Training exercise sparks confusion at 9/11 service

The US Coast Guard conducted a training exercise in Washington DC’s Potomac River near the Pentagon amid September 11 commemorations today, sparking confusion that scrambled FBI agents and led the nearest airport to briefly ground flights.

Coast Guard chief Keith Moore said no shots were fired as part of the exercise in the river.

Media reports suggested shots had been fired in the river and showed vessels circling in the water, near the bridge where President Barack Obama’s motorcade passed as he travelled to a September 11 memorial at the Pentagon this morning.

Departures from Reagan National Airport were halted as a precaution for 22 minutes, then resumed, Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Diane Spitaliere said. The airport borders the Potomac.

A law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said federal agents scrambled to the river scene after the initial reports, because the local FBI office had not been told ahead of time about the exercise.

Coast Guard spokesman John Edwards said references to shots fired were picked up in radio chatter.

As part of its exercise today, the Coast Guard aired simulated instructions to participants to fire 10 rounds. But Mr Edwards said there were no shots actually fired and there were no suspicious boats.

President Obama had travelled to the Pentagon to lay a wreath in a ceremony commemorating the eighth anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

The Department of Homeland Security was created in response to the September 11 attacks. The Coast Guard and the Secret Service were placed within the department. The massive reorganisation was designed to promote sharing of information within the department and among other law enforcement agencies.