Coast Guard MH-65s and F-16s Kept Busy During the President’s Stay

The North American Aerospace Defense Command’s pilots have been kept busy during President Donald Trump’s stay at his Bedminster, New Jersey home. Over the holiday weekend, MH-65 helicopters and F-16 fighters intercepted eleven planes within the surrounding restricted airspace.

The violations began on Saturday, July 5, and included five separate incursions that day alone. One aircraft was intercepted just before 2:40 pm ET by an F-16 that performed a “headbutt” maneuver: a standard procedure where the military jet flies directly in front of the confused plane to get the pilot’s attention and direct them away. Earlier that day, a Coast Guard MH-65 had also intercepted a different aircraft within the Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA). More helicopter and fighter responses came later in the afternoon.

By the next morning, three more planes had entered restricted airspace over Bedminster, including one at approximately 10:30 am that was quickly identified and escorted out by a NORAD aircraft. That brought the total number of intercepted aircraft over the weekend to eleven.

All intercepted planes complied with instructions and were safely escorted out of the no-fly zone, according to NORAD. No injuries or further incidents occurred, but military leaders were rightfully concerned about the frequency of the violations.

"It is critically important for North American flight safety that Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) violations are avoided,” NORAD stated. “All pilots must familiarize themselves with updates to restricted airspace, including reviewing new and existing FAA NOTAMs that impact their flight plans and activities. Adhering to FAA restricted airspace protocols is mandatory, regardless of geographical region, airframe, or aircrew."

The FAA and NORAD both issued reminders to general aviation pilots to review all current Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), particularly those related to security-sensitive airspace like Bedminster. The Air Force’s First Air Force unit was clear: "No excuses! Stay sharp, stay legal, and stay out of restricted airspace."

FMI: www.norad.mil