UK scrambles Typhoon fighter jet after commercial aircraft enters restricted Olympics airspace
July 25, 2012 - 2:16 PM
LONDON - Britain's Ministry of Defence says it scrambled a Typhoon fighter jet after an airplane entered restricted airspace in effect for the London Olympics.
The move comes amid heightened security in the capital, just two days ahead of the Olympics opening ceremony.
Typhoons are part of the Ministry of Defence's multi-tiered security plan for the upcoming games, which will also rely on thousands of troops, warships, surveillance aircraft and sniper-toting helicopters.
The Ministry of Defence said a Typhoon was launched shortly before noon on Wednesday in response to a commercial aircraft that was not in contact with air traffic control. Communications were quickly restored and no further action was required, the ministry said.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012