Good, descriptive briefing today from @NORADCommand Gen. Glen VanHerck about recent counter-balloon operations over the United States just concluded.
Some key takeaways:
Some key takeaways:
@NORADCommand VanHerck, speaking in a Zoom call, described the balloon as roughly 200 feet tall, with a massive device hanging on the bottom that was roughly the size of a regional jet. It's part of why a shootdown was complicated, he said.
He acknowledged that the United States wasn't aware at the time of several previous surveillance balloons that visited in recent years and were reported in the media over the last few days.
But in this case, they saw it coming north of the Aleutian Islands, he said.
But in this case, they saw it coming north of the Aleutian Islands, he said.
Why not shoot it down in Alaskan airspace?
"It wasn't time," he said. But there's more to it, he implied:
"It wasn't time," he said. But there's more to it, he implied:
"It was my assessment that this balloon did not present a physical military threat to North America -- this is under my NORAD hat -- and therefore, I could not take immediate action because it was not demonstrating hostile act or hostile intent," Gen. VanHerck told reporters.
Canadian and U.S. officials were kept in the loop as it made its way further inland, he said.
They continued to collect information about it over the next couple of days. Planning for the shootdown was extensive. NASA was consulted to assess what a debris field might look like.
They continued to collect information about it over the next couple of days. Planning for the shootdown was extensive. NASA was consulted to assess what a debris field might look like.
The shootdown, off the coast of South Carolina, has led to both a large and small debris field. The small one, roughly 1,500 meters by 1,500 meters, has the superstructure of the balloon below water.
That said, other debris is on the surface, and some may float ashore. VanHerck asked any civilians who find debris washing in to call law enforcement and turn it over.
The USS Carter Hall, an amphibious dock landing ship, will serve as the command vessel for the search.
The USNS Pathfinder, an oceanographic vessel, is now on scene and mapping below the surface to search for debris, he said.
The USNS Pathfinder, an oceanographic vessel, is now on scene and mapping below the surface to search for debris, he said.
Coast Guard is providing air support from Elizabeth City and Savannah for the balloon recovery. Also has the cutters Nathan Bruckenthal, Venturous, and Richard Snyder involved.
VanHerck said rough sea states limited operations on Sunday. This morning, Navy EOD teams on rigid inflatable boats began work, relying in part on unmanned underwater vehicles. By this afternoon, more will be known about how many large pieces of debris there are, and locations.
U.S. officials have not detailed how they learned of the earlier balloons after last week's overflight. But "reverse collection" of intelligence could well be involved.
VanHerck declined to say. Other U.S. officials I've talked about it have so far, too, citing opsec.
VanHerck declined to say. Other U.S. officials I've talked about it have so far, too, citing opsec.
VanHerck also addressed concerns that there may have been one over Canada at one point. He deployed Canadian CF-18s to look, but nothing was found, he said.
Gen. VanHerck acknowledged the balloon had some steering capability. But it also relied on wind currents. He said the balloon's path appears to have been "purposely built" to rely on wind currents.
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