The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) deployed F-16 fighter jets on Saturday to intercept three civilian aircraft that violated a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over Palm Beach, Florida, near President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. The incidents, occurring within hours of each other, underscored heightened security measures in the area and prompted NORAD to use flares in two cases to redirect the errant planes.
The first breach occurred at approximately 11:05 a.m. EST, followed by a second at 12:10 p.m. EST, and a third at 12:50 p.m. EST, according to a statement from the Continental U.S. NORAD Region (CONR). In each instance, F-16s from Tyndall Air Force Base swiftly escorted the general aviation aircraft out of the restricted zone without incident.
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During the second and third intercepts, pilots dispensed flares—visible bursts of light intended to signal or alert the civilian pilots. NORAD emphasized that the flares, while potentially noticeable to onlookers, “burn out quickly and completely” and pose “no danger to people on the ground.”
The TFR, a standard FAA measure around Mar-a-Lago when Trump is present, restricts airspace to protect the president, a protocol intensified since his January 20 inauguration. NORAD’s swift response highlights its layered defense system—radars, satellites, and fighters—tasked with safeguarding U.S. and Canadian airspace. “The identification and monitoring of civilian aircraft demonstrates NORAD’s execution of its aerospace warning and control missions,” the statement read.
Authorities did not disclose the identities or intentions of the pilots, but CONR urged aircrews to “verify all FAA NOTAMs [Notices to Airmen], especially in the Mar-a-Lago region,” suggesting the violations may have stemmed from oversight rather than malice.
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The incidents come amid Trump’s active presence at his Palm Beach residence, where he’s navigated high-profile diplomatic engagements.
While NORAD routinely intercepts wayward aircraft—logging dozens annually—the triple violation in a single day near a presidential hotspot drew attention.
No further action against the pilots was detailed, though FAA investigations typically follow such breaches, potentially leading to fines or license reviews. For now, the F-16s’ flare-lit escorts served as a vivid reminder of the security net enveloping Mar-a-Lago—and the skies above Trump’s Florida command post remain firmly under watch.
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