Fighter jets were deployed on Sunday to intercept at least three unauthorized aircraft that entered restricted airspace over Bedminster, New Jersey, while former President Donald Trump was spending the holiday weekend in the area. According to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), a total of 11 violations occurred over the weekend.
The first incident happened around 10:30 a.m., when a civilian plane breached the restricted zone. It was safely guided out of the area by a NORAD aircraft. Two more aircraft were intercepted later the same day. Another violation was recorded just before 2:40 p.m. on Saturday, where a military jet performed a close fly-by—known as a “headbutt”—to get the pilot’s attention and direct the aircraft away from the restricted area.
NORAD Commander General Gregory Guillot stated that these restrictions are enforced for national security and the protection of the President. He stressed that temporary flight restriction (TFR) procedures are not optional and must be followed by all civilian pilots. Guillot noted that many of the violators may have skipped reading the Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs), which provide vital updates on restricted airspace.
Military jets responding to these incidents are trained to intercept and escort violators out of restricted zones. Pilots are instructed to immediately switch to emergency frequencies 121.5 or 243.0 MHz and reverse course if intercepted.
NORAD reminded all pilots that compliance with FAA guidelines is critical. They are expected to review all NOTAMs before flying, regardless of aircraft type or flight region. Authorities emphasized that avoiding such violations isn’t just a regulation—it’s a responsibility tied directly to public and national safety.
