An air defense exercise led by the North American Aerospace Defense Command is planned over Riverside Tuesday.
F-16s from NORAD and general aircraft from the Civil Air Patrol are expected to participate in the exercise, which is planned to take place at 8,500 feet and will likely be visible to the public.
Air defense exercises are routinely conducted by NORAD and include airspace restrictions violations, hijackings and responding to unknown aircraft to test responses, systems and equipment.
Operation NOBLE EAGLE is the name given to air sovereignty and air defense missions in North America. 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 for more than 65 years.