Fighter Jets Intercept Unauthorized Aircraft Over Trump's Mar-a-Lago
For the second consecutive day, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) fighter jets intercepted a civilian aircraft that entered restricted airspace over Mar-a-Lago. The incident occurred around 1:15 p.m. on Sunday when a pilot violated temporary flight restrictions (TFR) in place around the Palm Beach residence of former President Donald Trump.
NORAD officials confirmed that F-16 jets were deployed to escort the aircraft out of the restricted zone. During the intercept, flares were used to gain the pilot’s attention. NORAD emphasized that these flares are deployed with strict safety protocols and do not pose a threat to individuals on the ground.
General Gregory Guillot, commander of NORAD and U.S. Northern Command, underscored the importance of adhering to flight restrictions for both safety and national security. He noted that multiple recent TFR violations suggest that some civilian pilots are failing to check Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) before flights, as required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These oversights have resulted in repeated NORAD responses to escort aircraft out of restricted zones.
Since the beginning of Trump’s presidency, NORAD has responded to over 20 airspace violations over Mar-a-Lago, including a similar incident at approximately 8:50 a.m. on Saturday. The previous week, three unauthorized aircraft were intercepted within a two-hour span.
Trump’s visits to Mar-a-Lago necessitate the enforcement of TFRs, which impact all air traffic, including commercial flights arriving and departing from Palm Beach International Airport. His most recent stay at the private club began on Friday evening, prompting the FAA to issue restrictions from 6:45 p.m. Friday through 6:30 p.m. Sunday. These restrictions result in the rerouting of air traffic, altering normal flight patterns and increasing jet noise over nearby residential and business areas.
Trump arrived at Palm Beach International Airport on Friday evening following a White House digital assets summit. He was accompanied by several notable figures, including Elon Musk, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and aide Walt Nauta.
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