The U.S. Air Force released a statement today in response to reports that a near miss incident occurred Friday evening involving a passenger plane and a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber as the passenger plane approached to land at the Minot International Airport.

“We are aware of the recent reporting regarding commercial and Air Force aircraft operating in airspace around Minot International Airport. We are currently looking into the matter,” according to an Air Force spokesperson.

The pilot of a Delta Connection regional jet told passengers after the incident on Friday that he had to perform an aggressive maneuver to avoid collision with the military aircraft that was in the path they were directed to use.

“We can confirm that a B-52 aircraft assigned to Minot AFB conducted a flyover of the North Dakota State Fair Friday evening,” the Air Force spokesperson also said.

On Friday evening, a B-52 bomber from Minot Air Force Base conducted a flyover at the North Dakota State Fair for a ceremony at the Grandstand recognizing Minot as a 2025 Great American Defense Community.