An interception of Russian bombers on the US-Russian border was atypical, as the Americans used undercover fighter jets.
Flights by Russian bombers, most notably the Tupolev Tu-95 Bear, a giant turboprop with four counter-rotating engines, are common across Russia's border with Western countries, as well as between international airspace and NATO countries. In fact, for many, this was a great demonstration of Russian air power, which ended up proving limited during the invasion of Ukraine, with the loss of several aircraft and the non-use of Tu-95 bombers.
Likewise, because of this conflict, Russia has reduced border flights, but not stopped them. On the 17th, for example, US Air Force (USAF) F-16 Falcon fighter jets intercepted two Bear bombers, as the US military itself confirmed on social media. Until then, it would be just another routine patrol and follow-up flight, but the case happened in Alaska, which has only one F-16 fighter unit, the 18th Aggressor Squadron. As the name implies, they are aggressors, that is, made to attack, but in a simulated way.
This unit serves to train American and allied pilots against enemy threats and, for that, they use tactics from other countries, mainly Russia, in addition to using a paint similar to the enemy's to create a visual memory in the pilots and adapt their mind to search opponents with the naked eye.
F-16 fighter from another Aggressor squadron
Shortly after the military announced the case of the Russian bomber incident, a Twitter page posted photos of some aircraft, showing exactly the 18th Aggressor Squadron's disguised fighter jets, with real, not training, missiles. The aircraft used, simulate the painting of Russian planes. In addition to having real and ready-to-use weapons, other details called attention, such as the separate and illuminated hangar, more equipped than usual, which is used for the fighters that are on duty.
The missiles that could be seen on the aircraft are the AIM-120 and AIM-9, respectively guided by long-range and short-range heat-guided radar, which together with extra fuel tanks make a typical configuration for an intercept mission.
The F-16s that intercepted the Russian Tu-95 Bear-H bombers on Monday were assigned to the 18th Aggressor Squadron. The F-22s that usually fly alert missions are in Europe right now, which is why the aggressor jets are now on alert. Pretty cool to see them with live missiles! pic.twitter.com/zk3rqELcvq — Aerospace Intelligence (@space_osint) October 19, 2022 A spokesperson for the US Aerospace Command of Alaska told The Drive that the fighters of the Aggressor squadron are often used by the Indo-Pacific Command for real missions, implying that the F-16s are not just there for training. Usually the F-22 fighters, which are on the same base as the Falcons, are used in this mission, as shown in the video below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mNpcP694pA