Chinese Fighter Conducts “Unsafe” RC-135 Intercept

A Chinese fighter jet reportedly intercepted an Air Force RC-135 reconnaissance plane in an “unsafe fashion” on Sept. 15 over the Yellow Sea, the Pentagon said Sept. 22. The Chinese jet crossed in front of the Rivet Joint, prompting concerns from the Air Force crew, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said. While the intercept was deemed “unsafe,” there was no threat of a collision, Cook said. The Defense Department is investigating the incident, but Cook did not say if the Pentagon has expressed any concerns with the Chinese government. Chinese aircraft have intercepted US planes in a similar way before. Last summer, a Chinese J-11 flew within 20 feet of a Navy P-8 Poseidon in the South China Sea.