U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta speaks with U.S. Air Force Col. James Jacobson, and David McCormick, U.S. Embassy acting deputy chief of mission, after arriving on Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, March 13, 2012. Panetta is scheduled to meet with counterparts and troops during his visit in the country. Jacobson is commander, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeleyRussian Planes Keep Watch On Defense Secretary Leon Panetta In Central Asia -- Boston Globe
MANAS TRANSIT CENTER, Kyrgyz Republic -- Old habits die hard.
As Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta early Wednesday prepared to take off from this remote outpost in Central Asia for a visit to Afghanistan, the deafening sound of war planes was heard directly overhead.
US fighter planes escorting his Air Force C-17 to the war zone?
Nope.
It was Russian military jets buzzing by in a Cold War-style flyover to let the American defense chief know that Moscow was watching him -- and a stark reminder of the Russian government’s displeasure with the US military presence in its backyard.
Read more ....
My Comment: As far as the Russians are concerned .... Panetta and the US base at Manas are in their backyard .... hence the flyover.