Fighter jets from the 180th Fighter Wing will perform a test of the Aerospace Control Alert system today, between 8 and 10 a.m.

The purpose of the event is to promote coordination among the Eastern Air Defense Sector, Federal Aviation Administration, and 180th Fighter Wing.

Those living in and around the Springfield area may hear and/​or see fighter jets in proximity to a Civil Air Patrol aircraft, which will be taking on the role of a Track of Interest. A TOI is an aircraft identified as a potential threat.

Although scheduled for the morning, the exercise flights could be delayed or canceled because of inclement weather.

Aerospace Control includes maintaining air sovereignty and air defense through the surveillance and control of airspace over Canada and the United States.

These types of exercises are done on a routine basis as part of North American Aerospace Defense Command’s Operation Noble Eagle, which was initiated after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

First Published March 11, 2017, 5:00 a.m.