F-16 Performs ‘Headbutt’ Maneuver to Intercept Plane Near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago
A U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jet intercepted a civilian plane near former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort last Friday, employing what is referred to as a “headbutt” maneuver, according to military officials.
Since Trump assumed office in January, military forces have been actively overseeing the airspace surrounding Mar-a-Lago, noting numerous instances of unauthorized flights.
On Friday, the Air Force revealed that it had handled “over 20 tracks of interest” above Palm Beach since January 20, when Trump was inaugurated.
In a statement issued by the First Air Force based at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, officials said that an F-16 under the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) intercepted a “general aviation aircraft” over Palm Beach at approximately 10:50 a.m. ET on April 4. The term applies broadly to non-commercial, private aircraft, Newsweek reported.
During the intercept, the NORAD jet “conducted a headbutt maneuver to gain the civilian pilot’s attention,” and successfully led the aircraft out of the restricted area, according to the Air Force.
A “headbutt maneuver” involves a jet flying in close proximity and crossing directly in front of another aircraft’s nose to capture the pilot’s attention.
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs), issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), are enforced by NORAD and typically go into effect when the president is visiting an area.
Trump was on the Mar-a-Lago golf course that day, shortly after major tariff announcements that shook global markets.
Pilots are also expected to review Notices to Airmen, or NOTAMs, before flying.
Just last month, fighter jets intercepted another aircraft that breached a TFR over Trump’s estate on a Sunday, NORAD said.
This marked the second violation in two days involving F-16s deployed by NORAD’s Continental U.S. region in the Palm Beach area.
“NORAD has responded to over 20 tracks of interest entering the Palm Beach, Florida TFR area” since January 20, NORAD emphasized in another statement.
In several of these instances, fighter jets released flares “to draw attention from or communicate with the pilot” of the civilian aircraft. These flares are designed to be clearly visible but are harmless to people on the ground as they “burn out quickly and completely,” NORAD added.
The Sunday incident occurred while Trump was present at his Palm Beach golf course, according to the White House press pool.
“Adherence to TFR procedures is essential to ensure flight safety, national security, and the security of the President,” said General Gregory Guillot, head of both NORAD and the U.S. Northern Command.
Guillot criticized what he described as a recurring issue, saying, “The procedures are not optional,” and that many pilots appear to ignore NOTAMs, which has “resulted in multiple responses by NORAD fighter aircraft to guide offending aircraft out of the TFR.”
The Air Force outlined that it utilizes a “layered” approach—combining radar, satellite monitoring, and fighter jets—to detect and respond to potential airborne threats.
“The identification and monitoring of civilian aircraft demonstrate how NORAD executes its aerospace warning and control missions for the United States and Canada,” officials said, noting NORAD’s binational command structure.
General Guillot reiterated the strong collaboration between agencies: “NORAD and the FAA work closely together to keep the skies over America safe.”
The FAA will maintain TFRs around Mar-a-Lago, with enforcement handled by NORAD.
In a separate event, the U.S. Secret Service reported an armed individual was shot by officers near the White House early Sunday. The incident occurred just after midnight, roughly one block from the Executive Office Building on its western side.