Latest news with #NORAD
Global News
13 minutes ago
- Global News
Video shows moment suspect arrested at YVR for alleged hijacking of small plane
Video taken at Vancouver International Airport on Tuesday afternoon captured the moment a suspect was arrested for the alleged hijacking of a small plane on Vancouver Island and eventually landing it at YVR. Footage from ground support worker Azhar Akhtar shows armed police apprehending a man on the ground at YVR. The suspect has not been named and his motive remains unclear at this time. Richmond RCMP said they initially received a report at 1:10 p.m. on Tuesday that a Cessna 172, a small passenger aircraft, had been hijacked from the Vancouver Island area and was entering into airspace near YVR. The suspect was the lone occupant on board. Audio from air traffic control warned other pilots in the area. 'We do have an aircraft that has been hijacked that is in the vicinity of the airport,' the message says. Story continues below advertisement 'I'm just going to let you know that so that you can continue looking out the window. It's a 172. And just in case anything starts heading towards you, you'll have the ability to move at your discretion.' 2:21 NORAD alerted to small plane 'hijacking' incident at Vancouver airport The Victoria Flying Club owns the plane. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Global News learned that an instructor was with the aircraft at some point but was not injured. The Cessna took off from Victoria Airport just before 1 p.m. with only the unauthorized pilot on board. He headed across the Salish Sea, almost directly to YVR, and circled the airport at low altitude, between 600 and 1,000 feet, according to Air traffic control audio confirmed that an aircraft with the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) was en route, indicating officials were preparing to have fighter jets intercept the plane. Story continues below advertisement The Canadian military confirmed that F-15s were scrambled but the rogue pilot landed at YVR before the fighter jets arrived. He got out with his hands up and was arrested on the north runway. In a statement on Tuesday, Vancouver airport officials said, 'Shortly before 1:30 p.m. this afternoon, a security incident involving a small private aircraft in the airspace near YVR prompted a temporary ground stop for arriving aircraft. RCMP responded, the aircraft landed safely, and the lone occupant was taken into custody.' 'During the 39-minute ground stop for arrivals, nine inbound aircraft were diverted to alternate airports. Airlines, YVR, and our partners are working to support getting those passengers to their destinations.' 1:10 'Hijacked' plane flies from Victoria, circles Vancouver airport, suspect arrested The suspect has not been identified at this time. John Gradek, a faculty lecturer in supply networks and aviation management at McGill University, told Global News he is not surprised more information is not being released. Story continues below advertisement 'That is typical procedure when you have a security threat, which this was a serious breach of airport commercial airport protocol, that there is going to be a lot of investigation, a lot of conversations taking place with law enforcement. RCMP, as well as Transport Canada, not only with the pilot in Vancouver but also with the organization that originated this aeroplane in Victoria,' he said. 'There was some fault in process and in the way in which this person received access to an aircraft, which needs to be examined.' He added that YVR acted 'by the book,' and the ground stop and rerouting of some flights was necessary due to the security threat. 'There is the potential for charges related against this pilot and they are significant,' Gradek said. 'Jail time potentially there as well. So you don't pussyfoot around commercial airspace. It really is designated as commercial airspace because people's lives depend on it.' — with files from Jordan Armstrong, Richard Zussman and Aaron McArthur
CTV News
43 minutes ago
- CTV News
U.S. fighter jets scrambled to Vancouver airport during alleged hijacking: NORAD
In this Feb. 27, 2017, photo an F-15E Strike Eagle from Seymour Johnson AFB in North Carolina flies out of the nicknamed Star Wars Canyon turning toward the Panamint range over Death Valley National Park, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot) American fighter jets were scrambled towards the Vancouver airport on Tuesday as a small plane that was allegedly hijacked from Victoria flew in circles around British Columbia's largest airport, the pilot's intentions still unclear. The F-15 Eagle jets responded from a U.S. base at approximately 1:30 p.m., while Canadian CF-18 Hornets were also 'in the process of responding,' a spokesperson for NORAD, the joint North American Aerospace Defense Command, said Wednesday. The U.S. fighter jets were still en route to the Canadian airport when the Cessna 172 landed. 'Once it was confirmed that the aircraft had landed, the NORAD response was then stood down,' said David Lavallee, spokesperson for the Canadian NORAD division, said in an emailed statement. 'For reasons of operational security, NORAD does not provide specifics on alert forces or the bases and locations from which they operate,' he added. 'I can't provide details on numbers of NORAD aircraft involved or where they were operating from.' Read more: Audio reveals warning to commercial pilots at YVR during alleged hijacking Washington state's Joint Base Lewis-McChord is home to a detachment of F-15 Eagle aircraft as part of NORAD's western air defence sector, comprising personnel from the Washington Air National Guard, the Royal Canadian Air Force and the United States Navy. A statement from the Richmond RCMP says it received a report that the small plane 'had been hijacked' and was on its way to Vancouver at approximately 1 p.m. Tuesday. The incident forced the temporary closure of the airspace over the Vancouver International Airport, delaying departures and diverting arriving aircraft to other airports while the situation was unfolding. Police said the 'sole occupant' of the plane was arrested after it touched down.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
NORAD sends fighter plane after latest unauthorized flight over Kerrville floods
The Brief Airspace over parts of Texas has been closed since the deadly July 4 floods. After several violations, NORAD dispatched an F-16 to the area Friday. There's no info yet on the offending pilot or mission. KERRVILLE, Texas - After the deadly Texas floods earlier this month, the FAA moved quickly to restrict the airspace in the area so that first responders searching for victims would not be hampered by drones, news helicopters, and other craft. But NORAD, the military division charged with keeping America's airspace, says that they had to send a fighter plane to the skies over Texas after civilian aircraft repeatedly violated a temporary no-fly zone. What we know The Air Force told FOX Television Stations that an unspecified civilian aircraft was intercepted for violating the no-fly zone and safely escorted out of the area Friday afternoon "by NORAD F-16 aircraft." The civilian aircraft was flying at relatively low altitude, between 4,000 and 5,000 feet. "This intercept, combined with yet another TFR violation, has resulted in a total of five unauthorized incursions into restricted airspace," the Air Force statement noted. What we don't know It's not clear what type of aircraft violation prompted the military intervention, what that craft's mission was, or what consequences – if any – that pilot may be facing. NORAD directed further questions to the FAA, which did not respond to a request from FOX Television Stations for more information. Dig deeper "TFR" stands for "temporary flight restriction," which is an order from the FAA that generally restricts non-governmental flights in a small area. They are usually issued for special events or security situations; presidential travel is one of the most common reasons. A collision between a privately-owned drone and a rescue helicopter over Kerrville back on July 7 highlighted the need for such orders. The collision forced the helicopter to make an emergency landing and took it out of service. A similar incident grounded a critical firefighting aircraft during the Los Angeles wildfires earlier this year. What you can do Private pilots and drone operators should know to check the FAA's website for NOTAMs – "notices to airmen" that warn about TFRs and other hazards – before they take to the skies. A map of current TFRs is also available. The backstory Catastrophically heavy rain led to deadly flooding along the Guadalupe River early on July 4. Campsites and communities were swept away; more than 170 people are still considered missing while at least 132 – including dozens of children – are dead. Rain returned to the area around Kerrville on Sunday, pausing efforts to find more victims. Some volunteers were asked to evacuate for their own safety amid the renewed threat of flooding. The Source Information in this report came from NORAD, the FAA, and the City of Kerrville, with background from FOX 7 in Austin. Additional details from the Air Force were added later. This story was reported from Tampa, Fla.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
President Donald Trump Receives Golf 'Warning'
President Donald Trump Receives Golf 'Warning' originally appeared on The Spun. President Trump received a golf "warning" from the American people on social media over the weekend. The President of the United States spent the Fourth of July at the White House in Washington, D.C. He then reportedly traveled up to his golf club in New Jersey. Fighter jets reportedly intercepted multiple aircrafts in the airspace above his golf course on Sunday, according to reports. "Fighter jets intercepted at least three aircraft on Sunday, which violated temporary flight restriction (TFR) airspace over Bedminster, New Jersey, where President Trump was spending the holiday weekend, according to North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)," the report stated. "With one aircraft being intercepted in the morning, and two others being intercepted later in the day, NORAD said there were a total of 11 unauthorized aircraft incursions in the TFR airspace over the weekend." But the American people don't seem as concerned with that as they are his golf course habits. American people on X, formerly known as Twitter, are warning President Trump to stop golfing, while a tragedy is taking place like the one in Texas. 'Trump is on his golf course today, playing thru tears for all the lives lost. He will occasional post some self-aggrandizing propaganda videos of him dancing like a lunatic. Thx MAGA," one critic wrote. "While 79 people have died in the Texas floods, President Trump is doing his best. He just won another championship at his golf club in Bedminster," another critic joked. "Children are dead in Texas due to flooding and Trump is at a high end golf course in NJ.... if this were Biden the GOP would be going crazy," one added. "I heard Trump was so heartbroken about the tragedy in Texas that he had to play a round of golf to cheer himself up," another added. "20 Children in the United States got washed away by a horrific flash flood in Texas today. And what did Donald Trump do? Of course, he went to play Golf," one critic added. President Trump did release a statement on social media regarding the tragedy. "I just signed a Major Disaster Declaration for Kerr County, Texas, to ensure that our Brave First Responders immediately have the resources they need. These families are enduring an unimaginable tragedy, with many lives lost, and many still missing. The Trump Administration continues to work closely with State and Local Leaders. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem was on the ground yesterday with Governor Greg Abbott, who is working hard to help the people of his Great State. Our incredible U.S. Coast Guard, together with State First Responders, have saved more than 850 lives. GOD BLESS THE FAMILIES, AND GOD BLESS TEXAS!" he announced. But what do you make of President Trump's weekend decision? President Donald Trump Receives Golf 'Warning' first appeared on The Spun on Jul 7, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Fox News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Fighter jets protect Trump during NJ weekend stay as 11 aircraft violate restricted airspace
Fighter jets intercepted at least three aircraft on Sunday, which violated temporary flight restriction (TFR) airspace over Bedminster, New Jersey, where President Trump was spending the holiday weekend, according to North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). With one aircraft being intercepted in the morning, and two others being intercepted later in the day, NORAD said there were a total of 11 unauthorized aircraft incursions in the TFR airspace over the weekend. At about 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, a civilian plane violated the TFR and was safely escorted out of the area by a NORAD aircraft. "NORAD and the [Federal Aviation Administration] aim to keep the skies over America safe, with close attention paid to areas with Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) to ensure flight safety, national security, and the security of the President," Gen. Gregory Guillot, Commander, NORAD and US Northern Command said. "TFR procedures are mandatory, and the excessive number of TFR violations this weekend indicates some civil aviators are not reading Notice to Airmen, or NOTAMs, before each flight as required by the FAA." Guillot said the NORAD armed fighter jets intercept and guide offending aircraft out of the TFR. "Should the pilot of an aircraft happen to find itself intercepted by either fighters or helicopters, they should immediately come up on frequency 121.5 or 243.0 and turn around to reverse course until receiving additional instructions on one of those frequencies," Guillot added. In another instance on Saturday, an aircraft was safely escorted out of the TFR airspace just before 2:40 p.m., after a standard "headbutt" maneuver was used to get the pilot's attention. The maneuver involves a military jet flying directly in front of a civilian aircraft at a close but safe distance to visually signal the pilot to either follow or change course. Officials warned private pilots to do their homework before takeoff. "It is critically important for North American flight safety that Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) violations are avoided," NORAD said in a message to pilots. "All pilots must familiarize themselves with updates to restricted airspace, including reviewing new and existing FAA NOTAMs [Notice to Airmen] that impact their flight plans and activities. Adhering to FAA restricted airspace protocols is mandatory, regardless of geographical region, airframe, or aircrew."
