Russian bombers flew over Alaska just one day after U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed international relations over the phone in a conversation described by the White House as, “a very good one.”
The show of military strength has been previously described by Pentagon officials as a test of the U.S. Air Force’s response – and this time America passed with flying colors.
When two Russian Tu-95 “Bear” bombers — escorted by a pair of Su-35 “Flanker” fighter jets — entered Alaska’a Air Defense Zone Thursday, the U.S. Air Force was prepared.
The formation was quickly intercepted by two F-22 fighter jets that were patrolling the airspace, U.S. officials told Fox News.
The Russian planes quickly retreated back home.
In late April, the U.S. military reported Russian planes detected off Alaska four times in one week, intercepted by U.S. fighter jets twice.
In Trump and Putin’s phone call Wednesday, they spoke about Syria and, “agreed that the suffering in Syria has gone on for far too long and that all parties must do all they can to end the violence,” according to the White House press release.
They also spoke on how to bring an end to terrorism in the Middle East and how to resolve tensions with North Korea.
Trump described relations with Russia as at an “all-time low” in April, with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson concurring, saying the two countries are at a “low point.”
The recent flight of Russian fighter jets is just the latest in an ongoing, tense relationship. But the outcome should be a message to both leaders that the U.S. military is strong, and prepared for whatever military action Russian should take.
-The Horn News editorial team