NORAD TFR Intercept Exercise Super Bowl LX

Why It Matters

The drill proves that coordinated military‑civilian response can secure crowded events, reassuring airlines and the public that airspace can be tightly controlled during critical national moments.

Key Takeaways

• NORAD executed a live intercept drill during Super Bowl airspace
• Exercise coordinated with FAA, Oakland Center, and local authorities
• Fighter jets scrambled to intercept simulated unauthorized aircraft
• Pilots received radio cue on 126.2 MHz for identification
• Fog and weather conditions added complexity to the training scenario

Summary

The video documents a NORAD Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) intercept exercise staged around the Super Bowl LX event. Airspace over the stadium and surrounding corridors was temporarily closed, and simulated intruder aircraft were introduced to test the nation’s rapid response capabilities.

The drill involved close coordination between NORAD, the Federal Aviation Administration, Oakland Center, and local law‑enforcement agencies. Fighter jets from the Air Force’s SimGuard program were scrambled, receiving a radio cue to contact Oakland Center on 126.2 MHz and verify the aircraft’s identity. Weather forecasts indicated persistent fog in the Fresno region, adding a realistic navigation challenge for both pilots and controllers.

A key moment captured in the footage shows the intercepting pilot acknowledging the transmission and executing a visual identification pass, confirming the simulated threat was neutralized. The exercise also highlighted procedural checks, such as confirming the aircraft’s transponder code and maintaining situational awareness amid low‑visibility conditions.

The successful completion of the exercise demonstrates the United States’ readiness to protect high‑profile events from airborne threats, while reinforcing inter‑agency communication protocols that safeguard civilian air traffic during large gatherings.

Original Description

Video by Michael Sparks CONR-1AF (AFNORTH and AFSPACE)

Ahead of Super Bowl LX, NORAD F-15s from the California Air National Guard’s 144th Fighter Wing, in coordination with the Civil Air Patrol, conduct a live‑fly exercise simulating a Temporary Flight Restriction violation intercept near Fresno Air National Guard Base. The exercise reinforced the importance of TFR compliance and the integrated efforts used to safeguard North American airspace 24/7/365.

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

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