Late Thursday, the United States announced that a joint bomber patrol by Russia and China near Alaska was not unexpected. At a press conference, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated, “We closely monitored these aircraft, tracked the aircraft, intercepted the aircraft, which demonstrates that our forces are at the ready all the time and we have very good surveillance capabilities.”
Austin added that while he would not discuss intelligence matters publicly, this was the first instance of such a joint flight by Russia and China. He confirmed that the aircraft did not enter US airspace, coming closest at approximately 200 miles off the coast.
During the briefing, Austin delivered a clear message to Russia and China: “We’re going to be at the ready. We are at the ready. We will always be at the ready. We’re going to defend this nation. And so, if there is a challenge or a threat to the United States of America, our troops will be at the ready and they will do the right thing.”
He further expressed confidence in NORTHCOM and NORAD’s ability to intercept any challenges from any direction.
Earlier on Thursday, Russian and Chinese nuclear-capable strategic bombers conducted patrols near Alaska in the North Pacific and Arctic regions. According to NORAD, American and Canadian fighter jets intercepted the Russian and Chinese aircraft in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
The Russian defense ministry stated that Tu-95MS “Bear” strategic bombers and Chinese Xi’an H-6 strategic bombers participated in patrols over the Chukchi and Bering seas and the North Pacific. The ministry noted that Russian and Chinese crews cooperated throughout all stages of the air patrol, accompanied at times by fighters from foreign countries, and no foreign airspace was violated.