TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) F-16 fighter aircraft from the Continental U.S. NORAD region responded to a general aviation aircraft over Palm Beach, Florida, on April 4, 2025.
The civilian aircraft violated the Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) at approximately 10:50 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. NORAD aircraft conducted a headbutt maneuver to gain the civilian pilot’s attention, and the aircraft was safely escorted out of the area.
“NORAD and the FAA work closely together to keep the skies over America safe, with close attention paid to areas with Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR),’’ said Gen. Gregory Guillot, Commander, NORAD and U.S. Northern Command. “Adherence to TFR procedures is essential to ensure flight safety, national security, and the security of the President.”
NORAD employs a layered defense network of radars, satellites, and fighter aircraft to identify and respond to potential threats. The identification and monitoring of the civilian aircraft demonstrate how NORAD executes its aerospace warning and control missions for the United States and Canada.
Since the Jan. 20, 2025, presidential inauguration, NORAD has responded to over 20 tracks of interest entering the Palm Beach TFR area.
Aircrews are reminded to verify all FAA NOTAMs, especially in the National Capitol Region and Mar-a-Lago regions.
For more information about General Aviation and TFRs visit https://www.norad.mil/General-Aviation/
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