NORAD dispatched F-16 fighter jets Sunday after two civilian aircraft entered restricted airspace over Bedminster, New Jersey, where President Donald Trump was expected to spend the weekend at his golf club during the LIV Golf New York tournament.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command said the aircraft violated temporary flight restrictions established over the area. Air Forces Northern, part of the 1st Air Force, later confirmed that two general aviation aircraft were involved in the incident.

Military officials said the aircraft were safely intercepted and escorted out of the restricted airspace by NORAD fighters without incident.

Ahead of the president’s arrival in New Jersey, NORAD had announced that it would actively enforce the Federal Aviation Administration’s temporary flight restrictions throughout the weekend to secure the airspace surrounding the Bedminster property.

Officials also advised pilots and the public that U.S. Army ground-based air defense systems could be operating in the region under the Continental U.S. NORAD Region as part of the military’s layered homeland defense network.

“These systems are operating under NORAD authorities, constitute a routine component of the command’s layered defense posture and work in tandem with the command’s airborne assets to monitor and protect the airspace,” information published by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service said.

Following the interceptions, military officials reminded general aviation pilots to review all Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) before every flight to ensure they are aware of temporary airspace restrictions and other FAA flight requirements.

“Check NOTAMs before EVERY flight!” 1st AF/AFNORTH said in a post on X.

Officials also reiterated the procedures pilots must follow if intercepted by NORAD aircraft. Pilots should immediately switch their radios to frequencies 121.5 or 243.0 and, according to guidance published by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, “turn around to reverse course until receiving additional instructions on one of those frequencies.”

Temporary flight restrictions are routinely established during presidential travel, major sporting events, national security operations, and other special events. NORAD relies on a combination of radar systems, satellites, fighter aircraft, and other surveillance capabilities to detect, monitor, and respond to potential threats within North American airspace.

{Matzav.com}