(FILE) Picture of a F-16 fighter shipped by the pentagon to Poland in 2014. EFE/Grzegorz Michalowski POLAND OUT

F-16 fighters scrambled after aircraft violates airspace during Biden vacations

Washington, Aug 25 (EFE).- Two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled on Friday to intercept an aircraft that violated airspace restrictions over Lake Tahoe, where US President Joe Biden is vacationing with his family.

US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden return to the White House in Washington, DC, US, 04 October 2021. EFE-EPA/FILE/TASOS KATOPODIS / POOL

A North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) statement said a civilian plane was spotted at 7:50 a.m. local time entering the temporary flight restriction area near Lake Tahoe in Nevada.

The airspace was restricted for the safety of the US president and his family.

“Two NORAD F-16 fighter aircraft and a US Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin responded,” the NORAD statement said.

The F-16 fighters released flares to alert the plane’s pilot that he was violating aircraft traffic restrictions.

The jets escorted the civilian plane out of the area without incident.

Members of the presidential family are on vacation this week in freshwater Lake Tahoe, known for its crystal clear waters and surrounding mountains.

The lake is also famous because films such as “The Godfather II,” two “X-men” sequels, and “Bonanza” were shot there.

The Bidens rented a home there from influential climate change activist Tom Steyer and his wife, Kat Taylor.

Steyer, 66, ran for the Democratic Party primaries for the 2020 elections.

Despite spending nearly $83 million of his fortune on commercials, he failed to win and dropped out of the race in February 2020.

According to the White House, Biden is not staying at the home for free but has instead rented it. The property is valued at a market rate of $18 million. EFE

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