Planes intercepted by military jets during Biden, Harris visit to Raleigh
Multiple planes were escorted out of restricted airspace by military jets on Tuesday during President Joe Biden's visit to Raleigh, NORAD confirms.
According to NORAD, three planes entered the TFR (temporary flight restriction zone) near Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Raleigh, where Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke on Tuesday afternoon.
Pilots in military jets escorted the three aircraft from the zone without incident.
The intent of the aircraft remains unknown, and the aircraft may have unintentionally entered the restricted airspace.
Responding to a WRAL News request for more information, NORAD released the following statement:
"NORAD will not speculate on the intent of these pilots, however, in each event, the aircraft were safely escorted out of the TFR without incident. There were three planes intercepted separately between 2 and 5 p.m. EDT."
For security reasons, NORAD did not say where the military jets that intercepted the aircraft had originated.
The NORAD aircraft that responded launched from bases that, for reasons of operational security, were not able to be identified.
Biden and Harris delivered remarks at Chavis Community Center in Raleigh after 3 p.m. and attended a private fundraiser in downtown Raleigh later that evening.
