Russian Bombers Intercepted By U.S. Planes For Second Day In A Row

US F-22 Jets Intercept Russian Bombers for a Second Day in a Row, NORAD Says

BY JACK PHILLIPS

U.S. F-22 jets intercepted Russian bombers near the coast of Alaska for a second day, according to North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

Russian nuclear-capable bombers flew into the Air Defense Identification Zone, which is about 200 miles off of Alaska’s western coast, said NORAD.

“Two pairs of F-22 fighter jets, each with an E-3 intercepted Tu-95 bombers Su-35 fighter jets entering the Alaskan ADIZ May 2,” NORAD tweeted.

Those bombers were intercepted by two F-22s, exited the air space, and then re-entered the Air Defense Identification Zone along with two Su-35 fighter jets, according to the agency.

Two pairs of F-22 fighter jets, each with an E-3 intercepted Tu-95 bombers Su-35 fighter jets entering the Alaskan ADIZ May 21. The bombers entered the ADIZ and were intercepted by two F-22s, exited and then re-entered the Alaskan ADIZ accompanied by two Su-35 fighter jets. pic.twitter.com/NYP6EVq2Xg

— North American Aerospace Defense Command (@NORADCommand) May 22, 2019

As a result, “NORAD committed an additional two F-22s and E-3 to relieve the initial intercept aircraft. A KC-135 refueling aircraft supported both of NORAD’s intercept teams,” it said.

After that, the Russian jets stayed in international airspace and at no time entered U.S. or Canadian airspace, NORAD noted.

The May 21 flyby wasn’t confirmed by the Ministry of Defense.

NORAD committed an additional two F-22s and E-3 to relieve the initial intercept aircraft. A KC-135 refueling aircraft supported both of NORAD’s intercept teams. The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and at no time entered U.S. or Canadian sovereign airspace.

— North American Aerospace Defense Command (@NORADCommand) May 22, 2019

A day before that, on May 20, NORAD said it intercepted several Tupolev Tu-95 bombers and Su-35 fighters after entering the Alaskan airspace zone.

In a statement, military officials said NORAD’s “ability to deter and defeat threats” begins with “detecting, tracking, and positively identifying” non-American aircraft in U.S. airspace.

“We are on alert 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year,” the statement continued.

The agency also noted that it has experienced a total of five intercepts in the Air Defense Identification Zone in 2019 “and the 2nd day in a row that Russia has flown into the Alaskan” zone.

NORAD fighters intercepted Russian bombers+fighters entering Alaskan ADIZ May 20. 2x Tu-95s were intercepted by 2x F-22s; a second group of 2x Tu-95+2x Su-35 was intercepted later by 2 more F-22’s; NORAD E-3 provided overall surveillance. The aircraft remained in int’l airspace pic.twitter.com/VrNuSWFOQm

— North American Aerospace Defense Command (@NORADCommand) May 21, 2019