WASHINGTON/BAGHDAD. June 20 (Interfax) - The threat posed by Syrian governmental forces to the U.S.-lead coalition has re-emphasized how crucial air defense is, coalition spokesman Ryan Dillon said.
"The threat of pro-Syrian regime air and ground forces in the region is not new; however, the fact that these forces have directly threatened the safety of Coalition and partner forces multiple times in recent weeks re-emphasizes how crucial air defense is to conducting operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve," Dillon told Interfax, speaking of what the coalition might do about the possible tracking of U.S. aircraft declared by Moscow.
The Russian Defense Ministry suggested the tracking option after a U.S. Air Force fighter attached to the coalition downed a Syrian military plane in the al-Raqqah area on Sunday.
"Defense of air assets has always been inherent to ongoing operations in the congested and increasingly complex Syrian battlespace," Dillon said.
"As demonstrated following the TLAM strikes in March and the shoot-down of a pro-Syrian regime UAV last week, the Coalition made deliberate and calculated adjustments to where and when certain Coalition air assets operated to protect aircrew and assets, yet still provide air support to partner forces on the ground and continued strikes against ISIS [ISIL, a terrorist organization banned in Russia] targets," the spokesman said.