–
(CNN) — US F-22 fighter jets on Saturday intercepted four Russian Tu-142 reconnaissance aircraft that entered the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), NORAD said in a statement.
Saturday’s interception follows encounters similar to earlier this month in which US F-22 planes intercepted Russian nuclear-capable bombers near Alaska on three separate occasions. The most recent previous meeting was on Wednesday when U.S. F-22 fighter jets intercepted two IL-38 maritime patrol aircraft Russians who entered the Alaska Area on Wednesday night.
NORAD also indicated that the Russian plane reached 65 nautical miles south of Alaska’s Aleutian island chain and prowled ADIZ for nearly eight hours. He added that the Russians remained in international airspace and never entered the sovereign airspace of U.S the Canada.
“This year alone, NORAD forces have identified and intercepted Russian military aircraft, including bombers, fighters, and maritime patrol aircraft, on ten separate occasions when they have flown into ADIZ,” said NORAD commander General Terrence J. O’Shaughnessy. .
“Despite the covid-19, we remain fully prepared and capable of carrying out an infallible mission of defense of the fatherland,” he assured.
– .
