NORAD fighter jet exercises over San Bernardino and Riverside county skies

Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press
·1 min read
The North American Aerospace Defense Command F-16 fighter aircraft, along with other aircraft, will conduct air defense exercises over the skies of San Bernardino and Riverside counties on Thursday night.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command F-16 fighter aircraft, along with other aircraft, will conduct air defense exercises over the skies of San Bernardino and Riverside counties on Thursday night.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command will conduct a planned live-fly air defense exercise over the skies of San Bernardino and Riverside counties on Thursday night.

A NORAD F-16, civilian and other participating aircraft will operate over the areas at approximately 9,500 feet and may be visible to the public.

NORAD officials did not reveal the time of the exercise of flight paths.

To test responses, systems and equipment, NORAD routinely conducts air defense exercises using a variety of scenarios, including airspace restriction violations, hijackings and responding to unknown aircraft.

All NORAD exercises are carefully planned and closely controlled, agency officials said.

This air defense exercise supports Operation NOBLE EAGLE, the name given to air sovereignty and air defense missions in North America.

The defense of Canada and the United States is NORAD's top priority and is on alert 24/7/365.

For over 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.

A NORAD F-16 fighter jet intercepted a small plane last October in restricted airspace over Santa Ana, close to Irvine Valley College, where President Joe Biden was speaking.

The fighter jet fired flares to "gain the attention" of the Cessna pilot. Air traffic control audio revealed the F-16 alerted the pilot numerous times that he had been "intercepted" by the armed jet on guard and had entered restricted airspace, according to CBS.

Flight records show the Cessna departed from Kingman, Arizona and landed in Chino. The fixed-wing, single-engine plane's altitude was about 5,500 feet when it was intercepted.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: NORAD fighter jet exercises over San Bernardino and Riverside county skies