The North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, is expected to conduct exercise flights over Middle Georgia Wednesday.

Residents may see or hear NORAD-controlled fighter jets near military or military-contracted aircraft as the NORAD jets practice intercept and identification procedures, according to a news release.

The exercises are used to test responses, systems and equipment. They use a variety of scenarios, including airspace restriction violations, hijackings and responding to unknown aircraft, the release states.

NORAD started conducting these types of exercises after the 9/11 attacks.