STG2 Chuck Mitchell

One day in the Indian Ocean. STG1 Peters mentioned this story in his guest book entry, here are the
facts. While on patrol in the Indian Ocean during the
cruise in ’75 we came across a Petya Class Russian
Frigate anchored with an oiler at a favorite anchoring
spot for the Ruskies. At first glance the bridge
informed Captain Buell (you may remember him as being
a little off balance) that they were refueling and
gave their course and speed. Captain Buell set an
intercept course to gather data on the two ships. The
plan was to get ahead of the two ships (thought to be
underway) and drop a buoy in the water and gather data
as the two ships passed by. The Joey was carrying a
brand new type of sonar buoy that would listen as it
floated in the water and radio back frequencies, which
we would record and send off to be analyzed. As we
approached the two ships it was realized that they
were anchored and not underway at all. When Buell
found out about it, he called for a hard left rudder
and headed us directly at the smaller Russian Frigate.
The Frigate was watching us, naturally, and when they
saw us turn and head straight for them they fired a 50
cal round that landed @ 150 yards of our port bow.
One of our ST’s was on the bridge and saw it hit the
water. Our helo was also flying around the Frigate
and saw the gun barrel flash as they fired. We turned
tail and immediately radioed the Pentagon and told
them that they had shot at us. The Pentagon radioed
the Kremlin and asked why the Frigate fired at us and
the Kremlin radioed the Frigate asking why the fired
at us. The Frigate radioed back saying they didn’t
fire, the Kremlin called the Pentagon and said they
didn’t fire and the Pentagon radioed us and said “they
didn’t fire at you.” To top all this off our CO was
real mad and came back around and SLOWLY approached
the Frigate again. He decided to drop a buoy in the
water anyway and let it float by the Frigate and
gather frequency information that way. That is what
we did. We dropped the buoy and the water current
drifted it over by the Frigate. While gathering
information we noticed that the buoy was floating
pretty close to the Russian and the Capt Buell was
pleased that we would get such good data. All of a
sudden, from the blind side of the Frigate, came a
small motor boat and they ran over and picked up our
top secret brand new buoy and carried it back to their
ship. Captain Buell was furious. But I must say the
sonar gang got a real good laugh over it.

STG2 Chuck Mitchell
ASW Division