PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – A U.S. Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter under the direction of North American Aerospace Defense Command intercepted a Robinson 44 Helicopter operating in restricted airspace over Williamsburg, Va., today at approximately 8:00 a.m. EDT.
The U.S. Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter responded to the FAA-established Temporary Flight Restriction zone violation. After intercepting the Robinson 44 it was escorted to and landed at the Wakefield Municipal Airport, Va., without further incident.
All pilots flying in the vicinity of Williamsburg, Va., are encouraged to check the Federal Aviation Administration VIP Notice to Airmen that can be found at
http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_2_6566.html.
NORAD's mission – in close collaboration with homeland defense, security and law enforcement partners – is to prevent air attacks against North America, safeguard the sovereign airspaces of the United States and Canada by responding to unknown, unwanted and unauthorized air activity approaching and operating within these airspaces, and to provide aerospace and maritime warning for North America. NORAD may be required to monitor, shadow, divert from flight path, direct to land and/or destroy platforms deemed a potential threat to North America.