US Defense Department Releases Selfie Taken From U-2 Spy Plane Showing Shadow of Aircraft on Chinese Surveillance Balloon

The United States Defense Department has released a selfie taken from the cockpit of a U-2 spy plane, showing the shadow of the aircraft on a Chinese surveillance balloon that was shot down by the US military earlier this month. The photo was taken on February 3rd as the balloon hovered over the Central Continental United States.

The balloon was shot down by the US Air Force off the South Carolina coast on February 4th, after fly-bys revealed that it was capable of conducting signals intelligence collection operations. The photo shows the top of the pilot’s helmet inside the U-2 cockpit with the balloon flying below.

The US military has not released any further details about the balloon or the mission, but the photo provides a rare glimpse into the operations of the U-2 spy plane. The U-2 is a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft that has been used by the US Air Force since the 1950s.

The US military has been increasingly concerned about Chinese surveillance activities in the US, and the incident highlights the need for increased vigilance. The US has also been engaging in surveillance operations of its own, with the US Navy recently conducting a surveillance flight over the South China Sea.

The US Defense Department has not commented on the incident or the photo, but the release of the selfie provides a unique insight into the operations of the U-2 spy plane. The photo serves as a reminder of the US military’s commitment to protecting US airspace and its citizens.