Pilot involved in D.C. intercept confident in security network Published May 13, 2005 By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- One of the F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots who intercepted a private plane that strayed into restricted airspace here May 11 said he was prepared to use force if necessary to prevent a potential attack, and expressed confidence in the security system protecting the nation's capital.Lt. Col. Tim Lehman, of the District of Columbia Air National Guard's 121st Fighter Squadron, said he was surprised when the Cessna's pilot did not initially respond to signals meant to change his course.Colonel Lehman's F-16 fighter jet made three passes by the plane, dropping warning flares to get the pilot to veer west, away from the White House and Capitol, he said. White House spokesman Scott McClellan said the Cessna came within three miles of the White House before turning away.While acknowledging that he was prepared to shoot down the plane if necessary, Colonel Lehman said that decision comes from higher-level authorities "outside of my cockpit."The Washington, D.C., area has "multiple layers" of defense against terrorist attacks, including ground-based assets capable of engaging "targets of interest" if necessary, he said.Colonel Lehman said he is convinced these defense layers "would have stopped an aircraft" before it was able to hit.Colonel Lehman's unit is part of the 113th Wing, an Air National Guard unit that has served on rotational duty supporting Operation Noble Eagle since shortly after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.