Yellowknife (Apr 21/06) - Some residents may have heard a noise increase in the air last week, as two Canadian fighter jets circled the community.

The pair of CF-18 Hornet fighter jets landed at the Mike Zubko Airport on April 12 for a routine patrol of the region.

Accompanying the two jets was a CC-130 Hercules aircraft, which came along for fuel support.

Captain Kevin Bigcanoe was one of the four Hercules pilots who arrived in Inuvik.

Bigcanoe said the Herc can re-fuel the smaller fighter jets while airborne, with a stem that connects the planes together.

"The aircraft meet at a pre-determined point and lock up to start fuelling," explained Bigcanoe.

The fighter jets refuelled in the air above the airport on Friday afternoon, shortly before returning to headquarters in Winnipeg.

Refuelling usually happens at 5,000 feet in the air, said Bigcanoe.

The fighter jets were taking part in a routine NORAD patrol exercise.

Captain Mario Clement was one of the officers in charge on the ground in Inuvik. He said no details of the NORAD exercise could be released at this time.

"I'm the one who sees that everything is running smoothly up here," said Clement.

The fighter jets had already taken off home by the time the Hercules was being loaded up for the flight south.

Bigcanoe said the Herc can travel at speeds of 300 knots and can carry a weight limit of 155,000 pounds.

The exercise was a good one for Bigcanoe and he said it's also good for their presence in the North.

"I think it's great for all Canadians to see military presence up North," said Bigcanoe.

"This is our territory and we need to be here to show the flag."

Bigcanoe said he enjoys flying the plane to new places and it gives the North a chance to see what the plane can do.