Stay tuned....this isn't over by a long shot.
And when we do 'tune in', we're going to be listening to the folks who know what the fuck they're talking about. Like Capt. Rick Hoffman:
This was definitely provocative, but it doesn't amount to a threat, said the retired frigate and cruiser CO.
"Well, we’re not at war with Russia," Capt. Rick Hoffman said. "It would be one thing to be operating and have a threatening attack profile from someone who might not recognize me — that’s not the case here."
If you have visual identification of the jet, can see it isn't carrying weapons, and don't detect any electronic emissions suggesting there was a missile lock on the ship, there's nothing to be done.
And ultimately, the the rules of engagement put the CO in charge of how to respond.
"You don’t get to kill people just because they’re being annoying," said Hoffman, who commanded frigate DeWert and cruiser Hue City. Cruisers are the fleet's foremost air defense platform and are tasked with guarding flattops from incoming threats.
This is why the Navy didn't shoot down Russian jets
We certainly won't be listening to you babbling about 'real men'. Remember, you don't actually have the slightest clue what you're talking about. While Hoffman and the destroyer CO are both professionals at the rules of engagement.