The Russian government aircraft Il-96-300PU will be protected by US Air Force fighters on approach to Alaska, Newsweek was told by retired Royal Canadian Air Force Major General Scott Clancy.
The officer recalled that two major US Air Force bases are located in Alaska — Elmendorf-Richardson and Fairbanks.
In addition to the latest fifth-generation F-22 and F-35 fighters, these sites also house E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) long-range radar detection aircraft.
Il-96 is a Soviet wide-body long-haul aircraft. The Il-96-300 modification is used by the "Russia" special flight detachment for important government transportation.
On the morning of August 15, the media reported that the first Il-96-300PU aircraft had already arrived in Alaska ahead of the Russia-US summit.
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