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CONR tracks aircraft over Washington D.C.

  • Published
Two Air Force F-16s and two U.S. Coast Guard HH-65s were scrambled today to respond to a small civilian aircraft that veered into the Air Defense Identification Zone over the National Capital Region in Washington, D.C.

The F-16s made initial visual contact with the Piper Cub aircraft, and then passed responsibility to the HH-65s upon their arrival in the airspace. The Coast Guard helicopters escorted the small craft to Indian Head Airport, Md., approximately 15 miles from the NCR. Upon landing, local law enforcement was on the scene to meet the pilot for questioning.

"Our mission is defense of the homeland, and today was a textbook example of how the men and women of CONR are poised and ready to respond when called," said Col. Dave Kriner, 601st AOC commander. "The National Capital Region tends to bring greater attention to temporary flight restrictions, but our air sovereignty alert sites throughout the United States are on standby 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure our airspace is safe and secure."

The 601st AOC is a subordinate unit of the Continental U.S. NORAD Region - 1st Air Force (Air Forces Northern), and provides aerospace warning and control for NORAD and U.S. Northern Command. The AOC is also is responsible for the detection, deterrence, defense and defeat of aviation threats to the United States and its critical infrastructure.