An F-16 fighter jet from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) intercepted this Saturday a general aviation aircraft that entered the restricted airspace over Thurmont, Maryland, near Camp David, where the President of the United States, Donald Trump, is spending the weekend.
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According to information published by the United States First Air Force, the interception occurred at approximately 7:50 local time.
During the operation, NORAD aircraft fired flares that could be seen from the ground and were used to get the pilot’s attention or establish communication with him.
In this regard, the Aerospace Defense Command explained that these devices are used under strict safety measures, are quickly consumed, and do not pose a danger to people on the ground. Subsequently, the intercepted aircraft was safely escorted out of the restricted area.
The incident occurred near Camp David, the presidential residence located in Maryland that has a permanent no-fly zone. Restrictions can be expanded when the President is at the location, as is the case this weekend.
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The Continental United States Region of NORAD, based at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, was operationally in charge of the mission.
In the event of such an interception, NORAD establishes that civilian aircraft pilots must immediately communicate via frequencies 121.5 or 243.0 and change their course until receiving new instructions through those channels.
The organization did not disclose the pilot’s identity nor provide additional details about the circumstances that led the aircraft to enter the restricted area.
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