American fighter jets intercept Russian aircraft near Alaska for third time in week

This was reported by ABC News, according to Ukrinform.

In a NORAD statement, it was noted that on Sunday, one E-3 Sentry command and control aircraft, two F-16 fighter jets, and two KC-135 Stratotankers were dispatched “to intercept and visually identify” a Russian Il-20 military aircraft operating in the Alaska ADIZ.

U.S. military command stated that the Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter U.S. or Canadian airspace. “This Russian activity in the Alaskan ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat,” the statement added.

Over the past week, U.S. F-16 fighter jets twice – on August 21 and August 20 – scrambled to intercept a Russian Il-20 aircraft flying in the Alaska ADIZ.

“NORAD employs a layered defense network of satellites, ground-based and airborne radars, and fighter aircraft to detect and track aircraft and inform appropriate actions. NORAD remains ready to employ a number of response options in defense of North America,” Sunday’s command statement said.

As reported by Ukrinform, ADIZ is a territory extending 241 kilometers from U.S. territory, where the country requires aircraft to have transponders or identify themselves. U.S. territorial airspace begins 12 nautical miles (22.2 kilometers) from the shoreline.

Photo: U.S. Air Force