As the zampolit predicted, escorting warships approached the Savo Island’s grave and began to pick up survivors from the oil-slicked ocean. Rescue operations continued in the mistaken belief the attackers preoccupied themselves with escape and posed no further threat.
Sherensky had little heart for it, but released a salvo of SS-N-21 anti-ship missiles at the rescue operation. The 21, NATO designation Sampson, mimics a U.S. Tomahawk Ship Attack Missile in capability.
A short time later, Sherensky observed columns of black smoke as the rescuers burned from missile hits.
The Sampsons left an infrared trail to Zhukov, but the defeated foe had no aircraft to mount a counterattack. The captain ordered Zhukov to a hundred meters and increased to maximum speed in the direction of home.
Only the zampolit, Commander Poplavich, and the vengeance bent Lieutenant Vasiliy Baknov found elation in this senseless post attack.
Captain Hal Bostwick assembled Denver officers in the wardroom. He read a historic document, the first operational message from a flying backup TACAMO aircraft, a system of U.S. Naval communications that would continue in the event shore facilities were destroyed. Derived from an old Navy expression, ‘Take Charge and March Off.’ These TACAMO aircraft did just that.
These special C130s held runway priority over all other U.S. aircraft, including the Air Force Strategic Air Command assets. The TACAMO maneuver involved streaming a mile long antenna from the back of the aircraft during a turn maneuver to hold the antenna vertical to the earth’s surface. This enhanced transmission from TACAMO C130s continually airborne over both Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
The message addressed to all units of the U.S. Pacific Fleet from the commander read:
The U.S. Congress has enacted a declaration of war on the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. All Pacific Fleet Units conduct immediate hostilities against any/all Soviet units and resources. Good hunting.
“Gentlemen,” said Bostwick, “our work is cut out for us. I know you’ll give your customary best and Denver’s chapter in this war will be a brilliant one. I expect no departure from normal routine. This has always been a warship and will continue to perform like one. But we must get better at things we have always done well.
“Perform equipment inspections and maintenance above current requirements. Correct problems before they occur. Exercise greater diligence in all areas, particularly in conduct of the watch.
“I’ve directed Brent to load four ADCAPs into the launchers. I emphasize, we have no release authority for tactical nuclear weapons. After the initial exchange of strategic nukes, our government and the Soviets have mutually agreed their further use jeopardizes the causes of both nations and will be withheld. SUBROCs (rocket propelled long-range nuclear depth charges) will remain on the 4FZ tampering monitor system and in their lower, outboard stowage positions.
“Dan, I want you to double up on sonar watch. We could encounter Ivan at anytime and I want to be damn sure we detect him before he even suspects we’re in the area. We have acoustic advantage over him and in order to prevail, we must exploit this to the fullest.”
Bostwick continued, “I am concerned about crew morale. We’ve very little information on what’s happened at home. My plan is to play it straight up and let them know what we know as soon as we know it. Don’t get dragged into speculating, but if it’s unavoidable always stress positive possibilities.”
Brent thought, Maybe the reality of combat has turned the Captain around. I sincerely hope so.
Bostwick went on, “Our first assignment is to screen passage for the COB’s last home, USS Utah, from the Strait of Juan de Fuca seaward. We’ve a message from SUBPAC. It reads:
USS Denver proceed to area Tango Four to arrive not later than 290300Z April l987. Conduct patrol and sanitize area for seaward passage of USS Utah, window 290500Z — 290900Z. Effect rendezvous with Utah at point Tango Four Alfa 290530Z, method November 7 (a pre-defined search plan) and escort to western limit of Tango Alfa. Instructions for subsequent operations to follow.”
Bostwick looked up from the text. “I’m sure COB will be happy to hold his old shipmates’ hands while we tiptoe them through the tulips.”
Somber moods among the officers prevented the expected laugh. They understood the importance of training for war; but thoughts of war and the separation from family and friends overwhelmed them. Each dealt with it in their own way.
The captain asked, “Questions?” then hearing none he said, “Very well. Dan, would you join me in the Sonar Shack, please?”
Lieutenant Vasiliy Baknov’s hatred of all things American made Zhukov’s victory over Savo Island much sweeter for him. This anger began early against his father, a famous ballet dancer who defected to the United States shortly after Vasiliy’s birth.
Yuri Baknov toured America with the Kirov Ballet Company and while there, asked for political asylum, ultimately granted by the U.S. Government. News of this shocked his wife, Ekaterina, still recovering from Vasiliy’s childbirth. She and her son subsequently paid dearly for Yuri’s actions. The Soviet state, embarrassed and humiliated by Yuri’s defection, took retribution against his family. It barred Ekaterina, also a dancer, from the Kirov and she never performed publicly again.
For Vasiliy, the legacy left by his father made the young man’s life miserable and bitter from the onset. Being the son of a defector, his schoolmates regarded him with scorn. Security considerations nearly prevented him from entering naval service, but fortunately, Ekaterina took a state official as her lover. His influence overcame this problem.
Vasiliy divided his hatred between his father and the country giving him asylum. He resolved to inflict great harm on both, if the opportunity developed and beamed with pride over his part in the attack against Savo Island and her escorts. He planned someday, as captain of his own submarine, he’d direct even greater attacks to concurrently satisfy his anger and hurt the enemies of the Motherland. Vasiliy had yet to formulate a plan for revenge against his father, but the topic preoccupied him often.
Commodore Eric Danis and Commander Dutch Meyer adjusted to the shock of their new surroundings then asked, “Damn it, Dutch who in hell ever executed command-at-sea from a desert?”
COMSUBRON 3 set up their temporary headquarters at the Naval Weapons Center, China Lake, just above the Mojave Desert region of California because the initial Soviet attack destroyed all San Diego based Naval facilities. Years would pass before any of the base would be tenable. Ninety percent of the civilian population believed killed outright, leaving the balance to expire from radiation sickness in a matter of weeks.
Most of the commodore’s staff comprised of replacements from what submariners could be scraped up along with a handful of naval aviators off sunken aircraft carriers. They wanted vengeance and U.S. submarine forces offered the best opportunity; so the aviators accepted their assignments with enthusiasm. They would add their right stuff to the mix and eventually impress the skeptical submariners.
Dutch Meyer looked around their new headquarters and thought, A far cry from the hustle, bustle and the comfort of a submarine tender then said, “Well, Commodore, at least we got a place to hang our hat.”
“Maybe so, Dutch, but I hope you brought along a hammer and some nails just in case. Look, give me half an hour to settle in … then I want to meet with the staff.”