Russian Military Aircraft Incursion Prompts US and Canadian Fighter Jet Response Near Alaska

The Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone is intended to serve as a buffer to warn of potential incursions by foreign aircraft.

A Russian Tu-142 maritime reconnaissance aircraft escorted by an F-22 after entering the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone on March 9, 2020. NORAD/Department of Defense

U.S. and Canadian defense officials said late Wednesday that two Russian military aircraft were found operating in the Alaskan and Canadian identification zones, prompting the Air Force to scramble jets in response.

A statement from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said U.S. and Canadian officials detected and tracked two Russian Tu-142 military planes earlier on Wednesday, an incident that NORAD described as routine.