US Fighters Intercept Chinese And Russian Bombers Near Alaska

U.S. fighters were scrambled on Wednesday to intercept four Chinese and Russian bombers approaching Alaska’s airspace.

Detection and Response

North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) reported it detected four nuclear-capable bombers entering the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) off the coast of the Aleutian Islands.

The aircraft, comprising two Russian TU-95 “Bear” strategic bombers and two Chinese H-6 “Badger” strategic bombers, were promptly intercepted by U.S. and Canadian Air Force jets. These interceptors escorted the bombers until they exited the ADIZ, ensuring no violation of U.S. airspace.

Joint Operations

The Russian Air Force frequently conducts such operations, with flights occurring almost monthly. However, Wednesday’s joint operation with China highlights a growing cooperation between the two nations’ military forces in the region.

“Make no mistake, this is an escalation – the first time Russia and China have sent a joint bomber taskforce into the Alaska ADIZ,” Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) said, according to The Washington Times.

“Fortunately, our brave military members working closely with our Canadian allies were ready, conducting joint operations to intercept these bombers.”

Mr. Sullivan said the Arctic is a critical zone of strategic competition for the United States, Russia and China.

“As I have been warning our Pentagon leaders for years, these kinds of joint Russia and China incursions on the sea and in the air near Alaska will continue,” he said.

The Pentagon needs to build up military forces and infrastructure in the region to protect the Arctic and the Indo-Pacific region he said.

Russian bombers frequently fly into the U.S. and Canadian air defense zones in what military analysts say are attempts to test air defenses.

But the presence of Chinese bombers here hasn’t been reported before.

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