Air Defense Over Washington, D.C.: NORAD's 24/7 Mission and Restricted Airspace

There are no permanent patrol aircraft circling D.C. continuously. Instead:

• NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) maintains a 24/7 air defense alert for the National Capital Region. Fighters (F-16, F-15), surveillance (E-3 AWACS), and helicopters are scrambled as needed.
• U.S. Secret Service operates armed helicopters for presidential/vip transport.
• Airspace (FRZ/SFRA): The Flight Restricted Zone (15 NM radius) and Special Flight Rules Area (30 NM) are among the world’s most restricted. All aircraft must be IFR/VFR with transponder, discrete beacon code, and ATC clearance.
• Violations trigger immediate intercept by NORAD alert aircraft.

The system is reactive, not a constant orbit.