A strange sight over Arizona in the very early morning recently was just another Air Force Research Lab scientific balloon, according to the Holbrook (Ariz.) Tribune-News, which quoted someone as saying it looked like a “big jellyfish.” AFRL researchers from Kirtland AFB, N.M., launched the large balloon from the Holbrook Airport about 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 9 to test communications signals. AFRL controlled the balloon via long-distance radio waves, sending it toward Kirtland and touchdown at Tucamcari, N.M. Researches plan to make about 100 flights over the next three years from Holbrook, which was chosen due to its wind patterns and open airspace.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
