Official statements from the US Department of State

Russian Jet's Dangerous 50-Foot Maneuver Near US F-16 in Alaska ADIZ

Sep 30, 2024, 06:28 PM

On September 23, 2024, a Russian Su-35 fighter jet conducted a dangerous maneuver near a U.S. Air Force F-16 in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) off the coast of Alaska. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) reported that the Russian jet's behavior was 'unsafe, unprofessional, and endangered all.' The incident occurred during a routine intercept of Russian military aircraft, including Tu-95 bombers, by NORAD forces. Video footage released by NORAD shows the Russian jet flying within 50 feet of the U.S. aircraft, prompting strong reactions from U.S. military officials. General Gregory Guillot of NORAD criticized the Russian pilot's actions, emphasizing the risk posed to all involved.