WASHINGTON – If local residents notice helicopters, jets or other loud aircraft in the night sky this week, don’t worry. The North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, says it will be conducting security exercises overnight until Friday.

The NORAD exercises are planned to take place during two time periods overnight, between 11:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m., and again from 3:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m.

“Falcon Virgo,” as the exercise is known, will include helicopters and fighter jets and is designed to “hone NORAD’s intercept and identification operations,” says a news release.

The exercise will finish on Friday morning, Sept. 7.

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