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Russian and US jets flew dangerously close in Syria - US official Russian and US jets flew dangerously close in Syria - US official
(35 minutes later)
The close call between American and Russian military jets in Syria has happened, officials announced. Near misses are a near weekly occurrence.The close call between American and Russian military jets in Syria has happened, officials announced. Near misses are a near weekly occurrence.
The closest call came on October 17, in the "middle of the night, probably somewhere around midnight," Lieutenant General Jeff Harrigian, the commander of US Air Force Central Command said on Friday, first reported by AFP.The closest call came on October 17, in the "middle of the night, probably somewhere around midnight," Lieutenant General Jeff Harrigian, the commander of US Air Force Central Command said on Friday, first reported by AFP.
A US aircraft “was generally in that same area” as a Russian fighter jet, and they had a “near miss,” Harrigian said, explaining that the Russian pilot probably didn’t see the US plane in the dark. The aircraft were “inside of half a mile” from each other.A US aircraft “was generally in that same area” as a Russian fighter jet, and they had a “near miss,” Harrigian said, explaining that the Russian pilot probably didn’t see the US plane in the dark. The aircraft were “inside of half a mile” from each other.
“I would attribute it to not having the necessary situational awareness given all those platforms operating together," he said. Both planes were flying without lights.“I would attribute it to not having the necessary situational awareness given all those platforms operating together," he said. Both planes were flying without lights.
Another senior military official said that the American pilot could feel turbulence from the other plane.Another senior military official said that the American pilot could feel turbulence from the other plane.
"It was close enough you could feel the jet wash of the plane passing by," the official said."It was close enough you could feel the jet wash of the plane passing by," the official said.
The American pilot was unable to contact the Russian via an emergency radio channel. The next day, US officers called their Russian counterparts via a hotline to ask about the incident, the official said. The hotline was set up so the two militaries can discuss the approximate locations and missions of planes in an attempt to avoid operating in the same air space at the same time.The American pilot was unable to contact the Russian via an emergency radio channel. The next day, US officers called their Russian counterparts via a hotline to ask about the incident, the official said. The hotline was set up so the two militaries can discuss the approximate locations and missions of planes in an attempt to avoid operating in the same air space at the same time.
The communications about military operations have continued, despite the fact that the US suspended diplomatic talks with Russia about Syria at the beginning of October.The communications about military operations have continued, despite the fact that the US suspended diplomatic talks with Russia about Syria at the beginning of October.
Yet the hotline hasn’t prevented an increase in close calls over the past six weeks, Harrigian said. Intentional near misses, where Russian jets deliberately follow coalition planes too closely, are “happening every 10 days-ish.” Most of the incidents took place in northwest Syria.Yet the hotline hasn’t prevented an increase in close calls over the past six weeks, Harrigian said. Intentional near misses, where Russian jets deliberately follow coalition planes too closely, are “happening every 10 days-ish.” Most of the incidents took place in northwest Syria.
Cases like that are generally “not a big deal,” but that “it’s important to recognize this one got our attention,” Harrigian said, referring to the October 17 incident.Cases like that are generally “not a big deal,” but that “it’s important to recognize this one got our attention,” Harrigian said, referring to the October 17 incident.
"I don't see them having an intent to target us," he added, but noted that he is increasingly concerned about a miscalculation by a pilot or a “safety conflict mid-air.”"I don't see them having an intent to target us," he added, but noted that he is increasingly concerned about a miscalculation by a pilot or a “safety conflict mid-air.”
Other than calling the Russians to “make sure they know we are concerned” and to “try to get an understanding of why” their jets intercept American planes ‒ a question to which the US “typically” doesn’t get “a very satisfying answer" ‒ the United States is “not trying to pursue anything against the Russians," Harrigian said.