Russian Tu-95 Bear bombers, for the second time in as many days, flew close to the Alaska shore prompting an Air Force response. The bombers, which were spotted about 41 miles off the coast of Alaska on Tuesday, prompted an Air Force E-3 Sentry to scramble and track the bombers, CNN reported. The provocation comes one day after Bear bombers flew near Alaska, and two F-22s scrambled in response. The F-22s intercepted the bombers in a “safe and professional” manner, the Pentagon said.
When acting Air Force Secretary Gary A. Ashworth rescinded service-wide “Family Days” last week citing the need to build readiness, he left it up to commanders, directors, and supervisors to decide if they would still permit extra days off. Here’s how Air Force major commands are taking that guidance.