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WASHINGTON - TWO Russian TU-95 Bear bombers overflew a US aircraft carrier in the western Pacific at an altitude of 2,000 feet over the weekend, prompting US fighter jets to scramble, a US defence official said on Monday.
Four F-18 fighters jets were launched and intercepted the Russian bombers, but not before they had overflown the deck of the USS Nimitz, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The bombers were flying south of Japan on Saturday morning when they 'essentially turned inbound toward the USS Nimitz, and USS Nimitz aircraft launched and intercepted the bombers,' said the official.
The F-18s escorted the bombers until they departed the area, the official said.
'There were no verbal communications between the Nimitz aircraft or the Russian aircraft,' the official said.
The official said one of the Russian bombers flew directly over the US carrier at an altitude of 2,000 feet, while the second bomber flew at its side at the same altitude.
It was the second time since July 2004 that a Russian Bear bomber has overflown a US aircraft carrier.
That incident involved the USS Kitty Hawk in the Sea of Japan.
The Nimitz, which was on a routine patrol in the western Pacific at the time of the incident, was back on Monday in its homeport of Sasebo, Japan, the official said. -- AFP
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