NOME, AL - A Russian fighter aircraft and its U.S. equivalent were involved in a dangerously close interaction in airspace adjacent to Alaska last month.
The aircraft, a Sukhoi Su-35 multirole air superiority fighter, flew just meters away from an F-16 fighter during the incident. Footage released by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) revealed the combat aircraft overtaking the F-16 at a high speed.
Video footage revealed an American pilot reacting with surprise and concern as the Su-35 flew just by his aircraft. The Russian aircraft flew so close to its American peer that the bodily features of the Russian aviator in its cockpit became visible.
"NORAD aircraft flew a safe and disciplined intercept of Russian Military Aircraft in the Alaska ADIZ," U.S. Northern Command Gen. Gregory Guillot said of the incident in a statement. He referred to the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone- a stretch of airspace not considered sovereign to the United States, but bearing an aeronautical requirement that arriving aircraft identify themselves in the name of national security.
Guillot harshly criticized the conduct of the Russian aviator that engaged in the confrontation.
"The conduct of one Russian Su-35 was unsafe, unprofessional, and endangered all– not what you’d see in a professional air force."
The two fighters weren't the only aircraft involved in the confrontation, according to Fox News. The F-16 was approaching a Tu-95 bomber when the Russian fighter began its flight pattern. The F-16 had been approaching the Russian bomber at a moderate pace when the Su-35 zoomed by, leading the American aviator to react with audible surprise and bemusement.
NORAD revealed that a total of four Russian aircraft were involved in the high-skies confrontation, and the Russian pilots did not breach American airspace at any time. The Tu-95 is considered a strategic nuclear bomber with missile capability, filling a tactical role similar to that of the American B-52.
NORAD has disclosed that Russian aviation activity in the Alaska ADIZ is a regular phenomenon, and not one considered a serious security threat to the United States.
The aircraft, a Sukhoi Su-35 multirole air superiority fighter, flew just meters away from an F-16 fighter during the incident. Footage released by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) revealed the combat aircraft overtaking the F-16 at a high speed.
Video footage revealed an American pilot reacting with surprise and concern as the Su-35 flew just by his aircraft. The Russian aircraft flew so close to its American peer that the bodily features of the Russian aviator in its cockpit became visible.
"NORAD aircraft flew a safe and disciplined intercept of Russian Military Aircraft in the Alaska ADIZ," U.S. Northern Command Gen. Gregory Guillot said of the incident in a statement. He referred to the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone- a stretch of airspace not considered sovereign to the United States, but bearing an aeronautical requirement that arriving aircraft identify themselves in the name of national security.
Guillot harshly criticized the conduct of the Russian aviator that engaged in the confrontation.
"The conduct of one Russian Su-35 was unsafe, unprofessional, and endangered all– not what you’d see in a professional air force."
The two fighters weren't the only aircraft involved in the confrontation, according to Fox News. The F-16 was approaching a Tu-95 bomber when the Russian fighter began its flight pattern. The F-16 had been approaching the Russian bomber at a moderate pace when the Su-35 zoomed by, leading the American aviator to react with audible surprise and bemusement.
NORAD revealed that a total of four Russian aircraft were involved in the high-skies confrontation, and the Russian pilots did not breach American airspace at any time. The Tu-95 is considered a strategic nuclear bomber with missile capability, filling a tactical role similar to that of the American B-52.
NORAD has disclosed that Russian aviation activity in the Alaska ADIZ is a regular phenomenon, and not one considered a serious security threat to the United States.
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments