US intercepts 2 Russian bombers off Alaska coast

a reply to: hombero

Off the coast of California is a Navy testing area. They've been doing an ASW exercise, and possibly testing a new system. Nothing new there.

a reply to: LogicalGraphitti

Like CulturalResilience said earlier, practically sanctioned exercise with agreed engagement protocols.

Usually there are assistance craft (Russian MIGS and their version of AWACS, remember, this in the 1980s I'm remembering, LOL), they would all take a look at each other then turn around. A single TWO bomber seems a little less spectacular.

a reply to: TEOTWAWKIAIFF

Some of their European missions are pretty extensive. They fly multiple bombers, fighter escort, and an ELINT aircraft doing the same thing. Usually they're Tu-22s or Tu-160s, with Sukhoi escorts. They recently flew a couple fairly big missions around Japan as well.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: CulturalResilience

Russian crew members used to try to get phone numbers for American pilots that would intercept them. The Americans would counter with Playboy centerfolds.

There's one photo that is famous, yet will probably never be seen outside the people involved, of an F-14 RIO that intercepted a Bear wearing a gorilla mask.

Now thats some straight up MAVERICK bullsnip there. Zap what if the jets made the bombers engines stall out or used their thrust to cause turbulance resulting in a crash...could that be seen as a declaration of war with no shots fired?

a reply to: yuppa

Yes, if the Russian government chose to see it that way. No matter how you look at it, the US would be directly responsible for the downing of the aircraft. No two ways about it.

a reply to: LogicalGraphitti

Lil Kim does have an airforce.

It has 940 aircraft to its name, none of which are remotely advanced or capable of doing too terribly much outside their own airspace.

a reply to: Shamrock6

Um.. No
It's been this way for 50 years...cat and mouse.. Not unusual...

a reply to: Zaphod58

Yup, and 100 miles ain't too shabby

a reply to: Zaphod58

A Tu-22 is different than the Tu-95s that were sent bank. The poor Tu-95 Bears has nice props! The TV news report said the Russian crew "acted professionally" when engaged.

I think the Norad op center is at Eilson. They called the scramble out of here (JBER). A couple F-22s and usually they do the whole support--AWAC and a tanker with another on standby.

But after the stunt Russia pulled buzzing the destroyer last year... who knows?

We even made national news on this one. Funny to watch the "award winning" local crew having to switch over to some national talking head who adds nothing to conversation. I think there is more info on the link I posted than what ABC World News reported!

Had it been the supersonic bomber instead... then I would not be so nonchalant.

a reply to: TEOTWAWKIAIFF

Meh, wouldn't be the first time. No more dangerous with them than the Bear. Neither is going to use gravity bombs, and by the time they reach the ADIZ they're well within range to launch.

MSN web page reports two Russian bombers intercepted by Alaska, but they show two high tech Russian fighter jets instead of the Tu 95 propeller bombers. Why does the mainstream media always try to distort the facts and news?

a reply to: TamtammyMacx

They're lazy. They find a picture of something Russian and figure that's good enough. Outside the military and people that follow aviation, most people couldn't tell the difference between a 747 and 757, let alone a Tu-95 and Su-27.

They pretty much stopped for a few years for lack of money as I recall. Been going on for 50 years or so.

a reply to: TamtammyMacx

They didn't have the correct photo and thought no one would notice me thinks.

While it's still routine, Russia has really stepped up their flights. Four times in as many days they've flown near Alaska. Mon, Tuesday, and Thursday they flew Tu-95s. On Wednesday they flew a pair of Il-38 maritime patrol aircraft. Monday, a pair of F-22s and an E-3 responded. Tuesday, just an E-3. No word on Wed or Thursday.

a reply to: LogicalGraphitti

Russia is testing defence system of all border countries. Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Georgia... all these countries were provocated by Soviets.