Chinese Spy Balloon Brought Down

The Chinese Spy Balloon Brought Down, over the Carolinas Coast, after President Biden pledged the U.S. would 'take care' of it.

On Saturday afternoon, an FAA Spokesperson confirmed, that the agency has paused Arrivals and Departures at Wilmington, Myrtle Beach, and Charleston Airports “to support the Department of Defense in a national security effort.” A temporary Flight restriction was also announced for the area until at least 3:30 p.m. ET.

Later Saturday, Biden smiled and flashed a thumbs up to Reporters, when asked if the U.S. was going to shoot down the Balloon. “Last thing we wanted was for something the size of a school bus to go through the roof of a preschool,” a Defense Department Official said.

The presence of the Balloon has further strained an already tense U.S.-Chinese relationship, and a Public downing of the Vessel isn’t likely to improve ties. Still, it will help Biden on the Domestic Political front, where he’s facing calls, especially from Republicans, to be even tougher on Beijing.

News of the Balloon led to a Discussion among Department and Agency Leaders inside the Administration, about whether to Cancel Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s planned Visit to Beijing this weekend. Ultimately, the Decision was made to Postpone, not Cancel, though it’s Not clear when Blinken will now go.

Two Naval Ships, including the USS Carter Hall, which is equipped with a Heavy Crane for Recovery, are in Vicinity of where the Balloon fell.

“The objective of trip was to seek a ‘floor’ in relationship and explore potential areas of cooperation in mutual interest,” a U.S. Official said. “It’s hard to do that constructively with a Chinese balloon over the U.S. — it would have dominated all the conversations. It was better to postpone for a better time, and the interagency all agreed with that.”

Meanwhile, a Second Balloon is now over Latin America.










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