The interception of a record number of aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) off the west coast of North America "strained" the units of the US Air Force (Air Force), reports Air Force Times a statement by Lieutenant General David Kramm from the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, located in Anchorage (Alaska).
According to him, the US Air Force is observing an increase in Russia's military activity in the Arctic. "Last year, we intercepted more than 60 aircraft [of the Russian Aerospace Forces]," the lieutenant general said.
The publication, citing data from Anchorage Daily News for 2015, reports that the US Air Force previously noticed "an average of about 10 incursions of Russian aircraft per year," primarily Tu-95 strategic bombers, as well as anti-submarine and reconnaissance aircraft. "Despite the fact that our units are under pressure, I will tell you that they are coping with this very, very effectively," Kramm assured.
The military commander noted that, in particular, the fifth-generation F-22 Raptor fighters are being sent to intercept Russian aircraft.
In January, the American publication The Drive wrote that in August 2020, the US Air Force was studying possible ways to use low-profile strategic bombers, in particular the B-2 Spirit, to deliver a "deep strike on an enemy target", probably related to Russia or China.
Ivan Potapov
