Although China won't admit it, its huge balloon hovering over the United States, in plain view of ordinary Americans, was a huge geopolitical blunder. To boot, that we shot it down and were able to confirm it was equipped with spying equipment, which negated their claim that it was just a weather balloon, internationally undermined their credibility.
But we have had our own share of blunders. First, we sent reconnaissance balloons over the Soviet Union, until they told us to stop it. Second, our "weather" plane (no doubt similar to China's "weather" balloon), was shot down over the Soviet Union. This is the infamous story of the U-2 spy plane, which became a major embarrassment for the Eisenhower administration.
To get the full U-2 story and much more about aerial reconnaissance, I spoke with Dr. Tim Schultz, Associate Dean of Academics at the US Naval War College. Prior to this, Dr. Schultz served as the Dean of the United State Air Force School of Advanced Air and Space Studies. And prior to his teaching career, he was a U-2 pilot. Dr. Schultz is a retired colonel of the United States Air Force and was the Commander of the 1st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, which is a U-2 combat squadron.
He is the author of Air Power in the Age of Primacy: Air Warfare since the Cold War - a 2021 book; and also The Problem with Pilots: How Physicians, Engineers, and Airpower Enthusiasts Redefined Flight - a 2018 book.
To learn more about Dr. Schultz, you can visit his academic homepage.
In addition, below are links to two fascinating episodes:
S3E2: U.S. Stealth Bombers & Air Superiority, Dr. Melvin Deaile
S2E36: China's Leaders: Overreaction & Overreach, Dr. Susan Shirk
I hope you enjoy these episodes.
Adel
Host of the History Behind News podcast
SUPPORT:
Click here and join our other supporters in the news peeler community. Thank you.
To watch our distinguished guests tell the history behind our news, follow us on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok
View all episodes
By Adel Aali, History Behind News
5
7676 ratings
Although China won't admit it, its huge balloon hovering over the United States, in plain view of ordinary Americans, was a huge geopolitical blunder. To boot, that we shot it down and were able to confirm it was equipped with spying equipment, which negated their claim that it was just a weather balloon, internationally undermined their credibility.
But we have had our own share of blunders. First, we sent reconnaissance balloons over the Soviet Union, until they told us to stop it. Second, our "weather" plane (no doubt similar to China's "weather" balloon), was shot down over the Soviet Union. This is the infamous story of the U-2 spy plane, which became a major embarrassment for the Eisenhower administration.
To get the full U-2 story and much more about aerial reconnaissance, I spoke with Dr. Tim Schultz, Associate Dean of Academics at the US Naval War College. Prior to this, Dr. Schultz served as the Dean of the United State Air Force School of Advanced Air and Space Studies. And prior to his teaching career, he was a U-2 pilot. Dr. Schultz is a retired colonel of the United States Air Force and was the Commander of the 1st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, which is a U-2 combat squadron.
He is the author of Air Power in the Age of Primacy: Air Warfare since the Cold War - a 2021 book; and also The Problem with Pilots: How Physicians, Engineers, and Airpower Enthusiasts Redefined Flight - a 2018 book.
To learn more about Dr. Schultz, you can visit his academic homepage.
In addition, below are links to two fascinating episodes:
S3E2: U.S. Stealth Bombers & Air Superiority, Dr. Melvin Deaile
S2E36: China's Leaders: Overreaction & Overreach, Dr. Susan Shirk
I hope you enjoy these episodes.
Adel
Host of the History Behind News podcast
SUPPORT:
Click here and join our other supporters in the news peeler community. Thank you.
To watch our distinguished guests tell the history behind our news, follow us on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok
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