WASHINGTON (AP) - Two Russian heavy bombers skirted U.S. airspace off the coast of Alaska last week, prompting the U.S. Air Force to scramble two F-15s to intercept them, defense officials said.
The Russian planes left without incident. Such Russian probes occur a few times a year, the officials said, characterizing the events as routine.
The officials said the Russian bombers, Tu-95 Bears, were probably part of annual springtime training exercises taking place off Russia's far eastern coast.
Such training sometimes includes testing the U.S. air defense network, to give the Russian crews practice dealing with the interceptors that are expected to respond, the officials said.
U.S. air defenses have been on heightened alert since Sept. 11. The military has since conducted fighter patrols, and more fighters are kept on alert at air bases around the country.
The Russian Bear is a propeller-driven strategic bomber that is capable of carrying nuclear weapons.