Tue, Jan 03, 2012
Jets Scrambled For NORDO Aircraft In CA, DC
Two NORDO airplanes ... on in California and one in DC, have
drawn the attention of NORAD over the past few days. Both airplanes
eventually re-established radio contact, and left restricted
airspace without incident.
The west coast incident occurred Sunday about about 1148 PST
over Ventura, CA. A Cessna 172 lost radio communications, prompting
NORAD to scramble a pair of F-16s, according to television station
KXTV in Sacramento. The fighters were asked to stand down after the
pilot re-established communications. The flight continued to its
intended destination of Oakland, CA, where the pilot was questioned
after landing. FAA spokesman Michael Jazdyk said it was not known
if he would face any charges for the incident.
Earlier in the week, NORAD reports that Two F-16 fighter
aircraft under the direction of North American Aerospace Defense
Command intercepted a general aviation aircraft that was out of
radio contact in the vicinity of the National Capital Region at
approximately 1215 EST December 28th. The civilian aircraft
re-established communications and was allowed to continue on its
way without incident.
NORAD's mission – in close collaboration with homeland
defense, security, and law enforcement partners – is to
prevent air attacks against North America, safeguard the sovereign
airspaces of the United States and Canada by responding to unknown,
unwanted and unauthorized air activity approaching and operating
within these airspaces, and provide aerospace and maritime warning
for North America. NORAD may be required to monitor, shadow, divert
from flight path, direct to land and/or destroy platforms deemed a
potential threat to North America.
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