General Discussion

moniss

(9,154 posts)

34. Years ago I was

Fri Feb 3, 2023, 08:02 AM

Feb 2023

driving along on a county road that ran along the southern edge of a large airport when I stopped for what seemed like a traffic jam. The road was well below the grade of the airport runway/taxiway in that area. I had no idea there was an air show that day and that the traffic jam was people trying to get to the observation areas.

As I sat there in my vehicle on the road I began to hear jet engines but couldn't see anything. Then a Harrier appeared over the rim of land and it was mostly hovering low and moving slowly towards us. The downblast from that jet was incredible and our vehicles were all rocking around. Not in a dangerous way so they would move out of place but bouncing on their shocks as the pilot maneuvered. It lasted about 30 seconds or less. Incredible feeling.

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What we know about the 'provocative' balloon spotted in the sky above the US [View all] applegrove Feb 2023 OP

They need to shoot it down once it is over open water and no longer a danger to people. TexasTowelie Feb 2023 #1

It is well above 40,000 feet as they say it is higher than the flight path. Doubt you applegrove Feb 2023 #2

Once the balloon is over the Atlantic Ocean where the debris falls really doesn't matter. TexasTowelie Feb 2023 #3

Yes exactly, the Chinese are sending balloons for reasons other than data collection. Irish_Dem Feb 2023 #33

This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Feb 2023 #50

Their new covid strain? KS Toronado Feb 2023 #62

This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Feb 2023 #65

We learn more by leaving it be... hunter Feb 2023 #57

But, but, but we need all that china junk at chinamart to survive, how can we shoot that nice yaesu Feb 2023 #4

They're afraid debris will hit people when it's over MT? Tomconroy Feb 2023 #5

As a Montanan, I think it's safe to say there's precious little Maru Kitteh Feb 2023 #7

I hear ya KS Toronado Feb 2023 #11

I doubt they'd have much luck at that range. nt BlackSkimmer Feb 2023 #23

As I remember they mostly live moniss Feb 2023 #39

Might be the Pentagon's ploy: advertise it for Y'all Queda to shoot it down Kennah Feb 2023 #63

It's out of helicopter range KS Toronado Feb 2023 #6

It's probably too high to be reached by most aircraft: sl8 Feb 2023 #9

Our military airspace is 40,000 feet and above KS Toronado Feb 2023 #14

How about 100,000 feet? sl8 Feb 2023 #16

You're absolutely correct. KS Toronado Feb 2023 #20

F-15 is certified moniss Feb 2023 #21

Remotely rigging voting machines for Biden ahead of the 2024 elections. nt Hotler Feb 2023 #56

Or, just jam its electronics. GoCubsGo Feb 2023 #46

If that balloon had one bullet hole in it KS Toronado Feb 2023 #8

One tiny hole. Are jet fighters even capable of one shot? Surely not! applegrove Feb 2023 #12

I'm thinking that moniss Feb 2023 #15

Sounds like a plan. applegrove Feb 2023 #17

Can an F-15 reach above 80,000 feet, with it's cannon? sl8 Feb 2023 #19

We want the air to release slowly so the balloon makes a soft descent. applegrove Feb 2023 #22

I understand, but what aircraft can reach it with a gun? sl8 Feb 2023 #24

Yes That's the ticket. A sharp missile. applegrove Feb 2023 #27

I doubt the "air" would escape slowly. BlackSkimmer Feb 2023 #35

Hmmmmm. Food for thought. applegrove Feb 2023 #37

Sure seems moniss Feb 2023 #25

Maybe. sl8 Feb 2023 #28

Yes I thought moniss Feb 2023 #31

Sure. I'm just speculating. sl8 Feb 2023 #45

The sound of jets is so familiar to me. I worked in the rockies applegrove Feb 2023 #30

Years ago I was moniss Feb 2023 #34

I was once horseback riding at a farm just south of the airport. Guess who applegrove Feb 2023 #36

Wow and I hope moniss Feb 2023 #40

Can't honestly remember what the horse did. He/she did not bolt applegrove Feb 2023 #43

If you watch Thunderbirds training it will scare the hell out of you. Irish_Dem Feb 2023 #42

Amazing. I love planes but don't like flying in them these days. applegrove Feb 2023 #47

The Antonov 225, world's largest airplane, was shot down in Ukraine last year. Irish_Dem Feb 2023 #61

Of course you are right about propellers. I saw a movie version applegrove Feb 2023 #41

F-15 pilot goes WTF when told to scramble and shoot down a balloon. Irish_Dem Feb 2023 #44

To high for any propeller driven airplane KS Toronado Feb 2023 #18

You win! DING DING DING! applegrove Feb 2023 #29

Websites say it may be the size of three busses. sprinkleeninow Feb 2023 #10

Good grief, it's a zeppelin then! Ligyron Feb 2023 #13

We could send Marjorie Taylor Greene up in another balloon 🎈 with Emile Feb 2023 #26

LOL! applegrove Feb 2023 #32

Biden says the balloon is not a threat to the US in any way. Irish_Dem Feb 2023 #38

I suspect an angry MAGA pressbox69 Feb 2023 #48

It's funny how previous balloons never made the news, so why now? GoCubsGo Feb 2023 #49

Is it a geoengineering balloon ecstatic Feb 2023 #51

Its aliens. milestogo Feb 2023 #52

This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Feb 2023 #53

I'm waiting for somebody to start a website that Liberal In Texas Feb 2023 #54

It's flying right over the largest ICBM missile site in the world at Malmstrom AFB! Take it down! Shanti Shanti Shanti Feb 2023 #55

What precious secrets do you suppose they might be looking for? hunter Feb 2023 #58

Fuck the Chinese, take it down, see what they're up to Shanti Shanti Shanti Feb 2023 #59

As I said above, we probably learn more by letting it be. hunter Feb 2023 #60

You do know China has satellites and can see us? Emile Feb 2023 #64

So? They be violating our airspace, over our nuke sites!!!!Take it out! Blinken cancels meeting! Shanti Shanti Shanti Feb 2023 #66