Dutch scramble jets after Russian bombers approach

AMSTERDAM (AP) -- The Dutch defense department says several NATO member countries scrambled jets Wednesday afternoon after a pair of Russian bomber planes approached their airspace over the North Sea.

The Dutch ministry identified the planes as two Russian TU-95 Bears, and said it had launched two F-16s from Volkel air force base to intercept them. The Russian jets were escorted by aircraft from the Netherlands, Britain and Denmark until they departed.

Maj. Wilko Ter Horst said "that's why we scrambled, that's why the Danish scrambled and the English scrambled, to ensure to insure they fly out of our air space."

The ministry statement said such incidents have occurred before, citing one from March 21 and another on Sept. 10 last year.


Credit to Myfoxdc.com
Read more: http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/25320772/dutch-scramble-jets-after-russian-bombers-approach#ixzz2zoMjGFSh