Summary
- NORAD utilized F-35A jets to secure Milwaukee airspace during the RNC Convention safely.
- The US Air Force remains ready to defend America’s airspace, transcending politics.
- Strict TFR rules were enforced, leading to multiple F-35A intercepts of general aviation planes.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) had to call upon the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s new F-35A Lightning IIs to help police the airspace over Milwaukee for this week’s Republican National Committee (RNC) Convention. With several aircraft straying into restricted airspace and the very real concern of disruption of the RNC’s event, it was decided to shoo away any unidentified aircraft.
Regardless of politics, the US Air Force is ready
Some things in America are thankfully above politics. Defending America is one of them. As former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley said in his retirement speech,
“We don’t take an oath to a king, or a queen, or to a tyrant or dictator, and we don’t take an oath to a wannabe dictator. We don’t take an oath to an individual. We take an oath to the Constitution, and we take an oath to the idea that is America, and we’re willing to die to protect it.”
Such was the policy of defending the idea that is America regarding airspace surrounding the Republican National Convention – a gathering of fellow Americans opposed to the current President’s policies and proposing a Project 2025 instead to dramatically remake American governance. As such, considering the risk of rogue actors attacking a mass gathering of Americans, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) decided to issue a 99.7 “Special Security Instruction” Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) serving as a Notice to Air Missions or NOTAM in June, before the malicious attempt on the Republican nominee’s life a week ago.
With that, the US Air Force has sitting alert fighter aircraft ready to intercept any unauthorized intruder as necessary. Even though the F-35A might seem an overreaction for intercepting general aviation aircraft that generally fly less than 500 knots versus Mach 2 and rarely have a radar – the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s 115th Fighter Wing based out of Madison’s Truax Field Air National Guard Base was the closest fighter jet unit on hand. Below, you can watch a report of the F-35s coming on hand to the Wisconsin Air National Guard.
As one will read, the F-35 provided security and restraint to the citizens of Wisconsin at a critical time. A time that required a temporary flight restriction or TFR.
The flight advisory
The 99.7 instruction as a NOTAM laid out that violating the TFR rules may mean fines, loss of airmen’s certification, criminal charges and even,
“The United States Government may use deadly force against the airborne aircraft, if it is determined that the aircraft poses an imminent security threat.”
There was also a strict prohibition of crewed aircraft and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) within 3 nautical miles (3.45 miles, 5.56 kilometers of the city center up to 3,000 feet above ground level without prior, specific authorization. Additionally, there were specific clearances required to fly within 10 nautical miles of the city center – such as conducting a regularly scheduled airline flight or approved law enforcement or medical flight. Finally, all aircraft must be on a flight plan and be in contact with air traffic control at all times.
The intercepts
According to Fox 6 Milwaukee, on July 17, a 115th Fighter Wing F-35A Lightning II (aka Panther) intercepted a general aviation violator of the airspace. The F-35A made the first intercept at 4,440 feet above sea level, making it visible to onlookers.
Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying
Among the planes intercepted was a Vans RV-6A general aviation sport aircraft. Yes, a F-35A vs. a RV-6A is probably overkill, but to radar and nervous NORAD professionals, the airspace violator could have been an attack drone in the mold of the Iranian Shahed drone, so a fighter jet had to be sent to get a visual ID to be safe. Below is a RV-6A that wasn’t involved:
If necessary, the F-35A – like the Ukrainian MiG-29s and Su-27s have done so well – can use its cannon to shoot down the drone. But in this case, the unidentified flying object was identified; the F-35A pulled alongside, dropped the gear, and redirected the RV-6A that strayed on the way to EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh. One can watch an informative report by WISN 12 News:
The other two intercepts were also of general aviation. Thanks to the visual id possible by a fighter jet, ground-based air defenses did not need to engage wayward general aviation aircraft. In a way, that’s national defense as much as pulling a trigger.
Bottom line
As Wisconsin Adjutant Major General Paul Knapp said in the first YouTube, the need exists, “To get it right and get it right the first time” about air defense. Mere days after a malicious attempt on the Republican nominee for US President, the national defense establishment was on high alert, desiring a free and fair election with no further violence. That thin line and freedom of the skies require a highly trained human in the loop – and hopefully, pilots will be more mindful of future TFRs, checking NOTAMs, and such.
What are your thoughts? Please share in the thread.