{"id":66473,"date":"2020-03-10T21:27:19","date_gmt":"2020-03-10T21:27:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/03\/10\/norad-intercepts-two-russian-bombers-near-alaska\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T02:47:29","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T02:47:29","slug":"norad-intercepts-two-russian-bombers-near-alaska","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/10\/norad-intercepts-two-russian-bombers-near-alaska\/","title":{"rendered":"NORAD intercepts two Russian reconnaissance aircraft near Alaska"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

North American Aerospace Defense Command said its aircraft intercepted two Russian Tu-142<\/a> maritime reconnaissance aircraft near Alaska on March 9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NORAD <\/a>said Tuesday that the Russian aircraft came within 50 nautical miles of the Alaskan coast and remained within the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone over international airspace for roughly four hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Russian aircraft were escorted the entire duration of the flight in the ADIZ by NORAD\u2019s F-22s and CF-18s, which were supported by a KC-135 Stratotanker and E-3 Sentry aircraft, a news release detailed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Russian aircraft never entered U.S. or Canadian airspace and remained over the Beaufort Sea, NORAD said in a release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNORAD continues to operate in the Arctic across multiple domains,\u201d Gen. Terrence J. O\u2019Shaughnessy, the commander of NORAD, said in the release. \u201cAs we continue to conduct exercises and operations in the north, we are driven by a single unyielding priority: defending the homelands.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"a
In this Monday, March 9, 2020 photo released by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), a Russian Tu-142 maritime reconnaissance aircraft, top right, is intercepted near the Alaska coastline. (NORAD via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercepts of Russian aircraft have been a contentious issue between NATO and Russia, especially as tensions with Moscow remain strained over Russia\u2019s support of separatists in east Ukraine and its aggressive actions countering Turkey in Idlib province, Syria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While alarming, NATO\u2019s Supreme Allied Commander Europe and commander of U.S. European Command, U.S. Air Force Gen. Tod Wolters said in June 2019, unsafe intercepts between NATO and Russian aircraft have decreased over the past two years, and are in most cases safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\t