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Military jets diverted to McCarran after Nellis Air Force Base closes runways

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Multiple U.S. military jets were diverted to McCarran International Airport around 4 p.m. Thursday after Nellis Air Force Base closed both their runways.

Nellis AFB representatives say that the runways were closed due to two separate minor mechanical aircraft malfunctions.

Usually, the jets would be diverted to Creech Air Force Base, but the alternate landing location there is currently under construction and cannot accommodate planes larger than a Remotely Piloted Aircraft. That forced the military jets returning from a Red Flag exercise to divert to McCarran.

Both Nellis runways have since reopened. Military aircraft diverted to McCarran should return to Nellis later on Thursday.