NORAD forces down low-flying craft after entering U.S. airspace

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NORAD forces down low-flying craft after entering U.S. airspace

New York law enforcement is questioning an unlicensed pilot in Buffalo.

HONOLULU (Press Wire) – President Obama, vacationing in Hawaii, was awoken his first night away from Washington by a call from NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) headquarters in Colorado after F-15 fighter jets were scrambled along the U.S.- Canadian border in response to a lone individual attempting to enter U.S. airspace over upstate New York.

A NORAD spokesman said tracking satellites detected a small low-flying single passenger aircraft flying less than 500 feet over residential areas in Ontario, Canada. The craft appeared to be dropping objects in and around houses and apartment buildings and had crossed to the U.S. side of the border when it was intercepted shortly after 3 a.m. local time.

The pilot and nine reindeer were forced to land north of Buffalo when the craft, described as a “large sleigh,” failed to respond to warning transmissions.

Local law enforcement officials, the Air Force 101^st Intelligence Squadron and Homeland Security were immediately dispatched after a single male was taken into custody for questioning.

Homeland Security spokeswoman Kathryn Killmore said, “a suspect in his 80s lacking personal identification, a pilot’s license or registration documents, carrying a large bag of wrapped packages that included an ‘unusually large amount’ of items not associated with a single man is currently being detained.”

The suspect, described as a “heavy-set bearded male,” initially waved the fighter jets away and refused to land. The sleigh’s pilot, identifying himself only as “Father Nick,” wore heavy black boots, gloves, a red cape with what law enforcement officials said appeared to be a thick belt similar to those favored by suicide bombers.

White House spokesman Michael Aaronson said, “at this time there is no reason to believe this individual posed an imminent threat to U.S. citizens or property, but he will remain in custody for further questioning. During the holiday season, all Americans are asked to remain extra vigilant and report suspicious activities to local law enforcement and DHS.”

In response to the incident, Department of Homeland Security Director Janet Napolitano said DHS would be re-examining all “terror chatter” and beefing up efforts to track suspicious activities.

“We’re making more lists. We’ll be checking them closely, in fact, checking them twice,” Napolitano said. “This Christmas we’re not taking anything at face value.”

NORAD tracking satellites can be viewed here: