U.S. Army Humvee-based AN/TWQ-1 Avenger short-range air defense systems have been set up near President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, and at Donald J. Trump International Airport, about three miles to the west, according to officials and photographs of the installations [1][2].
The systems were deployed in mid-October, according to The War Zone, amid heightened concerns about the president's safety [1]. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) said the deployment was made at the request of the U.S. Secret Service and includes ground-based air defense assets and Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System capabilities.
"At the request of the U.S. Secret Service and under NORAD and USNORTHCOM authorities, NORAD and USNORTHCOM recently deployed ground-based air defense [GBAD] assets and Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System capabilities in and around Mar-a-Lago, Florida," the commands told The War Zone in a statement [1].
The Secret Service said it is operating in a heightened threat environment. "The U.S. Secret Service is operating in a heightened threat environment, and we continuously adapt our protective operations to incorporate cutting-edge tools, technology, and methods to safeguard our protectees," the agency said in a statement [1]. Officials declined to provide additional operational details, citing security concerns [1].
Officials Cite Heightened Threat Environment but Do Not Specify Reasons
Officials would not provide specific reasons for the presence of the surface-to-air missile systems when asked, citing operational security concerns. NORAD and USNORTHCOM declined to say what kinds of ground-based air defense assets are involved or where they are set up [1]. The commands referred further questions to the Secret Service [1].
A NORAD and USNORTHCOM statement said the assets add a complementary layer of technology to enhance protection. "These assets add a complementary layer of technology to enhance protection," the commands said. "Due to operational security, we are unable to provide additional details" [1].
The deployment follows prior threats and assassination attempts. On July 13, 2024, a gunman fired at Trump during a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania. Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was killed, and a bloodied Trump was whisked away by Secret Service agents [1]. Iran threatened Trump's life before he ordered the joint U.S.-Israel attack on the Islamic Republic in February, according to prior reporting [1].
Iran Threats and Operation Epic Fury Cited as Context
Airstrikes during Operation Epic Fury wiped out much of Iran's senior leadership structure at the onset of the operation, according to The War Zone [1]. Trump has since considered plans to renew attacks on Iran as early as next week, the outlet reported [1]. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed Feb. 28 during the opening night of the operation, according to the report [1].
U.S. intelligence found Iran had substantially increased efforts to target American diplomats and officials, with lethal plots reaching advanced stages, according to an Oct. 23 memo reported by Axios. The memo was sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio [1].
Prior to those attempts, Iran made a golf-related threat against Trump. An image suggestive of a drone targeting the then-former president on a golf course in a "vengeance" strike in retaliation for the death of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani was posted on Twitter by an account for Khamenei [1]. Twitter suspended the account around 15 hours after the post when the image first appeared on Jan. 21, 2020 [1].
Airspace Restrictions, Drone Incursions, and Intercepts Continue
A standing temporary flight restriction over Mar-a-Lago runs through Oct. 20, 2027, and additional restrictions are created when Trump visits the area, according to the Federal Aviation Administration [1]. More than 160 planes and drones have breached the airspace over Palm Beach since the restrictions took effect in October 2025, according to an Aug. 11 Federal Aviation Administration filing in federal court first reported by the Palm Beach Daily News [1].
NORAD said an F-16 intercepted a general aviation aircraft over Palm Beach on Oct. 24 after it entered the temporary flight restriction area. "A NORAD F-16 fighter aircraft intercepted a general aviation aircraft over Palm Beach, Florida, at approximately 12:20 p.m. EST today after the aircraft entered a NORAD-enforced FAA Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) area over Mar-a-Lago," the command stated in a media release at the time, adding: "After the fighter jet executed a standard headbutt maneuver to gain the pilot's attention, the civilian aircraft established communication and safely exited the restricted airspace in full compliance with flight instructions" [1].
These combat air patrols are standard for presidential visits. Even when Trump is at Mar-a-Lago for days, there are usually combat air patrols flying overhead, which are extremely resource-intensive, according to The War Zone [1].
References
- Surface-To-Air Missiles Deployed To Protect Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Estate. https://www.twz.com/land/avenger-assemble-surface-to-air-missiles-deployed-to-protect-trumps-mar-a-lago-estate
- Surface-To-Air Missiles Deployed To Protect Trump's Mar-a-Lago Estate. https://www.twz.com/land/avenger-assemble-surface-to-air-missiles-deployed-to-protect-trumps-mar-a-lago-estate
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