Breaking: FAA Closes Montana Airspace for NORAD Activity (Update: Reopened, No Object Found)

The FAA posted a NOTAM Saturday night closing airspace over part of Montana Saturday night. (Updates at end of article).

“UPDATE – FAA statement says, “the FAA closed some airspace in Montana to support Department of Defense activities. Contact NORAD for additional information.”

UPDATE – FAA statement says, “the FAA closed some airspace in Montana to support Department of Defense activities. Contact NORAD for additional information.”

— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) February 12, 2023

WUSA-TV reporter Adam Longo posted the NOTAM:

(1) BREAKING: @FAANews issues NOTAM (basically a no fly zone) over Havre, Montana for unknown reasons.
The NOTAM reads:
“FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) CLASSIFIES THE AIRSPACE DEFINED IN THIS NOTAM AS ‘NTL DEFENSE AIRSPACE.
(Cont… ) pic.twitter.com/y4xy0jzjyB

— Adam Longo (@adamlongoTV) February 12, 2023

FlightRadar24 image:

Airplane Ian posted to YouTube:

“Two F-15 fighters were scrambled from Portland International Airport on Saturday evening. Shortly after their flight departed, the FAA issued a temporary flight restriction centered over Havre, MT to support an air defense mission. This follows a similar pattern to the earlier shoot down today in Canada, and the previous shoot down in Alaska and before that South Carolina.”

UPDATE: Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT) appears to say the the government told him they will wait until the morning to take out the object:

“I am in direct contact with NORCOM and monitoring the latest issue over Havre and the northern border. Airspace is closed due to an object that could interfere with commercial air traffic — the DOD will resume efforts to observe and ground the object in the morning.”

I am in direct contact with NORCOM and monitoring the latest issue over Havre and the northern border. Airspace is closed due to an object that could interfere with commercial air traffic — the DOD will resume efforts to observe and ground the object in the morning.

— Matt Rosendale (@RepRosendale) February 12, 2023

FlightRadar24 reports the TFR has expired and the airspace has reopened (Looking for confirmation):

A US Air Force KC-135 headed back from whence it came after a national defense airspace temporary flight restriction was issued near Havre, Montana earlier this evening. The TFR has now expired. https://t.co/4DhYNWKMJZ pic.twitter.com/5QSBdYiBbb

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) February 12, 2023

However, reports two Montana airports have been closed to flights (Looking for confirmation):

It appears that Billings and Havre Airports are now Closed to incoming Aircraft.

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) February 12, 2023

UPDATE 8:50 p.m. EST: Fox News confirms airspace reopened:

Shortly after, the FAA says the airspace has been reopened but did not provide further details.

“The FAA closed some airspace in Montana to support Department of Defense activities,” an FAA spokesperson said. “The airspace has been reopened.”

Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), who apparently does not have the connections that Rep. Rosendale does, “I am aware of the object in Montana air space and remain in close contact with senior DOD and Administration officials. I am closely monitoring the situation and am receiving regular updates. I will continue to demand answers for the American public.”

I am aware of the object in Montana air space and remain in close contact with senior DOD and Administration officials. I am closely monitoring the situation and am receiving regular updates. I will continue to demand answers for the American public.

— Senator Jon Tester (@SenatorTester) February 12, 2023

UPDATE 9:30 p.m. EST: Joint NORAD/Northern Command statement says no object found:

Statement from NORAD & U.S. Northern Command pic.twitter.com/aY1VXRCpEs

— North American Aerospace Defense Command (@NORADCommand) February 12, 2023

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