Blog For Embry Riddle: ATC helping with National Security and Homeland Defense

"The primary purpose of the ATC system is to prevent a collision between aircraft operating in the system and to provide a safe, orderly and expeditious flow of traffic, and to provide support for National Security and Homeland Defense." (FAA JO 7110.65W 2-1-1) Since there is a concern now more than ever on illegal immigration I wanted to talk about the Air Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ's) and National Security Areas (NSA's) and how those directly support both National Security and Homeland defense.

ADIZ

"AIR DEFENSE IDENTIFICATION ZONE (ADIZ)- The area of airspace over land or water, extending upward from the surface, within which the ready identification, the location, and the control of aircraft are required in the interest of national security" (FAA JO 7110.65W Glossary of terms) There are four kinds of ADIZ's each plays there own role for National Security. They are Domestic Air Defense Identification Zones, Coastal Air Defense Identification Zones, Distant Early Warning Identification Zones, and Land-Based Air Defense Identification Zones.

"Any aircraft that wishes to fly in or through the boundary must file either a Defense Visual Flight Rules (DVFR) flight plan or an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight plan before crossing the ADIZ (14 CFR 99.11)."(https://www.faasafety.gov/files/gslac/library/documents/2011/Jan/49877/ADIZ%20TFR%20Intercepts%20w%20answers.pdf)

If you do happen to not follow the procedures established in the AIM and 14 CFR 99 on what is needed to cross ADIZ's you will get intercepted. Here are images of procedures you should do if this does happen. If you do not follow these procedures you may be perceived by the government as a threat and could be shot down.

You can read about 2 Russian TU-95 "Bear" Bombers who crossed the ADIZ near Alaska and how they were then escorted away from the United States https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/american-jets-intercept-russian-aircraft-flying-west-alaska-n909161

NSA

"National Security Areas consist of airspace of defined vertical and lateral dimensions established at locations where there is a requirement for increased security and safety of ground facilities. Pilots are requested to voluntarily avoid flying through the depicted NSA. When it is necessary to provide a greater level of security and safety, flight in NSAs may be temporarily prohibited by regulation under the provisions of 14 CFR Section 99.7." NSA's are pretty self explanatory but it is important that we do everything we can to follow them to help in security.