The sun was setting over the vast Alaskan skies on September 23, 2024, when the routine became anything but mundane. A U.S. F-16, flying on behalf of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), was sent to intercept a Russian Tu-95 bomber. Little did the American pilot know, this would morph from standard procedure to a dangerous display of aerial stunts.
Moments after engaging the Russian aircraft, the F-16 suddenly found itself closely shadowed by a Russian Su-35 fighter jet. Eyewitnesses, including military officials, were quick to label the maneuver as both "unsafe" and "unprofessional." Video footage released by NORAD later showcased this alarming encounter, which appeared more like something out of Cold War playbook than modern military interactions.
Gen. Gregory M. Guillot, who oversees both NORAD and U.S. Northern Command, did not mince words when describing the incident. "The conduct of one Russian Su-35 was unsafe, unprofessional, and endangered all — not what you'd see in a professional air force," he stated emphatically. The heavy tone of his words underscored the gravity of the situation, marking it as the first documented case of such dangerous interactions since Russia resumed its long-range aviation patrols back in 2007.
Despite accusations of reckless behavior from Russian pilots being thrown around over the past few years — especially with their harassment of U.S. troops deployed to Syria — this incident marked NORAD's first confirmed encounter of Russian aircraft displaying unsafe maneuvers within its Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). But how did this all transpire?
During the interception, as the F-16 maneuvered to safely pass the Tu-95, the Su-35 brazenly cut across the F-16's path, forcing the American pilot to veer sharply to avoid potential collision. Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. David Deptula remarked on the Su-35’s actions, labeling it as overly aggressive and indicative of declining discipline within the Russian Air Force.
"It’s completely unprofessional," said Deptula, adding, "this kind of reckless flying puts lives at risk. The training and discipline expected of military pilots seem to be eroding rapidly. One can only question the motivations behind such risky behaviors, especially when military tensions are already high globally."
Since Russia began its expansive military campaign against Ukraine, pilots have been documented harassing American military units with increasing frequency. This includes incidents where Russian aircraft enforced their aerial dominance by flying dangerously close to American bases, even leading to some mishaps, such as the mid-air confrontation involving a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone and Russian fighters resulting in the drone's crash in the Black Sea.
Looking back, this was not the first brush with danger for NORAD. The organization reported tracking multiple incursions by Russian military planes off the Alaskan coastline earlier this month. A pattern is beginning to emerge, with eight Russian military aircraft and four navy vessels spotted around Alaska, exacerbated by concurrent joint military exercises conducted by Russia and China. Fortunately, none of these aircraft entered U.S. airspace, which remains one of the key focal points of military power plays between nations.
Both the American and Canadian military work closely to monitor aerial activity, especially as the climate of international relations continues to shift. The upsurge of Russian military maneuvers indicates some underlying tensions — especially as noted by U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, who has called for increasing the U.S. military presence within Alaska to counter perceived aggressions from Moscow.
Senator Sullivan noted, "The reckless and unprofessional maneuvers of Russian fighter pilots — within just a few feet of our Alaska-based fighters — underline the aggression we're witnessing from dictators like Vladimir Putin." His comments, echoing the frustrations felt across the broader defense community, raise alarms about the future of military engagements. Such provocations could escalate tensions, potentially leading to broader confrontations.
The total number of Russian aircraft and their increased activity around Alaska has become difficult to ignore. Historically speaking, NORAD had observed around six or seven incursions annually, but last year saw these numbers balloon to 26 instances. With 2024 not far behind, the military is set to contend with another year of high-stakes aerial interactions.
On the other hand, these interactions could be construed as probing or testing by Russian forces. Military experts point out this might be part of Vladimir Putin's strategy to gauge U.S. reactions: "You probe with bayonets: if you find mush, you push. If you find steel, you withdraw," explained retired Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove, referencing the famous quote from Vladimir Lenin.
This tactical behavior displays the shifting attitudes within Russian military jets, hinting at possible strategies to escalate tensions without triggering formal warfare. It seems like Russia's military might, coupled with its continued posturing against NATO, is costing countries not just their peace of mind but also their security.
While response measures from Canadian and U.S. military assets seem to be keeping pace for the time being, one has to wonder how long before one of these close encounters turns disastrous. The latest video of the F-16 and Su-35 encounter makes it evident there is much at stake, and something more than strained relations hangs precariously over the skies of Alaska.
It's moments like these — fraught with tension and unpredictability — where the reliance on discipline and professionalism within the armed forces becomes imperative. Understanding the motivations behind each air encounter might help shape future protocols and mitigate risks, but for now, eyes will remain skyward, watching for the next move from either side.
With the backdrop of increasing aggression boiling under the surface and international discourse contending with decades of militarism, the skies are at once both the frontlines and the lifelines of geopolitical stability. The incident serves as a stark reminder of how easily the line can blur between operational efficiency and catastrophic error.
