PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – North American Aerospace Defense Command will conduct an air defense exercise over Louisiana today between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Central Standard Time.
NORAD F-15 and F-16 fighter jets, E-3 Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft, as well as Cessna and Beechcraft Baron general aviation aircraft will participate in the exercise. Portions of the exercise could take place as low as 3,500 feet and may be visible from the ground.
To test responses, systems and equipment, NORAD routinely conducts exercises using a variety of scenarios, including hijackings, responding to unknown aircraft and airspace restriction violations. All NORAD exercises are carefully planned and closely controlled.
The defense of Canada and the U.S. is NORAD’s top priority. NORAD is on alert around the clock, every day. For more than 60 years, NORAD aircraft have identified and intercepted potential air threats to North America in the execution of its aerospace warning and aerospace control missions.
Operation NOBLE EAGLE is the name of the mission that applies to all air sovereignty and air defense missions in North America. NORAD is a bi-national command focused on the defense of both the U.S. and Canada. NORAD’s response to potential aerospace threats does not distinguish between the two nations and draws on forces from both countries as required.