I assume that counts as an Air to Air kill?
First A2A kill if an F22 I’ve been told.
Please tell me there is groundcrew, currently painting a balloon on the side of the jet as a kill marking…
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Also the highest altitude recorded air to air kill I believe?
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Comdt RAFAC - “COS, ban balloons from the RAFAC with immediate effect”
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It was a weather balloon……honest!!!
Why use a sidewinder, at considerable expense and risk destroying evidence. When 200 rounds through the balloon canopy would have done it just as well. Cheaper and possibly saving more of the vital evidence.
Jet aircraft can slow down enough to allow this to happen. Before anyone gets on about closing speeds.
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You don’t know what gas is in the balloon and there might have been a nasty explosive surprise as well, far better to stand off than get too close. Helium is inert, hydrogen isn’t.
After the use of drones in Ukraine you can see why they banned them.
Even nuclear…
Best use a missile then… 
Triggering a nuclear weapon is actually very difficult as you know and to do it over another country is not wise but a thermobaric is very easy indeed and no traces are left.
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Said rounds also have to land somewhere
I think Mrs Bloggs doesn’t want her roof caved in by 20mm HE rounds
True.
But it was over the sea. So a moot point.
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I would appear that this is not a new thing, There is another over Central America and there have been three previous ones over the USA
The Times
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According to the news the Canadians fired 1000 rounds at a balloon a few years back without bringing it down.
I’m still waiting for someone to bring down my Mickey Mouse balloon that I lost in 1989. One day we’ll be reunited.
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