American Fighter Jets Launch Flares At Civilian Aircraft For Getting Too Close To Trump At Youth Sports Event

August 12, 2026 11:54 AM ET U.S. fighter jets dispensed flares as a civilian aircraft flew into temporary restricted airspace in Geneva, Ohio, Tuesday night during President Donald Trump-hosted Patriot Games, officials said.At approximately 6:15 p.m., the general aviation aircraft was intercepted by a North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) F-16 fighter aircraft, launching flares that may have been visible from the ground, a statement from NORAD, a mutual defense organization between the U.S. and Canada, said Tuesday. (RELATED: The FAA Turned To Gamers For Air Traffic Control Jobs — Thousands Were Hired)“The flares were used to draw attention from or communicate with the pilot,” NORAD explained. “Flares are employed with the highest regard for safety, burn out quickly and complete