NORAD F-16s intercept two civilian planes near Trump's Bedminster golf club
Temporary flight restrictions were in place for the four-day LIV Golf New York tournament while President Donald Trump was at the club; a third aircraft triggered an alert that delayed his departure.
NORAD F-16 fighters intercepted two civilian aircraft yesterday near Bedminster, New Jersey, after temporary flight restrictions were put in place while President Donald Trump spent the weekend at his golf club during the four-day LIV Golf New York tournament.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command said its fighters escorted the two general-aviation planes out of the restricted airspace; a third aircraft also triggered an alert while Trump was preparing to depart, officials said.
Video and local response
Footage circulating on social media shows one of the initial interceptions: an F-16 closing in on a much smaller plane, likely a Cessna, near Jefferson Township, not far from Bedminster. Local emergency vehicles, police officers and agents from the U.S. Secret Service were seen moving into positions near the runway where the president was due to take off.
Authorities said the third incident apparently delayed Trump’s planned departure by about 13 minutes; the president had been scheduled to leave the area at around 5 p.m. Eastern Time. NORAD later reported that the third aircraft "re-established communications and began complying with instructions before NORAD intervention was necessary."
Officials reminded pilots to check NOTAM notices before departure and explained the actions to follow if intercepted: establish radio contact on 121.5 or 243.0 megahertz, alter course and follow instructions. Temporary flight restrictions are commonly put in place for presidential movements, major sporting events and other security concerns and are enforced using radars, satellites, fighters and other defense assets, NORAD said.
Photo: press material from the event
