Japan’s Jets Flew 474 Sorties Over Past Year to Simulate Interception of Russian Planes

Mitsubishi F-15J of the JASDF (Source: Wikipedia)

TOKYO, April 15. -- Japanese self-defense force fighter planes were ordered into the air 474 times for simulated interception of Russian planes during the period from April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015, the Japanese Defense Ministry said.

Russia’s Strategic Aviation Begins Exercise Featuring Missile Carrying Cruisers, Bombers

Tu-160 and Tu-95 (Source: ITAR-TASS/Marina Lystseva)

MOSCOW, April 1 - A headquarters exercise has begun on a major base of Russia’s strategic aviation in the city of Engels, Saratov region in the Middle Volga area, Colonel Igor Klimov, the chief public relations officer of the Russian Air Force told reporters on Wednesday.

Engaged in the exercise are the strategic missile carrying cruisers Tupolev-160 (Blackjack) and Tupolev-95MS (Bear), long-distance missile-carrying strike bombers Tupolev-22M3 (Backfire), the early warning and control aircraft A-50 (Mainstay), the Sukhoi-27 and MiG-31 fighter jets, as well as Antonov-12 airlifters and Mi-8 helicopters.