
While the situation did not result in any direct harm, it exposed critical vulnerabilities that could have significant implications for national security in the future.
The Chinese balloon incident is a call to action, urging a reassessment of current defense strategies to ensure the nation’s safety against unforeseen threats.