PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- NORAD responded to a Beach King Air 350 aircraft that violated the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) over Washington, D.C., today. Two F-16s scrambled from Andrews AFB, Md. and intercepted the aircraft within the restricted airspace. The fighters intercepted and escorted the aircraft out of the ADIZ to the Winchester Regional Airport, Va.. After the King Air landed the F-16s returned to base.
NORAD takes every reported incident seriously. Since Sept. 11, 2001, NORAD fighters have scrambled or diverted from air patrols in the U.S. Northern Command Area of Responsibility more than 2,000 times to respond to possible air threats, and have combined with Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) and air-to-air-refueling aircraft to fly more than 40,000 sorties.
For more information please contact the after-duty public affairs media officer at 719-330-5169.