Cold War defence against Bear bombers and cruise missiles

How did NATO plan to counter Bear bombers carrying cruise missiles on the northern routes?

Use land-based F-15s and F-14s with Phoenix missiles, with carrier groups helping to disrupt and delay the threat.

Iceland-based F-15s and carrier-based F-14 Tomcats with Phoenix missiles form the core of the answer. Those fighters were intended to reach Soviet Bear bombers before the bombers could release cruise missiles against North Atlantic forces. Carrier groups also mattered by complicating Soviet planning and buying time for the interceptors to engage. The defence was therefore layered around early interception rather than waiting for ships to defeat every incoming missile near the convoy.