Tuesday, May 21, 2019

NORAD News:Russian Bombers and Fighters Make Show of Force Near Alaska

According to a press release,on 20 May 2019,NORAD responded to multiple challenges presented by Russian military aircraft.Initially,two Tupolev Tu-95 Bear bombers were intercepted in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) by two US Air Force F-22 Raptor fifth generation fighter jets.Oddly,Russia then sent a second wave of aircraft,two more Tu-95s,plus two Su-35 fighter jets as well,into the ADIZ.These were met by two more F-22s,plus an E-3 Sentry AWACS for overall surveillance of the incident.
All the Russian aircraft remained in international air space.
According to NORAD Commander GEN Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy,US Air Force:
NORAD's top priority is defending Canada and the U.S.Our ability to deter and defeat threats to our citizens,vital infrastructure,and national institutions starts with successfully detecting,tracking,and positively identifying aircraft of interest approaching U.S. and Canadian airspace.*
NORAD explains that it:
employs a layered defense network of radars,satellites,and fighter aircraft to identify aircraft and determine the appropriate response.*
On 26 January 2019,NORAD had deployed an E-3 Sentry AWACS;two F-22 fighters;and two Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 fighters to intercept two Russian Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers when the Blackjacks entered the Canadian Air Defence Indentification Zone.

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