Jets and other equipment from Canada and the U.S. will take part in high altitude exercises over the B.C. and Washington coast Wednesday. (Dreamstime)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

flying high

NORAD running defence exercises off B.C. & Washington coast

Feb 15, 2023 | 8:49 AM

NANAIMO — Especially lucky keen eyed sky observers along the Pacific coast may see a few extra things on Wednesday.

NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, have announced they are conducting a series of planned, live-fly exercises off the coast on Wednesday, Feb. 15.

The organization said they are unrelated to recent incidents involving high altitude balloons and other objects discovered over the last two weeks.

“To test responses, systems and equipment, NORAD routinely conducts air defense exercises using a variety of scenarios, including airspace restriction violations, hijackings and responding to unknown aircraft. All NORAD exercises are carefully planned and closely controlled.”

It is not clear exactly where the exercises will take place, however aircraft including fighter jets are due to operate at high altitude.

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Both American and Canadian staff and equipment will take part.

The organization has come under fire in recent days, after apparently losing track of an object which was later shot down over Lake Huron.

Another was discovered and destroyed in Alaska, with a third shot down over the Yukon.

Searches continue to recover the wreckage.

An object, which the U.S. have claimed was a spy balloon from China, was first discovered over Montana two weeks ago and eventually shot down over the Carolina’s nearly two weeks ago.

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