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US Air Force Scrambles Jets To Intercept Russian Bombers Off Alaska And California Coast

Published on: July 8, 2015 at 8:58 AM ET
Tara Dodrill
Written By Tara Dodrill
News Writer

U.S. Air Force jets were scrambled when Russian bombers were spotted off the coast of California and Alaska on the Fourth of July. While America enjoyed Independence Day with cookouts and fireworks, Vladimir Putin ‘s military was flexing its muscle just miles away from the celebration.

Two Russian bombers flew close to California and Alaska , according to comments made by two senior Defense Department officials to Fox News . The first Russian aircraft was spotted about 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time off the Alaskan coast. Two F-22s were took flight to reportedly “intercept” the two Tupolev Tu-95 bombers . The Russian planes are referred to as long-range strategic bombers and are reportedly capable of transporting nuclear weapons.

The second Russian bombers sighting reportedly happened just a half-hour later, along the central coast of California. Two U.S. Air Force F-15s were reportedly sent from an undisclosed location to intercept two Russian Tu-95 Bear bombers.

NORAD has not confirmed publicly if either set of the Russian bombers were armed. Putin’s aircraft reportedly stayed 12 nautical miles off the coast and did not enter into United States air space. Neither NORAD or the Defense Department will reveal how close the Russian planes came to the United States.

https://youtu.be/gpInqu1EeuM

“These are not unprecedented flights, but we are postured to respond whether Alaska or California,” NORAD spokesman Michael Kucharek said. “At no time did the bombers enter North American sovereign airspace.”

While the Russian bombers were in the air and flying along the coast of California and Alaska, Vladimir Putin reportedly called President Barack Obama to wish him a happy Fourth of July.

As previously reported by the Inquisitr , Putin allegedly threatened a nuclear war in order to force NATO forces out of nations bordering his county. The World War 3 claims were said to have been uttered during a private meeting between intelligence staffers from Washington, D.C., and Moscow.

The nuclear war threats were allegedly in response to any plans by NATO nations to return the Crimean peninsula back to Ukraine. The Russian president reportedly feels that any such action would be looked upon as a declaration of war. Should NATO countries take steps to return Crimea to the Ukraine, Vladimir Putin allegedly willing to use whatever force is necessary, including nuclear war, to prevent any transfer of power in the Crimean peninsula.

Do you think a new Cold War has begun and World War 3 is possible?

[Image via Shutterstock ]

TAGGED:Vladimir Putin
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