The U.S. Intercepts Multiple Russian Military Aircraft Near Alaska
On February 19, Xinhua News Agency reported from San Francisco (Reporter Wu Xiaoling) that the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) issued a statement saying that multiple Russian military aircraft were detected operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone on the same day, prompting the U.S. to scramble fighter jets for interception.
The statement noted that the Russian military aircraft entering the area that day included two Tu-95 strategic bombers, two Su-35 fighter jets, and one A-50 early warning aircraft. NORAD subsequently dispatched two F-16 fighter jets, two F-35 fighter jets, one E-3 early warning aircraft, and four KC-135 aerial refueling tankers to intercept, identify, and escort the aforementioned aircraft until they left the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone.
NORAD stated that the Russian military aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter U.S. or Canadian airspace.
On February 19, U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected multiple Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone. U.S. fighters, including F-16s and F-35s, were dispatched to intercept and escort the Russian aircraft, which included Tu-95 bombers and Su-35 fighters, until they left the area. The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace throughout the incident.
- Multiple Russian military aircraft were detected in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone.
- U.S. fighters intercepted and escorted the Russian aircraft.
- The Russian aircraft included Tu-95 bombers, Su-35 fighters, and an A-50 AWACS.
- U.S. aircraft involved in the interception included F-16s, F-35s, an E-3 AWACS, and KC-135 tankers.
- The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter U.S. or Canadian airspace.