8 Russian Aircraft intercepted by United States, Canadian Jets

Two units of United States F—22 fighter jets intercepted 6 Russian military airplanes neared western coast of Alaska.

Thursday 1:30 a.m. the two Canadian CF—18 fighter jets intercepted two long—range bombers 64 nautical kilometers off Canadian coastline in Beaufort Sea.

NORAD spokesman Lt. Col. Jazdyk, said that the United States jets intercepted the planes 88 kilometers from Alaskan coast. The planes from Russia were identified as 2 IL—78 refueling tankers, and two Mig—31 fighter jets and 2 Bear long—range bombers. They looped on the south then returned to base in Russia after Unite States jet scrambled.

A Russian plane enters the Air Defense Identification Zone, extends about 321 kilometers from its coastline. They did not enter autonomous airspace by United States or Canada.

The fighter jets were scrambled "basically, it is to let those aircraft know that we see them, and in case of a threat, to let them know we are there to protect our sovereign airspace."

In five years, jets that were under NORAD's command have intercepted more than 50 Russian bombers approaching the North American airspace.

NORAD a binational American and Canadian command responsible for the air defense in North America.