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The porcupines followed us everywhere we went in the Tonkin Gulf sometimes getting really close. Two instances stick out in my mind. The "trawler" was very close abeam the starboard side aft. We could easily see each others faces. A bunch of guys on the flight deck got together, dropped trou, and mooned the Ruskies. All of us on both ships were laughing our ass's off. Then the voice of God (the Flight Deck Officer) boomed from on high "Knock it off aft". Party over.
The second instance was when a "trawler" had come very close again on the starboard side but closer to amidships, and would not respond or comply with orders to change course to starboard. It must have been the Captain who authorized this particular message. A group of about 20 fully armed Marines was assembled on the #3 elevator (starboard side aft of the Island). the elevator was then lowered, and the Marines raised their weapons. Lo and behold, Ivan then changed course and departed.
There are many documented instances of US Navy and Soviet forces exchanging pleasantries, and good natured insults over the years. It keeps things light in what could otherwise be a tense situation, and besides we're guys, we're pigs, and guys the world over do that kind of stuff.
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IOMG // Full Tartufo Leather // MP HAS // Vorshlag Camber Plates // SS Brake Lines
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