NORAD Intercepts Russian and Chinese Jets

Make no mistake, this is an escalation—the first time Russia and China have sent a joint bomber task-force into the Alaska ADIZ.

Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) on news that the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) intercepted Russian and Chinese jets in Alaska’s Air Defense Identification Zone – “a defined stretch of international airspace that requires the ready identification of all aircraft in the interest of national security” according to NORAD.

Why It Matters: NORAD confirmed in a press release that the Russian and Chinese jets operated in international airspace and were not considered a “threat.” However, the release also noted NORAD “will continue to monitor competitor activity near North America and meet presence with presence.” Senator Sullivan (R-Alaska) and other reports suggest this as “the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.”

Senator Sullivan went on to comment on social media: “The Arctic is a critical area of strategic competition between the U.S., Russia and China. As I have been warning our Pentagon leaders for years, these kinds of joint Russia and China incursions on the sea and in the air near Alaska will continue. For that reason, the United States needs to continue to build up our military forces and the infrastructure that goes with it in Alaska to protect our nation’s vital interests in the Arctic and the INDOPACOM theater.”

This incident happened on the same day President Biden was scheduled to address the nation from the Oval Office about his recent decision to not seek reelection.

Read More: NORAD press release

Senator Sullivan press release

NORAD intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in first such flight (CNN)

Photo Credit: Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP