7 May 2014

Russian air force activity increases in Pacific

8:17 am on 7 May 2014

The head of United States air forces in the Pacific says that Russia's airforce has significantly increased its air activity in the Asia-Pacific region including a recent circumnavigation of Guam.

General Herbert Carlisle said the increased aerial activity by Russia is about gathering intelligence and a show of strength to coincide with the country's intervention in Ukraine.

The activity, he said, included a Russian strategic bomber flying to the US territory of Guam, where it was intercepted by an American F-15 fighter jet.

General Carlisle said the number of long-range Russian patrols around the Japanese islands and Korea had increased drastically, including observation of military exercises involving the US in the region.

He said there had also been a lot more ship activity by the Russians as well.