Janice R. Andrews
A recently released video by the U.S. military captures a hair-raising moment between a Russian Su-35 fighter jet and a U.S. Air Force F-16 in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). The footage, from September 23, shows the Russian aircraft passing perilously close to the American plane during an interception mission.
The U.S. pilot, operating under North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), was following standard protocols when the near-miss occurred. NORAD commander Gen. Gregory Guillot sharply criticized the Russian pilot’s actions as “unsafe” and “unprofessional,” while commending the U.S. pilot’s composure under pressure.
This incident comes at a time of escalating tensions between Russia and the U.S. in the region. Recently, a joint Russia-China military exercise saw multiple Russian aircraft and naval vessels, including submarines, approach Alaskan waters. Although no airspace violations occurred, the frequency of such approaches has sparked concern among U.S. military and political leaders.
Senator Dan Sullivan, serving on the Senate Armed Services Committee, pointed to this incident as evidence of increasing Russian aggression. He advocated for bolstering U.S. military presence in Alaska and the Arctic to address these emerging threats.
The close call underscores the Arctic’s growing strategic significance and the need for increased military vigilance in the area, especially as relations between the U.S., Russia, and China become increasingly strained.
