US fighter jets went after a civilian aircraft that violated airspace near where President Joe Biden (left) was vacationing in Lake Tahoe (Pictures: Getty Images/PA)
Military fighter jets intercepted a plane that entered restricted airspace over where President Joe Biden is vacationing.
Two North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) F-16 fighter jets as well as US Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin responded to a civilian aircraft that violated a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) close to Lake Tahoe around 7.50am on Friday, stated NORAD.
‘During this event, the fighter aircraft dispensed flares – that may have been visible to the public – to gain attention from the pilot,’ NORAD stated.
‘Flares were employed with the highest regard for safety of the intercepted aircraft and people on the ground. The flares burn out quickly and completely and there is no danger to people on the ground when dispensed.’
The fighter jets then escorted the aircraft out of the area.
The Bidens have been staying in Lake Tahoe on vacation for the past week. They have been renting the $18million lakefront home of 2020 Democratic presidential candidate and climate activist Tom Steyer.
A White House spokesperson stated that ‘the situation was resolved without incident’ and that the president was not impacted, according to CNN.
Secret Service operations were not impacted by the air space violation, agency spokesman Anthony Guglielmi told The Hill.
NORAD said it uses a ‘layered defense network of radars, satellites and fighter aircraft to identify aircraft and determine the appropriate response’.
‘The identification and monitoring of aircraft demonstrates how NORAD executes its aerospace warning and aerospace control missions for the United States and Canada,’ it stated.
Following the incident in the morning, Biden left the home and crossed over the state line to California, where he and family members took a Pilates class. Family members seen on holiday with the president include First Lady Jill Biden, his daughter Ashley Biden, and his troubled son Hunter and wife Melissa Cohen and their son Beau.
The Bidens plan to leave Lake Tahoe and return to the White House on Saturday.
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Military fighter jets escorted a civilian aircraft away for entering air space over President Joe Biden’s Lake Tahoe vacation spot.