Russian bombers, four times in four days, flew close to Alaska in another series of provocations. On Wednesday, two IL-38 maritime patrol aircraft flew near Alaska and on Thursday two Tu-95 Bear bombers flew near the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone, according to CNN. On Monday, Air Force F-22s responded to TU-95s flying near the zone, and on the next day an Air Force E-3 Sentry also responded to the TU-95s. A North American Aerospace Defense Command official said although the heightened activity has not been seen “for a couple years,” it is not unprecedented, CNN reported.
The Space Force is proposing to cancel a $3.4 billion program intended to provide missile warning and tracking coverage of the northern polar region as part of its 2027 budget request.