On Sunday, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) revealed that its fleet of F-16s had to step in to intercept several aircraft infringing on temporary flight restrictions above New Jersey’s airspace.
According to NORAD, their F-16 fighter jets intervened as multiple general aviation planes breached restricted airspace around New Jersey locales, specifically over Bedminster and East Rutherford.
On Sunday, over a dozen general aviation crafts were reported to have penetrated restricted zones, of which NORAD had to intercept three directly.
NORAD’s F-16 fighters took action against multiple intruding general aviation craft over restricted zones in Bedminster and East Rutherford. File photo. (Getty Images)
During two of these interceptions, NORAD jets deployed flares to catch the errant pilots’ attention, creating displays likely visible from the ground.
NORAD said the flares were deployed “with the highest regard for safety, burn out quickly and completely, and pose no danger to people on the ground.”
More than 10 general aviation aircraft entered restricted airspace on Sunday, including three that NORAD said it had to intercept. File photo. (Getty Images)
All general aviation aircraft were safely escorted out of the area by NORAD aircraft, NORAD said.
“Should NORAD aircraft intercept a general aviation aircraft, the pilot should immediately come up on frequency 121.5 or 243.0 and turn around to reverse course until receiving additional instructions on one of those frequencies,” NORAD said.
All general aviation aircraft were safely escorted out of the area by NORAD aircraft. File photo. (Go Bum-jun/Newsis via AP, File)
NORAD urged pilots to check temporary flight restrictions before entering an airspace.
“Pilots: check your Notice to Airmen (NOTAMS) and FAA Temporary Flight Restrictions,” NORAD said.