NORAD intercepts Russian aircraft near Alaska; no threat to U.S. airspace

NORAD says it tracked and intercepted Russian military aircraft near Alaska on Wednesday.

Officials report that two Tu-95 bombers and two Su-35 fighter jets were operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone, or ADIZ. NORAD responded with an E-3 airborne warning and control aircraft, four F-16 fighter jets, and four KC-135 refueling tankers to identify and intercept the aircraft.

The Russian planes stayed in international airspace and did not enter U.S. or Canadian sovereign airspace. NORAD officials say this type of activity in the Alaskan ADIZ happens regularly and is not considered a threat.

The ADIZ is an area of international airspace near U.S. borders where aircraft are monitored for national security purposes. NORAD says it continues to maintain a layered defense syste