The US 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 provides a rare glimpse into the operations of the U-2 spy plane, and serves as a reminder of the US military's commitment to protecting US airspace and its citizens. The incident highlights the need for increased vigilance, as the US has been engaging in surveillance operations of its own in the South China Sea.