Command aerospace defense North America (NORAD) reports that U.S. and canadian fighter jets intercepted two Russian warplanes near Alaska and followed them for several hours, reports the New York Post.
Two reconnaissance aircraft Tu-142 entered the zone of identification of air defense of Alaska Monday, prompting the command of America and Canada to launch an American stealth aircraft F-22 Raptor and the canadian hornets CF-18. In addition to this, NORAD reports that in addition to fighter jets, they also sent a tanker aircraft Stratotanker KC-135 and aircraft E-3 Sentry AWACS to track Russian aircraft.
NORAD F-22s, CF-18s, supported by KC-135 Stratotanker and E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft, intercepted two Russian Tu-142 maritime reconnaissance aircraft entering the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone on Monday, March 9th. pic.twitter.com/39n3zqy8F8
— North American Aerospace Defense Command (@NORADCommand) March 10, 2020
According to the joint U.S.-canadian command, which is concentrated on the defense of North American airspace, Russian aircraft remained in the perimeter security in international airspace about four hours in 80 kilometers from coast of Alaska.
«The Russian plane did not go into the sovereign airspace of the US or Canada,» wrote representatives of NORAD in your message.
NORAD General Terrence J. O’shaughnessy said that NORAD continues to work in several areas of the Arctic.
«As we continue to conduct exercises and operations in the North, we adamantly pursues a single priority: protecting the homeland.» he said.
