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Russian bombers on training exercise intercepted by US jets

U.S. Jets Intercept Russian Bombers Near Alaska, GLOBAL SECURITY NEWSWIRE National Journal 13 June 14  On Monday, U.S. military jets intercepted four Russian heavy bombers that flew close to Alaska, a key combatant command has acknowledged. 

U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told the Washington Free Beacon that U.S. radar detected four Tu-95 Bear H bombers around 4:30 p.m. local time on Monday, when the nuclear-capable aircraft flew near the western Aleutian Islands. Two U.S. F-22 fighter planes were launched to intercept the Russian bombers.

The Russian aircraft — thought to be conducting bombing drills — traveled eastward, then two of the Tu-95 aircraft reversed course and flew towards Russia’s far eastern territory. The other two bombers traveled southeast and, at approximately 9:30 p.m. local time, entered the U.S. northern air defense zone, flying as close as roughly 50 miles off the Northern California coast. Two U.S. F-15 fighter planes were then scrambled in response to intercept them……..

Davis said the Russian bombers seemed to be carrying out a training exercise: “They typically do long-range aviation training in the summer and it is not unusual for them to be more active during this time,” the Navy captain said. “They did not enter territorial airspace.”…….http://www.nationaljournal.com/global-security-newswire/u-s-jets-intercept-russian-bombers-near-alaska-20140612

June 13, 2014 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | general