On April 4, 2025, an F-16 fighter jet used a “headbutt maneuver” to intercept a civilian aircraft flying near President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.
This technique involves the fighter jet flying extremely close to the aircraft and cutting in front of its nose.
The U.S. military has been monitoring the airspace around Mar-a-Lago since Trump’s inauguration, responding to over 20 airspace violations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issues Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) to enforce air safety during presidential visits.
The aircraft was safely escorted out of the area, and flares were used to communicate with the civilian pilot. Such measures ensure national security and protect the President’s safety.
