On Sunday, F-16 fighter jets intercepted multiple planes that flew through restricted airspace over Bedminster and East Rutherford, New Jersey.
In total, F-16 jets intercepted three of 10 general aviation planes that entered the restricted airspace, deploying flares in two of those encounters, the North American Aerospace Defense Command said. The aircraft were safely escorted from the area.
"Flares are employed with the highest regard for safety, burn out quickly and completely, and pose no danger to people on the ground," NORAD said.
A temporary flight restriction was in place over the section of northern New Jersey where the violations occurred; temporary flight restrictions are issued by the Federal Aviation Administration and communicated to pilots through messages called Notices to Airmen, or NOTAMs, prohibiting entry without permission, and the restrictions also apply to drones, the FAA said. Violating them can result in a range of sanctions, warnings, fines or suspensions.
Neither NORAD nor the FAA specified the reason for Sunday's temporary restriction, and East Rutherford is the city where MetLife Stadium hosted the 2026 World Cup final match.
In a social media post, the command urged pilots to check NOTAMs and the FAA site where flight restrictions are updated before liftoff.
On Sunday the FAA issued a temporary flight restriction specifically targeting drone operators in Atlanta's Piedmont Park, and last month an F-16 fighter jet intercepted a civilian plane that was flying through restricted airspace over Hagerstown, Maryland.