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JOINT NATIONAL GUARD BASE, S.C. (AP) -- The South Carolina Air National Guard is flying an air defense exercise over the northeastern portion of South Carolina.

Guard spokesman Maj. James Roth said people should not be concerned Wednesday if they see F-16 fighter jets escorting a single-engine aircraft in the skies over South Carolina.

Roth says the Guard's 169th Fighter Wing is working with the South Carolina Civil Air Patrol as part of the Guard's air defense mission.

The exercise is part of a routine practice undertaken by the South Carolina Air National Guard as part of the nation's effort to respond to potential airborne threats over the United States.

Roth says another exercise will take place next week.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)