Fighter Sweep
  • Home
  • Military Aviation
  • Air Force
  • Navy
  • Spec Ops
  • Expert Analysis
  • Careers
  • Photos
Home Previous Post Next Post
Follow @fightersweep

Now the Chinese Join In – Pentagon Investigating Chinese Su-30 Flying Inverted over Air Force WC-135

May 21, 2017 WC-135 Constant Phoenix engine cover
FighterSweep Staff No Comments Air Force, China, Military Aviation, News, Photos, Video

The Pentagon is investigating what one of their Air Force WC-135 pilots called an ‘unprofessional’ maneuver when a pair of Chinese Su-30 fighter jets intercepted their aircraft last week. Known as a ‘sniffer’ the WC-135W Constant Phoenix is a specially equipped derivative of the C-135 aircraft with the mission of collecting samples from the atmosphere to detect nuclear explosions.

“The issue is being addressed with China through appropriate diplomatic and military channels,” said U.S. Air Force spokeswoman Lieutenant Colonel Lori Hodge.

Hodge said the U.S. characterization of the incident was based on initial reports from the U.S. air crew aboard the WC-135 Constant Phoenix aircraft “due to the maneuvers by the Chinese pilot, as well as the speeds and proximity of both aircraft”.

“Distances always have a bearing on how we characterize interactions,” Hodge said, adding a U.S. military investigation into the intercept was under way. – Reuters

The Pentagon said the WC-135 was on a routine mission and operating legally in international airspace. It would make sense that this aircraft was in the area keeping an eye on possible North Korean nuclear activity.

China is challenging the US claims and says that their intercept was legitimate as well as ‘professional and safe.’

There are two WC-135 jets in the Air Force’s arsenal and they deploy out of Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.

Featured image of a WC-135 Constant Phoenix engine cover by Susan A. Romano, US Air Force 

WC-135 Constant Phoenix engine cover

Related Posts

  • Last year, a Chinese fighter went inverted over an Air Force surveillance plane during interceptLast year, a Chinese fighter went inverted over an Air Force surveillance plane during intercept
  • Air Force plans to order fewer F-35s in 2020, is the F-15X to blame?Air Force plans to order fewer F-35s in 2020, is the F-15X to blame?
  • Retired Air Force Captain Says Pentagon Lied About Cause of Helicopter Crash (Extortion 17) that Killed 38 Including 17 SEALsRetired Air Force Captain Says Pentagon Lied About Cause of Helicopter Crash (Extortion 17) that Killed 38 Including 17 SEALs
  • Last of the 308th FS Emerald KnightsLast of the 308th FS Emerald Knights
  • Burner Friday: Boeing F-15D Eagle of the 33d Fighter WingBurner Friday: Boeing F-15D Eagle of the 33d Fighter Wing

Find Us on Facebook

FighterSweep.com

Sign Up
for the Newsletter

What’s Hot

  • blue-angels-reporter-blacks-out-passes-out
    December 5, 2017

    Watch: News Reporter Blacks Out on Ride with US Navy Blue Angels

  • September 4, 2019

    Photo Gallery: McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II

  • Rockwell B-1B Lancer: Bad to the Bone!
    April 26, 2015

    Bad to the Bone: Fun Facts about the Boeing (Rockwell) B-1B Lancer

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter Twitter

Recent Comments

  • pak152 " the team came up with what the Brits dubbed as Mustang, powered by a [...]
  • P K Polish AF never has and never will operate Su-27, An-26 aircraft has been out [...]
  • bnarfhyde The best book is also great. have a [...]
  • TerrorTrike ive never survived this long with such a clumsy FL- cG.866B.CO/NC6155hc
  • D4rksupeme yessss truck kunnnnnnnn i needddd you m.866E.CO/vC6155H

© Copyright 2023 SOFREP Media Group. All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers
 

Loading Comments...