### NORAD Criticizes Russian Jet for Close Call with American F-16

A recent close encounter between a Russian fighter jet and an American F-16 has drawn stark criticism from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) for endangering lives. Last week, a Russian Su-35 jet crossed paths with an American F-16, coming within a mere 50 feet of its nose. NORAD described the Russian pilot's maneuver as "unsafe and unprofessional," emphasizing the danger it posed.

The incident was captured in dramatic video footage released by NORAD on Monday, showing the Russian jet zooming past the American aircraft at a high speed. The confrontation occurred on September 23 within the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) off the coast of Alaska, where Russian aircraft had been particularly active over several days. This zone is international airspace that extends 150 miles from the Alaskan coastline, but any aircraft entering it are required to identify themselves or risk interception by NORAD.

On that particular day, two U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jets were dispatched to intercept two Russian Tu-95 bombers and their escorts, two Su-35 fighter jets. According to Gen. Gregory Guillot, NORAD's top commander, the conduct of one Russian Su-35 was not in line with professional military standards, and could have had dangerous consequences.

Footage from the F-16 canopy camera shows the moment the Russian jet entered the field of view, coming dangerously close before rolling to one side and speeding past. This sudden maneuver caused the F-16's nose to wobble, either from the wake of the Russian jet or as a response from the American pilot maintaining control of the aircraft.

Though no further details were provided about the specific actions taken that day, a NORAD statement confirmed that four Russian military aircraft were detected and tracked operating in the Alaska ADIZ. The statement also clarified that the Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not breach American or Canadian sovereign airspace. NORAD emphasized that such Russian activities in the Alaska ADIZ are routine and are not considered threatening.

This close encounter marks the culmination of a two-week period during which NORAD had frequently detected and tracked Russian aircraft flying through the ADIZ.