Will increasing levels of Russian activity at sea be met with an increased and sustained USN focus on the region?

Russian Su-24s make multiple passes by USN destroyer in Black Sea

Several Russian Su-24 attack fighters have flown past a US Navy (USN) Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer operating in the Black Sea multiple times during the last four days, officials confirmed to IHS Jane's on 2 June.

Over the course of four days, Russian Su-24s have conducted low-altitude fly-bys within close proximity to USS Ross (DDG 71) as it was operating in the Black Sea. A pair of Russian Su-24s made eight passes by the destroyer on 29 May, and a pair of Su-24s made four passes on 30 May, the navy told IHS Jane's .

"They were all safe and non-aggressive," said Lieutenant Timothy Hawkins, a USN spokesman.

On 1 June the USN's Sixth Fleet released a 47-second video taken by a sailor on board Ross showing a single Su-24 flying by the destroyer on the starboard side at low altitude on 30 May. The sailors observed that the fighter was not carrying weapons beneath its wings. At the time of the incident, Ross and the Russian aircraft were operating in the Black Sea in international waters and airspace.

Since the incidents, Ross continues to operate in the Black Sea, completing an under way exercise with Ukrainian Navy frigate Hetman Sahaydachniy (U 130) on 2 June. According to the USN, Ross is on a routine patrol in the Black Sea, conducting naval operations with allies and partners to advance security and stability in the region.

Ross is one of four destroyers assigned to support the United States' missile defence architecture in Europe - a three-pronged plan known as the European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) for ballistic missile defence (BMD). Based in Rota, Spain, three of the four BMD destroyers are conducting operations as part of phase one of the EPAA. The fourth destroyer, USS Carney (DDG 64), is expected to move from its current home base in Mayport, Florida, to join its sister ships USS Donald Cook (DDG 75), USS Porter (DDG 78), and Ross in Europe later in 2015.

The USN routinely operates ships in the Black Sea consistent with the Montreux Convention and international law, Lt Hawkins noted. "Our presence there demonstrates our commitment to working closely with allies and partners to enhance regional maritime security and stability," he said. "Over the last year, USS Mount Whitney [LCC 20], USS Taylor [FFG 50], USS Truxtun [DDG 103], USS Donald Cook , USS Vella Gulf [CG 72], USS Ross , USS Gunston Hall [LSD 44], USS Jason Dunham [DDG 109], and USS Cole [DDG 67] have completed patrols - so USN operations in the Black Sea are not limited to BMD-capable ships from Rota."

http://www.janes.com/article/51958/russian-su-24s-make-multiple-passes-by-usn-destroyer-in-black-sea