Maj. Matthew Mutti of the Air National Guard 104th Fighter Wing confirmed the base’s involvement in a security scare earlier this week.
Mutti said two F-15 fighter jets were scrambled to assist Homeland Security with a diversion of a U.S. Airline flight en route from Paris to Charlotte, N.C.
“We escorted the flight to Bangor, Maine,” said Mutti. “We provided the eyes and ears for the FAA.”
Mutti said the fighter jets followed protocols and procedures to provide security.
“We engaged the flight and flew alongside to give verbal, and non-verbal, ques and instruction and relayed information to the ground,” said Mutti.
The flight was diverted because, according to the U.S. Transportation Safety Administration, there had been reports of a female passenger acting suspiciously. In a statement, the TSA said the plane was diverted “out of an abundance of caution” and was met at the airport by law enforcement officials. A follow-up statement says the woman was being interviewed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers.
News reports say the passenger in question is a French citizen, born in Cameroon, who claimed to have a surgically implanted device. Representative Peter King, chairman of the House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee, told CNN that the woman was examined by doctors and found to have no recent scars.
Reports say she had not checked any baggage. U.S. Airways says the Boeing 767 was carrying 179 passengers and nine crew members.
Because of its location, the Bangor, Maine, airport is often used to divert flights entering or leaving U.S. airspace.
Mutti said the 104th protects about a quarter of the United States population.
“It is a big responsibility,” he said.
Currently, the 104th Fighter Wing is participating in Operation Eager Lion in Jordan.
“About half of our aircraft and a number of personnel are there,” said Mutti.
The Jordan mission includes flying alongside the Jordanian Air Force and other allied nations.
“This way, if we have to go to Jordan, we will know what type of challenges and issues there are, so we can work beyond them for a good outcome,” said Mutti.
