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2nd photo: http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/attachment.php?at ... ( forum.keypublishing.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid=160073&d=1201368775 )

Via http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t= ... ( forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=76262 )

See also...

1. Raptors Perform First Intercept of Russian Bombers": http://dailyreport.afa.org/AFA/Reports/2007/Month1 ...
( dailyreport.afa.org/AFA/Reports/2007/Month12/Day14/1025raptor.htm )

2. "NORAD Commander's Response To Bears: File Flight Plans, Please!": http://www.aero-news.net/news/military.cfm?Content ... ( www.aero-news.net/news/military.cfm?ContentBlockID=3b7024c1-bee3-4cde-a5c5-0b92b1cacfca&Dynamic=1 )

Here's the correct link for the 2nd photo: http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/attachment.php?at ...
( forum.keypublishing.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid=160072&d=1201368775 )

Great picture. Two amazing aircrafts from different times.

The Tupolev Tu-95 is a beast of a Bear (the NATO reporting name). Contra-rotating props and heavily-swept wings give it some serious speed (575 MPH). There was some belief its initial development was intended as a super-sonic propeller driven aircraft (an idea given by the swept wings) but that can't be done with piston engines. (Food for thought, we did try super-sonic propeller driven aircraft, called the XF-84H Thunderscreech. The propeller was driven by a jet engine, with the tips of the blades moving at Mach 1.2. It's safe to say it was inhumanly loud.) It's expected to be in service for just as long as the B-52, it's that good. There are numerous pictures of the Tu-95 being escorted by F-14's and F-15's as well, so fly-bys are nothing new for these guys.

The F-22 was just declared combat operational in December, so it's about as new as you can get. It's kind of interesting to see them together, since the F-22 was conceived as a new fighter to go against the (at the time) future offerings coming from the Soviet Union. Now with the collapse it probably (hopefully) won't have a chance at that.

Makes you nostalgic for the good ol' days of the Cold War, doesn't it?

What's next, Lada's on I-5?

Mein Führer! I can walk!

Like a hornet chasing a butteryfly

"This is a great shot Mav, I should be a photographer."

Cool story I heard first hand from a former US fighter pilot.

He was once scrambled to intercept a couple of Russian planes off the coast of Alaska. He noticed that the flight crew was holding up something against the canopy, so he got closer. Still unable to see, he inverted the plane and flew above the Russian jet to get a better look.

The Russian flight crew was holding up a Playboy centerfold. Breaching the language, political and sound barriers, ftw.

Ahhh yes...the Cold war may be warming up again.
Wait, what?

The F-22 (and Canadian CF-18 Hornets) had to take over for the Elmendorf F-15Cs after the incident with the Missouri F-15C in-flight break up since all F-15Cs were grounded. Also it is interesting to note the external tanks on the F-22; I don't think the tanks are stealth. The tanks could be on there on purpose so that the Russians can't gather good data on the -22s radar signature.

Mirror?

I cant actually view the artical as the page wont load for some reason. But the same sort of thing happend a month or two ago when russian bombers were heading towards UK airspace.

Cold war MK2 anyone ?

The Russians are like your little brother on a road trip ***** with you.
"Dont touch me."
"I'm not touching you."
"You're bothering me."
"But I'm not touching you."

How about a Hi Res pic

http://www.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/0609 ...

The fuel tanks do not add any appreciable radar return as there are no 90 degree or flat edges to them.

Funny someone should mention hornets chasing a butterfly. This type of thing would not be an F/A-18's mission unless it flew in the neighborhood of an aircraft carrier, but during the cold war, P-3's would come across these guys and there would always be good photo ops, many more than have ever been published. Definitely not propaganda on the US's part as it is routine to carry cameras for just this reason when on this type mission.

those look like f -15's rather than F 22's

America, ***** yeah!
Comin' again to save the ***** day, yeah!

Nice to see the Russkys have got the guts back to run some 'heads up' missions, whatever the age of their hardware. Remember the SigInt 'exercising' missions off Vietnam? Maybe those Bears have interesting electronics inside. Roll on, a better-balanced world.

Charlie: So lieutenant, where exactly were you?
Maverick: Well, we...
Goose: Thank you.
Maverick: Started up on a 6, when he pulled from the clouds, and then I moved in above him.
Charlie: Well, if you were directly above him, how could you see him?
Maverick: Because I was inverted.
Iceman: [coughs whilst saying] *****.
Goose: No he was man, it was a really great move. He was inverted.
Charlie: You were in a 4g inverted dive with a MiG28?
Maverick: Yes ma'am.
Charlie: At what range?
Maverick: Um, about 2 meters.
Goose: It was actually about 1 and a half I think. It was 1 and a half, I've got a great Polaroid of it, and he's right there, must be 1 and a half.
Maverick: Was a nice picture.
Goose: Thanks.
Charlie: Eh lieutenant, what were you doing there?
Goose: Communicating.
Maverick: Communicating. Keeping up foriegn relations. You know, giving him the bird!
Goose: [Charlie looks puzzled, so Goose clarifies] You know, the finger
[gestures apprpriately]
Charlie: Yes, I know the finger, Goose.
Goose: I-I'm sorry, I hate it when it does that, I'm sorry. Excuse me.

Hmm, it's like playing chicken with 1953 Studebaker. Ruskis got nothin... for now.

Anyone notice the RED Soviet Era Star painted on the Tupolev Tu-95 (Bear) tail section. Its not the correct White Blue and Red flag.

like you won't see a F-22 Raptor flying with Confederate rebel flag.

I feel liek these are probing tests to gauge the Air National Guards

#1. response times in different sectors
#2. updated radar signatures (although with the fuel pod tanks its as big as a Hercules)
#3. And signal that the SOVIETS are back

If the are flying sporting the RED Soviet star It won't shock me to see the Hammer and Cickle fly again.

This happens all the time, it isn't anything new. Russia is just trying to gauge US response time and are trying to see if Iraq etc has effected the US's ability to watch its borders/airspace. But theyve done this before Iraq also.

A rather embarrassing picture for the Ruskies.

Dude:

http://img212.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1stusaff2 ...

That is an F-22

Russia testing the F-22's capabilty?

They do this all the time....The first photo is an F-15 Eagle from the 12th Fighter Group out of Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska; picture was taken last Sep 28th during joint US/Russian military exercises. The second pic is just highlighting the replacement of the F-15's by the new F-22's.

Maybe the Tu-95 has some instruments on board to gather info about the F22. Dammit we jumped right in their trap.

Aren't these the same jets that are falling apart because of bad glue?

http://digg.com/gadgets/F_22_Raptor_Airframes_Fall ...

Let's just hope the glue holds on that F-22.

Nice juxtiposition of the old and new that perhaps represents Russia's backwards tendencies?

Its like a '08 Porsche 911 vs a '66 Suburban

They've been doing this in British airspace too (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6981541.stm) - apparently it's to "test" our response times between getting scrambled and intercept. Not sure why they're doing this, there are better ways of delivering nukes these days, certainly not by this old tractor...

While in Iraq working with a Special Forces team from El Salvador, my platoon mates and I traded nudie mags and military accessories with some of them for pieces of their gear and uniforms. Pretty cool exchange actually since none of us spoke the other's native language. Yes I know this was not an enemy situation, but it shows that people are people wherever you go.

Sometimes we even found ourselves joking around with Iraqi prisoners that we had recently captured. When you are actually in this type of environment it becomes clear that often the only thing separating you from the enemy is your society's or religion's ideologies. Enemy is an interesting word because most of the "bad" guys I saw seemed to think they were doing the right thing. We thought we were doing the right thing too. Of course if you are trying to kill innocent people, my comrades or me, I will level my rifle on you in a heart beat, but in the end most people are really just trying to get by.
Interesting related read: http://www.firstworldwar.com/features/christmastru ...

War sucks and both sides know it. Most of us would really rather be at home with our families. I am glad I made it home to mine.

At least fly out a decent Sukhoi 35 or a Fulcrum out. Wonder how badly that pilot is just itchin to down that thing.

The article is great, but the photos are inaccurate. The US jets pictures are NOT fa-22 Raptors.

man, if that photo doesn't depict past vs. present.... i don't know what does.

And no one believed me when I said the USSR wasn't dead. : P

Rogue country... regular invasions of soverign country's airspace in the last year... why didn't we shoot this down?

The Motherland is weaker than ever and Putin is a desperate bastard for superpower attention- it'd be fun to take them out. Easily.