[7][8][9][10] The downing triggered quick condemnation from Russia and Syria with both nations claiming it to be a violation of international law and Syrian sovereignty.

In April 2017, the first deliberate military action against the Syrian Arab Republic occurred when the United States bombed the Shayrat Airbase in response to the Shaykun chemical attack.

Two months later on 6 June, the United States conducted airstrikes on pro-government forces, killing an unknown number of fighters.

During the carrier's operations the fighter crews were warned to be ready to defend from a third party aerial attack as a consequence of the recent events.

The four fighters took the Northern route alongside Syria's coastline through Russian and Turkish air defense range and headed toward the city of Raqqa.

Tremel, who was having problems with his targeting pod, began tracking the Russian jet, as well as checking his radar for any more aircraft while the three others stayed in close air support mode.

Upon identification, Tremel got on radio with an airborne command and control post, and began sending warnings to the Syrian aircraft to divert its course.

When that also failed, the Su-22 was in range of friendly forces on the ground, and at 6:43 p.m. local time, dived down and dropped ordnance on SDF fighters in the town of Ja'Din, causing injuries.

[20][21] Tremel then quickly locked on with an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile and fired at the Syrian aircraft, successfully reaching the Fitter and blowing up on the jet's backside.

The Syrian pilot Captain Ali Fahd was able to successfully eject before the plane could explode, and turned on his emergency transponder.