Russian attack planes buzzed the guided missile destroyer USS Donald Cook during the U.S.'s joint exercises in the Baltic Sea this week in what defense officials on Wednesday described as "aggressive" and "unsafe flight maneuvers."
Two Russian SU-24 jets made "numerous, close-range and low-altitude passes" on the U.S. ship Tuesday as a helicopter refueled on the deck, according to a statement from U.S. European Command.
The Cook, which was holding a joint exercise with NATO ally Poland and operating in international waters, "encountered multiple, aggressive flight maneuvers by Russian aircraft that were performed within close proximity of the ship," the statement said.
It said the aircraft "flew in a simulated attack profile and failed to respond to repeated safety advisories in both English and Russian."
At one point, the ship's commanding officer viewed a particularly close pass as "unsafe and unprofessional" and suspended flight operations until the aircraft left the area.
One pass was about about 30 feet from the ship at an altitude of 100 feet, according to a defense official, who was not authorized to speak publicly about it. Two more passes farther from the ship came at 50 feet above water.
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Russian war planes buzz U.S. destroyer in Baltic
James Woods Verified account @RealJamesWoods Russian war planes buzz U.S. destroyer http://usat.ly/1San0qN #Obama and #Kerry will no doubt find some way to turn this into an #apology.
