Mysterious Cloud Of Chaff Lights Up Radar Over Dozens Of Miles Of New Mexico Airspace

The Drive ^ | 03/07/2019 | Tyler Rogoway

[BenLurkin]

The event occurred on March 5th, 2019 at around 19:20 UTC, which equates to roughly 12:20pm local time. Over a swath of sky beginning to the west of Cannon Air Force Base, the plume first appears, covering roughly 30 miles over a couple hours time. Cannon AFB is used by Air Force Special Operations Command and is home the 27th Special Operations Wing and its MC-130s, AC-130s, CV-22s, MQ-9s, U-28s, C-146s and other propeller-driven aircraft, some of which could have deployed the chaff from their expendable countermeasures systems.

[allendale]

There are many ways to pinpoint the location of virtually anything that floats. All ships has a distinctive magnetic resonant image. Regardless of jamming, chaff, whatever there is no way to hide or shield it. There are satellites that can scan the ocean and pinpoint those specific images. The people who will direct lethal ordnance of various sorts will be sitting behind a computer console in a bunker perhaps half a world away. Many feel the era of surface capital ships is over. It will be very hard for today’s “Battleship Admirals” to accept the realities of today’s ever evolving lethal technology.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

It wasn't me...

[GOPJ]

If you had to get a very high value drug plane across the border for a ninety mile flight, it might make sense to fly a couple of modified “crop dusters” to release a cloud of chaff at 10-12,00 feet and then fly quickly under it to a remote airfield.

Good guess.

[Squantos]

.....bingo.

[ops33]

Was an air traffic controller at Cannon during the F-111 days. Exercise in Melrose Range.