F-16 Fighter Jets Patrol Shuttle Launch
POSTED: Monday, July 25, 2005
UPDATED: 7:18 am EDT July 26,
2005
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Several F-16 fighter jets will patrol the skies above the Kennedy Space Center Tuesday as part of security precautions for the launch of space shuttle Discovery. The temporary flight restriction on air traffic goes into effect at 5:33 a.m.A marine advisory for the surrounding waterways and sea will also be issued, officials said. Residents can also expect to see -- or hear -- three pairs of F-16 fighter jets in the area during the hours leading up to the shuttle Discovery's liftoff, according to Local 6 News partner Florida Today.Despite recent terrorist bombings in Great Britain and Eygpt, no heightened security alerts have been issued regarding the shuttle, officials said.
"You have to be vigilant and consider all threats. We're monitoring intelligence and right now there's been no change in what we call our protection measures," Michael Kucharek, spokesman for NORAD, the military strategic command agency that coordinates air security during shuttle launches told Florida Today.The F-16 fighter jets from Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina and are typically accompanied by an AWACS Boeing 767 military aircraft that will monitor air and sea traffic and communications while providing surveillance. A U.S. Coast Guard boat crews will provide security in and around the waters surrounding the shuttle launch complex and a Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter will also be watching for any low-flying aircraft that might stray into the restricted airspace around the Kennedy Space Center.Officials estimate attendance at the launch to be between 100,000 to 150,000 people.
Copyright 2005 by Internet Broadcasting Systems and Local6.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Copyright 2005 by Internet Broadcasting Systems and Local6.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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