Four civilian aircraft breached restricted airspace over a major Trump-attended naval event on Sunday, prompting fighter jets to scramble across Norfolk skies.
According to the Daily Mail, NORAD jets intercepted and escorted four general aviation planes that entered the no-fly zone surrounding Naval Station Norfolk as President Donald Trump joined sailors for the Navy's 250th birthday celebration.
The day-long event, dubbed “Titans of the Sea: A Salute to the Fleet,” kicked off at 8:34 a.m. with President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and high-ranking defense officials in attendance.
Multiple Airspace Intrusions Raise Security Concerns
The first violation occurred around 11:55 a.m., just over three hours into the gathering. Norad responded swiftly, deploying jets to intercept the unauthorized aircraft and using flares to signal the pilot before safely escorting it to land.
Roughly a half-hour later, a second general aviation aircraft violated the same restricted airspace. Again, NORAD jets intervened and ensured the plane exited without incident.
Two more breaches followed later in the afternoon, the first at 4:15 p.m. and the second at 4:46 p.m., rounding out a series of four total incursions into the Naval Station’s no-fly zone.
President Was on the Ground During the Incidents
Despite the military response overhead, President Trump did not publicly address the incidents during his speech or celebration. The presence of hundreds of military personnel and dignitaries underscored the seriousness of the event’s security perimeter.
Naval Station Norfolk routinely maintains restricted airspace, but temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) are layered on top during key events like this one. TFRs are standard protocol whenever a president is on-site, further tightening the already-strict regulations.
Norad issued a reminder to all pilots following the series of intrusions, stating, “General aviation pilots are reminded to verify all FAA Notice to Airmen.” The agency reaffirmed that it remains fully capable of executing its “aerospace warning and control missions for the U.S. and Canada.”
Trump Delivers Red-Meat Rally While Warding Off Critics
Even with the multiple air violations, Trump appeared unfazed, turning the deck of the USS Harry S. Truman into a de facto campaign-style rally complete with his signature dance to “YMCA.”
The former president used the occasion to revisit familiar themes, offering jabs at predecessors and cheerleading his legacy as commander in chief. Among his preferred targets was Barack Obama, whom he referenced half-jokingly, saying, “Have you heard of him?”
In a nod to his long-time White House physician and now-Congressman Ronny Jackson, Trump said: “At a press conference, they asked him, 'Who's in the best shape, who's the healthiest, who's the strongest?' He said, 'That's easy. President Donald Trump!
Jackson Testimonials Reignite Health Debate
Dr. Jackson, now a representative from Texas, has been a consistent defender of Trump's fitness for office. In 2018, he claimed Trump had “incredibly good genes” and suggested that “if he had a healthier diet over the last 20 years, he might live to be 200 years old.”
This latest appearance came amidst rumors floated by progressive media outlets speculating about Trump’s health due to a brief public absence last week. Trump dismissed these concerns head-on from the podium.
His last physical, performed in April at Walter Reed, reported he weighed in at 224 pounds—down 20 from 2020’s figures—a number that quickly became a magnet for skepticism among political opponents.
