Fighter jets intercept 11 aircraft near Trump’s Bedminster golf course

Fighter jets were dispatched to intercept multiple aircraft that violated temporary flight restrictions over Bedminster, New Jersey, where President Trump was spending the holiday weekend, according to a statement from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). NORAD reported a total of 11 unauthorized aircraft incursions in the restricted airspace over the weekend, with one plane intercepted in the morning and two others intercepted later in the day.

On Sunday morning, a civilian aircraft breached the temporary flight restriction and was safely escorted out of the area by a NORAD aircraft. General Gregory Guillot, Commander of NORAD and US Northern Command, emphasized the importance of following TFR procedures to ensure flight safety, national security, and the security of the President. He expressed concern over the high number of TFR violations, indicating that some civil aviators may not be properly reviewing Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs) before flights, as required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

NORAD’s armed fighter jets are responsible for intercepting and guiding unauthorized aircraft out of restricted airspace. Pilots who find themselves intercepted by fighters or helicopters are instructed to immediately switch frequencies and follow instructions given by NORAD personnel. In one incident on Saturday, a standard “headbutt” maneuver was used to alert a pilot who had entered the restricted airspace.

Private pilots were advised to familiarize themselves with updates to restricted airspace and review FAA NOTAMs before flight to avoid TFR violations. NORAD stressed the mandatory nature of adhering to FAA restricted airspace protocols, regardless of aircraft type or geographical region.

The importance of maintaining flight safety and security was underscored by NORAD, urging all pilots to comply with TFR regulations to prevent airspace violations. The incident serves as a reminder of the critical need for vigilance and adherence to airspace restrictions to ensure the safety of all aircraft and individuals in the airspace.

This report was contributed by Fox News Digital’s Jasmine Baehr. Greg Wehner, a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital, provides ongoing coverage of this developing story. For story tips and ideas, contact Greg.Wehner@Fox.com or follow him on Twitter @GregWehner.