The U.S. Air Force took down a Chinese spy balloon one year ago today, from from the skies above the shoreline of Myrtle Beach’s oceans.
Sightings were reported across the Pee Dee before it moved off the coast of Myrtle Beach.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, didn’t believe China’s claim that the balloon was a civilian airship used mostly for meteorological research.
In the days after the balloon was destroyed, he told China, “The American capability to damage China’s economy and military is not something you want to go down.”
The debris from the balloon was later collected from the ocean floor by officials.
Late last month, another high-altitude aircraft flew over the Grand Strand, raising questions about another overhead spying mission.
It turned out to be the Thunderhead 200 Balloon System, manufactured by Aerostar International.
The shot down Chinese spy balloon made national news.