The Air Force general overseeing American air space admitted that the military had failed to identify multiple Chinese surveillance balloons that flew over the U.S. in the past, calling it a 'domain awareness gap.'
after it had floated across several states, raising concerns that China was collecting sensitive information on military sites.Chinese government surveillance balloons had flown above the continental U.S. four other times in recent years — three times while former president Donald Trump was in office, and once under Biden — "but never for this duration of time."I will tell you that we did not detect those threats," Air Force Gen. Glen D. VanHerck, head of U.S.
He said the most recent balloon — which China has claimed was a civilian weather airship — was "up to 200 feet tall" with a payload comparable to that of a "regional jet."VanHerck said that the U.S. "took maximum precaution to prevent" the balloon from collecting intelligence while it was above the country but declined to provide further details.
"We did not assess that it presented a significant collection hazard beyond what already exists in actionable technical means from the Chinese," he said. He also said the balloon provided the U.S. an opportunity to collect intelligence on its purpose, capabilities, and more.The balloon's presence over the U.S., which would have been the first trip to China for a top American diplomat in a half-dozen years.
The saga also prompted criticism of President Joe Biden from congressional Republicans, who accused him of acting too slowly to take down the balloon — but military leaders have said they delayed in part due to safety reasons.
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Air Force shoots down Chinese balloon, a flashpoint in US-China tensionsThe U.S. military on Saturday shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon off the Carolina coast on orders from President Joe Biden after it traversed sensitive military sites across North America.
Weiterlesen »
Sheriff: ‘Arrogant’ McDonald thought he’d get away with killing wifeA Bexar County jury on Friday convicted Air Force Maj. Andre McDonald of manslaughter but...
Weiterlesen »
Trump, top national security officials refute claim that Chinese spy balloons transited US under last adminEXCLUSIVE: Former President Trump and a number of his top national security and defense officials refuted Biden administration officials' claims that Chinese surveillance balloons briefly transited the continental United States during the Trump administration, saying it “never happened.”
Weiterlesen »
'Top Gun 3' trends on Twitter following military takedown of Chinese spy balloonTwitter users made 'Top Gun 3' trend with a barrage of jokes and memes surrounding the missile takedown of the suspected Chinese spy balloon Saturday.
Weiterlesen »
China speaks out after another spy balloon discoveredThe Colombian air force identified the balloon in its airspace on February 3.
Weiterlesen »