U.S. Air Force aircraft, including an E-3 AWACS designated CACHE 51 and a KC-135R Stratotanker, were scrambled on the evening of September 25th, 2025, to monitor unidentified aircraft operating near the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). The deployment, which also included an unknown number of fighter jets, is a response to potential Russian activity in the region, according to reports. The E-3 AWACS departed Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, to track and monitor the unknown aircraft. Simultaneously, the KC-135R Stratotanker from Eielson Air Force Base was observed conducting aerial maneuvers over the Seward Peninsula, near the Bering Strait. This presence is believed to be in response to potential violations of the Alaska ADIZ by Russia, drawing parallels to a previous interception of a Russian Il-20M on August 26th, 2025. Social media posts and flight tracking services, such as Flightradar24 and LiveATC, provided real-time information on the aircraft's movements. The situation is described as a worrying indicator of Russian boldness in testing American defenses. No further details regarding the specific nature of the unidentified aircraft or confirmed incursions have been officially released within the reporting window.
