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(S//SI//REL) Flying BEAR Approach Alaska -- SIGINT Is Watching
FROM: Captain
AMOC Chief of Analysis
Run Date: 07/17/2006
USAF
(S//SI//REL) SIGINTers at the AMOC follow the flight route of Russian strategic-strike aircraft.
(S//SI//REL) While a recent strategic aviation exercise showcased Russia's long-range aviation
capabilities, it also gave the Alaska Mission Operations Center (AMOC) a chance to prove its
mettle. As Russian Tu-95 BEAR-H aircraft approached the Alaskan mainland, pursuing the most
provocative flight route seen since 1988, the AMOC team provided critical, real-time intelligence
reports to Eleventh Air Force and Alaska Northern Air Defense (NORAD) Region decision-makers.
(S//SI//REL) In the end, those decision makers opted to not to employ fighter escorts, but
thanks to the AMOC, they knew exactly where the BEAR were - and where they were headed every step of the way.
(S//SI//REL) On 11 April, four BEAR departed Ukrainka Airfield (located in Siberia near
northeastern China) and flew along the Aleutian chain, coming within 30 miles of the Alaskan
mainland before finally landing at Anadyr, on the Bering Sea. A simultaneous flight of two BEAR
left Ukrainka and headed south along the eastern coast of Japan, traveling southwest of Tokyo
before turning around -- accompanied by Japanese fighter escorts.
(S//SI//REL) On 14 April, the four deployed BEAR again departed Anadyr, this time flying along
the northern coasts of Alaska and Canada to the extreme limit of their fuel capacity, and
penetrating both the Alaskan and Canadian Air Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ) before
returning home to Ukrainka.
(S//SI//REL) Tracking the BEAR throughout the exercise, the AMOC provided tip-offs to NORAD
of
bomber operations
AWACS radar also
detected the airborne BEAR, but it was positive identification from A1C
one of the
AMOC's junior HF Morse operators, indicating the activity in fact correlated to the Tu-95 BEAR,
that enabled the Alaskan NORAD Region to calmly respond to the
ADIZ incursions.
(S//SI//REL) Providing 24/7 support via its National Tactical Integration cell as well as the watch
floor, the AMOC's swift, accurate reporting kept the US Air Force a step ahead - and well aware
of the Russian BEAR.
"(U//FOUO) SIDtoday articles may not be republished or reposted outside NSANet
without the consent of S0121 (DL sid_comms)."
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DERIVED FROM: NSA/CSSM 1-52, DATED 08 JAN 2007 DECLASSIFY ON: 20320108