bases...they knew it was coming and they acted accordingly...IMO they provided no more Intel to the Chinese than what their satellites already do. (see link)...
----------------------
U.S. officials feel they've already learned some lessons by closely tracking the balloon for a week before shooting it down.
"This gave us the opportunity to assess what (the Chinese) were actually doing, what kind of capabilities existed on the balloon, what kind of transmission capabilities existed," said VanHerck.
While the U.S. has not divulged details, it did try to electronically jam the Chinese equipment to keep it from transmitting back to China. Security was also increased at sensitive U.S. military sites in an attempt to shield them from the balloon.
---------------------
Again, I personally feel confident that the right decisions were made...minimized if not eliminated any Intel the CCP could gather by being ready for its overpass...shot it down in the best place while preserving the remnants for forensic analysis....and I"m really glad that our "Chicken Littles" on the board got schooled on their "EMP" theory...
Link: https://www.npr.org/2023/02/06/1154767882/this-wasnt-the-first-chinese-balloon-over-the-u-s-why-were-the-others-ignored