[Scan-DC] F-16 Jets Launched to Patrol in the East as a Precaution

[b_thom@juno.com]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A60453-2003Aug14.html

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F-16 Jets Launched to Patrol in the East as a Precaution

By Bradley Graham and John Mintz
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, August 15, 2003; Page A11 

In the first minutes after yesterday's power blackout, the Pentagon
launched two Air Force F-16 fighter jets to patrol skies between New York
and Washington, and put other military aircraft on alert at eastern U.S.
bases, defense officials said. 
....

"NORAD has no reason to believe there's an imminent airborne threat," a
defense official said. But, he added, the decision was made to send the
extra fighters aloft and put others on alert "as a precautionary
measure." The planes took off from Andrews Air Force Base. 
....
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