Russian strategic bombers conduct exercise near Alaska
By The Associated Press
The Russian Defense Ministry said two nuclear-capable strategic bombers flew near Alaska as part of an air force exercise. Pictured: A Russian Tupolev Tu-160 supersonic strategic bomber flies above the Kremlin's cathedrals on May 7, 2014, in Moscow during a rehearsal of the Victory Day parade. (Yuri Kadobnov/AFP via Getty Images)
MOSCOW — The Russian military says that two nuclear-capable strategic bombers have flown to the easternmost Chukotka Peninsula, near Alaska, as part of an air force exercise.
The Russian Defense Ministry said that the Tu-160 bombers flew about 7,000 kilometers (4,350 miles) from their home base near Saratov in southwestern Russia to Anadyr, on Chukotka, before returning to their home base. The ministry said the mission was the first time the bombers had flown to Chukotka, which faces Alaska across the Bering Strait.
An Ilyushin Il-78 Midas air force tanker and a Tupolev Tu-95MS Bear strategic bomber fly during the military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of victory in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War, May 9, 2015, in Moscow. (RIA Novosti via Getty Images)
The squadron flew inland from the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush to conduct mountain flying, low-level tactical flying, off-airport landing and more.