Summary
- A Boeing 737 used by Republican Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance entered Prohibited Airspace 56 over Washington D.C.
- Violating P-56 prompts investigations from both the FAA and the Secret Service due to security risks.
- Owned by Eastern Air Express, Trump Force Two is utilized for campaigning and features a distinctive livery.
A Boeing 737 utilized by the United States Republican candidate for Vice President reportedly violated the Prohibited Airspace 56 (or P-56) over Washington D.C. earlier this week when departing from Washington Regan National Airport en route to Phoenix, Arizona.
The pilot was notified of the airspace violation by the ATC and given a number to contact for possible pilot deviation once on the ground.
Entering P-56
First reported on X, the
Boeing 737-800
utilized by the Republican candidate for Vice President, JD Vance, for his campaign (also known as Trump Force Two, featuring the Trump – Vance livery), earlier this week when departing from Washington Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) on the way to Phoenix Skyharbor International Airport (PHX), violated the Prohibited Airspace 56 (P-56) over Washington D.C.
The airspace P-56 encompasses critical areas in the city, including the United States National Mall, the White House, and the Naval Observatory, thus making the airspace prohibited for commercial and private aircraft utilization.
While regular airspace violations will see the
Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) get involved and launch an investigation, due to the critical nature of the airspace and the importance of safety, any violation of Airspace P-56 will also see the United States Secret Service get involved in the investigation.
It is worth noting that though the aircraft is being utilized by JD Vance for his campaigning, the aircraft itself is owned and operated by Eastern Air Express.
Security surrounding Airspace P-56
Flying to and from Reagan Airport has always been critical and required accuracy due to its proximity to the P-56 airspace and, in general, the broader Washington D.C. airspace, which is heavily protected by an arsenal of US military assets. While some of these defenses are non-lethal, others most definitely are.
As reported by Yahoo News, Washington D.C. has had a Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) placed around the city since the events of 9/11. This SFRA lies within a larger zone known as an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
As such, the US military defends the airspace over the capital, which includes the US Air Force (USAF)
F-16
fighter jets on alert and National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missiles (NASAMs) along with Avenger Air Defense systems deployed on the ground. Various ground-based laser systems are also defending this airspace.
About Trump Force Two
The aircraft is utilized by JD Vance to travel around the country during his campaign and is chartered from Eastern Air Express. As part of the campaign, the aircraft also features an unmistakable and eye-catching livery featuring the names of the Republican Presidential candidate, Donald Trump, and the Vice Presidential candidate, JD Vance, at the front of the fuselage.
Further, towards the rear of the fuselage, the aircraft sports the duo’s campaign slogan, “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,” along with details on how to join the campaign.
The aircraft in question, Trump Force Two, was involved in another incident a few weeks ago when the aircraft, during a flight from Milwaukee to Cincinnati, suffered a door-seal malfunction, which resulted in the aircraft performing an emergency landing back at Milwaukee. In that instance, the malfunction was mended, and the aircraft was back in service soon thereafter.