WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer was at the center of US media reports this week after two Russian Su-24 bomber jets flew close to the ship near a Russian base in the Baltic Sea.
"This will be an excellent opportunity to strengthen relations and enhance maritime interoperability and improve NATO’s security," the ship’s executive officer, Cmdr. Matthew Powel, said, according to the statement.
On Thursday, White House spokesperson Josh Earnest said the United States had expressed concern over the incident through its military defense attache at the US embassy in Moscow. Earnest also said he saw little value in further escalating the situation.
The US 6th Fleet, based in Italy, conducts operations with allied, joint and interagency partners to advance US interests in Europe and Africa, according to the Navy.
