Russian submarine forces U.K. to ask for U.S. military’s tracking skills

A suspected Russia submarine lurking off the Scottish coast has prompted the British Royal Navy to seek the American military’s tracking expertise.

Britain’s Ministry of Defense enlisted U.S. military assistance in locating the submarine, which may be near Faslane Naval Base.

U.S. crews have been working the anti-submarine frigate HMS Somerset for the past month, The Telegraph reported Friday. A source with the Royal Air Force (RAF) Lossiemouth told the newspaper that aircraft known as Skinny Dragons have been flying two missions a day since New Year’s Eve.

“We can confirm that the U.K. recently requested assistance from allied forces for basing of maritime patrol aircraft at RAF Lossiemouth for a limited period. The aircraft have been conducting maritime patrol activity with the Royal Navy; we do not discuss the detail of maritime operations,” a Military of Defense spokesman told The Telegraph.