Dutch F-16s Deployed as Russian Jets Flew Toward NATO Airspace

A Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16 fighter jet.Photographer: John Thys/Getty Images
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The Netherlands and Denmark deployed F-16 fighter jets Monday as two Russian bombers approached NATO airspace over the North Sea. The Russian planes turned back after being identified and never left international airspace.

The two Dutch F-16 jets took off and were prepared to guard the Netherlands’ area of responsibility following an alert at 7:19 a.m. local time, according to a statement from the government. “This doesn’t happen often, but today’s incident demonstrates the importance of rapid deployment,” according to the statement.Bloomberg Terminal