helicopters.
The blue-green laser from Cosmos Kuybyshev had indeed detected the United States submarine in the Sea of Okhotsk.
The American sub had been running at two-thirds speed at a depth of 200 feet, generating a loud acoustical signature, when one of the Russian helos spotted it with a sonobuoy trailing in the water.
To exacerbate matters, two Soviet submarines, one Akula-class and one Sierra-class nuclear attack submarine, were positioned between the Tennessee and the American battle group.
They had been notified by the Russian antisubmarine ship of the exact position of the U.S. nuclear sub.
Skipper, I think we've crapped in our mess kit, Cmdr. Ken Houston, the Tennessee's executive officer, said in a hushed voice.
The sub was in a state of silent running, descending deeper after being detected and pinged by the helo's mother ship.
You're right, Ken, Mcconnell acknowledged, looking at his watch. I should have had the patience to keep us slowed down.
Both officers knew the Russians would be enraged if they suspected, or knew, how far the Tennessee had probed into their territorial waters.
Well, Ken, Mcconnell said in a whisper, was it the laser or a chance encounter?
I don't know, Houston replied, slowly shaking his head.
They were right on top of us.
Yes... Mcconnell said, baffled. Still, it could be a coincidence.
You think they might drop on us? CPO Clay Booker, the senior sonarman, asked Houston.
I don't know. The situation is really strained right now.
We were in their backyard, Houston said, checking the sub's diving rate.
They shot down a 747 full of civilians with no provocation and full knowledge that it was an airliner. Can't be sure of anything when we're dealing with the Russians, Houston concluded, as Mcconnell gave orders to evade the Soviet helicopter.
Right standard rudder, the captain commanded.
Right standard rudder, the officer of the deck repeated to Mcconnell.
All ahead two-thirds. Steady heading one-two-five, Mcconnell barked, as the nuclear sub continued deeper and changed course in order to escape the Russian antisubmarine vessel.
Aye aye, sir.
Booker leaned over to Houston and asked in a whispered voice, Sir, do we have our whale disguise?
We may need it, Houston answered with a slight grin, realizing the Russian was staying on the trail of the Tennessee. Mcconnell would have to use more erratic evasive maneuvers to escape detection.
The encounter with the Soviet antisubmarine warfare forces was becoming a real workout. The Russians apparently wanted to exploit the untidy situation and the Americans needed to get farther out into international waters. They also needed deeper water under the boat in order to escape from the Russians. It was obvious the U.S. missile submarine had been operating in sovereign Russian territorial waters.
Chapter Three.
THE FRUNZE The Russian nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser Frunze, armed with SS-N-19 antiship cruise missiles, was loitering 270 nautical miles east of Komandorskie Island. The Soviet ship was midway between the two American carrier groups operating in the northern Pacific waters.
The Kirov-class missile cruiser, flagship of the Soviet Pacific Ocean Fleet, was the pride of Adm. Yevgeny S. Botschka, the task force commander embarked aboard the 28,000-ton warship.
Admiral Botschka had been in constant communication with the antisubmarine vessel Akhromeyev, the Soviet ship pursuing the USS Tennessee.
Fleet Admiral Vosoghiyan had been very blunt in his orders to Botschka orders apparently issued directly from the defense minister spelling out the necessity to pressure the American forces at every opportunity.
The word had been passed throughout the chain of command that the general secretary was personally directing the operation.
Botschka didn't understand the reason for these unprecedented actions.
His job was compliance and execution, not interpretation of orders.
Botschka felt comfortable with his new mission and
The blue-green laser from Cosmos Kuybyshev had indeed detected the United States submarine in the Sea of Okhotsk.
The American sub had been running at two-thirds speed at a depth of 200 feet, generating a loud acoustical signature, when one of the Russian helos spotted it with a sonobuoy trailing in the water.
To exacerbate matters, two Soviet submarines, one Akula-class and one Sierra-class nuclear attack submarine, were positioned between the Tennessee and the American battle group.
They had been notified by the Russian antisubmarine ship of the exact position of the U.S. nuclear sub.
Skipper, I think we've crapped in our mess kit, Cmdr. Ken Houston, the Tennessee's executive officer, said in a hushed voice.
The sub was in a state of silent running, descending deeper after being detected and pinged by the helo's mother ship.
You're right, Ken, Mcconnell acknowledged, looking at his watch. I should have had the patience to keep us slowed down.
Both officers knew the Russians would be enraged if they suspected, or knew, how far the Tennessee had probed into their territorial waters.
Well, Ken, Mcconnell said in a whisper, was it the laser or a chance encounter?
I don't know, Houston replied, slowly shaking his head.
They were right on top of us.
Yes... Mcconnell said, baffled. Still, it could be a coincidence.
You think they might drop on us? CPO Clay Booker, the senior sonarman, asked Houston.
I don't know. The situation is really strained right now.
We were in their backyard, Houston said, checking the sub's diving rate.
They shot down a 747 full of civilians with no provocation and full knowledge that it was an airliner. Can't be sure of anything when we're dealing with the Russians, Houston concluded, as Mcconnell gave orders to evade the Soviet helicopter.
Right standard rudder, the captain commanded.
Right standard rudder, the officer of the deck repeated to Mcconnell.
All ahead two-thirds. Steady heading one-two-five, Mcconnell barked, as the nuclear sub continued deeper and changed course in order to escape the Russian antisubmarine vessel.
Aye aye, sir.
Booker leaned over to Houston and asked in a whispered voice, Sir, do we have our whale disguise?
We may need it, Houston answered with a slight grin, realizing the Russian was staying on the trail of the Tennessee. Mcconnell would have to use more erratic evasive maneuvers to escape detection.
The encounter with the Soviet antisubmarine warfare forces was becoming a real workout. The Russians apparently wanted to exploit the untidy situation and the Americans needed to get farther out into international waters. They also needed deeper water under the boat in order to escape from the Russians. It was obvious the U.S. missile submarine had been operating in sovereign Russian territorial waters.
Chapter Three.
THE FRUNZE The Russian nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser Frunze, armed with SS-N-19 antiship cruise missiles, was loitering 270 nautical miles east of Komandorskie Island. The Soviet ship was midway between the two American carrier groups operating in the northern Pacific waters.
The Kirov-class missile cruiser, flagship of the Soviet Pacific Ocean Fleet, was the pride of Adm. Yevgeny S. Botschka, the task force commander embarked aboard the 28,000-ton warship.
Admiral Botschka had been in constant communication with the antisubmarine vessel Akhromeyev, the Soviet ship pursuing the USS Tennessee.
Fleet Admiral Vosoghiyan had been very blunt in his orders to Botschka orders apparently issued directly from the defense minister spelling out the necessity to pressure the American forces at every opportunity.
The word had been passed throughout the chain of command that the general secretary was personally directing the operation.
Botschka didn't understand the reason for these unprecedented actions.
His job was compliance and execution, not interpretation of orders.
Botschka felt comfortable with his new mission and
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