Over the past week, Russian combat aircraft triggered the deployment of F-35A Lightning II and CF-18 Hornet fighters from the air forces of the United States, Norway, and Canada. The presence of Russian Tu-142M3 and Il-20M reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft prompted the activation of alert protocols in order to identify, track, and intercept them in international waters.
According to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), on March 4 “…U.S. and Canadian aircraft positively identified, tracked and intercepted Russian military aircraft transiting through the Alaska ADIZ in international airspace north of Alaska…”.
Thanks to images released by NORAD, Russia deployed at least one Tu-142M3 reconnaissance aircraft, an aircraft belonging to its Navy. In response, the U.S. Air Force deployed fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II fighters from the 354th Fighter Wing based at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. For its part, the Royal Canadian Air Force participated in the operation with a pair of CF-18 Hornets to intercept the Russian four-engine aircraft.
It is worth noting that the Tu-142 aircraft of the Russian Navy were conceived for long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare tasks. Developed on the basis of the well-known Tu-95 Bear strategic bomber, the M3 variant (Bear F) operates with two units of Russian Naval Aviation, one of them belonging to the Pacific Fleet, based in Primorsky Krai.
Alert in northern Europe
Yesterday, the Norwegian Armed Forces reported two incidents involving Russian aircraft, in both cases an Il-20M reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft. The presence of the Russian military aircraft is due to Moscow’s interest in the activity that NATO is carrying out within the framework of the Cold Response 2026 exercise, a training event for which a considerable number of air, naval, and ground assets have been deployed in Norway and Finland.
During its reconnaissance flights in international airspace, the Il-20M was detected in advance by the air control systems of the Norwegian Armed Forces, prompting the deployment from Evenes Air Station of a Quick Reaction Alert section composed of two fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II fighters.
“…On Tuesday morning, an Ilyushin Il-20M flew in international airspace off Finnmark… This aircraft was also identified and tracked by two Norwegian F-35s before turning north from Sørøya and returning to the Kola Peninsula around 12:00…,” reported the Norwegian Armed Forces.
In Wednesday’s incident, the F-35A Lightning II “…identified and tracked the aircraft along the Norwegian coast before it turned north off Vesterålen. The aircraft subsequently flew south twice more, reaching as far as Lofoten, before returning to the Kola Peninsula around 13:30…”.
It is worth noting that this type of incident is common in the region, to the point that the Royal Norwegian Air Force usually conducts around 40 Quick Reaction Alert missions per year. Currently, the responsibility lies with the F-35A, although until a few years ago F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcon fighters also participated.
*Cover image: NORAD
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