Mystery Solved Circles in the Upstate Sky Linked to USAF Wi-Fi in the Sky
February 23, 2026
Residents across South Carolina and parts of Georgia were left looking to the heavens this week after reports of mysterious, perfect white circles appeared in the sky. While social media was quickly flooded with theories ranging from weather phenomena to extraterrestrial visitors, the official explanation is much more grounded in military technology.
The distinctive flight patterns have been identified as high-altitude testing for the U.S. Air Force E-11A, a specialized reconnaissance and communications platform often referred to by pilots as Wi-Fi in the Sky.
The Battlefields Floating Router
The E-11A is not your typical fighter jet. Based on the Bombardier Global 6000 business jet airframe, this aircraft is equipped with the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN). Its primary mission is to act as a high-altitude gateway, translating and distributing data between different military systems that otherwise would not be able to talk to one another.
When ground troops in mountainous terrain or different branches of the military use incompatible radio frequencies or data links, the E-11A loiters overhead at altitudes up to 51,000 feet to bridge that gap. This loitering is exactly what creates the circular contrails seen by residents in the Golden Strip.
Why South Carolina
The recent sightings coincide with the Air Forces ongoing expansion of the BACN fleet. With the 18th Airborne Command and Control Squadron recently activated at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia, the Upstate has become a frequent corridor for training and equipment testing.
The clear blue skies of late February provided the perfect backdrop for the aircrafts contrails to remain visible for hours as it performed its orbit patterns. These circles allow the aircraft to maintain a consistent line of sight for the communications equipment while staying within a specific geographic area for testing.
Cutting Edge Tech in Our Backyard
The E-11A is considered one of the most highly demanded assets in the Air Force fleet. By acting as a universal translator in the sky, it ensures that the right information gets to the right user at the right time, according to Northrop Grumman, the lead contractor for the BACN payload.
While the circles in the sky may look like a mystery from the ground, they are actually the signature of a vital lifeline for American service members operating around the globe.
