TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) F-16 aircraft responded to a civilian aircraft Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) violation at approximately 10:49 a.m. EST on Feb. 18, 2025, over Palm Beach, Florida.
Radar data detected an aircraft of interest that was not in communication with Air Traffic Control inside the restricted airspace. NORAD scrambled fighter jets to intercept, and escort the civilian aircraft out of the area and ensure full compliance with the TFR. All aircraft safely landed without incident.
During the intercept, the NORAD aircraft dispensed flares, which may have been visible to the public. The flares were used to draw attention from or communicate with the pilot. Flares are employed with the highest regard for safety, burn out quickly and completely, and pose no danger to people on the ground.
Aircrews are reminded to verify all FAA NOTAMs, especially in the Mar-a-Lago region.
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.