Russian jets keep buzzing U.S. ships and planes. What can the U.S. do?
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Two Russian fighter jets recently flew within 30 feet of the USS Cook
The Pentagon said the incidents could "unnecessarily escalate tensions between the two countries"
WashingtonCNN
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Two separate close encounters between the Russian and U.S. militaries in recent days have left many wondering if future incidents could result in an armed clash.
Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters Monday, “There have been repeated incidents over the past year where Russian aircraft have come close enough to other air and sea traffic to raise serious safety concerns.”
“Unsafe and unprofessional actions by a single pilot have the potential to unnecessarily escalate tensions between the two countries,” he added.
After two Russian fighter jets flew within 30 feet of the USS Donald Cook last Tuesday, Secretary of State John Kerry warned that the Russian action could have resulted in the jets being shot down.
Kerry told CNN en Español that “under the rules of engagement, that could have been a shoot-down, so people need to understand that this is serious business.”
When asked why the Russian plane was not shot down, a senior military official told CNN that “the Russians were dangerous but did not demonstrate hostile intent and were unarmed.”
On Saturday, U.S. European Command, which oversees U.S. military operations in Europe, said that a Russian interceptor flew within 50 feet of an American reconnaissance aircraft, a maneuver the U.S. military described as “unsafe and unprofessional.”
Russia’s Defense Ministry said that reports on Thursday’s incident were “not consistent with reality” and that the Russian aircraft’s maneuvers had been “performed strictly in accordance with the international regulations on the use of airspace.”
The U.S. Navy does not publicly discuss its rules of engagement in order to prevent adversaries from using them to their advantage.
But a Navy official told CNN that “every commanding officer of a U.S. Navy ship is empowered to make the decision regarding the self-defense of the ship and its crew.”
The official added that in the case of the Cook, “The commanding officer recognized that the flight patterns were unsafe and unprofessional but did not feel threatened and therefore did not engage with tactical weapons.”
Retired Navy Capt. Rick Hoffman lauded the performance of the ship’s commanding officer, telling CNN that the “destroyer captain exercised extreme professionalism and extreme restraint.”
Hoffman, who commanded a frigate and a cruiser during his time in the Navy, said that the Russian action was probably “sufficient” to justify a shoot-down. But he added, “in this particular case, from my perspective, I think he took all the right action and demonstrated calm professionalism.”
As to why Russia has engaged in these type of aerial maneuvers, Hoffman said that “President (Vladimir) Putin is clearly playing domestic politics.”
Heather Conley of the Center for Strategic and International Studies agreed, telling CNN, “This highly risky behavior seems to be an attempt to cause or create an accident or incident. Perhaps Mr. Putin believes he needs to divert the Russian people’s attention away their economic troubles.”
She added, “To America’s European allies, the Kremlin is messaging that the U.S. cannot protect them from Russia if Russia wants to do something to them militarily.”
But close observers say the U.S. shooting down a Russian plane is very unlikely, and very undesirable.
Photos: Russian warplane intercepts
UK Ministry of Defence
A Russian Tu-95 Bear bomber is escorted by a British Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter during an intercept in September 2014. Click through the gallery to see other intercepts in late 2014.
An armed MiG-31 intercepted by Norwegian planes. The plane is nicknamed the Foxhound by NATO.
Photos: Russian warplane intercepts
Norwegian Armed Forces
An armed Tu-22M supersonic bomber, nicknamed the Backfire by NATO, was photographed by Norwegian fighter jets.
Photos: Russian warplane intercepts
Norwegian Armed Forces
A look at a Russian Tu-22M from below as taken by a Norwegian Royal Air Force fighter plane.
Photos: Russian warplane intercepts
Norwegian Armed Forces
A Su-24 attack aircraft, nicknamed the Fencer by NATO, was photographed by a Norwegian warplane.
Photos: Russian warplane intercepts
Norwegian Armed Forces
An armed MiG-31 Foxhound photographed from below by a Norwegian Royal Air Force interceptor.
Photos: Russian warplane intercepts
Norwegian Armed Forces
A Russian Il-78 tanker refuels a Tu-95 Bear bomber in a photograph taken by a Norwegian warplane.
Photos: Russian warplane intercepts
Finnish Air Force
Two Russian Sukhoi Su-34 fighter bombers, nicknamed the Fullback by NATO, as photographed by Finnish Air Force F/A-18 Hornet fighters.
Photos: Russian warplane intercepts
Finnish Air Force
Finnish fighter jets photographed this Russian Tu-95 Bear bomber.
Photos: Russian warplane intercepts
Finnish Air Force
Two Tupolev Tu-22M aircraft intercepted by Finnish fighter planes.
Photos: Russian warplane intercepts
Finnish Air Force
A Russian Tupolev Tu-95 Bear bomber intercepted by Finnish fighter planes.
“Those ships are very sophisticated. We can make decisions about whether they live or die from great distances, with great speed, but we don’t want to do that unless it’s absolutely necessary and it’s absolutely supported by our rules of engagement,” Hoffman said.
Conley said that the only way the U.S. would shoot down a plane in this situation is if the Russians actually shot first.
Even if the U.S. were to take such action, Hoffman doubted that it would lead to full-scale conflict between the U.S. and Russia.
“Would this precipitate general war with Russia? I don’t believe so. But It would be very, very unfortunate for everybody, everybody involved,” he said.
In November tensions between Russia and NATO-member Turkey ratcheted after the Turkish military downed a Russian aircraft that Turkey said had violated its airspace after crossing the Syria-Turkish border. The incident led to some economic sanctions and the severing of military ties between the two countries.
Conley noted that there had been a marked increase in these type of incidents.
Photos: In the U.S. Air Force fleet
Master Sgt. Greg Steele/U.S. Air Force
B-52 Stratofortress —
The first versions of this long-range heavy bomber flew in 1954. A total of 744 were built, the last of those in 1962. The Air Force maintains 58 B-52s in the active force and 18 in the Reserve. A single B-52 can carry 70,000 pounds of mixed munitions, including bombs, missiles and mines. The eight-engine jets have a range of 8,800 miles.
Photos: In the U.S. Air Force fleet
U.S. Air Force/Senior Airman Nicole Sikorski
C-130 Hercules transport —
A C-130J Super Hercules from the 37th Airlift Squadron flies over Normandy, France, June 3, 2015. First delivered to the Air Force in 1956, the C-130 remains one of the service's most important airlift platforms. More than 140 are still in active units, with more than 180 in the National Guard and a hundred more in the Reserve. The C-130 is powered by four turboprop engines.
Photos: In the U.S. Air Force fleet
U.S. Air Force
AC-130 gunships —
The AC-130H Spectre and the AC-130U Spooky gunships are designed for close air support, air interdiction and force protection. Armaments on the Spectre include 40mm and 105mm cannons. The Spooky adds a 25mm Gatling gun.
Photos: In the U.S. Air Force fleet
Justin Connaher/U.S. Air Force
F-22 Raptor —
The twin-engine F-22 stealth fighter, flown by a single pilot and armed with a 20mm cannon, heat-seeking missiles, radar-guided missiles and radar-guided bombs, can perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. The service has 183 of the Raptors, which went operational in 2005.
Photos: In the U.S. Air Force fleet
US Air Force/Airman 1st Class Elijah Chevalier
The single-engine F-35A is the Air Force's eventual replacement for the F-16 and the A-10. The supersonic jets, which will be able to conduct air-to-air and air-to-ground attacks, are just beginning to enter the Air Force fleet. Here, an F-35 Lightning II from the 34th Fighter Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, flys at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, April 15, 2017.
Photos: In the U.S. Air Force fleet
Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald/USAF
B-2 Spirit bomber —
The four-engine B-2 heavy bomber has stealth properties that make it hard to detect on radar. Flown by a crew of two, it has an unrefueled range of 6,000 miles and can deliver both conventional and nuclear bombs. Twenty B-2s are in the active inventory. They joined the fleet in 1997.
Photos: In the U.S. Air Force fleet
Airman 1st Class James L. Miller/USAF
B-1B Lancer bomber —
The four-engine jet can fly at 900 mph and carry the largest payload of bombs and missiles in the Air Force inventory. The Air Force has 62 B-1Bs in the fleet.
Photos: In the U.S. Air Force fleet
Airman 1st Class Chad Warren/USAF
F-15 Eagle —
The F-15 Eagle, the Air Force's main air superiority fighter, became operational in 1975. With a crew of one or two, depending on the model, the twin-engine jets are armed with a 20mm cannon along with Sidewinder or AMRAAM missiles. The Air Force lists 249 F-15 Eagles in its inventory.
Photos: In the U.S. Air Force fleet
U.S. Air Force/FILE
F-15E Strike Eagle —
The Strike Eagle is a version of the air superiority fighter adapted to perform ground-strike missions. With a crew of two, the twin-jet can carry and deploy most weapons in the Air Force inventory and operate in any weather. The F-15E was first delivered in 1988. The Air Force lists 219 in its fleet.
Photos: In the U.S. Air Force fleet
U.S. Air Force/FIle
A-10 Thunderbolt —
The A-10 Thunderbolt jets, nicknamed "Warthogs," are specially designed for close air support of ground forces. Key to their armaments is a 30mm Gatling gun. The pilot is protected from ground fire by titanium armor, and the plane's fuel cells are self-sealing in case of puncture.
Photos: In the U.S. Air Force fleet
U.S. Air Force
RC-135U —
The RC-135U Combat Sent, based at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, provides strategic electronic reconnaissance information to the president, secretary of defense, Department of Defense leaders and theater commanders.
Photos: In the U.S. Air Force fleet
Airman 1st Class Jeffrey Schultz/USAF
An F-15 Eagle takes off from the Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, flight line as two E-3 Sentries are seen in the background.
Photos: In the U.S. Air Force fleet
USAF/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
OV-10 Bronco —
A 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron OV-10 Bronco aircraft fires white phosphorus rockets to mark a target for an air strike during tactical air control training.
Photos: In the U.S. Air Force fleet
Airman 1st Class Dillian Bamman/USAF
A-29 Super Tucano —
An A-29 Super Tucano taxis on the flightline during its first arrival, Sept. 26, 2014, at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. Afghan Air Force pilots trained on the planes that will be used in air-to-ground attack missions in Afghanistan.
Photos: In the U.S. Air Force fleet
Master Sgt. Keith Reed/USAF
KC-135 Stratotanker —
The four-engine KC-135 joined the Air Force fleet in 1956 as both a tanker and cargo jet. It can carry up to 200,000 pounds of fuel and 83,000 pounds of cargo and passengers in a deck above the refueling system. More than 400 of the KC-135s are flown by active, Air Guard and Reserve units.
Photos: In the U.S. Air Force fleet
Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald/U.S. Air Force/File
F-16 Fighting Falcon —
The single-engine jet is a mainstay of the Air Force combat fleet. It can perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions with its 20mm cannon and ability to carry missiles and bombs on external pods. More than 1,000 F-16s are in the Air Force inventory.
Photos: In the U.S. Air Force fleet
SSgt Sean M. Worrell/USAF
C-17 Globemaster transport —
The four-engine jet joined the Air Force fleet in 1993 with a primary mission of troop and cargo transport. Each plane can carry up to 102 troops or 170,900 pounds of cargo. The Air Force has 187 C-17s on active duty, 12 in the Air National Guard and 14 in the Reserve.
Photos: In the U.S. Air Force fleet
Jason Minto/US AIR FORCE
C-5 Galaxy transport —
The C-5, with a wingspan of 222 feet, a length of 247 feet and a height of 65 feet, is the largest plane in the Air Force inventory and one of the largest aircraft in the world. The first versions of the four-engine jet joined the force in 1970. The Air Force expects to have 52 versions of the latest model, the C-5M, in the fleet by 2017.
Photos: In the U.S. Air Force fleet
U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Markus Maier
CV-22 Osprey —
The Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft that combines vertical takeoff, hover and landing qualities of a helicopter with the normal flight characteristics of a turboprop aircraft, according to the Air Force. It is used to move troops in and out of operations as well as resupply units in the field. The Air Force has 33 Ospreys in inventory.
Photos: In the U.S. Air Force fleet
US Air Force
E-3 Sentry AWACS —
AWACS stands for airborne warning and control system. This four-engine jet, based on a Boeing 707 platform, monitors and manages battle space with its huge rotating radar dome. The planes have a flight crew of four supporting 13 to 19 specialists and controllers giving direction to units around the battle space. The Air Force has 32 E-3s in inventory.
Photos: In the U.S. Air Force fleet
Brian Dyjak/USAF
KC-10 Extender —
Based on the DC-10 passenger jet, the triple-engine KC-10 is a gas station in the sky with the ability to carry 75 people and 170,000 pounds of cargo. In its six tanks, the KC-10 can carry up to 356,000 pounds of fuel and dispense it while airborne. The Air Force has 59 KC-10s on active duty.
Photos: In the U.S. Air Force fleet
Master Sgt. Lance Cheung/USAF
T-38 Talon —
The twin-engine jet trainer, used by the Air Force to prepare pilots for the F-15E Strike Eagle, F-15C Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, B-1B Lancer, A-10 Thunderbolt and F-22 Raptor, first flew in 1959. Almost 550 are in the active force.
Photos: In the U.S. Air Force fleet
USAF/Getty Images
U-2 —
The single-engine, single-pilot U-2 is used for high-altitude reconnaissance and surveillance. Flying at altitudes around 70,000 feet, pilots must wear pressure suits like those worn by astronauts. The first U-2 was flown in 1955. The planes were used on missions over the Soviet Union during the Cold War, flying too high to be reached by any adversary. The Air Force has 33 U-2s in its active inventory.
Photos: In the U.S. Air Force fleet
U.S. Air Force/Josh Plueger
WC-135 Constant Phoenix —
The four-engine WC-135 is used to fly through airspace to detect the residue of nuclear blasts. "The aircraft is equipped with external flow-through devices to collect particulates on filter paper and a compressor system for whole air samples collected in holding spheres," the Air Force says. It has two of these jets in the active force.
In January a Russian jet fighter came within 20 feet of a U.S. RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft flying over the Black Sea. In October, U.S. Navy jets intercepted two Russian Tu-142 aircraft that were flying near the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan in the Pacific Ocean.
In an incident in June, a Russian Su-24 jet flew within 500 meters – 1,640 feet – of a U.S. guided-missile destroyer that was sailing in the Black Sea near Crimea.
“Some believe this is Russia’s response to recent decision to quadruple U.S. defense spending in Europe and the increase of equipment and personnel in Europe,” Conley said.
President Barack Obama and Putin spoke over the phone Monday but the recent military encounters were not discussed, according to White House spokesman Josh Earnest
The U.S. Navy told CNN Monday that the Cook continues to operate in the Baltic Sea.
“The United States is not going to be intimidated,” Kerry said.
CNN’s Barbara Starr and Jamie Crawford contributed to this report