Russian aircraft again intercepted in international airspace off Alaska

The North American Aerospace Defense Command made a Monday, Sept. 23, 2024 intercept of Russian Tu-95 Bear bombers for illustration this one, seen during a erstwhile intercept escorted by 2 U.S. F-16 and F-35 combatant jets. (From NORAD via DVIDS)

Russian subject craft returned to nan skies disconnected Alaska’s seashore Monday. And erstwhile again nan North American Aerospace Defense Command, aliases NORAD, dispatched combatant jets to intercept and travel them done world airspace.

Two Russian Su-35 Flanker combatant jets for illustration this one, seen adjacent a U.S. P-8A Poseidon level successful 2020, accompanied nan 2 Tu-95 Bear bombers during Monday’s intercept. (From U.S. Navy via DVIDS)

NORAD said successful a news release that it detected and tracked 4 Russian craft that flew into nan Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone, aliases ADIZ, earlier Monday. A spokesperson said nan Russian statement included 2 Russian Tu-95 Bear bombers and 2 Su-35 Flanker pitchy fighters.

The spokesperson said Tuesday that NORAD scrambled 4 F-16s fighters and a reconnaissance craft to escort nan Russian statement done nan zone.

The F-16s apt are based astatine Eielson Air Force Base but NORAD spokespersons routinely diminution to supply that information, citing operational security.

Russian craft often alert done nan Alaska ADIZ, an area that separates world and U.S. sovereign airspace. The NORAD news merchandise noted that nan Russian craft remained successful world airspace and did not participate American aliases Canadian sovereign airspace, adding that nan Russian flights are not seen arsenic a threat. 

Monday’s sortie was nan first clip Russian craft person returned to nan Alaska ID Zone since early past week, erstwhile 2 maritime surveillance craft were detected and tracked. That was nan past of 4 formations known to person flown done nan ADIZ from Sept. 11 through Sept. 15.