U.S.
NORAD plans live-fly exercise in skies above DC region
Stars and Stripes
January 13, 2026
A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off from King Salmon Airport, Alaska, Sept. 10, 2025. F-16 aircraft will participate in a North American Aerospace Defense Command exercise in the skies of the national capital region in the early hours of Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (Spencer Hanson/U.S. Air Force)
F-16 fighter jets will be among the aircraft buzzing the national capital region during a NORAD exercise in the overnight hours on Wednesday.
North American Aerospace Defense Command will conduct Exercise FALCON VIRGO between midnight and 2 a.m. EST in the skies above Washington, D.C., and the surrounding area, NORAD said in a news release.
Participating in the exercise will be:
F-16 fighter aircraft.
U.S. Coast Guard MH-65D Dolphin helicopter.
U.S. Air Force UH-60 helicopter.
Civil Air Patrol C-182 aircraft.
Some portions of the exercise will involve flights at approximately 1,000 feet and may be visible from the ground.
The exercise is a routine live-fly air defense drill to practice intercepting unknown or threatening aircraft, ensuring airspace security over critical areas to simulate scenarios such as hijackings and airspace violations.