Don’t Panic and keep your eyes 👀 on your own journey

Recently, two Chinese H-6 bombers and two Russian Tupolev Tu-95 bombers were tracked flying over international waters near Alaska. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected, tracked, and intercepted these aircraft while they were in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). It's important to note that the ADIZ is not sovereign airspace but a zone where identification is required for national security reasons.

The Chinese and Russian aircraft did not enter U.S. or Canadian sovereign airspace, and NORAD stated that the activity was not perceived as a threat. This joint patrol was part of a coordinated exercise between the Chinese and Russian air forces, aimed at enhancing their operational cooperation. This was the eighth joint air patrol conducted by these two nations since 2019.

This event mirrors similar past activities by Russia, which has a long history of flying military aircraft near Alaska. China’s participation represents its increasing military presence far from its shores. These operations, while routine and non-threatening according to military officials, highlight the strategic partnerships and growing capabilities of both China and Russia in the region.

For further details, you can refer to the coverage provided by [Military.com](https://www.military.com) and [Stars and Stripes](https://www.stripes.com).

The media's heightened attention to the joint Chinese and Russian air patrol over international waters near Alaska can be attributed to several factors:

1. **Geopolitical Tensions**: The presence of Chinese and Russian military aircraft near U.S. airspace comes at a time of heightened tensions between these nations and the United States. This includes issues related to trade, territorial disputes, and military posturing, making any military activity by these countries particularly newsworthy.

2. **Strategic Significance**: The Bering Sea and the Arctic region are of strategic importance due to their natural resources and shipping routes. Increased military activity in these areas is a demonstration of power and influence, thus attracting significant media coverage.

3. **Public Interest and Security Concerns**: The public tends to be interested in and concerned about national security issues. Reports of foreign military aircraft near U.S. territory naturally draw attention and concern, leading to more media coverage.

4. **Historical Context**: Similar past activities, especially those by Russia, have established a pattern that the media continues to follow and report on. The novelty of China's participation in these activities adds a new dimension to the story, amplifying its newsworthiness.

5. **Military Transparency and Communication**: Organizations like NORAD frequently publicize such incidents to maintain transparency and reassure the public and allied nations about their readiness and response capabilities. These official communications are then picked up and disseminated by the media.

By highlighting these events, the media plays a role in informing the public about potential security threats and geopolitical developments, even if the incidents are routine and non-threatening according to military assessments [oai_citation:1,NORAD Says It Tracked Chinese and Russian Long-Range Bombers Off Alaska | Military.com](https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/07/25/norad-says-it-tracked-chinese-and-russian-long-range-bombers-off-alaska.html) [oai_citation:2,NORAD jets intercept 4 Russian and Chinese bombers off Alaska coast | Stars and Stripes](https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2024-07-24/russian-chinese-bombers-alaska-intercept-14587099.html).