"Aimed at seeking better relations through concessions" ..

This month the US Navy concluded a "historic visit" being invited to send a warship to Murmansk where convoys from the US and Britain which saved the USSR from Germany, arrived in WW2, and very near where the Soviet Northern Fleet, and it's attack and ballistic missile submarines sallied from. But things are different now with our Russki friends, right?

Th warship in question was the patrol frigate US Taylor, a 1970's class Perry Class 'light' destroyer designed for antisubmarine patrol, and armed with a 3 inch gun, a single missile launcher, 2 helicopters, an antisubmarine torpedo launcher, and a Vulcan self defense Gatling weapon. That's IT. 51 such ships were built and their age has dictated that some are now being decommissioned.

Here is the US Navy touting it's view.

Here is the concluding announcement

Here is the next event.

Russian TU-95 bomber buzzed USS Taylor off Barents Sea

Russian naval aircraft flex its muscle and repeatedly buzzed the U.S. warship in what they say an unusual close encounter. Although USS Taylor did not go on alert on the two close encounters perpetrated by the Russian aircraft. The incident happened last week September 10 and 11 in international waters of the Barents Sea near Russia. Actually the U.S. warship just visited a Russian city to commemorate the World War II veterans on both countries. So it's presumed that Russian military was aware of the USS Taylor presence. When the U.S. warship left and situated at Barents Sea international waters on Sept 10, a Russian TU-95 aircraft flew just 50 yards off the USS Taylor and 100 feet above sea level. The next day a Helix helicopter from a Russian ship in the vicinity was again flying just 50 yards off the US warship.As of 2004, all significant anti-aircraft capability was disabled from USS Taylor.The two incidents was enough for the US military to raised an inquiry of the Russian counterpart regarding the protocol on that incident in international waters. You call it rude or what. It's like visiting your neighbor for a nice talk and after you step out on their gate they released two angry pitbulls barking at you. Isn't that rude?

Gertz:

Gates says Russia poses no threat following incident near Murmansk

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said last week that he does not regard Russia as a threat to U.S. security, despite growing evidence of Moscow's strategic nuclear buildup and continuing aggressive espionage and influence operation.

"No..., I don't see Russia as a threat," Gates told the state-run Interfax news agency when asked about Moscow's strategic nuclear missile buildup.

"I see Russian-U.S. relations being those of normal states now. We're partners in some areas and competitors in others. But on important things, we are cooperating. The effort to deal with terrorists, we are cooperating, the effort to deal with the Iranian nuclear program. We're cooperating as evident in the U.N. Security Council resolution. We're working together on issues such as counter-piracy."

Gates said Russia's missile buildup highlights a "great benefit" of the new START arms treaty because it will provide transparency and predictability. "And so modernization programs that take place within the framework of new START are completely legitimate. We will have our own modernization programs," he said.

The comments highlight the Obama administration's conciliatory policies toward foreign adversaries that are aimed at seeking better relations through concessions, a policy that in the past has been misperceived by enemies as weakness and that has led to conflict.

Gates spoke Sept. 14 after several Russian naval jets conducted threatening aerial passes over the U.S. Navy frigate USS Taylor after a ship visit to the northern port city of Murmansk.

According to Navy spokesmen, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead discussed the matter during a meeting with Russian Adm. Vladimir Vysotskiy.

CBS News reported that Russian maritime patrol aircraft, probably a Tupolev Tu-95 Bear bomber, made two low passes over the Taylor with its bomb bay doors open, in a fly-by that officials said was like those conducted during the Cold War. The following day a Russian warship appeared on the horizon and launched a helicopter that circled Taylor at close range.

The incidents took place in international waters in the Barents Sea.

Roughhead played down the threatening maneuvers telling reporters that the Russians were "just stretching their wings" and he noted that "this was something that was really quite common in the days of the Soviet navy."

What is it that those in other armed force are thinking about the leadership of the USA these days? Down to the lowest levels?

Anyone else think that some mistake based on mis-perception might lead to a lot people getting killed?

Anyone imagine that leadership overseas in other adversarial nations, and in other friendly or neutral nations perceive the USA's policy "aimed at seeking better relations through concessions" yields a lack of initiative, and makes us risk averse to down the lowest levels in our armed forces?

Now certainly no harm was done, EXCEPT FOR THE LESSONS SOME OTHERS IN READING OF THIS EVENT, OUR LACK OF ALARM ON BOARD, AND OUR REACTION AT CABINET LEVEL, might draw.

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