Buzzed by the Bear… On Sept. 23, 2024, a U.S. Air Force F-16 operating under the direction of North American Aerospace Defense Command, was conducting a routine intercept of a Russian Tu-95 aircraft in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), when a Russian Su-35 air superiority fighter craft conducted an unsafe maneuver directed at the F-16.
Gen. Gregory Guillot, Commander, NORAD and U.S. Northern Command, spoke on the event: “On Monday (Sept. 23), NORAD aircraft flew a safe and disciplined intercept of Russian military aircraft in the Alaskan ADIZ. The conduct of one Russian Su-35 was unsafe, unprofessional, and endangered all – not what you’d see in a professional air force.” (Department of Defense video)