Although American defense officials believe the flights pose no military threat, they do believe the high frequency is intended as “strategic messaging.” But they also said the sightings are “nothing out of the ordinary.”
On Monday, U.S. F-22 fighter jets intercepted two Russian bombers in international airspace 100 miles from Kodiak Island, Alaska. A U.S. military official called the interaction ‘safe and professional.’ “
A little less than 24 hours later, an American surveillance plane responded to two Russian bombers spotted in the same area, this time about 41 miles off the Alaskan coast.
Defense authorities note there is nothing unusual about the flights, and that the United States conducts similar missions along both the Chinese and Russian coasts.
The Russian Defense Ministry notes that it regularly conducts patrol missions above neutral waters of the Arctic, the Atlantic, the Black Sea and the Pacific Ocean. It says its flights are carried out in strict compliance with international regulations and with respect to national borders.
However, in February, Russian jets buzzed U.S. ships sailing in the Black Sea, an action termed “unprofessional” and potentially dangerous by defense experts. Observers believe the increased Russian flights in general are part of an effort to signal that Russia intends to expand the limits of its military power and put the West on notice that the Russians can go anywhere.
The frequency of the Alaskan area flights can be seen as part of rising tensions between the United States and Russia, which became more prominent because of the American reaction to the April 4 chemical attack on Syrian civilians and subsequent U.S. missile strike on a Syrian air base.
Differences remain over the Russian takeover of the Crimea part of the Ukraine and a larger U.S. military presence in NATO allied countries.As the Russians increased the flights near Alaska, the U.S. Air Force dispatched its newest F-35 stealth fighters to the United Kingdom.
It remains to be seen if the posturing on both sides can be contained and provocations avoided that could lead to actual military conflict between the two powers.
Source: CNN
Don’t over react. When they are low on fuel they will fly home.