NORAD Sends F-16s Over Ohio in “Domestic Hostile Acts” Training Mission

Malcolm Hall
CantonRep.com
Feb. 04, 2010

Look at the sky Thursday afternoon. You might see the "Fighting Falcons" overhead.

The Fighting Falcons, also known as F-16 dogfighter aircraft, will fly maneuvers over the Canton area as part of an air-defense training staged by members of the Toledo-based Ohio Air National Guard 180th Fighter Wing.

"There will probably be two or three in the air," said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Gary Ross, serving at the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) in Colorado. "They will probably be about 2,000 or 3,000 feet (above ground). It will be visible to people on the ground. These will be fighters escorting general aviation aircraft as part of the exercise."

NORAD is coordinating the mock defense maneuvers nationwide, preparing military personnel to identify and defend against domestic hostile acts such as the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

The other aircraft will be flown by pilots under contract who will pose as enemy combatants. The 180th Fighter Wing will stage similar maneuvers Thursday afternoon over the Toledo and Youngstown areas.

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