The Falcon Virgo exercise is a series of training flights in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, FBI, Customs and Border Protection, Civil Air Patrol, 601st Air and Space Operations Center, and CONR Western Air Defense Sector. These agencies are part of America's team for defense of the air space around the nation, including major events such as the Super Bowl. 

New Orleans residents experienced the sights and sound of the exercise starting 7 a.m. CST with back-up dates, if necessary, slated for Jan. 30. "A key aspect of our daily air defense measures lies in our interagency coordination," said Lt. Gen. Sid Clarke, CONR commander. "This Falcon Virgo exercise is the perfect opportunity for the Continental U.S. NORAD Region and all our interagency partners to work together honing our air defense skills before Sunday's big game." 

These exercises are carefully planned and closely controlled to ensure CONR's rapid response capability, officials said, noting that their region has conducted exercise flights of this nature throughout the United States since the start of Operation Noble Eagle, the nation's ongoing response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.