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Expect Fighter Jets Flying Above Bethel Wednesday

NORAD

When you look to the sky Wednesday, you might see fighter jets flying between Bethel and McGrath. NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, is holding flight exercises along the Kuskokwim River from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

According to NORAD spokesman Lt. Marco Chouinard, the jets and planes are practicing intercepting and identifying aircraft. This training prepares pilots for contacting unauthorized aircraft found in areas where they’re not supposed to be.

“Basically what people could see is low-flying NORAD control fighter jets in close proximity to civilian aircraft," Chouinard said, "and so the civilian aircraft will be taking the role of the aircraft of interest.”

NORAD is the American and Canadian command that provides maritime warning, aerospace warning, and aerospace control for the two countries. NORAD began conducting these types of exercises after Sept. 11, 2001.

Anna Rose MacArthur served as KYUK's News Director from 2015-2022.