US Air Force Scrambles F-16s Twice to Intercept Unidentified Balloons Over Northern California

On Sunday, February 15, 2026, the United States Air Force executed two distinct intercept missions targeting unidentified objects within the controlled airspace of Northern California. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) subsequently confirmed that both incidents involved unidentified aerial balloons (UIBs). These objects were found to possess characteristics consistent with standard meteorological probes. This series of events has reignited the national conversation regarding Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) while highlighting the military's rapid response protocols for aerial anomalies.

The initial intercept mission commenced at approximately 6:30 a.m. Pacific Time. Two F-16 fighter jets, operating under the callsigns SURF31 and SURF32, were scrambled from March Air Reserve Base to investigate an object tracked near Reno, Nevada. Prior to the arrival of the military aircraft, a civilian cargo flight, UPS 32, provided a visual report of the object over the Sacramento area, describing it as "glowing and dimming." This first assessment phase lasted roughly 2.5 hours, underscoring NORAD's high state of operational readiness in addressing unidentified targets.

As the F-16s were returning to their base, they—along with a supporting KC-135 Stratotanker—were diverted to investigate a second unidentified target at roughly 10:45 a.m. During this second engagement, one of the F-16 pilots reported to air traffic control that the object looked like a "balloon with a line hanging below." The pilot further noted that the object had a semi-reflective surface but lacked any visible solar panels or discernible payload. Such intercepts, involving both fighter jets and refueling tankers, are standard components of NORAD’s multi-layered aerospace warning and control system.

By Sunday evening, NORAD had officially categorized both objects as unidentified aerial balloons (UIBs). The command stated that the objects posed no military threat, presented no risk to civil aviation, and showed no signs of active maneuvering. This finding aligns with broader statistical trends; according to the latest data from the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) as of January 15, 2026, balloons accounted for 52.1% of all identified UAP reports, making them the most frequently identified source of such anomalies, even surpassing satellites.

These incidents occurred amidst persistent calls from members of Congress, such as Representative Anna Paulina Luna, for increased transparency from the Pentagon regarding UAP-related data. This political backdrop emphasizes the ongoing tension between national security protocols and the public's desire for information, especially when rapid military deployments are followed by routine explanations. The intercept operations involving SURF31, SURF32, and the KC-135 Stratotanker serve as a clear example of NORAD’s standard procedures for visually identifying unauthorized objects, where initial uncertainty often fuels public speculation until official confirmation is provided.