US Intercepts 2 Russian Bombers Near Alaska

The U.S. intercepted two Russian bombers flying in an international buffer zone near Alaska on Monday, but it was not seen as a threat or provocative maneuver, according to North American Aerospace Defense Command.

The Alaskan Region of NORAD said in a news release it detected, tracked, positively identified, and intercepted two Russian TU-95 bombers entering and operating within the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone. NORAD said the aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian airspace.

NORAD said U.S. F-16 fighter jets, F-22 fighter jets, KC-135 Stratotankers and E-3 AWACS were part of the mission to intercept the aircraft, which are propeller-driven strategic bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

NORAD said it tracks and positively identifies all military aircraft that enter the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone. NORAD routinely monitors aircraft movements and, as necessary, escorts them from the zone.

"Since Russia resumed out of area Long Range Aviation activity in 2007, NORAD has seen a yearly average of approximately six to seven intercepts of Russian military aircraft in the ADIZ," NORAD said. "These numbers have varied each year from as high as 15 to as low as zero."

NORAD said it employs a layered defense network of satellites, ground-based radars, airborne radar, and fighter aircraft to track and identify aircraft and inform appropriate actions.

"We remain ready to employ a number of response options in defense of North America and Arctic sovereignty," NORAD said.

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