INDOPACOM: Unprofessional Intercept of U.S. US B-52 Bomber Over South China Sea

"During the night-time intercept, the PRC pilot flew in an unsafe and unprofessional manner and demonstrated poor airmanship by closing with uncontrolled excessive speed".

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command: SOUTH CHINA SEA - On Oct. 24, 2023, a People’s Republic of China J-11 pilot executed an unsafe intercept of a U.S. Air Force B-52 aircraft, which was lawfully conducting routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace. 

During the night-time intercept, the PRC pilot flew in an unsafe and unprofessional manner and demonstrated poor airmanship by closing with uncontrolled excessive speed, flying below, in front of, and within 10  feet of the B-52, putting both aircraft in danger of collision. We are concerned this pilot was unaware of how close he came to causing a collision.

The Chinese Intercept Occurred At Night, With Limited Visibility: