Armed Russian jets are caught flying over US military base in Syria nearly ... trends now
Russian jets that are armed have flown over a U.S. military site throughout March at an alarming rate that could lead to escalation between the two countries.
According to a new report from NBC News, Russian Su-34 jets that may have air-to-air weapons and radar-guided and heat-seeking missiles and bombs have been over the At Tanf Garrison nearly every day in March.
In the first three weeks of the month, Russian jets have entered the U.S. air space over the garrison 25 times, compared to zero times in February and 14 in January.
'It is a substantial increase,' said Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich. He said Russia is currently 'on track to be double what it has been in the past.'
Lt. Gen. Grynewich - who is in charge of air operations for the region - said the actions violate a four-year-old agreement between the two countries and could lead to future issues.
Russian jets that are armed have flown over a U.S. military site throughout March at an alarming rate that could lead to escalation between the two countries
Russian Su-34 jets that may have air-to-air weapons and radar-guided and heat-seeking missiles and bombs have been over the At Tanf Garrison nearly every day in March
This is the At Tanf Garrison (also referred to as the Al Tanf Garrison) in Syria
According to Grynkewich - whose official title is combined forces air component commander for U.S. Central Command - the most recent flight over the base happened Wednesday.
He says the uptick in the overflights have begun to raise red flags among some.
'They're regularly flying directly overhead of our units, and I've defined directly overhead, as within about a mile, no more than a mile offset one side or the other, while we've got forces right there on the ground at ATG,' he told the outlet.
'So it's an uncomfortable situation,' Grynkewich continued.
This 'uncomfortable situation' comes just days after two Russian Su-27 fighter jets flew aggressively around a U.S. drone.
During that incident which happened over the Black Sea, the jets dumped fuel on the drone and eventually collided with it, causing the drone to go down.
Grynkewich said the U.S. has used their direct deconfliction phone line to object to the hostility, but that the calls have done little to stop the behavior.
Rather than acknowledge the issue, the military official said the Russians have told him they don't recognize the airspace as the United States'.
'It is a substantial increase,' said Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich. He said Russia is currently 'on track to be double what it has been in the past'
Grynkewich said the U.S. has used their direct deconfliction phone line to object to the
