A high-stakes game in the skies over Alaska is unfolding, involving Russian military aircraft and U.S. intercept operations.
At a Glance
- The U.S. military has deployed about 130 soldiers and mobile rocket launchers to Shemya Island in the Aleutian chain of western Alaska.
- This move follows an increase in Russian military planes and vessels approaching American territory.
- NORAD tracked Russian military planes in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone over four days.
- Two Russian IL-38 military aircraft were tracked within the Alaska ADIZ.
U.S. Military Response to Russian Threat
Approximately 130 soldiers and mobile rocket launchers have been deployed to Shemya Island in Alaska following a series of interceptions of Russian military aircraft by NORAD. This deployment is part of a broader strategic maneuver to bolster U.S. defenses as Russian military activity near U.S. airspace increases.
The interception of two Russian IL-38 aircraft on September 15 marked the fourth such incident in just under a week. These repeated approaches have heightened security concerns in the U.S. and prompted discussions about the potential for escalatory actions and U.S. preparedness.
Four Russian military aircraft detected near US airspace https://t.co/Co1mCVpQsB pic.twitter.com/oxIZvfMbt1
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) May 3, 2024
Implications for U.S. National Security
Eight Russian military planes and four navy vessels, including submarines, have come close to Alaska recently. NORAD tracked these aircraft in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone for four consecutive days. Fortunately, none of the intercepted aircraft breached U.S. airspace, and Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder assured there is no immediate cause for alarm.
“It’s not the first time that we’ve seen the Russians and the Chinese flying in the vicinity, and that’s something that we obviously closely monitor, and it’s also something that we’re prepared to respond to,” said Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder.
Simultaneously, two years ago, a similar encounter saw a U.S. Coast Guard ship near Chinese and Russian naval vessels in the Bering Sea. The strategic importance of the Arctic grows as a point of contention among the U.S., Russia, and China amidst the rising number of adversarial military exercises in the region.
U.S. and Canadian fighter jets intercepted four Russian and Chinese bombers flying in international airspace near Alaska, officials said. The incident marks the first time Russian and Chinese bombers flew together near Alaska. @MarthaRaddatz has details. https://t.co/hfhPRZsWlb pic.twitter.com/sk4Diew15L
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) July 25, 2024
Strategic Deployments and Future Projections
The Army sent soldiers to Shemya Island on September 12, along with two High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). Additionally, a guided missile destroyer and a Coast Guard vessel have been deployed to the region. Sen. Dan Sullivan has called for a larger military presence in the Aleutians, suggesting the reopening of the Naval Air Facility Adak, which was closed in 1997.
Sullivan called for a larger military presence in the Aleutians while advocating for the U.S. to respond with strength to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Maj. Gen. Joseph Hilbert, commanding general of the 11th Airborne Division, emphasized the importance of readiness and the strategic capabilities demonstrated by such rapid deployments. This deployment coincides with Russia’s extensive naval exercises. The U.S. is also deploying paratroopers, radar units, and additional HIMARS systems to Shemya Island, highlighting the heightened readiness.
