The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) announced on Sunday that its F-16s intercepted multiple aircraft that violated temporary flight restrictions over New Jersey.
NORAD F-16 fighter jets intercepted multiple general aviation aircraft that violated the temporary flight restriction airspace over Bedminster and East Rutherford in New Jersey, according to NORAD.
More than 10 general aviation aircraft entered restricted airspace on Sunday, including three that NORAD said it had to intercept.
During two of the intercepts, NORAD aircraft dispensed flares to draw the pilots’ attention, which may have been visible to the public.
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.”
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.
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.
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