USA10 August, 20262 min read
NORAD F-16s Intercept Three Civilian Aircraft Near Donald Trump’s Bedminster Golf Club
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NORAD intercepted two civilian aircraft violating temporary flight restrictions over Bedminster, New Jersey. F-16s escorted the planes safely out of the restricted airspace, no casualties reported.
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F-16s Near Bedminster
NORAD deployed F-16 fighter jets after at least three general aviation aircraft violated temporary flight restrictions near Bedminster, New Jersey, while U.S. President Donald Trump was spending the weekend at his golf club.
Fox News reported that NORAD intercepted two civilian aircraft and then confirmed a third aircraft also triggered an alert as Trump was preparing to depart, with the third incident appearing to delay his departure by about 13 minutes.
During that time, emergency SUVs, law enforcement officers and U.S. Secret Service agents were seen moving into position near the runway where Trump was scheduled to depart around 5 p.m. E.T.
Officials said the first two general aviation aircraft were safely escorted out of the restricted area by NORAD aircraft, and the third aircraft "reestablished communications and became compliant before NORAD intervention was required."
Escorted Out, Video Circulates
NORAD said its F-16 fighter jets intercepted two general aviation aircraft, and the first two were safely escorted out of the restricted area by NORAD aircraft, according to WION. WION said videos circulating online showed the moment an F-16 fighter jet closed in on what appeared to be a small Cessna aircraft near Jefferson Township, outside Bedminster.
The Jerusalem Post reported that NORAD said "NORAD F-16s intercepted multiple general aviation aircraft today that violated temporary flight restrictions over Bedminster, NJ," and added that NORAD declined to say whether the pilots had made a mistake. NORAD also told pilots they were required to check with the FAA to stay up to date about temporary airspace restrictions, while the White House did not immediately return a request by Reuters for comment on the incident.
Rules, NOTAMs, and Security
Stars and Stripes said NORAD told pilots to "check your Notice to Airmen (NOTAMS) and FAA Temporary Flight Restrictions" after the two general aviation aircraft violated temporary flight restrictions over Bedminster. The incident was tied to Trump’s weekend at his golf club, where he arrived Friday and was expected to remain through Sunday, as the New York Post and Stars and Stripes both described.
TAPinto said Warren Township and surrounding Somerset County residents may have noticed increased security activity, including a presidential motorcade along the Route 78 corridor Friday and military aircraft activity Sunday morning. Prensa Mercosur said the episode had "no reported casualties, damage, or direct threat to the president" and described the F-16 response as a planned procedure to identify, contact, or divert an aircraft that penetrates a temporarily restricted zone.