Video: Russian Fighters Buzz USS Donald Cook in Baltic Sea

April 13, 2016 2:58 PM - Updated: April 25, 2016 7:28 AM
160412-N-00000-004 BALTIC SEA – Two Russian Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft fly over the USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) April 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)
Two Russian Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft fly over the USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) April 11, 2016. US Navy Photo

This post will be updated as additional information becomes available.

The guided missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) was buzzed on April 11, 2016 in the Baltic Sea by a pair of Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer fighters. As seen in a video released by U.S. European Command on Wednesday afternoon.

“On April 11, Donald Cook was conducting deck landing drills with an Allied
military helicopter when two Russian SU-24 jets made numerous, close-range
and low altitude passes at approximately 3 p.m. local,” read a release from U.S. European Command provided to USNI News.

“One of the passes, which occurred while the allied helicopter was refueling on the deck of Donald Cook, was deemed unsafe by the ship’s commanding officer. As a safety precaution, flight operations were suspended until the SU-24s departed the
area.”

Press reports indicated the allied helicopter was Polish.

160412-N-00000-006 BALTIC SEA – Two Russian Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft perform multiple low-level passes over the USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) April 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)
Two Russian Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft perform multiple low-level passes over the USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) April 12, 2016. US Navy Photo
160412-N-00000-007 BALTIC SEA – A Russian Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft makes a low altitude pass by the USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) April 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) 160412-N-
A Russian Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft makes a low altitude pass by the USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) April 12, 2016. US Navy Photo
A Russian Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft makes a very low altitude pass by USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) April 12, 2016. US Navy Photo
A Russian Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft makes a very low altitude pass by USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) April 12, 2016. US Navy Photo
160412-N-00000-009 BALTIC SEA – 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)
Two Russian Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft fly over the USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) Apr. 12, 2016. US Navy Photo

The following day, a pair of KA27 Kamov Helix helicopters orbited the ship taking photos in what officials called a “simulated attack profile” in several press reports.

A Russian Kamov KA-27 HELIX flies low-level passes near the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) on April 12, 2016. US Navy Photo
A Russian Kamov KA-27 HELIX flies low-level passes near the
Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) on April 12, 2016. US Navy Photo

According to a U.S. official that was quoted by CBS, “They were so close they created wakes in the water.”

U.S. European Command expressed “deep concerns about the unsafe and unprofessional Russian flight maneuvers. These actions have the potential to unnecessarily escalate
tensions between countries, and could result in a miscalculation or accident that could cause serious injury or death,” read the statement.
“U.S. officials are using existing diplomatic channels to address the interactions, while the incidents are also being reviewed through U.S. Navy channels.”

USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) arrives at Naval Station Rota, Spain on Feb. 11, 2014. US Navy Photo
USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) arrives at Naval Station Rota, Spain on Feb. 11, 2014. US Navy Photo

The two recent incidents follow a similar series of 2014 flybys in which “Sukhoi SU-24 Fencer flew as close as 1,000 yards from USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) at an altitude of only 500 feet.”

The Pentagon called the 2014 incident “provocative and unprofessional,” at the time.

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone is the editor of USNI News. He has covered legislation, acquisition and operations for the Sea Services since 2009 and spent time underway with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the Canadian Navy.
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