Particle.news
Download on the App Store
17 ARTICLES
·
2h ago

NORAD Scrambles F-16s and F-35s to Escort Russian Bombers Near Alaska

The command called the encounter routine, with all aircraft remaining in international airspace.

Image
An F-35 seen from inside the Russian Tu-95MS (Image credit: Russian MOD)
North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft positively identified and intercepted Russian Tu-95 and Su-35 military aircraft over the Bering Sea off Alaska's western coast July 22, 2025. (U.S. Department of Defense via AP)
Image

Overview

  • On Feb. 19, NORAD detected two Tu-95 bombers, two Su-35 fighters and an A-50 airborne early warning aircraft operating in Alaska’s Air Defense Identification Zone.
  • U.S. forces launched two F-16s, two F-35s, an E-3 and four KC-135 tankers to intercept, identify and escort the Russian formation until it left the zone.
  • NORAD said the aircraft did not enter U.S. or Canadian sovereign airspace and the activity was not considered a threat.
  • Russia’s defense ministry described a roughly 14-hour mission over the Bering Sea with air-to-air refueling and released footage of U.S. jets shadowing the planes.
  • The episode follows a recurring pattern of long-range Russian patrols near Alaska, with the A-50’s presence underscoring an intelligence-collection objective.