Two Chinese fighter jets intercepted an Air Force WC-135 Constant Phoenix in an unsafe manner, including flying inverted above the USAF plane on Wednesday. The WC-135 was flying a “routine” mission in international airspace over the East China Sea at the time, according to Pacific Air Forces. The Su-30 jets came within 150 feet of the WC-135, and one flew in an “inverted maneuver,” a defense official told ABC News. The US military is addressing the incident with China, according to PACAF. The Air Force’s WC-135 has repeatedly flown in the region to detect possible nuclear tests by collecting air samples the the region.
Fly, Fix, Defend: Wilsbach Aims for a Readier Air Force
July 31, 2026
When Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach became Chief of Staff of the Air Force in November 2025, he coined a simple motto: “Fly and Fix”—so you can fight if necessary. In the nine months since, Airmen have been flying, fixing, and fighting—a lot.