An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Press Releases
Press Release | Feb. 12, 2019

NORAD Air Defense Exercise Planned for National Capital Region

NORAD and USNORTHCOM Public Affairs

PETERSON AFB, Colo.   –  

North American Aerospace Defense Command will conduct an air defense exercise, Wednesday, Feb. 13 in the National Capitol Region from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST.

 

Two U.S. Coast Guard MH-65D Dolphin helicopters will be employed during the exercise. Some portions of the exercise could involve flights at approximately 2,500 feet above ground level and may be visible to the public. If weather prevents regularly scheduled flights, the exercise will be delayed 24 hours.

 

In order to test responses, systems and equipment, NORAD continuously conducts exercises with a variety of scenarios, including airspace restriction violations, hijackings and responding to unknown aircraft. All NORAD exercises are carefully planned and closely controlled.

 

NORAD regularly conducts air defense exercises in support of Operation NOBLE EAGLE. ONE started as the military response to the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, to place a greater emphasis on the surveillance and control of airspace over Canada and the United States.

 

Defense of the homelands is NORAD's top priority. NORAD is on alert around-the-clock, every day. For 60 years, NORAD aircraft have identified and intercepted potential air threats to North America in the execution of its aerospace warning and aerospace control missions.

-30-

 

NOTE TO EDITORS: For further information, please contact NORAD Public Affairs at (719) 554-6889 or visit our website at http://www.norad.mil

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter at https://www.facebook.com/NORADCommand and https://twitter.com/NORADCommand