Two F-16 fighters under the direction of the North American Aerospace Defense Command intercepted a general aviation aircraft in the Los Angeles area at approximately 3:00 pm PDT, Oct. 7.
The fighters responded to a temporary flight restriction violation by a single engine aircraft. After intercepting the aircraft, the F-16s escorted it out of the TFR area, and the aircraft was allowed to continue without further incident.
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 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.