U.K., Norway Send Jets to Intercept Russian Aircraft

[Purveyor]

Source: Bloomberg News

Sept. 6 (Bloomberg) -- Four U.K. Royal Air Force Tornado jets were launched to intercept eight Russian strategic bombers, the British Ministry of Defence said. Two aircraft from the Norwegian air force also trailed Russia's planes.

The RAF Tornado F3 jet fighters were scrambled early today to intercept the Soviet-era Russian bombers ``which had not entered U.K. airspace,'' the ministry said in an e-mailed statement. The ministry didn't elaborate on how close the RAF aircraft got to the Russian planes.

Jon Inge Oegland, a Royal Norwegian Air Force Wing Commander based at Stavanger, said in a telephone interview the Russian aircraft ``flew in early today at six in the morning and were met by two Norwegian fighter planes, who trailed them for a while.'' He didn't specify exactly where the Russian bombers were.

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The Russian Ministry of Defense said today the aircraft were conducting a routine exercise and all flights were carried out ``in accordance with international rules.'' Some ``14 Tu-95 MS aircraft yesterday evening started planned air patrols,'' over the waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and Northern Arctic Oceans, the ministry said in an e-mailed statement.

Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=auqgRJHamM0s&refer=home

[caligirl]

1. and B52's loaded with nuclear missiles flew across this country, makes perfect sense now.