Whatcom County residents who see something unusual in the sky Tuesday morning, June 19, shouldn't be alarmed.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command, NORAD, has exercise flights planned near Seattle and over the Washington coast Tuesday. The flights will allow pilots to practice intercept and identification procedures.

The flights are scheduled for the early morning but could be delayed by weather conditions. People may see or hear NORAD-controlled fighter jets in close proximity to military aircraft acting as a tracking target. NORAD conducts these exercises to test responses, systems and equipment in a variety of scenarios.

Reach ZOE FRALEY at zoe.fraley@bellinghamherald.com or call 756-2803.

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/06/18/2568690/norad-to-conduct...