Current:Home > InvestChinese fighter pilot harasses U.S. B-52 over South China Sea, Pentagon says-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Chinese fighter pilot harasses U.S. B-52 over South China Sea, Pentagon says
View Date:2024-12-23 23:04:28
A Chinese fighter jet conducted an "unsafe intercept" of a U.S. Air Force B-52 over the South China Sea earlier this week, the Pentagon said Thursday. Video of the Tuesday night confrontation was released by the Defense Department.
According to the Pentagon, the 38-second video shows the pilot of a Shenyang J-11 coming within 10 feet of the B-52, which is a long-range heavy bomber.
The Pentagon said the Chinese pilot "flew in an unsafe and unprofessional manner" and "demonstrated poor airmanship by closing with uncontrolled excessive speed."
The Pentagon said it was "concerned" that China's fighter pilot "was unaware of how close he came to causing a collision."
The B-52 was conducting routine nighttime operations when the confrontation occurred, and had limited visibility, the Pentagon stated. Furthermore, the Chinese fighter jet's intercept "violated international air safety rules and norms."
Since the fall of 2021, China's military has initiated more than 180 similar interactions with aircraft of the U.S. military and other nations, according to the Pentagon.
In one such incident on May 26, also over the South China Sea, the pilot of a Chinese J-16 fighter flew directly in front of the nose of an RC-135, a U.S. reconnaissance aircraft. The two aircraft came within 400 feet of each other, and the RC-135 was forced to fly through the J-16's wake turbulence, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command reported.
"There have been a series of these actions directed not just at us but at other countries in recent months," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at the time.
There have also been confrontations at sea. In June, a Chinese navy ship cut across the path of an U.S. Navy missile destroyer in the Taiwan Strait, with the two ships coming within 150 yards.
China often conducts drills in the Taiwan Strait. It considers Taiwan, an island just off its east coast that's been democratically governed for seven decades, part of its sovereign territory.
— Eleanor Watson and Elizabeth Palmer contributed to this report.
- In:
- Taiwan
- Pentagon
- U.S. Air Force
- South China Sea
- China
veryGood! (546)
Related
- Jack Del Rio leaving Wisconsin’s staff after arrest on charge of operating vehicle while intoxicated
- Abercrombie's Secret 86% Discounts: Your Guide to the Hidden Deals No One Else Is Talking About
- Nebraska teen accused of causing train derailment for 'most insane' YouTube video
- When does Katie Ledecky swim next? What time does she compete in 1,500 freestyle final?
- New York nursing home operator accused of neglect settles with state for $45M
- Stock market today: Asian stocks are higher as Bank of Japan raises benchmark rate
- Man shot and killed in ambush outside Philadelphia mosque, police say
- When does Simone Biles compete next? Olympics gymnastics schedule for all-around final
- Larry Hobbs, who guided AP’s coverage of Florida news for decades, has died at 83
- Civil Rights Movement Freedom Riders urge younger activists to get out the vote
Ranking
- Northern Taurid meteor shower hits peak activity this week: When and where to watch
- Simone Biles' redemption and Paris Olympic gold medal was for herself, U.S. teammates
- American BMX rider Perris Benegas surges to take silver in Paris
- Missouri to cut income tax rate in 2025, marking fourth straight year of reductions
- Some women are stockpiling Plan B and abortion pills. Here's what experts have to say.
- South Sudan men's basketball beats odds to inspire at Olympics
- French police investigating abuse targeting Olympic opening ceremony DJ over ‘Last Supper’ tableau
- 2024 Olympics: What USA Tennis' Emma Navarro Told “Cut-Throat” Opponent Zheng Qinwen in Heated Exchange
Recommendation
-
MVSU football player killed, driver injured in crash after police chase
-
Team USA Olympic athletes are able to mimic home at their own training facility in France
-
Jeff Bridges, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, more stars join 'White Dudes for Harris' Zoom
-
Harris gives Democrats a jolt in a critical part of swing-state Wisconsin
-
Judge sets date for 9/11 defendants to enter pleas, deepening battle over court’s independence
-
Rottweiler pups, mom saved from truck as California's Park Fire raged near
-
Olympics bet against climate change with swimming in Seine and may lose. Scientists say told you so
-
3 inmates dead and at least 9 injured in rural Nevada prison ‘altercation,’ officials say