Pentagon Slams Russian Intercept of US Spy Plane

The Pentagon is protesting the Russian intercept of one of its reconnaissance planes flying in international airspace over the Baltic Sea, calling it "unsafe" and "an example of sloppy airmanship."

Pentagon spokesman Colonel Steve Warren said Monday the incident occurred last Tuesday, when a U.S. RC-135U plane was flying north of Poland and was approached from the rear by a Russian SU-27 fighter flying at a high rate of speed. He said the Russian plane crossed in front of the American jet and tilted to show off its weapons.

Warren said it was "not certain why this (Russian) pilot was such a sloppy aviator" and that it "could be that he wasn't very well trained." He said it was unacceptable for the Russian aviator to "flagrantly disregard international standards of safety and professionalism."

Moscow has denied that its pilot did anything wrong.

Pentagon Slams Russian Intercept of US Spy Plane

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Originally Posted by misskit

Pentagon Slams Russian Intercept of US Spy Plane The Pentagon is protesting the Russian intercept of one of its reconnaissance planes flying in international airspace over the Baltic Sea, calling it "unsafe" and "an example of sloppy airmanship."

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Wondering, what is the difference of "reconnaissance" and "spy" plane?
(Obviously just the coat-of-arms painted on side of the plane - or nothing indicated)

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Originally Posted by misskit

flagrantly disregard international standards of safety and professionalism."

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Hardly worth reporting as an aggressive action on the part of a Russian pilot playing games...question I have is was the American "spy plane," aware of this Russian MIG prior to the fly by or surprised by its sudden appearance?

"U.S. Spy plane surprised by Russian fighter in international air space," Would be a better heading. War of words will follow and numerous complaints filed with Embassys and UN. War on the horizon due to MIG fly by...USA threatens invasion of Russia and will commence invasion on Friday 17 April at 08:00 GMT. Invasion will consist of 40,000 drone aircraft, each carrying 1 lb mini A-bombs designed to drill deep into the concrete bunkers scattered through out the USSR holding Russia's vast reserves of Vodka and old Salt Treaty agreements.

Reports by MSM state that Obama has retired to his underground resort where an replica of his favorite golf course has been built. He plans to wait it out and advises his fellow countrymen not to worry this decision is made in their best interests...he was last heard to say...FOUR!!!! as his slice headed towards his Secrete Service protectors...cocktail hour has descended on Washington in a nation that largely does not give a shit about anything but fast food, nostalgia, big tits and phoney politicians.

Obviously the Russian Spy plane had spied on the US sovereign territory over Baltic Sea?

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Originally Posted by Klondyke

Wondering, what is the difference of "reconnaissance" and "spy" plane?

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Reconnaissance is exactly that -checking out the scenery openly.
Spy is trying to remain incognito

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Originally Posted by Klondyke

Obviously the Russian Spy plane had spied on the US sovereign territory over Baltic Sea?

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Except it wasn't a spy plane and the Baltic isn't US territory, sovereign or otherwise

:)

This is how you do it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtnWuSauhWk

Here is how John Simpson of BBC asked about the Russian planes. Not sure whether the poor old man was happy with such answer. :rolleyes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET8ukRY-nro

Here is the transcript:

Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much for your question. About our exercises, manoeuvres and the development of our armed forces. You said that Russia, to a certain extent, contributed to the tension that we are now seeing in the world. Russia did contribute but only insofar as it is more and more firmly protecting its national interests. We are not attacking in the political sense of the word. We are not attacking anyone. We are only protecting our interests. Our Western partners – and especially our US partners – are displeased with us for doing exactly that, not because we are allowing security-related activity that provokes tension.

Let me explain. You are talking about our aircraft, including strategic aviation operations. Do you know that in the early 1990s, Russia completely stopped strategic aviation flights in remote surveillance areas as the Soviet Union previously did? We completely stopped, while flights of US strategic aircraft carrying nuclear weapons continued. Why? Against whom? Who was threatened?

So we didn’t make flights for many years and only a couple of years ago we resumed them. So are we really the ones doing the provoking?

So, in fact, we only have two bases outside Russia, and both are in areas where terrorist activity is high. One is in Kyrgyzstan, and was deployed there upon request of the Kyrgyz authorities, President Akayev, after it was raided by Afghan militants. The other is in Tajikistan, which also borders on Afghanistan. I would guess you are interested in peace and stability there too. Our presence is justified and clearly understandable.
Now, US bases are scattered around the globe – and you’re telling me Russia is behaving aggressively? Do you have any common sense at all? What are US armed forces doing in Europe, also with tactical nuclear weapons? What are they doing there?

Listen, Russia has increased its military spending for 2015, if I am not mistaken, it is around 50 billion in dollar equivalent. The Pentagon’s budget is ten times that amount, $575 billion, I think, recently approved by the Congress. And you’re telling me we are pursuing an aggressive policy? Is there any common sense in this?

Are we moving our forces to the borders of the United States or other countries? Who is moving NATO bases and other military infrastructure towards us? We aren’t. Is anyone listening to us? Is anyone engaging in some dialogue with us about it? No. No dialogue at all. All we hear is “that’s none of your business. Every country has the right to choose its way to ensure its own security.” All right, but we have the right to do so too. Why can’t we?
Finally, the ABM system – something I mentioned in my Address to the Federal Assembly. Who was it that withdrew unilaterally from the ABM Treaty, one of the cornerstones of the global security system? Was it Russia? No, it wasn’t. The United States did this, unilaterally. They are creating threats for us, they are deploying their strategic missile defence components not just in Alaska, but in Europe as well – in Romania and Poland, very close to us. And you’re telling me we are pursuing an aggressive policy?

If the question is whether we want law-based relations, the answer is yes, but only if our national economic and security interests are absolutely respected.

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Originally Posted by Klondyke

Wondering, what is the difference of "reconnaissance" and "spy" plane? (Obviously just the coat-of-arms painted on side of the plane - or nothing indicated)

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It is the same event being described. There is no distinction being made here.

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Originally Posted by Klondyke

Obviously the Russian Spy plane had spied on the US sovereign territory over Baltic Sea?

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There is no Russian spy plane. It is a US spy plane and a Sukhoi fighter.

Another just curious observation. Nato intercepts Russian surveillance planes on a very frequent basis. Russia doesn't complain about that! And yet when the Russians do it back Oh may god how dare they!

I think it was the alleged cavalier aerial tactics of the intercept that are being protested.

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Originally Posted by OckerRocker

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Originally Posted by Klondyke

Wondering, what is the difference of "reconnaissance" and "spy" plane?

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Reconnaissance is exactly that -checking out the scenery openly.
Spy is trying to remain incognito

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Originally Posted by Klondyke

Obviously the Russian Spy plane had spied on the US sovereign territory over Baltic Sea?

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Except it wasn't a spy plane and the Baltic isn't US territory, sovereign or otherwise

:)

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I imagine the American hierarchy might have different conclusive fantasies.

"Russia has two military bases outside of Russia. The United States has them all over the world. Who is being aggressive!?'

Vlad the Impaler makes sense . . . though I'd rather have it this way than the opposite

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Originally Posted by thaimeme

I imagine the American hierarchy might have different conclusive fantasies.

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I'm sure they do, mate. I'm sure they do.