What Happened?
On July 22, 2025, NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) detected and tracked Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), a stretch of international airspace just outside U.S. and Canadian sovereign airspace. NORAD confirmed that:
- The aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter sovereign territory of North America. (norad.mil)
- The activity “occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat.” (norad.mil)
A similar incident occurred on April 14, 2025, when Russian planes were again detected in the ADIZ off Alaska NORAD tracked them without scrambling interceptors. (norad.mil, https://www.alaskasnewssource.com)
What Is the ADIZ?
The Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) is an area extending hundreds of miles beyond a nation’s sovereign airspace. Its purpose is to:
- Monitor and identify aircraft approaching North America.
- Track flights of interest especially military aircraft.
- Scramble interceptor jets, when necessary, to verify identity.
NORAD uses satellites, radars, and fighter jets to maintain surveillance and readiness. (norad.mil, ABC News).
Why It Matters
- Strategic Significance: Alaska is a critical gateway for monitoring activity from Russia and China. Regular patrols in the ADIZ help assess potential threats.
- Routine Behavior: Neither Russia nor China has entered sovereign airspace during these flybys. NORAD emphasizes this is normal, expected behavior nor considered hostile. (https://www.alaskasnewssource.com)
- Escalation Risk: In some past cases, such as in September 2024, Russian Su 35 jets performed unsafe, aggressive maneuvers near U.S. interceptors considered “unprofessional” by NORAD. (AP News)
NORAD and NORTHERN Command Response
- Consistent Tracking: NORAD continuously monitors all military aircraft entering the ADIZ via coordinated radar and satellite systems.
- Interception Protocols: In the event of unidentified or suspicious aircraft, fighter jets are scrambled to intercept and visually identify the plane.
- Current Incident: No intercept was necessary this time, as NORAD judged the Russian presence non-threatening. (ABC News)
Historical Context
| Date | Incident |
|---|---|
| July 24, 2024 | NORAD scrambled F-35s, F-16s & CF-18s to intercept Russian TU‑95 and Chinese H‑6 bombers. (norad.mil) |
| Sept 23, 2024 | Russian Su‑35 performed an unsafe intercept maneuver, nearly colliding with a U.S. F-16. (AP News, Business Insider) |
| Feb & Apr 2025 | Similar Russian ADIZ activity tracked, no threats assessed. (norad.mil, FLYING Magazine, Globedge) |
Final Analysis
- Regular Patrols
Russian military aircraft frequently fly through the Alaska ADIZ. NORAD monitors each instance, but these flybys do not currently pose a threat. - International Norms Adhered
The aircraft respect sovereign airspace boundaries and follow international identification protocols (transponders on, flight plans shared). - NORAD Readiness
The command remains constantly vigilant, managing layered surveillance and intercept readiness even when no immediate threat is perceived. - Potential Flashpoints
While most incursions are non hostile, aggressive aerial behavior like the Sept 2024 Su‑35 incident could escalate tensions and demands careful handling. - Monitoring Arctic Security
As Arctic and near-Arctic activity increases (e.g., Russia-China bomber patrols), NORAD’s role in Alaska becomes more critical to deterrence and stability.
In summary, NORAD’s July 22 detection of Russian military aircraft near Alaska reaffirms persistent Russian air operations in the ADIZ, yet underscores that as long as international norms are respected, these patrols do not threaten U.S. airspace. The incident like many before illustrates the balancing act between strategic surveillance and avoiding escalation.
