Every Breath You Take and Every Move You Make

Chinese spy balloons are in the air and making headlines. Well... at least one is no longer a problem thanks to a pilot who surely has the Top Gun soundtrack on his playlist. But what's really at fault? I'd like to blame Sting or Rockwell and his creepy stalker anthem, but it has more to do with politics, science, and a lack of public awareness. What's the real threat and did we even know it was there? The United States' airspace monitoring and defense system is a labyrinthine maze of acronyms, manned by a patchwork of civilian, law enforcement, and military agencies, each with their own individual facilities, capabilities, and equipment. There's also way more than force majeure at work here.

MORE THAN JUST HOT AIR

The Chinese government aerial surveillance program is a comprehensive system that encompasses a range of tools, including balloons, satellites, aircraft, drones, and quadcopters. The presence of balloons as part of this program has raised serious and understandable concerns, particularly as they have been spotted flying over the United States on several occasions. In fact, at least three instances of this happened during the previous administration.

Beyond balloons, NATO and our adversaries openly surveil each other through the Open Skies Treaty. This treaty, first proposed in 1955 during the Cold War,?establishes a program of unarmed?aerial surveillance flights?over the entire?territory?of its participants. It was designed to enhance mutual understanding and confidence by giving all participants, regardless of size, a direct role in gathering information about military forces and activities of concern. It began in January of 2002 and currently has 34 party states.?The United States and Russia both withdrew in 2021, ushering in a new and dangerous phase in Western relations.

But balloons present a unique challenge to detect and track as they are often identified as false echoes or 'natural anomalies' like a flock of birds by advanced radar systems. This is because they move relatively slowly and are not detected by Doppler weather radars, which are typically designed to detect much faster-moving objects. However, despite their slow pace, the balloons are highly maneuverable and can carry sophisticated payloads within the Earth's atmosphere.

For history buffs, the first decisive use of a balloon for aerial warfare was performed by the French Aerostatic Corps using the aerostat l’Entreprenant ("The enterprising one") at the Battle of Fleurus in 1794. They were also employed by military forces during the American Civil War by the U.S. Army Balloon Corps and in the Franco-Prussian War. At the time, balloons were used to observe enemy troop movements and to gather intelligence on the battlefield and they got shot at by pretty much everyone on the battlefield.

Since then, balloons have been used for a variety of purposes, including scientific research, weather monitoring, and, of course, surveillance. In recent decades, advances in technology have made it possible for balloons to be equipped with sophisticated cameras, radars, and other payloads, allowing them to perform increasingly complex surveillance missions.

One of the key advantages of balloons as a surveillance tool is their ability to stay over a specific area for extended periods of time. Unlike satellites, which follow a predictable orbit, balloons can be designed to float at a specific altitude and location, allowing them to maintain continuous coverage of a particular region. This makes them ideal for monitoring large areas for long periods of time, such as for border surveillance or for monitoring natural disasters.

Moreover, the unpredictability of balloons' flight path is also a strength. Unlike satellites, which can be easily tracked and located by other countries, balloons can be designed to change altitude and direction in response to wind patterns, making it much more difficult to predict their movements. This makes them a valuable asset for intelligence agencies, who can use them to gather sensitive information without being detected.

The use of balloons as part of the Chinese aerial surveillance program highlights the country's continued investment in technology and its drive to expand its monitoring and intelligence-gathering capabilities. As technology continues to evolve and advance, it is likely that we will see further developments in this area, potentially leading to new challenges for those tasked with protecting national security.

DETECTION AND DEFENSE

Did we know the balloon was there? The answer is... probably. The protection of the American airspace is a complex and multi-faceted responsibility that involves several different civilian, law enforcement, and military agencies. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is primarily responsible for managing the National Airspace System, which is a complex network of airspace, air traffic control facilities, and ground-based navigation aids that ensures the safe and efficient flow of air traffic in the United States.

Another important player in the defense of the American skies is the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), which is a joint operation between the U.S. and Canada. NORAD's primary mission is to monitor and defend North American airspace against air threats, including aircraft that enter American airspace without authorization.

The military assets that eventually dealt the decisive blow to the Chinese balloon this week were likely drawn from Operation Noble Eagle (ONE). ONE is a military operation launched by the Department of Defense in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. ONE's primary mission is to defend American airspace against potential air threats, including aircraft that enter U.S. airspace without authorization. As satisfying as it would be, they don't just shoot everything down. It's a nuanced affair.

To accomplish this mission, the DoD has deployed a range of assets, including fighter jets, air defense systems, and surveillance technologies. Fighter jets, such as F-15s, F-16s, and F-22s are positioned at key locations across the United States, ready to respond to any potential air threats. Additionally, the DoD has deployed ground-based air defense systems, such as the Patriot missile system, to provide a layered defense against incoming missiles and aircraft.

The DoD also relies heavily on its surveillance capabilities, which include a range of radars, satellites, and other sensors, to monitor and track air traffic over the United States. This information is then fed into the NORAD in real-time.

Most Americans are not aware that the Department of Homeland Security also plays a critical role in the protection of American airspace through its Customs and Border Protection (CBP) division. CBP operates the Air and Marine Operations Center (AMOC), which is a state-of-the-art, multi-domain law enforcement and operations center located at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, California. AMOC uses cutting-edge technology to detect, identify, track, and interdict suspect aviation and maritime targets in the Western Hemisphere.

Finally, the U.S. Secret Service also has a little known, but significant role to play in the protection of American airspace, particularly in the Washington D.C. area and areas visited by the President. The Secret Service's Airspace Security Branch is responsible for the coordination and implementation of security measures for presidential air travel, including the protection of the skies in and around the National Capital Region. From 2009 to 2011 I had the privilege to work in this elite group and while I didn't write 'the' book on it, I did pen a definitive text still in use today.

Chinese Espionage: A Growing Concern in the International Community

In recent years, the Chinese government has been accused of using various methods of espionage to gather intelligence and exert its influence on the global stage, not just balloons. While traditional espionage techniques such as hacking and physical surveillance still play a significant role, the Chinese government has also been using more sophisticated methods such as social engineering, insider threat, and media manipulation.

Chinese hacking groups, such as APT41, have also been heavily involved in ransomware of United States infrastructure and even involved in stealing billions of dollars of pandemic relief funding. There are even increasing concerns over the use of TikTok as a tool to encourage societal inaction and exacerbate discord.

The Chinese Communist Party has increasingly become more overt in its hostile actions and intentions, as seen in its aggressive pursuit of sensitive technology and intellectual property. The U.S. government has responded with increased scrutiny of Chinese investments and stricter export controls, and many other countries are following suit.

China is an important and valued trading partner. Our two countries share history and interests far beyond the millions of Americans of Chinese descent who contribute greatly to the advancement of our country and continue to serve with honor and distinction in our military and intelligence community. But the Chinese government's use of espionage poses a growing threat to national security and economic interests, and not just with balloons.