not a likely scenario. Gives up to much to gain so little.

Makes a good story though.

With hindsight, considering what Walker (curse him for eternity) gave up...we'd have lost nothing....and the blow to the sovite sub forces morale would have been huge!

Being cautious in my words.....the story has some factual basis to it but with multiple assets. It was not carried out due in large part to the premise that it is more damaging to let an adversary know of your limitations, rather than your abilities. In other words....the bad guys could learn much from who didn't get the active treatment. Would have been interesting though! :)

I've always had a contrary view, that Walker contributed to the fall of the Soviet Union.

I think what the Soviets learned of the overwhelming strength of the US Navy and of the submarine force in particular added to the general overall hopelessness that attended their efforts to catch up (which ultimately bankrupted them) while also giving them a benchmark against which they could measure just how thoroughly they were screwed in the attempt.

I'd say the soviet class *@%#^$ sub that had their blades and aft tangled up near BDA and slowly towed (allowing a ton of time to get intell) to havana kind of showed them who's boss at sea if you ask me.

Dean, that's an interesting story in itself. Good ol USS McCloy! :)

I remember that Sub off BDA Dean. I was one of the OpsSup at that time in BDA.

Dean,
You may recall I was the OPS Chief at the time. I mentioned this in a past message but after retirement from the Navy, as a Training Specialist for NUWC I comissioned the SSAC Site in Mayport and while working there I met the Sonar Chief who was on watch on the McCloy during that incident. Talk about great photos!!!!1
Oh Yea, President Nixon did issue direction, I can't remember the exact year but it seems it was around 1970-71, to stop all close encounters and to cease the droping of SCAT from ASW aircraft and any other provoctave actions and manuevers!!!
Interesting stuff like this is what made SOSUS a greart job and mission for the Navy.
CEC

Chuck,

I remember well the intel mags that came out after that BDA incident with all the great pictures and having that proud feeling inside that we were a big part of all that!

Warm and fuzzy is good....