WASHINGTON, For two days in a row, Russian fighter jets conducted several
aggressive, low-altitude passes above a U.S. Navy destroyer
participating in maritime warfare exercises in the Baltic Sea.
The USS Donald Cook was carrying out landing deck drills
with partner nation forces on April 11 when two Russian-flagged Su-24
fighter jets "made numerous, close-range and low altitude passes" above
the vessel, according to a statement by Navy officials with U.S.
European Command.
Navy commanders suspended the training mission until the jets left the area.
The following day, A Russian KA-27 Helix attack helicopter
buzzed the Donald Cook, again forcing its crew to suspend ongoing flight
operations. As the Helix continued to circle the deck, two more Su-24
fighters flew 11 aggressive, low passes over the ship, according to the
Navy.
The fighters flew "in a simulated attack profile and failed
to respond to repeated safety advisories in both English and Russian,"
Navy officials say.
"We have deep concerns about the unsafe and unprofessional
Russian flight maneuvers. These actions have the potential to
unnecessarily escalate tensions between countries, and could result in a
miscalculation or accident that could cause serious injury or death,"
according to the Navy's statement on the incidents.
U.S. and Russian diplomats and military officials have held
informal discussions about the incidents, while Navy leaders are
conducting their own review of the Russian military's actions.
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