Russian Aircraft Violated Japan’s Airspace; Possibly to Collect Radioactive Air Sample

From the Asahi Shimbun, March 30, 2011
   
Two Russian aircraft entered Japan’s air defense identification zones with air dust collection pods as found by the Japanese air force; most probably the Russian aircraft was missioned to collect radioactive matters in the air as released from Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant accident to find the effect to their own country.

Defense Ministry official told that a Su-27 flew from Vladivostok to the coast off Akita, Japan entering Japan’s Air Defence Identification Zone from 8:30am to 10:30am (local time) on March 21. On the same day, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am, another aircraft, An12 for electronic warfare, flew from off coast of Noto Peninsular to the western coast of Hokkaido, another intrusion to ADIZ.

The both aircraft were intercepted by fighter aircraft of the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force that visually observed the Russian aircraft were fitted with dust collection pods respectively. The Su-27 was found to be flying at different altitudes of 2,000 ft to 20,000 ft., a typical flight profile to identify the thickest air with radioactive substances.
　
Japan’s Defense Ministry has analyzed their flight patterns were provocative as 1) the Russian aircraft purposely intruded Japan”s ADIZs knowing to trigger scrambling of Japanese air force 2) the Russians apparently tried to check the current alertness by Japan for air space intrusion while a large-scale deployment of its military power is ongoing to rescue missions to March 11 earthquake and tsunami disasters.

Post Quake Support: Two Globalhawks Flying Over Japan

USAF is operating two Globalhawk UAVs and U-2s over Japan, esp. Tohoku region where intensive damage by March 11 earthquake and tsunami directly hit. Unofficially the casualty of this disaster is exceeding 20,000 mark, including those who still missing.

Globalhawk is especially put on special imagery information gathering mission flying high over Fukushima Diichi nuclear plant where the desperate efforts are going on to cool down those uncontrolled nuclear reactors.

Mainichi Shimbun reported that the imagery information data was shared by USAF to the Japanese government but Tokyo is reluctant to show the images of the plant to Japanese public. The reasons for its reluctance is unknown but USAF has gave the information to the Japanese government  without conditions, reportedly.

Earthquake Update: Three Airports Closed

Sendai,  Hanamaki and Ibaraki Airports are closed as of now by the  severe earthquake on Friday. Sendai airport view was observed by fly over airplane, showing its tarmac and runway was completely washed by tsunami and covered by brown muddy soil while some light airplanes still standing although they are out of order.

Narita International Airport is operative and the author of this blog had landed there on Saturday afternoon; inside the airport terminal, some moving escalators were inoperative showing power failure's damage to the system.

Local and land transportation is largely disturbed while ANA, JAL are operating special flights to airports of Tohoku (north eastern region) such as Aomori, Yamagata and Fukushima. Yamagata Airport is now designated as 24-hour operation emergency base for rescue missions.

This report is compiled as of 5 pm JST (+9 UTC) from various reporting.

Breaking News; Narita and Sendai Airports Closed by Quake

By stronger-ever earthquake off the coast of northeastern part of Honshu island in the afternoon of Friday March 11 (local time), both Narita International and Sendai airports are closed of the entire operations. NHK public broadcasting showed Sendai airport where its terminal tarmac was washed by Tsunami tidal waves while people escaped to the rooftop of the terminal. No direct damage to Narita is reported so far.