TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region fighters will be busy during Super Bowl XLVII protecting the skies around the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on game day as a part of Operation Noble Eagle.
Air Force fighter jets will be airborne Sunday enforcing the Federal Aviation Administration’s temporary flight restricted zone during Sunday’s big game.
Lt. Gen. Sid Clarke, Continental U.S. NORAD Region commander, explained the Continental U.S. NORAD Region provides air defense for the protection of the continental United States to include events such as the State of the Union Address, United Nations General Assemblies, and this year’s Super Bowl.
“Super Bowl Sunday is just another day to us as far as air defense goes,” said General Clarke. “As America’s Air Defenders, our number one priority is ensuring the air sovereignty of the Continental U.S., Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico 24-7-365. This year’s Super Bowl is one of many special security events that the Continental U.S. NORAD Region and the 601st Air and Space Operations Center (often referred to as America’s AOC) will plan for in 2013. The FAA will impose a Temporary Flight Restricted area Sunday surrounding the Mercedes-Benz Superdome that will be enforced by the Continental U.S. NORAD Region and our interagency partners.”
In addition to the FAA, the Continental U.S. NORAD Region will partner with the FBI, Customs and Border Protection, and local law enforcement. This interagency partnership helps ensure the safety of the skies over the Superdome.
“For us here at America’s AOC, this Sunday is just another day,” said Col. Thomas Cucchi, 601st AOC commander. “We have been planning for Super Sunday and working with our interagency partners for months leading up to game day. On game day, the Continental U.S. NORAD Region along with our interagency partners will be enforcing the FAA’s Temporary Flight Restricted area helping ensure the safety of those on the ground.”
The 601st AOC is responsible for detecting, deterring, defending and, if necessary, defeating any aviation threat to the citizens of the United States and to U.S. critical infrastructure. The AOC is primarily manned by the Florida Air National Guard's 101st Air and Space Operations Group.
Continental U.S. NORAD Region flights will have minimal impact on aircraft in the area and are not in response to any specific threat. “When the whistle blows and it’s time for kickoff, you watch the game and the men and women of the Continental U.S. NORAD Region and America’s AOC will watch the skies,” said General Clarke.
Further information on the temporary flight restriction in place over Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Super Bowl Sunday or other temporary flight restrictions in place around the United States can be found at
www.faa.gov.