The “close encounter” with the Russian Su-35 fighter took place on September 23, when U.S. Air Force (USAF) F-16 fighter jets conducted a routine intercept of Russian aircrafts in the Alaskan ADIZ.
On that day, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) issued a statement reporting that it detected and tracked four Russian military aircrafts (two Tu-95 “Bear” strategic bombers escorted by two Su-35 fighters) operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). This Russian activity in the Alaskan ADIZ occurs regularly and is not considered a threat, although the frequency of these incursions has increased recently.
An ADIZ is a designated airspace where aircraft are identified as they approach a nation’s territorial airspace. This enables the armed forces to react swiftly to potential threats. Nevertheless, this particular operation deviated from the norm when one of the Su-35s executed an exceptionally close maneuver, passing within mere meters of an F-16’s nose in a provocative and hazardous demonstration.
“On Sept 23, 2024, NORAD aircraft flew a safe and disciplined intercept of Russian Military Aircraft in the Alaska ADIZ. The conduct of one Russian Su-35 was unsafe, unprofessional, and endangered all – not what you’d see in a professional air force.” – Gen. Gregory Guillot pic.twitter.com/gXZj3Ndkag
— North American Aerospace Defense Command (@NORADCommand) September 30, 2024
Gen. Gregory Guillot called the Russian pilot’s conduct “unsafe, unprofessional and dangerous,” adding that it was “not what you would see in a professional air force.” A miscalculation on the part of the Russian pilot could have triggered an air collision with unpredictable consequences, both for the crews and for escalating tensions between the two powers.
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