Air-to-Air rules of conduct, U.S. to Russia break silence on
U.S. Defence Secretary Ash Carter called on Moscow on Tuesday to desperately react to planned rules for air to air actions over Syria, as he condemned Russia’s “seriously reckless and unprofessional” breach of Turkish air space.
Russian militaries and the United States held a protected video conference in which Pentagon officials implied protocols geared toward preventing a mishap, as the previous Cold War foes carry rival efforts of air strikes out.
But since then, Moscow has neglected to follow up, Mr. Carter said.
“Pentagon officials are looking forward to the Russians. They owe us a reply,” Mr. Carter told reporters as he visited Moron Air Base in Spain.
“They should come in and get it done right now.”
Turkey, a NATO ally, threatened to react, increasing the prospect.
The U.S. proposition contains fundamental security protocols, such as keeping a safe space between U.S. and Russian aircraft and using common radio frequencies for distress calls, officials say, including they’d be similar to civil aviation.
“It is just professional that you follow through to the requests they made and they have not done that yet.
And that could be a further indication of the tactical confusion, I do not understand,” he said.
Russia and america say they possess the exact same enemies – the Islamic State group who’ve proclaimed a caliphate across northern Iraq and eastern Syria.
Mr. Carter said Moscow’s strategy of strengthening Mr. Assad would backfire.
“In Syria, they will be checked in the initial case by the backlash they’re likely to get on account of siding with Assad against everyone else,” Mr. Carter said.
