F-22 Pilots Say They Are Not Being Deployed To Eastern Europe To 'Provoke' Russia

Two US F-22 Raptor fighters have been flown to Mihail Kogalniceanu air base in Romania to deter Russian agression. REUTERS/Toby Melville

Reuters: 'We're not here to provoke,' say U.S. jet pilots on Putin's doorstep

For the squadron of U.S. fighter pilots standing on the runway of an air base in Romania, the mission is clear: show that the United States is ready to flex its military muscles if needed, and don't provoke the Russians.

Two advanced F-22 U.S. fighters flew to the base on the Black Sea on Monday for the first time since Washington beefed up military support for NATO's eastern European allies, who say they are under pressure from an increasingly aggressive Russia.

The men behind the exercise, taking smartphone pictures of their planes and handing out badges and uniform patches to local Romanian crews, know their job is not to lock horns with President Vladimir Putin's pilots, but to keep their NATO friends happy.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Hmmmm .... they are being put there to not only show the U.S. presence .... but in a certain way to be positioned to "provoke" the Russians if need be. Not surprising .... the Russian defense minister is not optimistic on these developments and on NATO/EU relations .... Kremlin not optimistic about relations with NATO, EU (RFE).

More News On F-22s Being Deployed To Romania

U.S. Sends F-22 Warplanes To Support Romania From Russian Threat -- Time
F-22 fighter jets are in Romania to keep tabs on Russia's Black Sea antics -- Air Force Times
U.S. sends F-22 warplanes to Romania -- CNN
In Sign of Support, US Deploys F-22 Fighter Jets in Romania -- VOA
US Air Force deploys two F-22 Raptor fighter jets to Romania in tough signal to Russia -- IBTimes
US deploys F-22 stealth fighter jets to Romanian base on Black Sea -- RT