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A North American Aerospace Defense Command F-16 fighter jet intercepted a general aviation aircraft after it entered restricted airspace near Camp David on Saturday morning, according to the First Air Force, a unit of U.S. Northern Command. President Donald Trump was staying at the presidential retreat in Maryland's Catoctin Mountains at the time.
The intercept occurred over Thurmont, Maryland, at around 7:50 a.m., the First Air Force said in a statement posted on X. The fighter jet deployed flares to draw the pilot's attention before escorting the aircraft safely out of the restricted zone. Officials said there was no indication the aircraft posed a threat to Trump's security or to Camp David.
NORAD said the flares, which may have been visible from the ground, were intended to communicate with the pilot rather than pose any danger. "The flares were used to draw attention from or communicate with the pilot," the command said, adding that they "are employed with the highest regard for safety, burn out quickly and completely, and pose no danger to people on the ground."
The First Air Force also urged pilots to review Notices to Airmen, or NOTAMs, before takeoff to stay informed of temporary flight restrictions in their area.
Camp David sits under a permanent no-fly zone, with additional temporary flight restrictions taking effect whenever the president is in residence. Trump arrived at the retreat Friday evening and was expected to remain there through the weekend, a trip that had been reported in advance of Saturday's incident.
Camp David, located in Frederick County, Maryland, has served as the country retreat for U.S. presidents since the 1940s and is used for both relaxation and, at times, high-level diplomatic meetings.
Authorities did not immediately release additional information about the aircraft involved or its pilot, including whether any further action, such as a referral to civil aviation authorities, would follow the encounter.
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