In a joint interview with Miami Herald and CNN Espanol, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says USS Donald Cook could have opened fire when it was buzzed by Russian Su-24s and a Ka-27.
BALTIC SEA (April 12, 2016) Two Russian Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft fly over the USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) Apr. 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)
“It is reckless. It is provocative. It is dangerous. And under the rules of engagement, that could have been a shoot-down.”
“People need to understand that this is serious business and the United States is not going to be intimidated on the high seas,” Kerry added.
THE PROBLEMS ARE NOT THE AMERICAN NAVY RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, RATHER SAID RULES ARE NOT BEING ENFORCED AT THE EXPENSE OF PROBABLE DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH RUSSIAN RECKLESS BEHAVIORS.
TO THAT END, MAKE A CLEAR PUBLIC STATEMENT TO THE RUSSIANS AND ALL OTHER OF SIMILAR BEHAVIOR, WHAT THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENTS ARE FOR THE USN. SECOND, MAKE CLEAR ANMD UNAMBIOUS STATEMENT, THAT THE RULERS OF ENGAGEMENT WILL BE ENFORCED REGARDLESS OF THE AGGRESSORS’ INTENT.
I AM SURE THAT THE RUSSIANS AND OTHERS WILL STOP THIS TYPE OF RECKLESS AND PROVOCATIVE BEHAVIOR TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF AMERICAN SAILORS!!!