F-22s intercept Russian maritime recon aircraft near Alaska
Shawn Snow
An Air Force F-22 Raptor assigned to the 3rd Wing flies over Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Feb. 27, 2018. The F-22 Raptor is the U.S. Air Force’s premium fifth-generation fighter asset. (Photo by Jamal Wilson)
Two Russian IL-38 maritime reconnaissance aircraft were intercepted Wednesday near Alaska by F-22s supported by KC-135 and E-3 airborne early warning aircraft, according to North American Aerospace Defense Command.
NORAD said the Russian aircraft entered the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone and were intercepted in the Bering Sea north of the Aleutian Islands. The Russian maritime aircraft never entered U.S. or Canadian airspace.
“COVID-19 or not, NORAD continues actively watching for threats and defending the homelands 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.,†said General Terrence J. O’Shaughnessy, the NORAD Commander.
— North American Aerospace Defense Command (@NORADCommand) April 9, 2020
https://www.militarytimes.com/flashpoints/2020/04/09/f-22s-intercept-russian-maritime-recon-aircraft-near-alaska/
