F-16s patrol Washington, but no threat found

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Two U.S. Air Force F-16 fighters scrambled over Washington Monday morning after radar detected a potential violation of the 15-mile restricted flight zone around the nation's capital, said officials with the North American Aerospace Defense Command and Federal Aviation Administration.

No threat was found. Officials speculated either a flock of birds or an anomaly caused by high winds resulted in the radar reading, which indicated a possible flight violation 18 miles northwest of Reagan National Airport.

Nevertheless, the F-16s maintained a combat air patrol over Washington for at least an hour, and air traffic was halted briefly at Reagan National, officials said.

The incident occurred at 10:30 a.m. EST, and routine air traffic resumed shortly after 11 a.m.

Officials said it is not unusual for radar to pick up other objects, such as birds or balloons, and the incident is considered routine.

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