Two F-16 fighter jets and a helicopter responded this Friday to a plane violating airspace over the Lake Tahoe region between Nevada and California, where US President Joe Biden is on vacation.
The incident occurred around 7:50 am local time (3:50 pm Lisbon) when a civilian aircraft entered the region’s airspace, which was subject to restrictions guaranteeing the safety of the US president and his family, the agency said. US Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) statement.
In response to the incursion, F-16s fired rockets to warn the plane’s pilot that he was violating air traffic restrictions. After this action, the plane was withdrawn from the area without incident.
Biden, First Lady Jill and other members of their family are vacationing this week at Lake Tahoe, known for its crystal clear waters and surrounded by mountains. The Biden family rented the house to influential climate change activist Tom Steyer and his wife Kat Taylor.
Steyer, 66, ran in the Democratic primary for the 2020 election, in which Biden emerged as a candidate. Despite spending nearly $200 million of his fortune on advertising, he failed to win and withdrew from the race in February 2020.
According to the White House, Joe Biden did not stay for free, renting the house (estimated at $18 million) at market prices.