Local couple watches Chinese Spy Balloon get shot down

 

Linda Preus and her husband, Daniel, were on vacation when they were alerted that a Chinese spy balloon was overhead.

“My husband and I were in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, when the Chinese spy balloon flew in front of our hotel and out into the Atlantic. For about an hour, we watched several pairs of jets flying elliptical circles around it as it moved across the sky. The first photograph was taken as the balloon flew overhead our hotel. Finally, two jets flew straight toward it when it was out to sea, with the lead jet shooting it down.

“The second photograph shows the smoke from the missile; you can see the balloon falling as the jet streaks by. Needless to say, it was very exciting to hear the missile explode and there was lots of cheering from the boardwalk. It’s certainly an experience we will never forget.”

Daniel and Linda have a cabin in Grand Marais. If their last name rings a bell, it’s because Daniel is the grandson of Jacob Aall Ottesen Preus, Minnesota’s 20th governor, who spent many summer vacations in Cook County.

 

Regarding the balloon, China claims the balloon the U.S. shot down was used to collect weather information. And that the balloon accidentally escaped its air space. But the U.S. says the balloon was capable of surveillance and intercepting intelligence signals and not used to collect weather data.

According to the Biden administration, China has recently sent more than 40 balloons flying over five continents. China has a deep need, it seems, to keep abreast of the weather.