Surface-To-Air Missiles Deployed To Protect Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Estate
U.S. Army Humvee-based AN/TWQ-1Avenger short-range air defense systems (SHORADS) have been set up near President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, as well as at Donald J. Trump International Airport, about three miles to the west. The Avengers were deployed about two weeks ago amid heightened concerns about the president’s safety.
Iran threatened Trump’s life long before he ordered the joint attack with Israel on the Islamic Republic in February. Airstrikes wiped out much of Iran’s senior leadership structure at the onset of Operation Epic Fury. Now the American leader is mulling over plans to renew attacks on Iran as early as next week. In addition, Trump has been the target of assassination attempts and threats not connected to Iran. There may also be elevated security concerns surrounding the midterm elections.
Officials would not provide any specific reasons for the presence of the SAM systems when we asked.
“At the request of the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) and under NORAD [North American Aerospace Defense Command] and USNORTHCOM [U.S. Northern Command] 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 us in a statement. “These assets add a complementary layer of technology to enhance protection. Due to operational security, we are unable to provide additional details. For further detail, we refer you to the USSS.”
“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 Secret Service told us. “At the request of the U.S. Secret Service, NORAD and U.S. Northern Command are providing Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System capabilities in support of our protective operations.”
NORAD/NORTHCOM declined to say what kinds of ground-based air defense assets are involved or where they are set up. However, Getty Images photographs show two Avenger systems set up on a floating platform in Lake Worth Lagoon on the Mar-a-Lago shoreline and one on the beach.
Avenger air defense systems seen at Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on October 16, 2026, ahead of President Donald Trump’s first landing at the newly renamed President Donald J. Trump International Airport. (Photo by Christopher Beckett/NurPhoto) Christopher Beckett
There are also at least two Avengers at nearby Trump International Airport.
A military service member stands atop an AN/TWQ-1 Avenger air defense systems on the tarmac near a C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft at President Donald J. Trump International Airport (DJT) in West Palm Beach, Florida, on October 15, 2026. (Photo by Christopher Beckett/NurPhoto) Christopher Beckett
The command did confirm to us that it sent its Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System Fly-Away Kits to support these operations. These are rapidly deployable systems to react to drone threats or ongoing incursions consisting of passive and active sensor systems, such as electro-optical and infrared cameras, Ku-band radar, and electronic support measures, to help spot, classify and track drones. Electronic warfare systems can also be deployed as part of these fly-away kits.
A NORTHCOM/NORAD counter-drone Fly-Away kit. (U.S. Military)
The Avenger is a turreted system with two launchers, each capable of holding four Stinger heat-seeking surface-to-air missiles. The Stinger missiles they fire have been upgraded to deal with drones. Avengers are meant for point defense of forces on-the-go but have also played a major homeland defense role since 9/11. One is even hard-mounted on a rooftop near the White House for air defense purposes.
The deployment of these systems illustrates just how seriously the U.S. Secret Service is taking the threat of drones. Drone technology, including first-person view types and those equipped with fiber optics, is rapidly proliferating around the world and Iran has been both a user and distributor of these weapons. The Islamic Republic has uses long-range kamikaze drones, which could be a particular threat, especially considering Trump’s estate’s close proximity to the sea, which offers a most likely launch option. It’s also worth noting that traditional aircraft are also a threat and the Stingers are capable of dealing with them too.
An Army Avenger air defense system stands ready during a NORAD Temporary Flight Restriction enforcement mission in Bedminster, New Jersey, Aug. 9, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Andrew Scott) Lt. Col. Andrew Scott
These assets are meant to augment the NORAD-enforced temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) over the Mar-a-Lago airspace. There is a standing TFR that runs through Oct. 20, 2027. Additional ones are created when Trump visits the area.
The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) imposed over Mar-a-Lago. (FAA)
“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 FAA filing in federal court” that was first reported that month by the Palm Beach Daily News.
The most recent publicly announced incursion took place Oct. 24.
“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. “After the fighter jet executed a standard headbutt maneuver to gain the pilot’s attention, the civilian aircraft establi
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