NORAD Sky Patrols Take On Bigger Role

North American Aerospace Defense Command fighter jets have investigated more suspicious aircraft than usual since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the command’s top officer said.

Since the attacks, 89 suspicious aircraft were investigated, compared with seven in the same month last year, Gen. Ralph E. “Ed” Eberhart told a Senate committee.

Most of the incidents proved harmless, said Capt. Ed Thomas, a spokesman for the Colorado Springs-based NORAD.

The surge demonstrates NORAD’s new role in watching not only for foreign missiles but also for internal threats. “Historically, our focus was on an enemy nuclear bomber coming over the North Pole,” Thomas said. “Now we’re looking for a hijacked United jet.”