U.S. to file complaint over 'unsafe' intercept by Russian fighter jet

After a Russian fighter jet intercepted a U.S. reconnaissance plane in an "unsafe and unprofessional manner" earlier this week, the United States is complaining to Moscow about the incident.

The U.S. crew believed the Russian pilot's actions were "unsafe and unprofessional due to the aggressive maneuvers it performed in close proximity to their aircraft and its high rate of speed," Pentagon spokesman Mark Wright said.

 

U.S European CommandVerified account‏@US_EUCOM

.To dispel rumors: US aircraft flying IAW ICAO flight rules in intl airspace was intercepted by Russian fighter in unsafe manner April 7.1/2

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1:28 PM - 11 Apr 2015

Russian and U.S. aircraft often encounter each other, both in Northern Europe as well as the area between the Russian Far East and Alaska.

 

U.S European CommandVerified account‏@US_EUCOM

.The United States is raising this unprofessional incident with Russia in the appropriate diplomatic and official channels. 2/2

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1:29 PM - 11 Apr 2015

This is not the first time the U.S. has complained about an incident involving a RC-135U and a SU-27. A year ago, a Russian jet flew within 100 feet of a RC-135U over the Sea of Okhotsk in the western Pacific, according to U.S. officials who called it "one of the most dangerous close passes in decades." The Pentagon complained to the Russia military about that incident.


Source: CNN