I did see this statement from Norad
Command (Norad) confirmed Wednesday. Two U.S. Air Force F-22 jets were scrambled and intercepted the bombers over the Aleutians but the remaining two nuclear-capable bombers then flew southeast and entered the U.S. northern air defense zone off the coast of Northern California, before 2 more F-15s were scrambled.

This bring back memories of the Cold War tactics

some sites you just don't know what to think
but this did sound official

but thanks to the DUers found ABC and Wiki confirmation
Is Russia testing our Defense systems at home and Europe?
How are the defenses here in America? Putin's games are on

this wouldn't even get mentioned it was so routine.

Policy is to intercept aircraft that get within 200mi of U.S. land. NORAD is aware of any aircraft long before they reach that line.

Due to its long range, the Tu-95 has been the preferred platform for intelligence gathering, testing defenses and showing the flag. With a top speed under 500 mph, the Bears are not good candidates to attack U.S. mainland. They would be fish in a barrel to our fighters. The Tu-22 on the other hand... but they are not often used on such missions

On April 23, 2014 Royal Air Force Typhoon fighters intercepted two Tu-95s in international airspace off the coast of Scotland.[28]

On June 9, 2014 United States Air Force fighters intercepted four Tu-95s in international airspace off the coasts of Alaska and Northern California
other instances in 2013

engines, each utilizing a pair of contra-spinning props. Very long range, very noisy, I am told. They have from time-to-time probed our air defenses since the 50s.

B-52

we do have prop planes, like Hawkeyes and Ospreys but no prop combat aircraft

A Russian nuclear-powered attack submarine armed with long-range cruise missiles operated undetected in the Gulf of Mexico for several weeks in 2012, according to this article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2188791/Russian-attack-submarine-slipped-past-US-Navy-patrolled-Gulf-Mexico-weeks-undetected.html

Wiki
thanks

Another DUer turned me onto it and I've found it really helpful.

http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/RationalWiki:Webshites

to England. First time ever basing them outside the U.S. The move was seen as a warning to Russia. Putin's just giving us the bird in response.

Russia will sometimes fly planes close to our warning systems provoking a response. They've been doing it for years. They tend to do it more in the summer when they are training new pilots. But usually they stay up near Alaska and dont come as close to California.

the encounter is interesting
the F22 met them in Aleutians but they still continued to California

Putin games or strategy