NORAD Detects and Tracks Russian Military Aircraft in Alaskan ADIZ

USNORTHCOM’s AOR includes air, land, and sea approaches and encompasses the continental United States, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, and the surrounding water out to approximately 500 nautical miles.

NORTH AMERICA — On Thursday, the North American Aerospace Defense Command detected and tracked one IL-20 COOT aircraft operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone.

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The Russian military aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace. This activity occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat.

NORAD launched two F-16 fighter aircraft and one KC-135 tanker to positively identify and monitor the aircraft. An ADIZ begins where sovereign airspace ends and requires the ready identification of all aircraft in the interest of national security.

NORAD employs a layered defense network of satellites, ground-based and airborne radars, and fighter aircraft to detect and track aircraft and inform appropriate actions.

USNORTHCOM’s AOR includes air, land, and sea approaches and encompasses the continental United States, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, and the surrounding water out to approximately 500 nautical miles. It also includes the Gulf of Mexico, the Straits of Florida, and portions of the Caribbean region to include The Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The commander of USNORTHCOM is responsible for theater security cooperation with Canada, Mexico, and The Bahamas.

USNORTHCOM’s AOR includes air, land, and sea approaches and encompasses the continental United States, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, and the surrounding water out to approximately 500 nautical miles.

On Wednesday, the North American Aerospace Defense Command detected and tracked one IL-20 COOT aircraft operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone.

The Russian military aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace.

This activity occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat. NORAD launched two F-16 fighter aircraft and one KC-135 tanker to positively identify and monitor the aircraft. An ADIZ begins where sovereign airspace ends and requires the ready identification of all aircraft in the interest of national security.

NORAD employs a layered defense network of satellites, ground-based and airborne radars, and fighter aircraft to detect and track aircraft and inform appropriate actions.

Frequency of NORAD Reports on Russian Aircraft in Alaskan ADIZ in 2025 to Date