The North Atlantic D+22 (31 July 1987) Part I

Aboard the US Navy aircraft carriers of Strike Fleet Atlantic, aircrews and intelligence staff were preparing for the first set of the day’s missions against targets on the Kola Peninsula. 0400 was the scheduled launch time. Surviving radar sites and air defenses near the bomber bases in the central region of the peninsula were the …

The North Atlantic D+21 (30 July, 1987) Part II

Vice Admiral Feliks Gromov was the new commander-in-chief of the Red Banner Northern Fleet. He served in the capacity of deputy commander of the fleet until the removal of his former superior Admiral Kapitanets. Gromov inherited the same damaged Northern Fleet and deteriorating circumstances his predecessor had labored to reverse before the KGB arrived and …

The North Atlantic D+21 (30 July, 1987) Part I

At 0035 hours local time, SACLANT’s new orders and revised rules of engagement were transmitted to Strike Fleet Atlantic. With the new set of orders, the reasons behind the suspension of further air attacks against targets on the Kola Peninsula was revealed. A handful of consequential factors were coming into play that necessitated a temporary …

The North Atlantic D+20 (29 July, 1987) Part III

As the last aircraft trapped on Kitty Hawk, debriefings were already underway. Officers from Forrestal’s air wing, which was slated to handle the afternoon strikes, had flown over to Kitty Hawk and were present as CVW-9s aircrews recited the morning missions from their own perspectives. The Soviet tactics had come as a rude surprise. Forcing …

The North Atlantic D+20 (29 July, 1987) Part II

Author’s Note: Going to have split North Atlantic into 3 parts. Real world commitments have cut my blog writing time down this week,  so we won’t finish North Atlantic until Friday. Not a terrible setback,  but still. 😊 –Mike 0632- Sixty miles southeast of Bear Island, the USS Kitty Hawk turned into the wind and …

The North Atlantic D+20 (29 July, 1987)

In the pre-dawn hours, Strike Fleet Atlantic’s three carrier air wings had completed preparations for the day’s planned missions against targets on the Kola Peninsula. The morning strikes were scheduled for a 0630 launch with another wave of strikes and supporting missions set for later in the day. Each air wing commander had private concerns …

The North Atlantic D+19 (28 July, 1987)

SACLANT placed a critical emphasis on ASW patrols in the Western Atlantic. With Pandora’s Box seemingly open now, the threat posed by a Soviet SSBN operating inshore could not be discounted. Even a single missile sub lurking near the Eastern Seaboard of the United States could be catastrophic. From the early 70s through early July, …

The Northern Flank D+19 (28 July, 1987)

NATO and Soviet ground forces were largely inactive during the first part of the day. The confusion and anxiety formed by events elsewhere in the world dominated thoughts, preparation and action. NBC precautions were in place on both sides of the battleline. Troops moved around in bulky protective suits and masks. The restrictive nature of …

D+18 0401-0800 Zulu (27 July, 1987) Part I

North Atlantic Norfolk, Virginia, 0430 Zulu, 27 July, 1987 (0030 local time) As was the case with the majority of flag officers around the world in July of 1987, SACLANT was keeping strange hours. The ships and submarines he commanded were spread from the east coast of the US to the fringes of the Arctic …

The Northern Flank D+16 (25 July, 1987) Part II

Moscow’s warning about continued NATO air operations over the Kola was being taken seriously by the United States and its NATO allies. On the previous day, Strike Fleet Atlantic’s aircraft had, in large part, left the Kola alone. AFNORTH, at the direction of Brussels, followed suit on D+16. The early morning air missions against targets …