Russian bombers and fighter jets came within miles of U.S. airspace, leading the United States to make two different interceptions.
Both incidents happened early Wednesday morning, according to North American Aerospace Defense Command.
The first interception took place after two Tu-95 Bear bombers, accompanied by two Su-35 fighter jets and an A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft, flew within 20 nautical miles of the Alaskan shore, which is about 8 miles from U.S. airspace.
The second interception occurred when two Tu-95 bombers supported by an A-50 came within 32 nautical miles of the shore.
The Russian aircraft were intercepted by U.S. F-22s with support from KC-135 Stratotankers and an E-3 airborne warning and control aircraft.
“On several occasions, we have intercepted multiple Russian aircraft operating near Alaska, and we will continue to do air patrols to protect the approaches to our nations,” said NORAD commander Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy. “I offer that level of detail to illustrate the point we will continue to execute our homeland defense missions with the same capability and capacity we always bring to the fight.”
The U.S. intercepts Russian aircraft near Alaska with some regularity.
NORAD’s last report of an interception was May 20. In March, U.S. and Canadian fighter jets intercepted two Russian aircraft flying off the coast of Alaska.
