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Newsweek
3 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
How US Pilots Trained to Fight Russia Will Soon Help Protect Putin
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. As Russian President Vladimir Putin prepares to make his first visit to the United States in a decade, U.S. warplanes that have intercepted Russian aircraft as recently as two weeks ago will soon play a key role in escorting the Kremlin chief to U.S. soil. "It is an interesting irony that the fabric used to intercept and defend North America from military incursions like those that Russia has done three times so far this year, will be used to protect the Russian president for this upcoming summit," Scott Clancy, a retired Royal Canadian Air Force major general who served as deputy commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)'s Alaska Region, told Newsweek. NORAD is a unique joint U.S.-Canadian military organization tasked with enforcing security throughout North American airspace. For the U.S., this includes not only the mainland but also Alaska, where NORAD fighters most recently intercepted Russian Tu-95 bombers and Su-35 fighters flying within the state's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on July 22. "NORAD conducts aerospace warning, aerospace control and maritime warning in defense of North America," NORAD spokesperson Captain Rebecca Garand told Newsweek. Yet "in addition to these critical mission sets," Garand pointed out another lesser known role for NORAD—and it's not just tracking Santa Claus. "NORAD is also responsible for working in coordination with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the U.S., and Transport Canada and NAV CANADA in Canada, to support and enforce Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) areas as well as airspace over National Security Special Events (NSSE), when required or requested," Garand said. In doing so, she said "NORAD employs a layered defense network of radars, satellites, and fighter aircraft to identify and respond to potential threats." "NORAD's response to air activity within a NORAD-enforced TFR that is not in compliance with authoritative law demonstrates the Command's execution of aerospace warning and control missions for the United States and Canada," Garand said. A NORAD F-35 intercepts a Russian Su-35 fighter and Tu-95 bomber over the Bering Sea, off of Alaska, on July 22, 2025. A NORAD F-35 intercepts a Russian Su-35 fighter and Tu-95 bomber over the Bering Sea, off of Alaska, on July 22, 2025. Alaskan NORAD Region/11th Air Force/U.S. Department of Defense Advanced Firepower Separated by just two miles at their closest point across the Bering Strait, Alaska effectively serves as the U.S. front line with Russia. As such, the state is also a hub for NORAD firepower stationed at two primary bases of Fairbanks and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, where President Donald Trump is set to receive Putin on Friday. In fact, "Alaska is the largest concentration of operational Gen 5 aircraft in the world between these two bases with F-22 Raptors at JBER and F-35s at Fairbanks," Clancy, who is today a fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, said. "These bases also are the location for the E-3 AWACS aircraft which does airborne surveillance and tactical battle management for the fighters, and the ever-crucial tanker aircraft without which, due to the extreme distances in the Arctic, nothing happens," he added. It's not just Russia that NORAD looks out for on this Arctic frontier. Last year, Chinese H-6 bombers joined Russian Tu-95 counterparts for the first time, prompting NORAD to scramble U.S. F-16s and F-35s, along with Canadian CF-18 fighters. Such encounters, which take place over international airspace designated as Alaska's ADIZ, have also inspired new exercises on the part of NORAD, including a March drill that saw an American B-1 bomber join F-16s and Canadian C-18s showcasing both nation's "readiness to defend North America and respond to global security challenges in partnership," according to a statement by NORAD's Alaska Command. The following month, in April, Alaska National Guard Major David Bedard reported on how the 176th Air Defense Squadron fielded a "state-of-the-art" third-generation battle command center known as the AN/FYQ-156 Tactical Command and Control System in order to ward off the combined patrol "careening toward the [ADIZ] and bringing the nuclear-capable long-range bombers closer to U.S. sovereign airspace." How It Works The precise details of the logistics surrounding the summit are not publicly disclosed for security reasons. But Clancy spoke of his previous experience during Trump's May 2019 visit to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. While then-NORAD Alaska Region commander U.S. General Boussiere greeted Trump on the tarmac, Clancy "was in the command center directing the intercept of potential threats." "NORAD's procedures and systems would work alongside the FAA to identify any deviation from the stringent protocols of the TFR, in order to delineate between normal air traffic and that which is suspicious," Clancy said. "NORAD would then use its fighter aircraft to further delineate between negligent contacts, and those which could be more nefarious." "They would do so by intercepting the aircraft," he added. "All of this is supported by a complex web of systems and conference calls set to provide decision makers the best chance of getting all the required information to make decisions pertaining to the aircraft and the safety of and security of the principles, especially POTUS." As for Putin, the protocol for his arrival was even more opaque, not least because his trip will mark the first time a Russian leader steps foot in Alaska since the territory was sold by Russia to the U.S. in 1867. Clancy suspected that Putin may opt to travel to Alaska without a Russian military escort in order to reduce the likelihood of any "antics" that may "take away from the newsworthiness of the summit" at a time when the Russian leader was "trying to own the narrative and portray himself as the driver of long-term peace in Ukraine." At the same time, he raised the possibility that the U.S. could also deploy aircraft to escort Putin's flight and potentially do so in coordination with Russian counterparts if necessary. "If Russian fighter aircraft were escorting President Putin's plane to the edge of or into the ADIZ," Clancy said, "this is where things get interesting." President Donald Trump speaks in front of an F-22 fighter jet during a visit to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, on February 28, 2019. President Donald Trump speaks in front of an F-22 fighter jet during a visit to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, on February 28, 2019. Staff Sergeant Westin Warburton/U.S. Air Force 'Our Highest Priority' In any case, the primary agency involved in orchestrating the security protocols surrounding the summit will be the U.S. Secret Service. The Secret Service, known primarily for protecting the president, also offers security to visiting heads of state. This practice was confirmed in relation to Putin's upcoming visit by former Secret Service agent Robert McDonald in comments shared Tuesday with the official TASS Russian News Agency. Putin is also expected to bring his own security detail from Russia's Presidential Security Service. In the U.S., the role of the Secret Service has been in the spotlight over the past year as Trump survived two assassination attempts, one in which he was injured by a sniper's bullet while on the 2024 campaign trail. Reached for comment, a Secret Service spokesperson told Newsweek that "the safety of the President is our highest priority." "In order to maintain operational security," the spokesperson said, "the Secret Service does not discuss the specific means and methods used to conduct our protective operations."
Winnipeg Free Press
05-06-2025
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
From doubt to degree: students rewarded after post-COVID pivot
Before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the world, both Jennifer Breddam and Deanna Garand never dreamed they would go to university — let alone graduate. Breddam, 37, stepped out of her wheelchair she uses due to chronic back problems and walked across the stage to receive her labour studies degree Wednesday at the University of Manitoba spring convocation ceremony. Garand, 32, was handed her degree in nursing a day later. 'I feel I can do a lot of good through a public policy lens,' said Breddam, who will begin a masters degree program in social justice and equity studies at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ont., in the fall. Garand said she told people many times through the years that she would never set foot in a university. 'People who know me can't believe I was in university,' she said laughing. 'My aunts are nurses, my grandmother was one too, and they were surprised when I said I've been accepted into nursing — but they were all excited.' Breddam and Garand are two of the 2,934 graduating students receiving their diplomas this week at the U of M Fort Garry campus convocation. The convocation began Wednesday and continues to Friday. The ceremonies have already seen Dave Angus, who was president and CEO of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce for 17 years before becoming president of Johnston Group, an employee benefits company, be installed as the university's 15th chancellor. Four people will receive honorary degrees, the university's highest honour. They include: former Manitoba premier Greg Selinger; Sister Lesley Sacouman, who joined the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary when she was 17 and went on to co-found Rossbrook House and Esther House; Rosanna Deerchild, host of CBC radio show Unreserved and a Cree storyteller from Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation; and Catherine (Kate) Bowler, a Winnipeg historian and New York Times bestselling author who wrote several memoirs after being diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer at 35. Breddam, who had injured several discs in her back years earlier, was working in human resources with Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority when the pandemic hit. 'With my job, I was in the car for long periods of time, doing visits within the health region, and I had constant back pain,' she said. 'Then, in 2020, one day I couldn't get up — I couldn't stand or walk. For about eight months (during COVID-19 lockdowns) I was pretty much bedridden. I even needed help with dressing and showering. But, when I was lying down, I was not in a lot of pain and my fiance recommended that, to distract me and give me something to work towards, that I register for online courses at the university. 'I knew it wasn't going to be a quick recovery, so I did.' When lockdowns were lifted, Breddam switched to hybrid courses, with some online and others in person. While in university, Breddam became involved with organizations supporting and advocating for people living with disabilities. She has been chairwoman of the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities for two years. She also served as president of the Labour Studies Students Association. There's only one downside to the two-year degree program she is about to start. 'My wedding for this July has been put on hold — that really sucked — but, while I have received scholarships, I needed the money for my education. My fiance fully supports me.' Garand, who is Métis, was working as a makeup artist and manager with a retail cosmetic company and cannabis outlet when the pandemic shuttered all that. That's when she began looking at her options. 'I never really wanted to go to university, I didn't want to go to school for any reason,' she said. 'But once COVID started, and I couildn't work anymore, my family and friends said why don't you go to school? Maybe you'll find something you like.' Sundays Kevin Rollason's Sunday newsletter honouring and remembering lives well-lived in Manitoba. Garand said she 'hemmed and hawed' but submitted her application on the final day. 'I thought, if I ever go back to school, now is the time.' With a nursing job in the community waiting for her, she is thanking the university and the Indigenous Student Centre for the support she was given. 'If I had gone back to school when I was younger, I wouldn't have been able to finish,' Garand said. 'I think a little bit of life experience helped. 'I'm glad I did.' Kevin RollasonReporter Kevin Rollason is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press. He graduated from Western University with a Masters of Journalism in 1985 and worked at the Winnipeg Sun until 1988, when he joined the Free Press. He has served as the Free Press's city hall and law courts reporter and has won several awards, including a National Newspaper Award. Read more about Kevin. Every piece of reporting Kevin produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rangers goalie prospect makes ‘some tremendous saves' for Canada in shutout win at World Championships
Playing on a team that features future Hall-of-Famers like Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon and Marc-Andre Fleury, New York Rangers goalie prospect Dylan Garand didn't look at all out of place Saturday, leading Canada to a 4-0 win against Slovenia in its opener at the 2025 World Hockey Championship in Stockholm. Garand didn't see a lot of shots and only had to make 11 saves to earn the shutout. But he was poised and sharp when called upon, and caught the eye of Columbus Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason, who's behind Canada's bench for this international tournament. Advertisement 'I'm very impressed,' Evason said about Garand. 'We gave up a couple opportunities, some three on ones, and he made some tremendous saves. They had good opportunities and Garand played really well for sure.' This isn't the 22-year-old's first time playing on the international stage for Canada. He represented Canada at the 2021 and 2022 World Junior Championships. Garand helped them capture gold in 2022 when he had a 1.98 goals-against average and .925 save percentage in six games. As for playing on the same team as Crosby, Canada's captain, Garand had this to say before the tournament started: 'Honestly this might be the only chance I get to play with him. I had his poster in my room as a kid. It's surreal but it's great to see he's just a normal guy who's just exceptionally good at hockey.' Advertisement Garand is also thrilled to share the net with Fleury, who's retiring after the World Championship and hopes to snag another championship on his way out. Fleury, who just completed his 21st NHL season after appearing in 26 games with the Minnesota Wild, is expected to be Canada's No. 1 goalie in this tourney. But He was super supportive of Garand in the opener against Slovenia. Playing in the Worlds is a nice cap to Garand's third professional season. He was an AHL All-Star with the Hartford Wolf Pack, winning a career-high 20 games and posting a career-best .913 save percentage, which was tied for ninth best in the league, in 39 games. Garand is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract with the Rangers, who are expected to extend him a qualifying offer and sign him to a bridge deal this summer. Another season in Hartford awaits the 2020 fourth-round pick since Jonathan Quick re-upped already to be Igor Shesterkin's backup for another season. Related: Why Calvin de Haan was 'honestly shocked' to see how good a player Matt Rempe is Rangers' Mika Zibanejad off to fast start for Sweden at World Championships Eric Bolte-Imagn Images Will Cuylle also played for Canada in the victory Saturday. Cuylle, who scored 20 goals this season with the Rangers, logged 10:18 TOI and recorded one shot on goal in the second period. Advertisement Elsewhere in the tournament, Mika Zibanejad has three goals in the first two games for Sweden. After scoring the final tally in a 5-0 win in the opener against Slovakia on Friday, Zibanejad scored twice and led Sweden with four shots on goal in a 4-2 victory over Austria on Saturday. Zibanejad tied the score 1-1 at 13:26 of the second period. He scored what proved to be the game-winner with 2:07 remaining in regulation, when Sweden rallied with three goals in 58 seconds to avoid an upset loss. Another Rangers forward scored the game-winner against Austria on Friday. Juuso Parssinen's goal at 7:06 of the first period ended up being the difference in Finland's 2-1 win over Austria. Advertisement One other player from the Rangers organization is participating in the World Championships. Forward prospect Adam Sykora is scoreless so far for Slovakia. Related Headlines
