U.S. jets intercept Russian planes near USS Ronald Reagan

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy dispatched four F/A-18 Super Hornets to intercept two Russian Tu-12 aircraft that were closing in on the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan on Tuesday.

The Russian aircraft came within one nautical mile of the aircraft carrier, and were flying at a 500-foot altitude. Ronald Reagan is currently conducting exercises near the Korean Peninsula. Navy officials say they were operating under standard procedure when they intercepted the Russian jets.

"This type of interaction is not unprecedented," Navy Cmdr. William J. Marks told CNN on Thursday. "Overall I would characterize the interaction as safe."

The interaction comes as the Russian military is seen as testing its boundaries with Western powers and NATO partner nations. NBC News reports the two Russian Bear Bombers failed to respond to radio calls as they closed in on the carrier.

The USS Ronald Reagan deployed for the 7th Fleet area of responsibility on October 1 to support maritime training exercises in the region. The ship is currently the Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier.

Ronald Reagan was participating in naval exercises with South Korean forces prior to the encounter with the Russian planes.