Alarm at Washington Coast Guard exercise

Friday 11 September 2009 15:27 BST

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The US Coast Guard today confronted a boat in the Potomac River near the Pentagon in Washington D.C. But the Coast Guard said it was a training exercise conducted moments before the Obama motorcade crossed a nearby bridge.

News stations showed video of Coast Guard vessels in the water. The incident happened amid high security during 9/11 memorial ceremonies at the Defense Department headquarters.

Media reports suggested shots had been fired in the river. But Coast Guard chief Keith Moore said Friday no shots were fired as part of the exercise.

President Barack Obama and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates had been attending a ceremony at the Pentagon, south of the city on the Virginia side of the river.

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Alarm at Washington Coast Guard exercise

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