Russian Aircraft Flies Near U.S. Navy Ship in Black Sea
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 14, 2014 – A Russian attack aircraft repeatedly
flew near the USS Donald Cook in international waters in the Black Sea
on April 12, a Pentagon spokesman said today.
Sailors
man the rails as the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS
Donald Cook arrives at Naval Station Rota, Spain, Feb. 11, 2014. Donald
Cook is the first of four Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers
to be stationed in Rota. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Edward Guttierrez III
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. |
|
The USS Cook was patrolling in the western Black Sea when an
unarmed Russian Su-24 Fencer attack aircraft repeatedly flew near the
Navy ship, Army Col. Steve Warren told reporters.
“The aircraft
did not respond to multiple queries and warnings from Donald Cook, and
the event ended without incident after approximately 90 minutes,” Warren
said. “This provocative and unprofessional Russian action is
inconsistent with international protocols and previous agreements on the
professional interaction between our militaries.”
Two Russian
aircraft were present, but only one took part in the provocative
actions, Warren said. The aircraft flew from near sea level to a couple
of thousand feet, he added, but never overflew the U.S. Arleigh
Burke-class destroyer.
“The Russian plane made a total of 12 passes,” he said.
The wingman stayed at a considerably higher altitude, Warren said.
Officials later said the aircraft approached within about 1,000 yards
of the ship. The USS Cook was never in danger, Warren said.
“The Donald Cook is more than capable of defending itself against two Su-24s,” the colonel said.
Warren said he does not think this is an example of a young pilot
joyriding. “I would have difficulty believing that two Russian pilots,
on their own, would chose to take such an action,” he said. “We’ve seen
the Russians conduct themselves unprofessionally and in violation of
international norms in Ukraine for several months, and these continued
acts of provocation and unprofessionalism do nothing to de-escalate the
situation in Ukraine, which we called on the Russians to do.”
The Cook arrived in the Black Sea on April 10. The ship is now making a port call in Constanta, Romania.
(Follow Jim Garamone on Twitter: @GaramoneAFPS)
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