Military aircraft rushed to escort an unauthorized plane that violated restricted airspace over President Donald Trump's New Jersey golf club.
According to Fox News, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) reported that the civilian aircraft entered a temporary flight restriction zone at approximately 12:50 p.m. ET on Sunday. NORAD deployed fighter jets that used flares to draw the pilot's attention before escorting the aircraft out of the protected area.
The incident marked the second interception of the day and was part of a series of five unauthorized airspace violations that occurred throughout the weekend. Officials confirmed the president was at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster during these incursions.
Multiple Airspace Violations Prompt Military Response
NORAD confirmed that Sunday's interception involving flares was visible to people on the ground in the Bedminster area.
The aerospace defense organization emphasized that the flares were deployed with safety as the highest priority, noting they "burn out quickly and completely" and pose no danger to those below. This response follows standard protocol for aircraft that fail to comply with temporary flight restrictions established around presidential locations.
The weekend violations represent a concerning pattern of airspace intrusions over the presidential retreat. Five separate unauthorized incursions occurred in total, requiring multiple military responses to maintain security perimeters.
Aviation Officials Issue Urgent Reminder To Pilots
NORAD officials are strongly urging private pilots to conduct thorough pre-flight preparation to avoid similar incidents in the future.
Pilots are specifically being reminded to verify all Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs) before every flight, with special attention to the Bedminster region NOTAMs 9839, 9840, 9841, and 9842. The agency directed pilots to visit tfr.faa.gov for the most current flight restriction information before taking off.
NORAD has previously emphasized the critical importance of adhering to these restrictions for North American flight safety. The organization maintains that compliance with FAA restricted airspace protocols is mandatory regardless of aircraft type, location, or crew.
Flares Used As Standard Interception Protocol
The fighter jets employed bright, high-temperature flares as a visual signal to capture the attention of the civilian aircraft's pilot.
This technique represents a standard escalation in the interception process when radio communications fail or are ignored by unauthorized aircraft entering restricted zones. NORAD's statement clarified that these measures are implemented with careful consideration for both the intercepted aircraft and the people in communities below.
These interception protocols are part of a multi-layered security system designed to protect the president during his travels outside Washington. The restricted airspace surrounding presidential locations is strictly enforced to prevent potential security threats.
Presidential Security Measures Remain In Place
Trump was scheduled to return to the White House Sunday evening following his stay at the Bedminster golf club.
The temporary flight restrictions remain active whenever the president visits the New Jersey property, creating protected airspace that requires pilots to maintain awareness of presidential movements. The White House works closely with military and aviation authorities to establish and enforce these security perimeters around any location where the president stays.
The repeated violations demonstrate the ongoing challenges in maintaining secure airspace around presidential locations despite clear notifications to the aviation community. Authorities continue to stress that ignorance of flight restrictions is not a valid excuse for violations.
