Jack Keane: ‘Absolutely’ It Was the Right Decision to Shoot Down the Syrian Fighter Jet

‘Syrian pro-regime ground forces were trying to attack our ground forces’

MacCALLUM: "I want to ask about the other a developing situation with Syria and what is going on in the push to eradicate ISIS. We shot down a Syrian fighter jet, which is a pretty bold move. I would imagine that you think it was the right one?"
KEANE: "Absolutely. Syrian pro-regime ground forces were trying to attack our ground forces, coalition forces. They also bombed them, Syrian air forces bombed them. We retaliated. We are going to do what is necessary in Syria or Iraq to protect our people who are supporting the forces on the ground. We are not going to stand for anything like that. I also believe that the Russia threat that they impose, if we fly west of the euphrates, we’ve conducted actions west of the roof treaties this year. With their use of air power, if we fly west of the euphrates, they will shoot us down. I think it is more bluster than anything else. It’s intended to soothe the wounds of the Syrian military, and particular their air force, that Russian has their back. But Russia, Martha, does not want to tangle with the United States. Their capability, the Russian capability at the airfield that they have in Syria is vulnerable even though they have sophisticated missile defense there. They shopped on one of our airplanes, we would probably airfield. They know that, they know our airpower capabilities in the Middle East on land. Also, at sea. It significant."

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