The North American Aerospace Defense Command reported in a statement Wednesday that F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets intercepted an unidentified general aviation aircraft that breached the airspace over a Donald Trump campaign rally in Bullhead City, Arizona without obtaining clearance or communicating with NORAD.
The incident was partially captured on video after President Trump remarked on chaff and signal flares fired by an F-16, presumably deployed in case the unknown aircraft posed a threat to the President.
“At approx. 1400 MDT, NORAD F-16 aircraft investigated a general aviation aircraft that was not in communication with ATC and entered the Temporary Flight Restriction area surrounding Bullhead City, AZ without proper clearance,” NORAD said in a statement.
The statement continued, “The violating aircraft was non-responsive to initial intercept procedures, but established radio communications after NORAD aircraft deployed signal flares. The aircraft was escorted out of the restricted area by the NORAD aircraft without further incident.”
(2/2) The violating aircraft was non-responsive to initial intercept procedures, but established radio communications after NORAD aircraft deployed signal flares. The aircraft was escorted out of the restricted area by the NORAD aircraft without further incident. #WeHaveTheWatch
— North American Aerospace Defense Command (@NORADCommand) October 28, 2020
The unidentified aircraft breached airspace that had been placed under a Temporary Flight restriction in anticipation of President Trump’s rally.
As NORAD explained, “Once TFRs become active, they are administered by the FAA. NORAD closely coordinates its air defense activities with the FAA and responds as necessary to aircraft that violate the restricted area.”
(2/2) Once TFRs become active, they are administered by the FAA. NORAD closely coordinates its air defense activities with the FAA and responds as necessary to aircraft that violate the restricted area. #WeHaveTheWatch
— North American Aerospace Defense Command (@NORADCommand) October 28, 2020
The incident was caught on video when the President remarked on the flares deployed by a NORAD F-16: “Wow. How about that? How about that? I wonder if the fake news caught that camera, cause they never turn the camera. They don’t wanna show anything that’s good.”
MOMENTS AGO: Fighter jet flies over Trump rally in Arizona and appears to fire off flares; crowd chants "USA!" pic.twitter.com/8znBkEJrcb
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) October 28, 2020
The Secret Service reportedly mobilized to escort the President off the stage if need be but ultimately decided against it after the NORAD jets took control of the situation.
