A NORAD F-16 fighter jet intercepted an aircraft Saturday morning flying over restricted airspace in Thurmont, Maryland, near Camp David, where President Donald Trump was spending the weekend.

The NORAD pilot deployed flares to gain the attention of the other, unnamed pilot of what was described as a “general aviation aircraft” before safely escorting it out of the area, according to a Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) news release. DVIDS is the official media hub for the Department of War.

The president, who was originally expected to return to the White House on Sunday, cut his trip short and returned later on Saturday. It was unclear whether the president’s shortened trip was related to the incident. The White House did not respond to a request for comment from The Epoch Times

“Should NORAD aircraft intercept a general aviation aircraft, the pilot should immediately come up on frequency 121.5 or 243.0 and turn around to reverse course until receiving additional instructions on one of those frequencies,” DVIDS said.

According to the news release, the NORAD aircraft’s flares might have been visible to the public.

“The flares were used to draw attention from or communicate with the pilot,” DVIDS said. “Flares 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, which operates under the U.S. Northern Command and NORAD, also posted a statement on X about the aerial encounter around Camp David.

“Pilots! [A NORAD] fighter aircraft intercepted an aircraft violating restricted airspace over Thurmont, MD, resulting in flares being deployed,” the post said. “Make sure to check [Notices to Airmen] before takeoff to ensure you have current information about [Temporary Flight Restrictions] in your area.”

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) explicitly lists the airspace above Camp David as prohibited, making it a permanent no-fly zone. The National Mall, encompassing the White House and congressional buildings, in Washington is also a prohibited area.

“Such areas are established for security or other reasons associated with the national welfare,” the FAA said.

The prohibited area around Camp David has a three-nautical-mile radius and includes up to 4,999 feet above sea level. A restricted area, which can only be entered with permission from the controlling entity, ranges from 5,000 to 18,000 feet mean sea level.

Entering a restricted area without authorization, the FAA warns, “may be extremely hazardous to the aircraft and its occupants.”

When a president arrives at Camp David, even stricter aviation rules are implemented.

At the direction of the Secret Service, the FAA issues a 10 nautical mile temporary flight restriction from the surface to 18,000 feet mean sea level.

There have been several instances of aircraft entering restricted airspace since Trump returned to the White House. In March 2025, NORAD reported it had responded to more than “20 tracks of interests” entering the restricted zone in Palm Beach since the president’s inauguration on Jan. 20.

On Feb. 18, 2025, a NORAD F-16 jet intercepted and safely escorted a civilian craft out of the restricted airspace over Palm Beach, Florida.

Two encounters happened within 48 hours of each other in early March 2025. U.S. Air Force fighter jets scrambled to intercept a civilian aircraft near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in South Florida as he was finishing a round of golf.

Last December, an F-16 fighter jet performed a “headbutt maneuver” on a civilian aircraft over Mar-a-Lago airspace, meaning the fighter pilot flew directly in front of the other plane to get that pilot’s attention.

Another instance happened on March 29 over Trump’s tropical estate, when fighter jets dispensed flares.