Tag Archives: SU-24

Just going to visit Poland and run into Uncle Ivan

Posted on by 4 comments

The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) is forward deployed to Rota, Spain to help provide a ABM shield over Europe and allow NATO members to sleep well at night. Well, as part of her gig with 6th Fleet, she ran up to the Baltic Sea and chilled in Gdynia, the primary Polish Naval base. There, offshore, she conducted flight ops with a Polish Navy SH-2G Sea Sprite..

Isnt it cute...

Isn’t it cute…

These these guys showed up,

160412-N-ZZ999-008 BALTIC SEA (April 12, 2016) A Russian Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft makes a very low altitude pass by USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) April 12, 2016. Donald Cook, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer forward deployed to Rota, Spain, is conducting a routine patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)

160412-N-ZZ999-008 BALTIC SEA (April 12, 2016) A Russian Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft makes a very low altitude pass by USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) April 12, 2016. Donald Cook, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer forward deployed to Rota, Spain, is conducting a routine patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)

On April 11, two Russian Su-24 attack planes made numerous passes while the destroyer, on routine deployment in support of NATO operations, was conducting operations with the Poles. Out of safety concerns, the Cook‘s commander suspended air operations.

Then on April 12, a Russian Ka-27 Helix helicopter began circling Cook, making no less than seven passes that were deemed “unsafe and unprofessional” by the ship’s commanding officer. This was followed up by another pair of Su-24s who made 11 low-altitude passes.

Just Ivan dropping in below the bridge wing...Welcome to the Baltic

Just Ivan dropping in below the bridge wing…Welcome to the Baltic

“The Russian aircraft flew in a simulated attack profile and failed to respond to repeated safety advisories in both English and Russian,” noted a release from U.S. European Command.

Ironically, this is not the Cook‘s first brush with Russki Su24s, In 2014 a pair of Su-24s made “danger close” passes over the warship while in international waters in the Black Sea.

Negative Ivan, the pattern is full

Posted on by One comment

 

A pair of SU-24s buzzed the USS Donald Cook, which just entered the Black Sea last week. Apparently they didnt understand that the pattern was full.

A pair of SU-24s buzzed the USS Donald Cook, which just entered the Black Sea last week. Apparently they didnt understand that the pattern was full.

 

 

By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON (NNS) — 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.

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.