U.S., Russian Officials Discuss Flight Safety Over Syrian Airspace

United States and Russian senior defense officials agreed to a continuation of adherence to the U.S.-Russia memorandum of understanding regarding flight safety over Syrian airspace, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said in a statement released yesterday.

The topic was discussed yesterday during a video conference involving Acting Assistant Secretary for International Security Affairs Elissa Slotkin, Joint Staff Director for Strategic Plans and Policy Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., and their Russian Ministry of Defense counterparts, Cook said in the statement.

The two sides committed to adhering to the memorandum of understanding on flight safety as long as each side is operating in Syria, Cook said.

Yesterday’s meeting follows previous video conferences between the Department of Defense and the Russian Ministry of Defense on this topic, Cook said.

Cook said the conversation was constructive, and the two sides agreed to continue safety discussions in this format in the future.

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Featured Image – An  E-3 Sentry (AWACS) flies over Iraq, March 22, 2016. As of March 14, U.S. and partner nation aircraft have flown an estimated 86,058 sorties in support of operations in Iraq and Syria. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Corey Hook/Released) – DVIDS.