Fighter jets scramble as 2 aircraft violate UN airspace restrictions near time of Obama speech

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Two fighter jets scrambled after two aircraft violated airspace restrictions in place for the U.N. General Assembly gathering of world leaders close to the time President Barack Obama was speaking.

North American Aerospace Defence Command spokesman John Cornelio says the F-22s intercepted the small planes during two separate incidents over New Jersey around 11 a.m. Tuesday (1500 GMT).

Cornelio says the pilots did not respond to the radio, and they were forced to land at Central Jersey Regional Airport.

There’s no word yet if the pilots were detained.

FAA spokesman Jim Peters says the temporary no-fly zones were established around the New York City area because of the U.N. meeting.

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