PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Two F-16 fighters under the direction of the North American Aerospace Defense Command intercepted two general aviation aircraft over Williamsburg, Va., at separate times at approximately 5:30 and 5:45 p.m. EDT today, Oct 14, 2012.
The two fighters responded to the FAA-established Temporary Flight Restriction zone violations by a Cessna 182 and a Piper PA32. After intercepting the aircraft, the F-16s escorted both out of the TFR area, and the aircraft were allowed to continue 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.