Adm. Locklear: US ‘Concerned’ by Russian Bomber Flights

Says 'Cold War-style Activity' Raises Questions

Pacific Command head Admiral Samuel Locklear today said the Pentagon is growing increasingly concerned by Russian long-range bomber flights that move near the US air defense identification zone, calling it a return to “Cold War-style activity.

Though couching the situation as a new and alarming situation, Russian bomber flights near US airspace are nothing new, and seems to happen a few times a year.

Whether those flights spark an expression of “alarm” or not depends on whether the Pentagon is pushing the idea of Russia as a potential military enemy, or at least of the Pacific Command needing more Air Force assets.

Dubbed “Russian Bear” bombers by the Pentagon and NATO, the Tupolev Tu-95 are actually aging prop planes which were introduced in the 1950s. In addition to being used as a strategic bomber, the Tu-95 is also commonly used for maritime surveillance

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.