For the 25th straight year, Civil Air Patrol is participating in the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s (NORAD) Exercise FELIX HAWK to support the preparations for safety and security of airspace around the Super Bowl, set for Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
F-15 fighter aircraft from the California Air National Guard's 144th Fighter Wing conducted a live-fly exercise, in coordination with the Civil Air Patrol, simulating a Temporary Flight Restriction violation intercept - Photo: Michael Sparks
“For 25 years now, Civil Air Patrol has served as a reliable and ready Total Force partner in these critical air‑defense exercises,. As we support preparations for Super Bowl LX, our volunteer aircrews once again bring disciplined execution and mission focus to the training of our nation’s warfighters. The professionalism and commitment of our dedicated volunteers strengthen the Total Force and help ensure our airspace remains secure.”
Exercises Help Fighter Aircrews Maintain Proficiency
To help NORAD fighter aircrews maintain their proficiency, Civil Air Patrol, acting in its role as the Air Force auxiliary, provides single-engine aircraft that fly into simulated restricted airspace as a track of interest so military fighter crews can practice intercept techniques. One of these “live fly” exercises took place in California on Jan. 29, with CAP aircraft being intercepted by NORAD F-15s.
When NORAD jets intercept the CAP aircraft, the military pilot attempts to make radio contact and safely guide the CAP plane out of the restricted airspace.
In practice scenarios, the CAP pilot may not initially respond to radio calls and will ignore the instructions to change course. In that case, the fighter jet performs a “head butt” maneuver, flying through the flightpath of the CAP plane. This maneuver provides both an obvious visual cue of the intercept and creates minor turbulence to get the pilot’s attention as the jet passes in front of the CAP aircraft at a safe distance.
The exercise reinforced the importance of TFR compliance and the integrated efforts used to safeguard North American airspace 24/7/365 - Photo: Michael Sparks
Similar Exercises Year-Round Test Air Defense
CAP is involved in similar exercises around the U.S. throughout the year to test airspace security. The exercises are conducted as part of Operation Noble Eagle, launched by the Continental U.S. NORAD Region (CONR) after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. Along with CONR’s Western Air Defense Sector and CAP, the exercises are conducted in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration and may also involve Customs and Border Protection.
“To ensure readiness for a mission as critical as securing the Super Bowl, our pilots require realistic training, and that is precisely what Civil Air Patrol provides. By acting as tracks of interest in live-fly exercises, CAP's aircraft replicate the very situations our aircrews must be prepared to intercept. This training is indispensable for ensuring our readiness to protect the airspace for Super Bowl LX.“
In typical training exercises, one or two Civil Air Patrol single-engine aircraft fly as intercept tracks of interest, or TOIs, for NORAD fighter jets. CAP’s “low and slow” aircraft are considered ideal TOIs for these exercises. An additional CAP aircraft, known as a “high bird,” may fly as a communications hub coordinating radio traffic among participants on the ground and in the air.
Temporary Flight Restrictions Enforced by NORAD
The Federal Aviation Administration routinely implements Temporary Flight Restrictions around major events such as the Super Bowl, National Special Security Events, VIP TFRs, and natural or manmade disasters. Airspace around these TFR areas is restricted to all general aviation traffic within a specific radius and time to prevent aircraft from entering. The TFR is enforced by NORAD, which has fighter aircraft patrolling the area during the restriction.
Acting as a Total Force partner and official civilian auxiliary of the Air Force, Civil Air Patrol helps First Air Force rapidly respond to nonmilitary threats domestically in a Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) capacity to save lives, relieve suffering, prevent property damage, and provide humanitarian assistance. If you’d like to be part of something great, meaningful, and fun, take a look at GoCivilAirPatrol.com.
