Surface-To-Air Missile Systems Added To Protect Trump At Mar-A-Lago

Authored by Jill McLaughlin via The Epoch Times,

The Secret Service ordered short-range surface-to-air missile systems and counter-drone technology to be positioned in and around President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, officials confirmed on Oct. 29.

Military and presidential officials declined to provide details about the decision to increase security at the estate, where he is expected to return for the Halloween weekend.

U.S. Army Humvee-based Avenger Short-Range Air Defense (SHORAD) Systems have been positioned on a floating barge near Trump's Palm Beach estate and at the Donald J. Trump International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, used by Air Force One, according to local media reports.

"At the request of the U.S. Secret Service ... NORAD and USNORTHCOM recently deployed ground-based air defense assets and Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System capabilities in and around Mar-a-Lago, Florida," a military spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an email.

"These assets add a complementary layer of technology to enhance protection," the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command Public Affairs spokesperson said.

"Due to operational security, we are unable to provide additional details."

The Secret Service did not respond to requests for more details on Thursday.

No details were released about when the military equipment arrived in the Palm Beach area, or confirmation of a specific threat.

The Avenger Air Defense System is a surface-to-air missile system used by the military as mobile defense protection against cruise missiles, drones, low-flying aircraft, and helicopters, according to the Army.

The Pentagon referred questions about the added security equipment to the White House press office.

A White House spokesperson also declined to confirm if the president had received a specific threat.

NORAD will enforce protected airspace above West Palm Beach again this weekend. The command issued temporary flight restrictions on Thursday over West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, and the greater area until Nov. 1.

Fighter jets were scrambled on Oct. 24 to intercept a general aviation aircraft over Palm Beach that had entered a no-fly zone.

The fighter flew in front of the aircraft to get the pilot's attention, and the airplane safely left the restricted zone, according to NORAD.

General aviators were advised to check Notices to Airmen before every flight, which is required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The FAA has issued two presidential-level flight restriction windows: from 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 30 to 10:45 a.m. Oct. 31; and 4:15 p.m. on Oct. 31 to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 1.

Roads in Palm Beach County will also be temporarily closed this weekend in anticipation of the president's visit.

On Wednesday, an in-person appearance by Trump at a rally on Saturday in Kansas was changed to a virtual tele-rally, the White House said.

The events will give the president a chance to reach more people across the country and to highlight his accomplishments, according to the White House.

The president plans to hold more than 20 tele-rallies before Election Day, a White House spokesperson told The Epoch Times.