THURMONT, MD. (WHTM)– NORAD F-16 fighter aircraft intercepted a general aviation aircraft that was flying over Thurmont, Maryland, on Saturday morning.
According to the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS), the fighter jets intercepted the aircraft over Thurmont at around 7:50 a.m. on Saturday. During the incident, NORAD aircraft used flares to draw the pilot’s attention, which they said may have been visible to the public.
DVIDS said flares pose no danger to the people on the ground.
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DVIDS said the jets safely escorted the aircraft out of the air. Pilots who are intercepted by NORAD aircraft should come up on frequency 121.5 or 243.0 and reverse course until receiving additional information.
Earlier this week, NORAD enforced the FAA VIP Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over Thurmont, Maryland, for the entire weekend.
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