DOD CHANGES STATUS OF AIR DEFENSE EXERCISE
September 10, 2002

The Secretary of Defense announced today a transition of air defense assets from Exercise Clear Skies II into an Operation Noble Eagle deployment. This transition involves the movement of missiles from storage in the local area to the deployed systems, beginning later today.

This is not a response to any specific threat, but is a prudent precaution to increase the radar and air defense posture in the National Capital Region. For security and deterrent reasons, we will not disclose exact locations of the air defense equipment.