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Press Releases
Press Release | Oct. 18, 2022

NORAD detects, tracks, identifies and intercepts Russian aircraft entering Air Defense Identification Zone

Alaskan NORAD Region

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska  –  

On 17 October, the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Region detected, tracked, positively identified and intercepted two Russian Tu-95 Bear-H bombers entering and operating within the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

 

Two U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft intercepted the Russian aircraft which remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace.

 

The recent Russian activity in the North American ADIZ is not seen as a threat nor is the activity seen as provocative. NORAD tracks and positively identifies foreign military aircraft that enter the ADIZ. NORAD routinely monitors foreign aircraft movements and as necessary, escorts them from the ADIZ.

 

NORAD employs a layered defense network of satellites, ground-based radars, airborne radar and fighter aircraft to track and identify aircraft and inform appropriate actions. We remain ready to employ a number of response options in defense of North America and Arctic sovereignty.

 

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NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information, please contact ANR Public Affairs at (907) 552-2341 or v3alcom.pa@us.af.mil. Contact us after hours at (907) 229-1807.

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