US again intercepts Russian bombers, fighter jets off Alaska coast [2nd in 2 days]

www.click2houston.com ^ | Updated: 9:01 AM, May 22, 2019 | By Ryan Browne and Devan Cole

[Red Badger]

For the second time in two days, U.S. F-22 stealth jets intercepted Russian bombers and fighter jets off the coast of Alaska, North American Aerospace Defense Command said in a statement.

A total of four F-22 stealth jets were involved in intercepting the two Russian Tu-95 bombers Tuesday, which had entered the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone, according to NORAD. The zone extends approximately 200 miles off Alaska's western coast. The bombers returned to the area again, this time accompanied by Su-35 fighter jets and were subsequently intercepted by U.S. aircraft.

[Sacajaweau]

They were in International Air Space.

[Bitman]

Relax. It is all part of the game. The day we don’t intercept them is the day to worry.

[NonValueAdded]

F22s, eh? I guess they didn’t see that coming. Or are they tuning new detection gear? Readiness exercise for both sides.

[LIConFem]

They probably expected F-106s to match the technology of their Bears.

[z3n]

They were in International Air Space.

~~~

I know, right?

In other news, a Canadian frigate was spotted in the North Atlantic 200 miles from the coast of Maine, and Cuban weather balloon was spotted 30 miles off the coast of Florida.

[KC_Lion]

Alaska Ping.

[gibsonguy]

My guess is they wanted to see which jets, how many and at what point the intercept would occur.

[DIRTYSECRET]

We need our pilots to play a game of chicken.

[yarddog]

I remember when the Virginia Air National Guard replaced their F-106s with F-16s. The pilots said the F-106 was the cadillac of fighters. Really comfortable to fly.

[PapaBear3625]

My guess is they wanted to test radar which would detect F-22’s

[ClearCase_guy]

[RayChuang88]

The Tu-95’s are easy to find. Just the radar reflection from the big spinning propellers of the NK-12 turboprop engines is huge.

[nickedknack]

Russia remains a kleptocracy attached to a gas pump — saber rattling of a dead country.

[Red Badger]

You would think Sarah Palin could see them from her house!..................

[353FMG]

This game was played back in 1958 when I served in th USAF in Alaska.

[Skooz]

Nice!

[grania]

200 miles?? How close do our jets fly to Russian territory? I’m sick of the US being a global bully, holding other nations to standards different from what we practice.

[nuke_road_warrior]

My guess is they wanted to see which jets, how many and at what point the intercept would occur.

Yep, probing defenses, looking at response times, all part of the game. I doubt anyone believes that a couple of Bears meant to do anything more than what they did. Useful intel for other parts of the world where we may be involved. Iran anyone"

[upchuck]

Putin keeping us on our toes. Just having a little fun.