Russian bombers, four times in four days, flew close to Alaska in another series of provocations. On Wednesday, two IL-38 maritime patrol aircraft flew near Alaska and on Thursday two Tu-95 Bear bombers flew near the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone, according to CNN. On Monday, Air Force F-22s responded to TU-95s flying near the zone, and on the next day an Air Force E-3 Sentry also responded to the TU-95s. A North American Aerospace Defense Command official said although the heightened activity has not been seen “for a couple years,” it is not unprecedented, CNN reported.
The first flight of the secretive B-21 bomber has slipped to mid-2022, but the program is moving along well, Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office director Randall Walden said in an exclusive interview. The second copy of the B-21, which will be used for structural testing, is now on the production…