MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Benham reportedly characterized the intercept as "safe and professional," explaining that intercepts between the US and other militaries "occur often."
"On April 21, a U.S. Navy P-8 Maritime Patrol reconnaissance aircraft flying a routine mission in international airspace was intercepted by a MiG-31 Russian jet in the vicinity of the Kamchatka Peninsula," Cmdr. Dave Benham told the Washington Free Beacon.
"For intercepts that are deemed unprofessional, the U.S. takes appropriate measures through military and diplomatic channels," the commander told the online outlet.
The incident took place near the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, with another defense official familiar with the event saying the MiG-31 flew within 50 feet of the P-8.
