The Pentagon will ship F-22 Raptor fighter jets to the Middle East in direct response to more and more “unsafe” conduct by Russian plane within the skies over Syria, U.S. officers mentioned Wednesday, marking the most recent escalation of tensions between the 2 nations.
U.S. Central Command mentioned in a press release that the F-22 deployment will exhibit clear American air superiority within the area. The transfer comes amid reviews of more and more aggressive actions by Russian planes, described by one American navy official as an try by the Russians to “dogfight” U.S. jets over Syria.
The U.S. has roughly 1,000 troops in Syria. Their official mission is to battle the remnants of the Islamic State terror group, however these American forces have more and more discovered themselves in battle with Iran-backed militias and in harmful encounters with Russian personnel.
Russian troops are in Syria to assist prop up the federal government of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad.
While there was no direct battle between U.S. and Russian forces within the Syrian skies, U.S. officers framed the F-22 deployment as a preemptive transfer to make sure security within the area.
“Russian forces’ unsafe and unprofessional behavior is not what we expect from a professional air force. Their regular violation of agreed upon airspace deconfliction measures increases the risk of escalation or miscalculation,” Army Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, mentioned in a press release Wednesday afternoon. “Alongside our partners and allies, we are committed to improving the security and stability in the region.”
CENTCOM added: “This rapid deployment and integration into coalition operations is a clear demonstration of the commitment shared by partners, allies, and the U.S. to long-term peace and stability in the region.”
U.S. and Russian forces have had a number of harmful encounters in Syria over the previous a number of years.
In August 2020, U.S. and Russian navy automobiles collided in northeastern Syria. Video posted to social media on the time appeared to indicate a Russian navy automobile sideswiping an American automobile whereas not less than two Russian helicopters flew overhead.
More just lately, U.S. officers mentioned Russian pilots seem like making an attempt to goad their American counterparts right into a struggle.
“They’re maneuvering aggressively against us when our protocols would say we’re supposed to stay … several miles apart and just monitor each other,” Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, head of Air Forces Central Command, instructed the information outlet Defense One in April.
He mentioned the Russians are “aggressively maneuvering, almost like they’re trying to dogfight” within the skies over Syria.
The developments in Syria come as tensions rise between U.S. and Russian personnel elsewhere on this planet.
In March, a Russian fighter jet collided with a U.S. navy surveillance drone over the Black Sea, forcing U.S. operators to deliver down the unmanned craft in worldwide waters.
And U.S. plane a number of occasions this yr have intercepted Russian planes flying close to a buffer zone off the coast of Alaska.
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