A tense moment in the skies turned into a story everyone in the Sandhills is talking about, after a fighter jet intercepts Moore County plane that wandered into restricted airspace near Air Force One. The incident happened Friday afternoon while President Donald Trump was on the ground at Pope Army Airfield during a visit to nearby Fort Bragg.
According to officials at Harnett Regional Jetport, the aircraft involved was a Baron twin‑engine plane that had taken off from Moore County. The pilot was reportedly headed to Johnston County Regional Airport when the plane entered a 30‑mile Temporary Flight Restriction, or TFR, that had been established around Air Force One. During presidential visits, these TFRs are designed to keep non‑authorized aircraft out of a protected bubble of airspace.
North American Aerospace Defense Command, better known as NORAD, says the plane entered the restricted area at about 3:35 p.m. Because the pilot had not filed a flight plan and was now inside the protected zone, NORAD scrambled an F‑16 fighter jet to intercept. Witnesses and officials say the fighter deployed flares to catch the pilot’s attention and signal that the small plane needed to follow instructions immediately.
The pilot then diverted and landed at Harnett Regional Jetport under the direction of authorities. After the situation was resolved and the airspace violation addressed, the pilot later flew the aircraft back to Southern Pines. While the event ended without injuries or damage, it served as a dramatic reminder that even routine flights out of places like Moore County can quickly become serious when they intersect with presidential security procedures.
In a statement, NORAD said it relies on a layered defense network of radars, satellites, ground‑based systems, and fighter aircraft to identify and respond to potential threats. That structure is designed to give officials multiple ways to detect aircraft that are off course, not communicating properly, or entering restricted airspace. When a fighter jet intercepts Moore County plane or any other civilian aircraft, the goal is to safely resolve the situation while protecting people on the ground and in the air.
For pilots across the Sandhills, the incident underscores the importance of checking NOTAMs and TFRs carefully before departure, especially when flying near military installations like Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg) or during high‑profile visits. Staying informed and filing proper flight plans can help prevent surprises in the cockpit and unexpected visits from a fighter jet.
For official information on temporary flight restrictions, pilots can visit the FAA’s TFR website and review updates through the Federal Aviation Administration. National defense information and airspace security updates are available through NORAD’s official website, while listeners in Southern Pines, Aberdeen, and Pinehurst can keep up with developing stories through Star 102.5 and Sandhills News.