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Title: WEST: NORAD Head Says Russia Increasing Arctic Long Range Air Patrols
Source:
US Naval Institute
URL Source: http://news.usni.org/2015/02/10/wes ... -arctic-long-range-air-patrols
Published: Feb 11, 2015
Author: Sam LaGrone
Post Date: 2015-02-11 17:23:13 by redleghunter
Ping List: *Military or Vets Affairs* Subscribe to *Military or Vets Affairs*
Keywords: None
Views: 2753
Comments: 11
SAN DIEGO, CALIF. – While Russian military aircraft have stepped up their activity everywhere from the North Sea to the Baltic to the Black Sea in the last year they have also been spotted more frequently closer to the U.S. territory in the Arctic, the head of U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) told USNI News on Tuesday. In particular – flights of Tupolev Tu-95 Bear ‘H’ Bombers have increased recently NORTHCOM’s Adm. Bill Gortney said. “They’ve been very aggressive – under my NORAD hat – for us in the Arctic,” he said to USNI News following a keynote address at the WEST 2015 conference. “Aggressive in the amount of flights, not aggressive in how they fly.” Since the March seizure of the Ukrainian region of Crimea by Russian forces Moscow has significantly stepped up air patrols in Europe, Asia and near the Americas. The flights extend as far North as the edge of American air space near Alaska and as far South as U.S. holdings in Guam. In December, two Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornets intercepted a two Bears near the Beaufort Sea entering a U.S. and Canadian Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). NATO interdicted a record number of Russian flights in 2014 and the Russians claim likewise the U.S. has stepped up its own flights near Russian territory. During the Cold War, Russian long-range aircraft routinely patrolled the edges of U.S. and Canadian airspace probing NORAD defenses, but largely stopped after the collapse of the Soviet Union. As for the current round of patrols, the bomber flights are being used as a “messaging tool,” Gortney said. “Obviously it’s pretty clear that they’re doing that. So they’re flying in places… where they’ve never flown before.” The flights are typically Bears – some capable of firing long-range cruise missiles – but no fighters as of yet, he said. Gortney said despite the increased uptick in flights, the Russians are abiding by international aviation norms. “We haven’t seen anything that crosses into the unprofessional,” Gortney said. “They’re talking and squawking like they should, they’re just doing more of it. “
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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 5.
#1. To: redleghunter (#0)
They have every right to operate in international airspace just as we do. It's not a "threat", because there is zero probability that Russia is going to attack the United States. If they want to burn up gas flying circles in the air, who cares? We should not get our panties in a wad over this. We should ignore it.
The main objective might be testing and increase of combat readiness.
#6. To: A Pole, Vicomte13, TooConservative, CZ82 (#5)
It's the old Cold War cat and mouse game. I am sure the sub cat and mouse game is back too. What makes this dangerous for both sides? Both sides have servicemembers doing this cat and mouse game who were born at the end of the Cold War. So stuff like this from both sides, if a mistake happens, can lead to escalation. I think it is Putin's way of telling Obola that even though we are not friends right now, we should still talk. And of course Obola is oblivious to that. For old Cold Warriors like Vic, me and CZ82 this stuff happened almost daily if not weekly when we started serving. So much so that it went unreported unless some side actually violated international air or water boundaries.
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#5. To: Vicomte13 (#1)
Replies to Comment # 5. The main objective might be testing and increase of combat readiness.
End Trace Mode for Comment # 5.
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