The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is scheduled to conduct training flights over the nation's capital next week as part of an effort to be able to better defend Washington, D.C. from attacks from other aircraft.
NORAD is coordinating with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Homeland Security to conduct the training flights, which will take place May 4-5 over the southeastern corner of the capital, NORAD said in a statement,
The Washington Free Beacon is reporting.
"These flights have been carefully planned and will be closely controlled," the bi-national Canadian and American defense group said.
"The flights are intended to assist in calibration of systems and equipment, and training, and will serve to refine and improve our ability to respond to unknown and potentially threatening aircraft," the group added. "No ordnance of any kind will be employed during this exercise."
NORAD said that the flights will take place 3,000 feet above the ground with a civilian Beechcraft King Air aircraft.
Such training flights have been conducted throughout the United States by NORAD since Sept. 11, 2001, as part of a preparation for possible terrorist attacks.
This is the fourth training exercise flight this year that NORAD has conducted, and the third in the Washington, D.C. area. NORAD also conducted a training flight prior to Super Bowl XLIX in the Phoenix area.
NORAD is designed to provide maritime and aerospace assistance to defend North America against threats to the homeland.
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