Chinese Fighters Intercept Nuke-Detecting Plane Over East China Sea
The WC-135 Constant Phoenix-an Air Force jet specially designed to detect the aftermath of nuclear explosions by 'sniffing' the atmosphere-was recently intercepted by two Chinese SU-30 fighters over the East China Sea. The plane was flying in international airspace and following international law when it was approached, according to the United States Air Force.
The military official described the interception as "unprofessional" due to the speed and the proximity of the maneuver. CNN reports that one official initially described the approach in more detail, saying the fighters came within 150 feet of the WC-135 and that one flew inverted above it.
It's not particularly uncommon for planes of differing allegiances to meet in the sky like this. U.S. and Russian fighters have been engaging in passive-aggressive meet-ups like this along the coast of Alaska repeatedly with no serious repercussions so far, though it sounds like this encounter was slightly more bombastic than most. Air Force spokeswoman Lieutenant Colonel Lori Hodge told NBC that "The issue is being addressed with China through appropriate diplomatic and military channels."
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