F-16 intercepts aircraft minutes before Pres. Trump landed for South Carolina rally

CLEMSON, S.C. (WHNS/Gray Media) - A U.S. fighter jet intercepted an aircraft that violated restricted airspace over Clemson during President Donald Trump’s scheduled rally on Wednesday.

According to the North American Aerospace Defense Command, an F-16 intercepted a general aviation aircraft at about 5:40 p.m.

The aircraft landed safely at a nearby airfield while being monitored.

According to White House pool reports, Air Force One touched down at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport just after 5:45 p.m., minutes after the intercept.

President Trump got off the plane at 6:08 p.m. and boarded Marine One to head to Clemson.

Marine One landed near the rally venue at Clemson University’s T. Ed Garrison Arena just before 6:35 p.m., according to the pool report. The president began speaking at 7:10 p.m.

NORAD reminded pilots who are intercepted to immediately tune to frequency 121.5 or 243.0 and reverse course until receiving further instructions.

Pilots who violate temporary flight restriction airspace may be met by federal authorities upon landing and face enforcement action.