Bomb threat sends fighter jets to escort plane headed from Milwaukee to Atlanta



ATLANTA (AP/WITI) — A plane from Milwaukee is escorted by F-16 fighter jets to Atlanta after officials say they received credible bomb threats. It is one of two planes escorted by F-16 fighter jets to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.

Thankfully, the planes landed safely.

The Milwaukee flight left from Mitchell International Airport shortly after 11 a.m. Saturday morning, January 24th.

North American Aerospace Defense, or NORAD, confirms that credible threats were made via Twitter.

The first tweet made concerned Delta flight 1156 out of Portland, Oregon, reading in part: "I have a bomb on one of your planes."

Shortly after, another tweet saying a bomb was placed on Southwest flight 2492 out of Milwaukee reading: "It will be detonated at a random time of my choosing."

The first was made to Delta flight 1156 from Portland, Oregon headed to Atlanta. Then to a Southwest flight 2492 departing from Mitchell International here in Milwaukee.

Two F-16 fighter jets shadowed both planes to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta.

The Milwaukee flight landed safely after 2 p.m. eastern time Saturday afternoon. Once grounded, police bomb and dog teams searched both planes and no explosives were found on either.

After landing, the Southwest Airlines flight taxied to a remote area where the passengers and the aircraft were rescreened, company officials said in a statement.

"Our top priority is the safety of our customers and employees," Southwest officials said. "We cannot comment on the nature of the security situation."

FOX6 News spoke with people at Mitchell International Airport today, they say while the situation is unsettling, it will not stop them from flying.

The FBI is investigating this incident.