Aerospace Defense Training Planned Over Potomac

WASHINGTON - Low-flying fighter jets and other military aircraft are scheduled to run a series of training exercises around Washington early Monday morning.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command is conducting the training exercises over the Potomac River and around the city.

The exercise is designed to test NORAD's ability to intercept and identify aircraft that could pose a threat to the nation's capital. It involves several small Cessna aircraft and Learjets as well as an F-16 fighter jet and a Blackhawk helicopter.

NORAD has conducted such exercises throughout the U-S and Canada since the September Eleventh terrorist attacks. The exercises also help prepare for major events including the president's State of the Union speech later this month.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)