The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) announced that aerospace officials intercepted an aircraft after flying in the temporarily restricted flight zone on Tuesday afternoon during the Republican National Convention (RNC).
During the convention, the Federal Aviation Administration placed a temporary flight restriction in and around Milwaukee. It also includes banning drones within a 30-mile radius of the city’s downtown area.
NORAD did not report the type of aircraft it intercepted or the pilot’s identity. The aircraft flew from Indiana to Oshkosh yesterday, according to flight tracking data. The aircraft took off at 3:22 p.m. and arrived at its destination at 4:59 p.m.
Officials dispatched a fighter jet around 3:30 p.m. to intercept the aircraft after failing to get in contact with the pilot.
The jet, an F-35 aircraft, was “located the general aviation aircraft in question and safely escorted them out of the area,” according to a news release from officials.
The fighter jet may have been seen by people in the area as it flew 4,000 feet from ground level.
Authorities reported that there were no issues with the aircraft or the pilot once contact was made.
NORAD is a binational command that is centered around the defense of both the U.S. and Canada.
The heightened security is a result of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump on Saturday at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The lack of Secret Service coordination resulted in Trump being shot in the ear, a Trump supporter killed and two more injured.
Republican lawmakers have openly criticized the failure of the agency and have called for Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to resign.
Four conservative members of the senate cornered the director at the RNC Wednesday, demanding answers to why Trump was not guarded after they labeled shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks as a potential threat.
This was not the first scare that the RNC had. On Monday, an unidentified man wearing a mask and carrying a gun was arrested by law enforcement outside of the convention.
On Tuesday, a man wielding two steak knives was killed by authorities after he tried to attack police officers outside of the RNC.
Today is the last day of the RNC, with Trump taking center stage. Security is expected to be at its peak. Trump is scheduled to deliver a speech that many are calling one of the most important speeches of his life.
Security is expected to be at its peak. Other speakers include UFC CEO Dana White and Hulk Hogan.
