“The North American Aerospace Defense Command F-22 fighter aircraft, supported by KC-135 air refuelers, intercepted three groups of two Tu-142 Russian maritime patrol aircraft entering the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone late at night,” the order said. Statement on Friday.
When the Russian plane landed within 50 nautical miles off the coast of Alaska, they were in international airspace.
On Thursday, the U.S. Northern Command said it was inspecting a Russian submarine that came ashore in international waters off the coast of Alaska.
A U.S. official told CNN that it was “very unusual” for a Russian submarine to surface in the area.
Russia occasionally flies military aircraft into the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone, which extends beyond U.S. and Canadian airspace, and that invasion often leads to U.S. airstrikes. Or operated by Canadian jets as part of NORAD.
However, US military officials say there has been an increase in such Russian flights in recent months.
“This year, we have operated more than a dozen intercepts, the most in recent years. The importance of our continued efforts to advance air defense operations to and from the north has never been clearer,” General Glenn Weinhark, Commander Norad, said in a statement Friday. Said.
The U.S. showed its strength on Friday, flying four B-52 bombers over all 30 NATO members.
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