There is real cause for concern, whether you are Republican or Democrat.
The recent Challoon Adventure made me wonder “Where was NORAD ?” Is there still a NORAD (North American Radar defense system)” Is NORAD even a viable defense system? Perhaps not. Are the NORAD antennas even working or have they rusted away in Northern Canada and Alaska?
Times have changed. The likelihood of a Russian attack over the North Pole diminished greatly when the Soviet Union dissolved in the 1980s. Both the United States and Russia most likely would initiate an initial nuclear strike from nuclear submarines stationed close to the U.S. Coast in the Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico. This submarine attack would allow only a ten or fifteen-minute warning (detection) time.
During the late 20th century the U.S. developed a sophisticated satellite detection system (infrared radar) that can detect Russian ICBM launch moments after launch.
The number of nuclear players has grown, (North Korea) and these threats are greater
Our global satellite network provides early warning no matter the source. The system has proven to work well, detecting rocket launches in China, Russia, and other countries which launch satellites into orbit.
The lack of a response by NORAD indicates the Arctic early warning system is no longer operating. President Biden acted prudently assessing national defense security as well as other risks such as biological weapons. Our military is well prepared to act when it is mandated to do so. The contrails in the sky near South Carolina were reassuring. KC 135 refueling aircraft were stationed to refuel our F22 interceptors, and the missile could be seen destroying the balloon, as well as the F22 streaking away at supersonic speeds. Ground-based telescope observers could be heard cheering our touchdown…Some of our tax dollars have been well spent. An expensive arrow to shoot down a weather balloon, or whatever it was intended to do…
Where was NORAD?