The North American Aerospace Defense Command, known as NORAD, said Sunday that F-16 fighter jets were scrambled to intercept several aircraft that breached temporary flight restrictions over New Jersey.
According to NORAD, the F-16s responded after multiple general aviation aircraft entered restricted airspace near Bedminster and East Rutherford, two areas covered by temporary flight restrictions in New Jersey.
More than 10 general aviation planes flew into the restricted zones on Sunday, NORAD said, including three aircraft that required direct interception by its fighter jets.
In two of those intercepts, NORAD aircraft released flares to get the attention of the pilots, an action that may have been seen by people on the ground.
NORAD said the flares were used “with the highest regard for safety,” adding that they burn out quickly and completely and do not pose a risk to people below.
All of the general aviation aircraft involved were safely guided out of the restricted airspace by NORAD aircraft, the command 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 also reminded pilots to review temporary flight restrictions before flying into any airspace.
“Pilots: check your Notice to Airmen (NOTAMS) and FAA Temporary Flight Restrictions,” NORAD said.
