- NORAD F-16s intercepted two civilian planes over Trump's golf club.
- Aircraft violated temporary flight restrictions in Bedminster, New Jersey.
- Pilots urged to check NOTAMs and follow intercept instructions.
F-16 fighter jets from the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) intercepted two civilian aircraft on Sunday after they entered temporary flight restrictions over Bedminster, New Jersey. The area includes President Donald Trump’s golf club.
NORAD said all aircraft were safely escorted out of the restricted airspace. Videos of the scrambled fighter jets and of Trump at the site spread on social media.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command says F-16 fighter jets intercepted two aircraft that violated temporary flight restrictions over Trump's Bedminster golf club in New Jersey. pic.twitter.com/qPU3ILGWBU
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) August 9, 2026
The command confirmed both planes were general aviation aircraft-- civilian planes not operated by commercial airlines. No threat to the president or the golf club was reported, and the planes left the restricted zone without incident.
What are the rules for pilots when NOTAM is declared?
Temporary flight restrictions, known as TFRs, are routinely put in place by the Federal Aviation Administration whenever the president visits Bedminster. These rules create a security buffer around him. Pilots are required to review updated airspace notices before takeoff. Officials believe the two light civilian planes entered the restricted area by mistake.
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After the incident, NORAD reminded pilots of the proper response if a fighter jet approaches them: immediately switch to the emergency frequency (121.5 or 243.0), change course, and follow all instructions.
The command also stressed that pilots must check relevant NOTAM notices before every flight and fully comply with temporary flight restrictions.
Not the first time
This was not an isolated event. On July 19, NORAD reported that more than 10 general aviation aircraft entered restricted airspace over Bedminster and East Rutherford, New Jersey, in a single day. F-16s intercepted planes in three of those cases and released flares in two of them to attract the pilots’ attention.
All those aircraft were safely escorted away, and no one was injured.NORAD explained that flares used in intercepts are designed only to alert pilots. They are released with safety measures in place, burn out quickly, and are not intended to endanger people on the ground. These missions fall under the responsibility of NORAD’s Continental U.S. Region, headquartered at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida.