Russian aircraft prompt NORAD's Arctic vigilance with F‑35s
Russian military aircraft were spotted over the Arctic, where their "multiple activities" caught the attention of both American and Canadian forces. Eight aircraft, including F-35 fighters and an AWACS early warning plane, were deployed in response.
NORAD, or the North American Aerospace Defense Command, clarified that an F-35 crash in Alaska on the same day was unrelated to this operation.
A total of eight aircraft were dispatched
Based on information from NORAD, American F-35s and Canadian CF-18s conducted air patrols earlier this week in response to Russian activities in the Arctic. Eight planes in total were deployed, although no specifics were provided about the Russian aircraft or their activities.
The Canadian sector patrol from NORAD moved towards northern areas of Canada. At the same time, the American formation headed to the coasts of Alaska and the Yukon to closely monitor Russian aircraft movements. The Canadian patrol included two CF-18s and a KC-135 tanker, whereas the American patrol featured two F-35s, one E-3 AWACS, and two KC-135 tankers.
A few hours after these units were airborne, NORAD deployed two F-16s from Alaska to Greenland as part of a standard agreement regarding military presence in the Arctic.
An official statement emphasized that these actions did not respond to any specific threat. The exact location of the fighters' station in Greenland remains undisclosed, though the northernmost American base there is the Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base), a strategic Cold War-era location.
In January 2023, four F-35s were deployed to Greenland. The Russian aircraft were operating in international airspace.
F-35 crash in Alaska on the same day
The patrols took place on January 27, and on the same day, an F-35 fighter crashed at Eielson Base in Alaska. The pilot managed to eject and has since been discharged from a military hospital. NORAD emphasized that this incident was not connected to the Arctic operation.
The United States has consistently cautioned Russia and China against activities in the Arctic that could threaten American territory and its resources. Meanwhile, Russia is bolstering its regional presence, including testing hypersonic missiles. Recently, the Russian submarine Arkhangelsk was dispatched to the Northern Fleet base in the Arctic.
