Small Commercial Jet Was Out Of Communication

Two F-16 fighters from Andrews Air Force Base under the direction of North American Aerospace Defense Command scrambled today at 1153 EST in response to a commercial airliner that was out of communication near the National Capital Region.

The small commercial jet aircraft regained communication prior to the fighter aircraft intercepting. The fighters returned to base.

NORAD's mission is to prevent air attacks against North America, safeguard the sovereign airspaces of the United States and Canada by responding to unknown, unwanted and unauthorized air activity approaching and operating within these airspaces, and provide aerospace and maritime warning for North America, all in close collaboration with homeland defense, security, and law enforcement partners. NORAD may be required to monitor, shadow, divert from flight path, direct to land and/or destroy platforms deemed a potential threat to North America.

NORAD is the bi-national Canadian and American command that is responsible for the air defense of North America and maritime warning. 

FMI: www.norad.mil