Why a Russian spy plane is flying over sensitive U.S. military sites
/ CBS News
Sacramento, Calif. — It's an unusual sight to see: a Russian surveillance jet on the tarmac of Travis Air Force Base near Fairfield, California. It was first spotted last week and has been flying over some of the nation's most sensitive military sites — places where even U.S. commercial jets are banned, CBS Sacramento reports.
So why is a Russian spy plane flying over California?
There is a peaceful purpose to the missions and they began in Northern California. The aircraft is flown as part of the Treaty on Open Skies between the U.S. and Russian Federation, which took effect in 1992. Under the agreement, unarmed military planes from both countries are allowed to fly over each other's territory.
The Tupolev 154 is equipped with sensitive electro-optical cameras capable of taking high-resolution photos while airborne. The jet was flying with permission from the White House, according to officials.
Data from the plane's transponder shows it flew over downtown Sacramento on its way to Travis last week. It also flew over other strategic military sites on the West Coast, including Point Mugu, Coronado Island, Camp Pendleton, 29 Palms, Vandenberg and Edwards Air Force Base. It even took a trip north of Las Vegas where the Nevada test site and Area 51 are located.
The flights were part of Russia's first mission over the U.S. this year.
An Air Force spokesperson said the plane was inspected for compliance before it took off from Travis. U.S. observers were also onboard the aircraft to monitor all phases of the flights.
The Air Force has its own version of an Open Skies surveillance plane, and so far this year, it's conducted three missions over Russian sites. In December, the U.S. carried out an "extraordinary" flight over Ukraine after Russia seized three Ukrainian naval ships off Crimea. The Pentagon, citing the Open Skies treaty, had said the U.S. and allies conducted the flight "to reaffirm U.S. commitment to Ukraine and other partner nations."
The agreement is an effort by both countries to keep an eye on each other's military assets as new controversies revive some Cold War-era tensions.
There are 32 other nations that are also members of the Open Skies treaty. The Russian plane took off from Travis AFB on Saturday, which was also the day of the base's annual airshow.
First published on April 2, 2019 / 10:43 AM
© 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Eagles to perform full "Hotel California" album for first time
Tickets will go on sale through Ticketmaster on April 12
13M ago 
Alabama lawmakers push to ban almost all abortions
Several southern states have pushed for more restrictive abortion bills thanks to a new conservative majority on the Supreme Court
13M ago 
Russian spy plane seen flying over sensitive U.S. military sites
It's an unusual sight to see: a Russian surveillance jet on the tarmac of Travis Air Force Base
17M ago 
Bernie Sanders raised $18.2 million in first quarter
Sanders reported more than $6 million in fundraising in the first 24 hours of his campaign
updated 37M ago 
Jobs where women face the biggest pay gaps
Even adjusting for education and occupation, women in many male-dominated occupations earn far less than men
updated 50M ago 
Alabama lawmakers push to ban almost all abortions
Several southern states have pushed for more restrictive abortion bills thanks to a new conservative majority on the Supreme Court
13M ago
Bernie Sanders raised $18.2 million in first quarter
Sanders reported more than $6 million in fundraising in the first 24 hours of his campaign
updated 37M ago 
Michael Brown's mom on the ballot for Ferguson City Council
Lesley McSpadden could soon have oversight over police department connected to her son's death if she's elected
56M ago 
Pelosi: Claims about Biden "touching" aren't "disqualifying"
"To say 'I'm sorry that you were offended' is not an apology," said Pelosi
1H ago 
2020 candidates reveal first-quarter fundraising efforts
The contenders in the 2020 presidential race are revealing their fundraising milestones for the first quarter
updated 39M ago 
Russian spy plane seen flying over sensitive U.S. military sites
It's an unusual sight to see: a Russian surveillance jet on the tarmac of Travis Air Force Base
17M ago 
NASA: Space junk from anti-satellite weapon could threaten space station
"A terrible, terrible thing": NASA administrator criticizes India for test of an anti-satellite weapon that sent a cloud of debris hurtling through space
1H ago 
Naked cop's sauna encounter with fugitive leads to arrest
"The naked police officer calmly told the man that he should consider himself arrested," Swedish police say
1H ago 
Chinese teacher suspected of poisoning of 23 kindergarteners
Attacks on children at China's schools are often deadly, not unusual, and usually blamed on the mentally ill or people with grudges
2H ago 
American survivor of Egyptian military attack makes plea to Trump
Helicopters built in the U.S. were used in that 2015 attack that killed April Corley's boyfriend and 11 other tourists
3H ago
Eagles to perform full "Hotel California" album for first time
Tickets will go on sale through Ticketmaster on April 12
13M ago 
Ruth Reichl shares recipes from new memoir "Save Me the Plums"
In her new book, the trailblazing food writer opens up about her decade running Gourmet magazine
updated 18M ago 
"Mass panic and chaos" at Nipsey Hussle vigil
Several people were hurt when a crowd of roughly 300 suddenly stampeded; police named a suspect they're seeking in the rapper's slaying
5H ago 
"Inside Edition" anchor Deborah Norville to undergo surgery
"We live in a world of 'see something, say something,' and I'm really glad we do," she said in a video posted online
11H ago 
With a bigger stage, Ashley McBryde is paying it forward
Country singer just won ACM's new female artist of the year and a performance spot on the big stage in Las Vegas
18H ago 
NASA: Space junk from anti-satellite weapon could threaten space station
"A terrible, terrible thing": NASA administrator criticizes India for test of an anti-satellite weapon that sent a cloud of debris hurtling through space
1H ago 
Baby born after experimental surgery heads home
Ivy Finn was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, but doctors thought an experimental surgery performed in the womb might give her a chance
16H ago 
Lyft stock goes into reverse after big IPO
Shares in the ride-hailing service fell nearly 12 percent, lopping $3 billion off its market value
18H ago 
NASA astronauts "super excited" about moon mission
Three space station crew members say they'll be ready for a trip to the moon if NASA can pull it off
11H ago 
Green meteor lights up sky in Florida, Georgia
Videos show the fireball as it fell to Earth, producing a bright green light
Apr 1 
"Inside Edition" anchor Deborah Norville to undergo surgery
"We live in a world of 'see something, say something,' and I'm really glad we do," she said in a video posted online
11H ago
Baby born after experimental surgery heads home
Ivy Finn was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, but doctors thought an experimental surgery performed in the womb might give her a chance
16H ago 
New treatment uses genetically modified cells to fight tumors
The treatment can turn a patient's own blood cells into weapons that kill cancerous cells
16H ago 
Screen for autism as early as 16 months, experts say
Advocates hope to lower the age of autism diagnosis in the U.S., because early intervention can help kids
17H ago 
Hollywood's elite threatens Georgia boycott over abortion ban
Alyssa Milano's petition has been signed by more than 100 celebrities including Amy Schumer, Alec Baldwin, and Judd Apatow
13H ago 
Jobs where women face the biggest pay gaps
Even adjusting for education and occupation, women in many male-dominated occupations earn far less than men
updated 50M ago 
Amazon lowers food prices at Whole Foods, countering "Whole Paycheck" image
The average price cut to be around 20 percent, prompting one analyst to cite "cutthroat" competition from Walmart
1H ago 
Investors try to keep the first-quarter rally rolling
With the S&P 500 within sight of its record high, can stock prices keep defying signs of uncertainty?
1H ago 
Martin Skreli in solitary confinement after using contraband cell phone in prison
Federal investigators had been probing whether the so-called "Pharma Bro" was using a contraband cell phone behind bars
1H ago 
When married couples should file separate tax returns
It's not always beneficial for marrieds to file jointly, like in these financial or legal situations
2H ago 
Martin Skreli in solitary confinement after using contraband cell phone in prison
Federal investigators had been probing whether the so-called "Pharma Bro" was using a contraband cell phone behind bars
1H ago
"Mass panic and chaos" at Nipsey Hussle vigil
Several people were hurt when a crowd of roughly 300 suddenly stampeded; police named a suspect they're seeking in the rapper's slaying
5H ago 
Man found guilty in 2016 murder of NYC jogger Karina Vetrano
Chanel Lewis strangled and sexually assaulted the 30-year-old while she was out for a run in Queens
11H ago 
College student stabbed 2 classmates while rehearsing a movie
Jake Wascher, 21, has been arrested and charged with assault and attempted murder in Sunday's incident in Connecticut; he's being held on $1 million bond
17H ago 
4 killed in North Dakota office building; suspect at large
Four people were found dead inside a property management company in Mandan and police are looking for a suspect
16H ago
