BEDMINSTER TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Somerset County) — NORAD fighter jets intercepted two general aviation aircraft Sunday after they violated temporary flight restrictions over Bedminster, New Jersey, officials said.
F-16 fighter aircraft responded to the airspace violations on Aug. 9, according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command. Both civilian aircraft were safely escorted out of the restricted area.
NORAD did not identify the aircraft involved or provide additional information about the pilots.
The command reminded general aviation pilots that if they are intercepted by NORAD aircraft, they should immediately tune their radios to 121.5 or 243.0 MHz and reverse course until receiving further instructions.
Pilots are also required by the Federal Aviation Administration to review Notices to Airmen, known as NOTAMs, before each flight and comply with temporary flight restriction procedures.
Temporary flight restrictions can be established for several reasons, including security-related operations, major events and presidential travel.
The Continental U.S. NORAD Region, based at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, leads NORAD’s air defense mission over the continental United States.
Additional information for general aviation pilots about temporary flight restrictions is available through NORAD at norad.mil/General-Aviation/.
