The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) launched multiple U.S. fighter jets on Thursday (February 19) to intercept Russian military aircraft detected near Alaska. According to a statement from NORAD, the Russian planes entered the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), which is a buffer area just outside U.S. and Canadian sovereign airspace that requires strict identification procedures from all aircraft for national security purposes.
NORAD responded by deploying two F-16s, two F-35s, one E-3 surveillance plane, and four KC-135 refueling aircraft to intercept, identify, and escort the Russian aircraft. The Russian formation included two Tu-95 bombers, two Su-35 fighter jets, and one A-50 airborne early warning plane. The Russian planes remained in international airspace and did not enter U.S. or Canadian territorial airspace, officials confirmed.
NORAD emphasized that such Russian activity in the Alaskan ADIZ “occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat.” The agency noted that it uses a “layered defense network of satellites, ground-based and airborne radars, and fighter aircraft” to monitor and respond to any potential incursions, ensuring a robust defense posture in the region. As reported by Fox News, the incident underscores ongoing routine interactions between U.S. and Russian forces near this strategically sensitive zone.
The ADIZ, though not sovereign U.S. airspace, plays a critical role as a boundary for early detection and response operations. According to The Hill, similar incidents have happened several times in recent years, with NORAD regularly intercepting Russian aircraft in the region.
In a press release cited by Reuters, NORAD reassured the public that it “remains ready to employ a number of response options in defense of North America.” The agency was established in 1957 as a joint command between the United States and Canada to protect against aerial threats.
While Thursday’s event did not escalate further, officials continue to monitor the region closely. NORAD’s commander, U.S. Air Force General Gregory M. Guillot, reiterated the agency’s commitment to national defense and early warning of any potential attacks from aircraft, missiles, or space vehicles. No further incidents have been reported, and NORAD maintains heightened vigilance in Alaska and other strategic locations.
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