Interior Alaska News

U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan has expressed strong disapproval of the recent actions by Russian fighter pilots near Alaska airspace. His statement comes after the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) released a video showing a Russian Su-35 aircraft performing a dangerous maneuver close to a U.S. Air Force fighter during an intercept on September 23 in Alaska’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

"The reckless and unprofessional maneuvers of Russian fighter pilots—within just a few feet of our Alaska-based fighters—in Alaska’s ADIZ on September 23 put the lives of our brave Airmen at risk and underscore the escalating aggression we’re witnessing from dictators like Vladimir Putin," said Sen. Sullivan. "These tactics stand in stark contrast to the skill and discipline of our Alaska-based service members who are on the front lines at all hours in defense of our entire country. I want to commend our Airmen for consistently and professionally executing these complex intercept missions."

Senator Sullivan emphasized the need for a robust response, advocating for an increase in America’s military presence in Alaska and the Arctic region through enhanced infrastructure and additional military assets. He specifically mentioned projects such as the strategic Arctic port at Nome and reopening the Adak Naval Air Facility.

On September 17, Senator Sullivan praised the deployment of 11th Airborne Division soldiers to the Aleutian Islands due to rising Russian and Chinese military activities near Alaska. Between September 11 and September 15, Alaska-based forces detected four separate incursions by Russian military aircraft operating in the ADIZ, along with one incursion by Russian naval vessels into the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).