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To: Pappy Smear
"How about some more details on this?

Sure: I was a staff officer in COMNAVSURFLANT, Norfolk - 1979-81 and I was their go-to Marine captain for all things small arms, Naval Gunfire, investigations, and I was their only newly-minted Russian speaker.

The minesweeper was Translanting from the Med to Norfolk and they were about halfway across when they decided to train with the .50 - and they blew it up.

The Spy ship - an IGY - was also Translanting the other way and heard their call for help and closed with them and launched their helicopter. The lowered a casualty basket and then carried our casualty to their ship and operated on him - then brought our sailor back to offshore of Norfolk where he was flown to a US Navy ship to get him more treatment at home.

I was appointed the Investigating Officer and I translated the Russian report on their actions and observations. I don't know whether we appropriately thanked that crew but our guy would have been dead without their over the top rescue effort.

As I mentioned earlier, it was absolutely the fault of the Gunner's Mate - and his Captain - for scheduling a firing exercise so far from any American assistance and for totally unsat knowledge of the weapons in his care.

88 posted on 04/12/2024 11:14:32 AM PDT by Chainmail (How do I feel about ignorance and apathy? I don't know and I don't care.)
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To: Chainmail

Interesting. Thanks for the story. Even tho the US and USSR were staring each other down, nice to see some humanity.


95 posted on 04/12/2024 7:17:13 PM PDT by Pappy Smear
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