According to reports from Fox News on August 9, NORAD scrambled F-16 fighter jets that day to intercept two aircraft that had violated temporary flight restrictions over Bedminster, New Jersey. The incident unfolded while former President Donald Trump was attending an event at a local golf club in the area.
The LIV Golf tournament’s New York stop was held over the weekend at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, with Trump present, prompting the implementation of temporary flight restrictions in the region. Typically, the U.S. government issues such restrictions to regulate flight activity over designated areas when it comes to presidential movements, major sporting events, national security needs, or other special occasions.
On the morning of August 9, two civilian general aviation aircraft breached the temporary flight restrictions, circling near Trump National Golf Club. NORAD immediately deployed F-16 fighter jets to intercept and escort the two planes out of the restricted airspace.
At this point, it remains unclear why the aircraft in question violated the flight restrictions.
A Bedminster resident captured footage of the F-16 fighter jet chasing the civilian aircraft (video screenshot)
Before Trump arrived in New Jersey on August 7, NORAD had already announced it would enforce temporary flight restrictions established by the Federal Aviation Administration in the area. NORAD also informed the American public and civilian pilots that the U.S. Army might deploy ground-based defense assets to work in tandem with air assets for monitoring and protecting the region.
Following the interception, U.S. military officials urged pilots to check Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) before taking off to stay updated on flight restrictions and other operational procedures.