Russian bombers perform fly-by of USS Reagan @1 nm / 500 feet. Do you think this is an escalation?

2015-10-29T14:37:33-04:00

http://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/russian-aircraft-approach-uss-ronald-reagan-prompting-us-fighter-jet-scramble-1.375709

I don't think this is an escalation, because this is old hat from the cold war days -- I've seen this, myself, in person, when I was in the Navy: a Russian bear bomber overflying, escorted by Tomcats. In fact, we do this to them, as well.

However, it IS a return to that level of rhetoric. What do you think?

(Also, it's kind of bad-assed that the carrier got to do what it's made to do vs Russians, imo.)

Russian aircraft approach USS Ronald Reagan, prompting US fighter jet scramble

The USS Ronald Reagan scrambled its fighter jets earlier this week after two Russian naval reconnaissance aircraft flew within one nautical mile of the U.S. aircraft carrier as it sailed in international waters east of the Korean Peninsula, according to 7th Fleet officials.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Oct 29 at 2015 2:38 PM

2015-10-29T14:38:52-04:00

I agree. Putin reliving the glory days.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Oct 29 at 2015 2:44 PM

2015-10-29T14:44:02-04:00

SN Greg Wright I don't think it is a big deal. There are photos from throughout the cold war of US fighters "politely" escorting a Bear away from US interests. It is all about establishing boundaries. Push until there is push back.

http://sploid.gizmodo.com/27-high-tension-photos-of-american-jets-intercepting-ru [login to see]

27 high tension photos of NATO jets intercepting Russian warplanes

This week interception of Russian warplanes by NATO Typhoon fighters reminds me of the time in which the world was on the brink of total nuclear annihilation, when Soviet forces taunted the Americans to test their defenses. This image collection shows that part of a Cold War that seems reactivated right now.

Response by SPC George Rudenko made Oct 29 at 2015 3:23 PM

2015-10-29T15:23:22-04:00

US dis same to Soviet Union in abt 83

Response by PO1 Sean Reynolds made Oct 29 at 2015 3:27 PM

2015-10-29T15:27:27-04:00

Not at all and it gives radar intercept Peps a chance to see just how far out the can see them and target them

Response by CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter made Oct 29 at 2015 3:29 PM

2015-10-29T15:29:46-04:00

I have seen more then one bear fly by while I was on the flight deck

Response by CPO Greg Frazho made Oct 29 at 2015 3:42 PM

2015-10-29T15:42:26-04:00

An attempted provocation is probably closer to the mark.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Oct 29 at 2015 4:27 PM

2015-10-29T16:27:06-04:00

Not even going to worry about them. Just a bunch of useless saber rattling no one cares about.

Response by PO3 Brian S. Spicer made Oct 29 at 2015 5:09 PM

2015-10-29T17:09:27-04:00

I agree, no escalation. I have witnessed a passing over and by a Russian destroyer and also a Russian "Bear" bomber while onboard my destroyer USS David R. Ray (DD-971) in the year of 1986. We passed side by side approximately less than a mile apart with our destroyer.

Russia wants attention from the our allies, U.S. and the rest of the world because they feel isolated from communicating verbally and physically on a regular basis with the rest of the world and the U.S. This is why Russia is entering others air space, pass overs, and pass byes. RUSSIA wants our allies, the U.S., and the rest of the world to EMBRACE them and accept them as a GOOD Power in helping the rest of the world. They want to work with all of the world consistently like we do with other countries.

I say to my U.S. Government, we need to communicate more verbally and physically by embracing Russia on all levels politically, militarily, economically, and humanely.

Russia has shown the rest of the world and us during the present Syrian civil and terrorist war that they are and can continue to be a GOOD Power partner with the rest of the world like our allies and us. I am sure during the next U.S. Presidency, Russia and the U.S. will grow closer to becoming better partners on all levels.

At this current day and time I do not just recommend, I DEMAND that WE (U.S.) immediately relieve Russia from some or most of the bans that hurts their economy and the Russian people. My reasons are because they are showing the world by their actions that they are willing to be a major partner in maintaining a PEACFUL, LOVING, and CARING WORLD.

Respectfully,

Brian Stanley Spicer

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2015 6:45 PM

2015-10-29T18:45:53-04:00

I think was a very poor and dangerous decision on the part of the Russians.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Oct 29 at 2015 7:35 PM

2015-10-29T19:35:21-04:00

The Ruskies are just carrying on the old "pee-pee contest." Wished I had a nickel for every Bear escorted by our ARG's. It got to the point that Sailors & Marines on the weather decks would simply drop trou for Ivan's photo ops. Probably for the better, that tradition has, likely, faded.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2015 8:12 PM

2015-10-29T20:12:49-04:00

There are concerns of course and it heightens tension, but overall I think you're right, it's a return to potential elevated "threat" of conflict. Everyone needs to be careful with their ROE and realize it's just a show of force for now.

Response by PO1 Mike Edgecomb made Oct 29 at 2015 8:20 PM

2015-10-29T20:20:18-04:00

Routine occurrence in the 70's We used to send the Tomcats up to chase the Bears away. We always had a Russian AGI following us as well.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 29 at 2015 8:26 PM

2015-10-29T20:26:47-04:00

I agree with you SN Greg Wright I don't think that Russian reconnaissance aircraft doing a fly by of the USS Reagan at one nautical mile is an escalation. It may have actually been a sign of respect in a weird gesture :-)
Russian and US and other major powers can conduct over the horizon reconnaissance fairly easily.
Additionally the international waters off Korea are fairly close to Russia's east coast where they have some very sensitive facilities :-)

Response by SGT James Hastings made Oct 29 at 2015 8:29 PM

2015-10-29T20:29:02-04:00

From what I read, the Russians are flexing their muscle and so are the Chinese. Testing the waters happens gradually and one day, they are inside another countries territory!

Response by SGT James Hastings made Oct 29 at 2015 8:30 PM

2015-10-29T20:30:32-04:00

From what I've read in the press, both China and Russia are flexing their muscle, in various areas of the world. They might be trying to find weaknesses and see if we are willing to push back. All hell may break loose if we have to.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Oct 29 at 2015 8:57 PM

2015-10-29T20:57:04-04:00

SN Greg Wright indeed - SOSDD...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2015 10:07 PM

2015-10-29T22:07:36-04:00

I've seen top gun, those migs carry the exocet missile...

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Oct 29 at 2015 10:48 PM

2015-10-29T22:48:38-04:00

This close to a daily occurrence during the Cold War. We would have Russian planes flying over us all the time and a Soviet DE tailed us for days. Still have photos of both.

Response by SSgt Christopher Brose made Oct 29 at 2015 11:24 PM

2015-10-29T23:24:36-04:00

Yawn. The Navy routinely goes places simply because they can, to maintain the ability and right to do it (keeping the sea lanes open). They are international waters. If we can do it, they can do it. I don't see anything even noteworthy about this. They announced their presence, we responded appropriately, end of story.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2015 7:28 AM

2015-10-30T07:28:27-04:00

The rumor of war is raising fast .... it just need a few trigger ... it can easily happen...

Response by 1LT Aaron Barr made Oct 30 at 2015 12:25 PM

2015-10-30T12:25:29-04:00

More like a return to normalcy, at least to me. I wasn't in the Navy personally but I know a lot of guys who were and according to them, whom I have no reason to disbelieve, this was pretty much a routine occurrence. One of them spoke glowingly about a time off the coast of Ethiopia when his CO ran their destroyer right through a Soviet formation at flank speed. He said the Soviets used to do similar stuff to them all the time and it felt great to get some payback, the chance for which occurred rarely as the Soviets didn't deploy out into the Indian Ocean very often.

Response by LCDR Buddy Knight made Oct 31 at 2015 7:10 PM

2015-10-31T19:10:38-04:00

Dunno what the hub-bub is about, guys. When I was on FORRESTAL and SARATOGA we saw BEARS (and other Soviet aircraft) regularly back in the 1980's. Not a daily event, but it was not unprecedented. If we were off Florida or in the Carribean we'd get flybys from Soviets going to/from Cuba.

We also usually had a Soviet AGI (intel ship) or warship tailing us, too, affectionately called a "Tattle-Tale".

From what I've read of this particular incident, the REAGAN was not caught unawares but launched the Alert HORNETS to intercept once the potential of a flyby arose. In fact, the Bears were handed off to the HORNETS by ROK fighters which first intercepted the Russians. REAGAN and CVW-5 were involved in an air-defense exercise.

I can guarantee that there was at least one E-2 HAWKEYE airborne (first plane off the deck whenever we got underway, it seemed) and that the BEARS were detected early. The ROK could also have had one of their 737-based AWACS platforms up, but that hasn't been mentioned in anything that I've seen.

It's a guess ,but since the REAGAN SG was in an air defense exercise with the ROK the airborne CAP may have either been otherwise involved or just out of position to intercept the Russians. That could be a valid reason to launch the alert package.

The BEARS were probably collecting electronic and other intel as well as testing us a little. You can be sure the HORNETS and other assets were doing the same to them!

We did similar flyovers, and probably still do. IIRC, ours were restricted to a 1000' bubble around whatever Soviet ship was being checked out. So, a 500' flyby at about 1nm is not a big deal.

You can also be sure the various air defense systems in the battlegroup were also using the Bears as "training targets", too! <grin>

In international waters, complying with international norms, it's not that big a deal, other than the fact they have resumed doing it in recent years. They train on us, we train on them!

And it didn't matter who was in office...

Response by PO1 Scott Cottrell made Nov 4 at 2015 8:06 PM

2015-11-04T20:06:09-05:00

During the Cold War it happened all the time, they always had their Bombay doors open so we could see they were empty. Last time I saw it was in 90, I was on an LHA, it happen on a day of maintenance for our AV-8's. The Bear played along as we launched our AH-1 Cobras and flew between them as we photographed them, so it looked like the Cobras were escorting the Bear. During the Cold war, we could not pull out of San Diego without an AGI following us.