Come Wednesday, Don't Worry About Those Fighters Overhead, Arlington. It's Only a Drill.

​Few weeks back we got a long, hard look at the Federal Aviation Administration's no-fly-zone for Super Bowl Sunday. Ah, yes, but what to do when someone decides to launch their seaplane or go hang-gliding anyhows? Well, of course -- North American Aerospace Defense Command to the rescue.

But NORAD needs a little practice first, which is why a release just landed in the Unfair Park in-box requesting media types give Arlington residents the heads-up that come Wednesday night, it's holding an "air defense exercise" intended to "allow interagency partners the chance to practice procedures in response to airspace violations." From the release:

The Amalgam Virgo exercise comprises a series of training flights held in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, Customs and Border Protection, Civil Air Patrol, and CONR's Western Air Defense Sector. Residents in the area can expect flights to begin around 9 p.m., Wednesday, and continue for approximately an hour and a half.

"Interagency coordination is a key aspect of our daily air defense measures," said Maj. Gen. Garry Dean, CONR commander. "This Amalgam Virgo exercise is an excellent opportunity for all of our interagency air defenders to hone our air defense skills in preparation for Super Bowl Sunday."