NORAD air defense exercise over Riverside, Calif.

PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, COLO. - North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) will conduct a planned live-fly air defense exercise near Riverside, California, today.

NORAD F-16s and general aviation aircraft from the Civil Air Patrol will participate in the exercise. Aircraft will operate at approximately 8,500 feet and will likely be visible to the public.

NORAD routinely conducts air defense exercises using a variety of scenarios, including airspace restriction violations, hijackings and responding to unknown aircraft to test responses, systems and equipment. All NORAD exercises are carefully planned and are closely controlled.

The defense of Canada and the United States is NORAD's top priority. Operation NOBLE EAGLE is the name given to air sovereignty and air defense missions in North America. For more than 65 years, NORAD aircraft have identified and intercepted potential air threats to North America in the execution of the command's aerospace warning and aerospace control missions.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: For further information, please contact NORAD Public Affairs at (719) 554-6889 or at [email protected].

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