China’s Spy Balloon Was Able to Get Intel on U.S. Military Sites

Chinese spy balloon was able to get intelligence on US military sites: Report

The Chinese surveillance balloon that was flown over the continental United States earlier this year was allegedly able to collect intelligence on various U.S. military bases during its flight, despite efforts to prevent it from doing so, according to NBC News.

The surveillance balloon flew over bases in Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Missouri during its flight of more than three days over the continental United States. The Chinese government was reportedly able to control the balloon and collect data in real-time. Most of the data collected by the balloon were electronic signals that could have come from weapons and communications on the bases.

Per the report, the balloon was controlled by the Chinese government, with data being sent to them in real-time. The government could collect intelligence on various military bases in the U.S. The data that the balloon was able to gather would be electronic signals which are emitted by tools and communication equipment on the bases.

The balloon first entered U.S. airspace on Jan. 28 over Alaska before entering into Canadian airspace. The balloon reentered U.S. airspace over Montana on Jan. 31 and was having made several attempts to pass over the same sites, it was discovered by the public over Big Sky Country on Feb. 2. The balloon was shot down off the coast of South Carolina on Feb. 4.

NBC reported that the balloon made multiple attempts to pass over the same sites, occasionally in a figure eight while the defense spokesperson pointed to comments from Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, the Pentagon spokesman, from the week after the military shot down the balloon, saying, “It was being maneuvered and purposefully driven along its track. Again, recognizing that winds do play a role because of the maneuverability of the balloon, it’s our assessment that this was a purposeful mission.”

The Pentagon said it did not shoot the balloon down over Montana because of the risk to civilians and property on the ground. Officials have said they observed balloons enter U.S. airspace on at least four occasions. U.S. officials reportedly confirmed that another balloon crashed near Hawaii four months prior to the February incident.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the Pentagon was aware of the previous balloons flying into U.S. airspace under Presidents Joe Biden and Trump but said the Pentagon only became aware of the balloons during the Trump administration after he had left office.

The balloon’s intrusion into U.S. airspace caused Secretary of State Antony Blinken to cancel his trip to China while the Chinese government rejected the allegations, insisting that the balloon was a civilian aircraft used for meteorological purposes and that it simply veered off its course.