US fighter jets scramble to intercept five Russian military aircraft operating near Alaska in a high-alert air defense operation

Tensions in the skies over Alaska spiked on Thursday as nine US fighter jets scrambled to intercept five Russian military aircraft approaching the region.

The rapid response came after the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected multiple Russian planes operating near the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), a sensitive stretch of international airspace closely monitored by both the US and Canada.

What NORAD Saw

According to NORAD, the Russian formation included two Tu-95 “Bear” bombers, two Su-35 fighter jets, and one A-50 airborne early warning aircraft.

While these planes remained in international airspace and did not cross into US or Canadian territory, their presence triggered a full interception protocol.

In response, NORAD deployed two F-16s, two F-35s, one E-3 airborne warning and control system aircraft, and four KC-135 refueling tankers.

The US jets intercepted, identified, and escorted the Russian aircraft until they left the ADIZ.

NORAD emphasized that the operation was routine and conducted to maintain national security and readiness.

A Pattern of Sky Encounters

This is not the first time Russian military aircraft have been tracked near Alaska.

In September of last year, US fighter jets were scrambled to intercept Russian Tu-95s and Su-35s in the same area.

That incident followed a series of encounters with a Russian IL-20 COOT aircraft, which was intercepted four times within a week.

NORAD even shared video footage showing a Russian fighter jet flying extremely close to a US aircraft in the ADIZ, highlighting the potential dangers of these encounters.

July 2024 also saw a historic first, when Chinese bombers joined Russian planes in the Alaskan ADIZ.

Russian Tu-95MS bombers flew alongside Chinese H-6 jets, marking the first known joint entry into the region by both countries’ military aircraft.

Understanding the Alaskan ADIZ

The Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone is a strip of international airspace that begins where US and Canadian sovereign airspace ends.

NORAD describes the ADIZ as a “defined stretch of international airspace that requires the ready identification of all aircraft in the interest of national security.”

Essentially, any aircraft entering this zone is closely monitored and often intercepted to confirm its identity and intentions.

Context: Russia’s Recent Military Activity

The five planes spotted this week come on the heels of Russian military drills with Iran, underscoring the broader geopolitical tensions at play.

Analysts say these maneuvers are part of Moscow’s ongoing strategy to project power and test Western responses in strategically sensitive regions.

What’s Next?

NORAD will continue to monitor the skies near Alaska closely.

While the intercepted aircraft stayed in international airspace this time, repeated incursions could lead to more frequent and larger-scale US and allied military responses.

Experts also note that joint exercises involving Russia, China, and other partners could increase the complexity of future airspace encounters in the region.

Summary

Nine US fighter jets intercepted five Russian military aircraft over Alaska’s ADIZ on Thursday.

The formation included two Tu-95 bombers, two Su-35s, and one A-50 early warning plane.

NORAD deployed a mix of F-16s, F-35s, an E-3, and four KC-135 tankers to identify and escort the aircraft, which stayed in international airspace.

This latest incident follows a series of Russian and Chinese air operations near Alaska over the past year, emphasizing the ADIZ’s role in national security and the growing geopolitical tensions in the Arctic region.