Fighter Jets Deployed To Mar-a-Lago

Over the weekend, U.S. fighter jets were deployed twice to intercept civilian aircraft flying near Palm Beach, Florida, where former President Donald Trump was staying at his Mar-a-Lago estate. These incidents highlight the constant security measures in place to protect the president and ensure the safety of American airspace.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) reported that the most recent event occurred around 1 p.m. on Sunday when their aircraft were forced to escort a civilian plane out of a restricted airspace. To grab the attention of the aircraft’s pilot, NORAD deployed flares. This response is part of a heightened security protocol in place whenever the former president is present at his Florida estate.

Mar-a-Lago’s airspace is under a permanent flight restriction, which expands to a 30-nautical-mile radius when Trump is in residence. This is a precautionary measure to prevent unauthorized aircraft from entering an area where the former president is located. Since President Trump’s tenure began in January 2017, NORAD has responded to more than 20 potential threats in the airspace over Mar-a-Lago, including three incidents just last week.

Officials from NORAD also reminded pilots to adhere to the “Notice to Airmen” (NOTAMs), which include Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) for specific locations like Mar-a-Lago. These restrictions are essential to maintaining national security. NORAD Commander, Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot, stressed the importance of reading these notices, as the number of violations continues to rise.

Despite the high number of TFR violations, Trump’s schedule remained uninterrupted over the weekend, as he enjoyed a round of golf at his West Palm Beach course. The quick responses from the U.S. military ensure that such security measures are always in place to protect the nation’s leaders.