Fighter jets scrambled during Biden’s vacation in Lake Tahoe: NORAD deploys two F-16s to intercept private jet that entered air space during President’s trip
Fighter jets scrambled during Biden’s vacation in Lake Tahoe: NORAD deploys two F-16s to intercept private jets entering the skies during president’s trip
- The incident occurred this morning at 7:50 am PT
- President Joe Biden is in Lake Tahoe for his nine-day stay with family
Fighter jets were sent out on Friday to intercept a private jet entering restricted airspace over Lake Tahoe, where President Biden is on vacation this week.
“Two NORAD F-16 fighter jets and a US Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin responded this morning to a civilian aircraft that violated a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) area near Lake Tahoe, Nevada,” a press release said.
The incident occurred at 7:50 a.m. PT this morning and the “civil aircraft” was “escorted out of the area.”
During this event, the fighter jets ‘fired flares’ which may have been noticed by the public.
Flares were used with the utmost respect for the safety of the intercepted aircraft and those on the ground. The flares burn out quickly and completely and there is no danger to people on the ground when they are released.’
President Joe Biden walks up to reporters after taking a pilates class followed by a spin class with First Lady Jill Biden and their relatives in Lake Tahoe
Two F-16 fighter jets had to respond to an aircraft in restricted airspace on Friday
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) says it has a “layered defense network” of radars and other technologies to identify aircraft and make a decision about response.
Details about who piloted the private jet were not immediately available.
It is estimated to cost $25,000 to fly an F-16 military jet for an hour.
President Joe Biden does during his nine-day stay in Lake Tahoe with family, including his son Hunter, at the $18 million home of billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer.
The White House did not list any public events on Biden’s schedule.
First Lady Jill Biden, Ashley Biden, Hunter and wife Melissa Cohen, along with son Beau and several other grandchildren are enjoying the holiday alongside the president.
No visitor logs are kept during the president’s vacation, so it’s unclear if he meets anyone during the vacation.
The president and his family enjoyed a pilates and spin class in a town close to the rental home on Wednesday.
The president and his family enjoyed a pilates and spin class in a town close to the rental home on Wednesday
Naomi Biden, granddaughter of US President Joe Biden, is seen visiting a family gym in South Lake Tahoe