PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - Two F-16 fighters under the direction of North American Aerospace Defense Command intercepted a general aviation aircraft in the vicinity of northeast Los Angeles at approximately 10:45 today, MDT.
The fighters responded to a temporary flight restriction violation by a Piper 28 aircraft. After intercepting the aircraft, the F-16s followed it until it landed without incident, at approximately 10:50 MDT, where the plane was met by local law enforcement.
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.