U.S. military jets intervened when a civilian plane entered a restricted flying zone near Lake Tahoe, Nevada, where President Joe Biden was on holiday, as reported by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
NORAD dispatched two F-16s and a U.S. Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter after the plane’s breach around 7:50 a.m. PT on Friday. To alert the pilot, the military jets released flares, and the plane was then led out of the restricted area.
The NORAD statement mentioned that flares were released to catch the pilot’s attention. They emphasized that these flares are safe, burning out swiftly, and pose no harm to individuals below.
The White House confirmed that the matter was handled smoothly, with no disturbances to the president’s activities.
A related occurrence took place the previous summer when President Biden was holidaying in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. For safety reasons, both President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were temporarily moved from their residence in Rehoboth Beach.
The Bidens have been enjoying their vacation at Lake Tahoe for the past week.
NORAD highlighted in their report that they utilize a combination of radar systems, satellites, and jets to detect and respond to such air intrusions.
NORAD’s commitment to safeguarding the airspace of both the U.S. and Canada was emphasized in their statement, noting how they monitor and identify any potential threats.
