Battle Patrol
Until the end of December, they were improving themselves, settling into a new, now permanent base. And from the beginning of the new 1973, intensively engaged in combat training. As a result of the transition to Kamchatka, we closed task No. 2 and part of the elements of task No. 3. The immediate goal is to reach the 1 line on the level of combat training in the shortest possible time and become part of the combat readiness forces. It was expected that the first military campaign could be planned for us already in May-June.
However, life was quick. Several successful exits to finalize the elements for task No. 3, to torpedo firing and test missile firing made it possible to report on March 1 that they were ready to enter combat service. It must be said that already somewhere in the middle of February the divisional commander started a conversation about the possibility of reaching the BS (combat service) at an earlier date, it seems to be the headquarters fleet requested the ability of the division to put the boat on the BS in an unscheduled time instead of some boat whose output was interrupted for technical reasons. Our report on readiness was met “with a bang!”, We were bursting with pride - not a single boat in such a short time after entry into service did not go to the BS.
In the first days of March, I flew to Vladivostok for ten days to prepare and report a solution for the task. Actually, the “assigned task” was not yet, since our exit was early, and the operational management had not yet managed to prepare a plan for the march.
I was lucky: they offered to participate in the development of a campaign plan, but, in essence, I developed it myself. The opportunity arose, unlike previous boat trips, which were sent to a specific area for patrolling, to propose and plan combat patrols along a long route, all the while within the reach of missiles assigned to hit targets. The route was laid in such a way that, passing and close to the proposed installation sites of hydrophones of the American stationary sonar system "SOSUS", not to be detected by them. At the same time, I relied on the exceptional noiselessness of our boat and provided for special maneuvering on the operational and tactical zigzag (the capabilities of the new inertial navigation complex allowed this to be done without reducing the immediate readiness of the missile complex). The operatives liked the idea, and they helped to “break through” the original plan in the higher instances. The captain of the 1st rank Shtyrov, a former submarine commander, and my colleague in Ulysses also supported the idea. He provided additional intelligence, especially on the SOSUS system. The combat patrol route was quite long, starting on the approach to Alaska Bay from the seamount Kin-May and ending almost on the traverse of California. To ensure the secrecy of access to the patrol route, the transition to the starting point was envisaged at low noise speeds, significantly lower than the investigators had previously planned, and, in addition, I provided a “hook” for secretly bypassing the area of the deployed SOSUS hydrophone chain near Kamchatka and the American patrol area multipurpose submarine. It was assumed that "SOSUS" detects our RPK SN coming out of the base, induces a submarine at it. she sits on the “tail”, monitors until contact is lost or passes for periodic monitoring along the deployment route of the base patrol aviation. SOSUS could immediately send data directly to the Orion anti-submarine patrol aircraft. My forethought has led to an increase in deployment time to the reach of designated targets. In order to meet the deadlines set by the canon for being in the position and the total time of the trip, we had to set an earlier date for entering the BS and increase the speed at the transition when we returned to the base. The operatives objected:
- But you’ll break the secrecy on the return. On such a move, they will immediately spot you!
- Yes, but I will gradually accelerate as I move away from SOSUS. And, besides, I will lay the return route through the routes of developed shipping, where the general noise background is elevated, I will go to Kamchatka from the south-southeast.
Agreed with the arguments, the plan was sent to the General Staff for approval.
- If you do not approve, go on a banal plan. The plan will come in a package, you will open it after leaving the pier. Before - silence, the general scheme of preparation.
At the appointed time, having provided for the daily plan, the usual going out to sea for combat training (“homework” against undercover intelligence) went into their first “autonomous system”. While walking on the inner raid Avachinskaya lips opened the package. Hooray! My plan.
As a rule, on the first campaign with a young commander, and on the nuclear-powered icebreaker I was such, someone from the command of the division, divisional division or zamkomdiv, or NSH, came to the autonomous system on board. I do not remember why, or they were all in dispersal, but with me the elders sent the commander of another PKK CH, who already had combat experience, captain 1 of the rank of Agavelov. He practically did not interfere in my actions.
In the evening twilight, having crowded in the bay, having blown only the middle group of the main ballast, they surfaced in a positional position and, having transferred to the escort ship with the searchlight “Free. Then I go on my own, ”immediately at the exit from the bay, we again plunged and lay down on the course of exit to the starting point of deployment. It was another “homework” for stealth.
Went to the deployment route, plunged into 100 m, gave a minimally quiet course. Now it is possible to study the documents of the package more attentively, to familiarize them in the part concerning the officers, to set the task for the crew, the main attention is to be paid to the secrecy, noiselessness of behavior in the boat. But Havelov, having familiarized himself with the plan of the march, was amazed at the fact, and because he himself had been given a plan.
You are the author, you and the steering wheels myself I do not interfere.
Sailing. Only once a day, practically without changing the rotations of the screw, in order not to create cavitation conditions, we emerge to a communication session to receive radio information from the coast: correction of the coordinates of its place is even less common. At pre-calculated points of the route, we produce a special maneuver to check for the absence of a “tail,” that is, the tracking boat of the foe. Everything is clear.
Life in the boat is measured, hours in all the compartments are Moscow time, all journal entries are kept Moscow time. Schedule. the life rhythm is also special, for each combat shift of their own, subordinated to the convenience of carrying and changing watches every four hours, wakefulness of the basement, receiving food and rest. The galley, the coca, the galley workers, led by the midshipman Dudchenko, work in a continuous mode, adjusting to each combat shift. All this is under the control of the political officer Zadoyana. Assistant Belozerova and Chief of Staff Lieutenant Sharaevsky. By the way. Georgy Yurevich Sharaevsky is now Major General of the Medical Service, Head of the Medical Service of the Russian Navy. Commander's watch on the GCP for eight hours, in shifts, I carry, as a senior officer Kaisin. Assistant Belozerov with senior Agavelova on a campaign. The navigator's watch is also being watched by 8 for hours, the commander of the BC-1 captain-lieutenant Kalish and the commander of the electronic navigation group, senior lieutenant Germanov. The watch officers: the commander of the warhead-II captain-lieutenant Chekin, the commander of the missile group, senior lieutenant Volkov, the commander of the warhead-III, captain-lieutenant Rudoy. Watch mechanics: the commanders of the divisions of the warhead-V lieutenant commander Kapitonov, Priyma and Antonov. The commander of the electromechanical warhead (BS-V). By the way, the largest CU, 3 captain of the rank Evseenko Felix Alexandrovich, regulates his workday independently, in connection with the special responsibility for energy, means of movement and survivability of the ship, in accordance with the circumstances of the cruise. Of course, other officers constantly bear full responsibility for their institution, the subordinate personal banner, for the assigned work, whether they are on watch or not. Outside the watch and the work of the chief lieutenant Kazarin. The importance of systematic monitoring of the radiation situation on a nuclear-powered icebreaker goes without saying. As well as control over the chemical and percentage composition of the air, the system for cleaning and regeneration of air, production and distribution of oxygen. Here is their collaboration with the head of the medical service. Zampolit, of course, also has everything to do with it. He himself builds work, it seems, around the clock crawling in the compartments, on the fighting posts, talking, talking with everyone. Every day, or even several times a day, informs me about the situation on the ship, about the relationship between people. 90 days in closed volume. 90 days are the same. Person ... Maybe stress. Zampolit Victor Antonovich Zadoyan on guard. He was a good political officer. Had a whole, it seems, two flaws. Firstly, some tongue-tiedness and inability to speak with rather short phrases. Long sentences, as if they were overwhelmed with endless deacon and sacrament turns, there was not enough air to finish the phrase, the sound was gone ... The speaker was amazed ... and the listeners were waiting, what's next? Secondly, he suffered excessive suspicion. Here he had to restrain a few. He believed that he was just vigilant.
Yes I was distracted from the mechanic! And I wanted to confirm that the commander of the CU-V still has its status. Not without reason, at the next level of the fleet hierarchy, in the compound, the status of the flagship electrician was raised to the deputy commander for EMP. True, Evseenko developed a “fad” of excessive importance on this basis, and he often clashed with the first mate on the topic “Who is who”, should he be considered subordinate to the first mate. I had to interfere with the political officer, extinguish passion. Every four hours in the fourth compartment, the entire personnel of the intercepting watch is built up, under the guidance of the watch officer and watch mechanic, instructions are given, comments of the previous watch are disassembled. There, with its special role and the commander of the warhead-V. At the command of the SCG: “Willingness No. 2 underwater ... oh (—s) change to intercede!” The next watch takes over, having received a report on the reception of the watch. GKP commanded: “Get out of places to leave!” And so 3 of the month or 90 days, or 2160 hours and more than 540 times! Why more? Because the uniform course of life is interlaced with planned and unplanned events, signals of the “Battle Alarm”, etc. The event has passed and the watch again intercepts. Again silence, measured life.
Somehow, already on the course in the open ocean there was such an unexpected event. Depth 150 m. Low speed under one turbine. The boat is well-differentiated, the vertical and horizontal rudders on the “automaton”, the arrows of the rudder position indicators slightly slightly wiggle. In the CPU, silence, or rather, an even slightly audible buzz of the included devices, periodic reports of the watchman's acoustics: "The horizon is clean." Suddenly ... Dry-dy-dy-dy ... The boat shook, as if sliding down a giant washboard ... There is a vacuum under the spleen, as when going down in an elevator ... There is a report of the watchman on the watch:
- Depth 210 m. 0 trim!
Everything was quiet. The boat keeps the depth, given the speed. The “apparition” lasted only a few seconds.
- What was it?
The question remained unanswered. Everyone who was in the CPU. Look at me in disbelief. Reports of a “phenomenon” come from the compartments, but there are no comments in the compartments, the acoustic horizon is clean, almost 6000 is under the keel. I walk up to the map of the navigator, I think ... Finally, it seems like guess: the boat passed the meeting of two currents - warm Kuroshio and cold Kamchatsky. Here they met, the cold dived under the warm, a little mixed up and turned east. At the border, a “hill” of variable density of water was formed - and we “pulled it off”. An interesting phenomenon, just in case the corresponding entry in the logbook. At the same time, they made a hydrological cut from the surface to the working depth, determined the optimal depth of the hidden course, checked the absence of a “tail”. Go ahead. Silence. The explanatory work on observance of secrecy has given its results. As it moves east toward the Gulf of Alaska, the temperature of the seawater falls. I invite the division commander-1 Kapitonov to think whether it is impossible, given the low power of the NPP, to turn off the circulation pumps, to switch to cooling the second circuit on the “self-flow”. Noise NPU should decrease. After some time reports:
- I think it is possible.
- What, what, what? - Evseenko interferes, the conversation takes place in the CPU. - Comrade commander, why these experiments ?! The speed is small, which self-flow?
- Mechanic, do not boil, let's try.
We debate a few more minutes, then the mechanics leave to "try." On the move, I see Evseenko in a low voice pronouncing Kapitonov, so that "he would not climb over the dad in Peclock." I knew that if I went by subordination, the idea would perish immediately. Somewhere in an hour, the mechanic returns from the feed compartments, either reporting, or informing:
- No, pulls ... We'll see.
A few days later, when 200 miles were left before the city of Kin-Mei, I suggest that Evseenko (but in the presence of all his divisions, so that he would not wriggle) another idea:
- Fur, can we move on to electric motors?
- ...? What will it give?
- Well, let's turn off the GTZA (turbo gear unit), because it’s the noisiest.
- And if you suddenly need a move? Who knows what?
- Well, practice, try. There is time.
They trained, removed the standard, thought through possible situations. They made a decision and got up on the regime. Acoustics measured the level of their own interference: there is an expected result! However, after a few hours, it was discovered that electric motor control stations were warming up. At this point, the mechanics themselves offered and sewed sleeves from a tarpaulin and connected them to the blowers of the water-cooling system, since there was enough tarpaulin from the factory “dowry” in the household of Dudchenko. In such a low-noise mode, they walked around the city of Kin-Mei, where it was supposed to have one of the receiving hydrophones of the SOSUS system. In subsequent communication sessions, emerging under the periscope, they checked according to the search radar receiver (PRP) whether there was a search - tracking by the Orion R-AP aircraft or not. The radar signals of the aircraft radar for the entire campaign have never been found. I even started to worry if the PDP is working properly? However, when they entered the intensive shipping routes, long-range signals from shipborne radars were regularly recorded. So the PDP is good.
As it moved south along the American continent, the temperature of the water gradually increased. At some stage it was necessary to abandon the movement under the electric motors, and then from the "self-flow" and turn on the CN of the NPP. The noise of the boat increased, but the total noise of the ocean increased due to the proximity of shipping routes. In any case, we do not reveal any signs of tracking.
In one of the communication sessions, we received information from the “coast” that one of the operational AUGs would proceed through our area in the period ..., it should go to the metropolis after the change from the 7 of the US operational fleet. They corrected their maneuvering, but after a couple of days in the far acoustic zone they found a group target, and they also corrected their maneuver to disperse from the AUG at a safe distance from detection. The episode brought a variety to the well-established “autonomy mode”. and then besides the whistle, the singing of dolphins, killer whales and whales and the clicks of other creatures of the underwater kingdom, nothing was heard from the acoustics for a long time. Some diversity was made, however, by underwater inhabitants who came into the underwater cameras' field of view ...
Yes, there were, however, still quite vivid and memorable events, even with a mark on the body. I do not remember exactly which day of the trip, but already on the combat patrol route, I felt some pain in the right side of the abdomen. It is quite tolerable, but decided to better complain to our doctor. He crushed, shook, tolerated. Did a blood test. After a couple of hours more analysis. Doc insists, immediate surgery is needed, the diagnosis is acute appendicitis. We discussed with Agavelova - what to do? What to do, what to do! To be operated! On the "shore" while decided not to inform, that in vain to disturb, they still will not help. He lay down on the operating table, the benefit of our project is, albeit a small one, but the operating room, not like on the diesel engine, is a table in the mess room. George Yurievich Sharayevsky made the operation perfectly. Not a seam, but a shovchik. Almost every time during medical examinations in the future, the doctors notice: “Who did it so carefully operate on you?” For five years already I have answered: “Chief of the Medical Service of the Navy, Major General of the Medical Service G.Yu. Sharaevsky. - And I add. “At a depth of 150, but then he was a senior lieutenant.” In that campaign, Sharaevsky performed three operations for appendicitis, all workshops, successful, with the latter simply heroic. Operated by the foreman of the hydroacoustics team. The belly of a young man from hypotension (in a long hike in a limited volume of the submarine mobility is insufficient) was prolonged with fat, because of this the operation was delayed, the anesthesia began to release, it was necessary to make an additional anesthetic injection. And here, obviously, during the injection over the operating wound, the syringe broke. A sharp fragment of a syringe, cutting through a rubber glove, pierced the surgeon's palm!
Sharaevsky, with the help of an assistant (foreman of the 2 article, a sanitary chemist, sorry, I don’t remember his last name) left himself with stitches with his left hand, stitching a wound together with a rubber glove, repeated the injection and successfully completed the operation. All operations were timely, on the verge of peritonitis. Covered appendixes are presented at the hospital to the hospital as evidence. The postoperative period in all without comment. On the third day after the operation I was already in the central post. Having arrived at the base, the professional heroism of the head of the media immediately reported to the squadron commander Rear-Admiral Spiridonov and presented him for the award. G. Yu. Sharaevsky - the only one of our crew, who was awarded the medal "For Military Merit" for that trip.
Finally, the day and the hour came when the boat reached the final point of the combat patrol route and the radio broadcasting bore the good news across the compartments: “We went to the base on the course!” Gradually increased the speed, made the second turbine, put the second reactor into operation. In the center of the Pacific Ocean were already going middle speed. To our surprise, and on an average run, our acoustics managed to be detected in the RCoH and for a long time accompany the noise of the propellers of the transports that go along the routes from the ports of Southeast Asia to America and back.
A few days before approaching Kamchatka, they received from the Navy TsKP a signal to make a training conventional missile launch. After the conditional "rocket attack" - a short report on the "launch of missiles" - this is the second news about yourself for the whole campaign, they say everything is fine, we are alive, we are going home. The first ultrashort report on their place was also given on request from the “shore” in the middle of the hike. And more "no gu-gu."
And here the “approach point”, the rendezvous point with the meeting ship at the appointed time, he himself denotes the work of the echo sounder. "Request - Answer" sonar on ZPS ... You can float. Periscope breaks a wave ... Here it is - TFR, onboard № ...
- Blow out the middle one! ... The upper manhole hatch is opened.
- Signalman on the bridge ...
A breath of fresh air ... Dizzy. A fresh breeze caught a tear in his eyes. Still would! 90 days! And around the beauty! The sky and the sea are blue, the hills are green, only the snowy tops of volcanoes gleam with white in the sun ...
We exchanged call signs with the TFR, he gave “Follow me”, go to the entrance to the base. The surface of the hull of the boat dried out and it turned out that it was red, green and red, and it was black, like a fish's back. It was us that the sea “cucumbers” were painted when we were walking in the warm waters of Kuroshio, we saw them in underwater television cameras. Nothing, wash, clean up.
On the bridge and in the fencing of the felling there is a joyful galdezh free from the watch. We look at each other, faces and bodies in the light of the bright sun are pale, even blue. In the boat it is not so noticeable.
At the entrance to Avacha they meet "Three Brothers", three sharp rocks protruding from the waters. Howler - "Battle alarm! We are going through narrowness! ”Avacha Bay ... We are entering Krasheninnikov’s native bay, piers, fodder stabilizers of boats, basic buildings ..., houses of a residential village, families are open, there are families ... Tzyn-yn-ting-yn-ting ... - forgotten signal of "Avral":
- To stand in places, to become moorings!
On the pier already meets a small group of command, officers of the headquarters of the division and squadron, orchestra. Under the bravura marches we moor. The gangway is filed, I go, I report to Spiridonov, the squadron commander, division commander Gromov. At the end of the short report, as always:
- ... the material part is in order, the personnel are healthy, ready to fulfill any task of the Motherland.
Congratulations, handshaking ...
- Come on, build a team, the commander of the burbaz will hand the pig. Going away, Spiridonov is talking to a senior on the campaign Agavelova. Clearly, probably wondered how this crew showed itself, the commander. I built a crew on the pier, except for those who have working mechanisms, go with a report to the squadron commander. I looked, Emil changed his face (so we called him by the eyes), his eyes were harsh, his lips were tightly compressed, through his teeth:
- What are you not reporting on the state of emergency? Drunk with brawl in combat service, and you are silent?
So, clearly, Agavelov immediately blurted out “compromising”, could not wait for the end of the solemn meeting, “a spoonful of tar in a barrel of honey”, it hurts all right for the young and the early ...
- Yes, I was not going to hide. It hurts too not the right time for a fiscal report. Mitchman Dudchenko has no hardening in the fleet, he could not stand it, he broke down, stress ... We will punish. And, in general, he is a good, economic bataler ...
- Okay, sort it out ... Let's go to the crew.
Congratulated. A few words about affairs in the country and in the fleet, in the squadron, about the all-fleet teachings "Ocean-73" and ...
- Thank you for your service! Amicably:
- Serve the Soviet Union!
- Well, everything, the boat to the second crew does not pass, get ready for a responsible exit according to the teachings.
Story dissolved. Flagpets began to torment the commanders of combat units, beginning. Software - Deputy Zadoyan (probably, "executes" for Dudchenko), and we with divisional commander Boris Ivanovich Gromov stepped aside, smoke break.
- Is the report ready?
- Ready.
- So far, according to the fleet, the trip is secretive. Submit a report, then at a meeting with the commanders, share your experience, conduct a review.
The hike really was secretive, maybe the only secretive. Many years later, meeting with the head of the fleet intelligence department, captain 1 of rank Shtyrov, and then, when he was already deputy. the chief of staff of the KVF, we started talking about this campaign many times, and he confirmed it, including according to intelligence reports. And he followed this information especially. Unfortunately, I do not know if anyone used our experience later or not, planning and implementing hikes of the PKK CH is a secretive, state-owned business. Nevertheless, operational officers were not mistaken about the secrecy of our campaigns, since Soviet second-generation boats were still quite noisy, and the possibilities of the SOSUS global submarine monitoring system in the world's oceans were very strong. Plus, the advanced forward-based system of operational fleets, dozens of Orion patrol aircraft and multi-purpose submarines created a serious problem for the secrecy of our submarine operations. Understandably, in the case of a global war, the boats would not be left alone with the system of "anti-submarine war" of a "probable enemy", but in peacetime and in the initial period of a threatened position to evade detection and tracking is an art.
However, life was quick. Several successful exits to finalize the elements for task No. 3, to torpedo firing and test missile firing made it possible to report on March 1 that they were ready to enter combat service. It must be said that already somewhere in the middle of February the divisional commander started a conversation about the possibility of reaching the BS (combat service) at an earlier date, it seems to be the headquarters fleet requested the ability of the division to put the boat on the BS in an unscheduled time instead of some boat whose output was interrupted for technical reasons. Our report on readiness was met “with a bang!”, We were bursting with pride - not a single boat in such a short time after entry into service did not go to the BS.
In the first days of March, I flew to Vladivostok for ten days to prepare and report a solution for the task. Actually, the “assigned task” was not yet, since our exit was early, and the operational management had not yet managed to prepare a plan for the march.
I was lucky: they offered to participate in the development of a campaign plan, but, in essence, I developed it myself. The opportunity arose, unlike previous boat trips, which were sent to a specific area for patrolling, to propose and plan combat patrols along a long route, all the while within the reach of missiles assigned to hit targets. The route was laid in such a way that, passing and close to the proposed installation sites of hydrophones of the American stationary sonar system "SOSUS", not to be detected by them. At the same time, I relied on the exceptional noiselessness of our boat and provided for special maneuvering on the operational and tactical zigzag (the capabilities of the new inertial navigation complex allowed this to be done without reducing the immediate readiness of the missile complex). The operatives liked the idea, and they helped to “break through” the original plan in the higher instances. The captain of the 1st rank Shtyrov, a former submarine commander, and my colleague in Ulysses also supported the idea. He provided additional intelligence, especially on the SOSUS system. The combat patrol route was quite long, starting on the approach to Alaska Bay from the seamount Kin-May and ending almost on the traverse of California. To ensure the secrecy of access to the patrol route, the transition to the starting point was envisaged at low noise speeds, significantly lower than the investigators had previously planned, and, in addition, I provided a “hook” for secretly bypassing the area of the deployed SOSUS hydrophone chain near Kamchatka and the American patrol area multipurpose submarine. It was assumed that "SOSUS" detects our RPK SN coming out of the base, induces a submarine at it. she sits on the “tail”, monitors until contact is lost or passes for periodic monitoring along the deployment route of the base patrol aviation. SOSUS could immediately send data directly to the Orion anti-submarine patrol aircraft. My forethought has led to an increase in deployment time to the reach of designated targets. In order to meet the deadlines set by the canon for being in the position and the total time of the trip, we had to set an earlier date for entering the BS and increase the speed at the transition when we returned to the base. The operatives objected:
- But you’ll break the secrecy on the return. On such a move, they will immediately spot you!
- Yes, but I will gradually accelerate as I move away from SOSUS. And, besides, I will lay the return route through the routes of developed shipping, where the general noise background is elevated, I will go to Kamchatka from the south-southeast.
Agreed with the arguments, the plan was sent to the General Staff for approval.
- If you do not approve, go on a banal plan. The plan will come in a package, you will open it after leaving the pier. Before - silence, the general scheme of preparation.
At the appointed time, having provided for the daily plan, the usual going out to sea for combat training (“homework” against undercover intelligence) went into their first “autonomous system”. While walking on the inner raid Avachinskaya lips opened the package. Hooray! My plan.
As a rule, on the first campaign with a young commander, and on the nuclear-powered icebreaker I was such, someone from the command of the division, divisional division or zamkomdiv, or NSH, came to the autonomous system on board. I do not remember why, or they were all in dispersal, but with me the elders sent the commander of another PKK CH, who already had combat experience, captain 1 of the rank of Agavelov. He practically did not interfere in my actions.
In the evening twilight, having crowded in the bay, having blown only the middle group of the main ballast, they surfaced in a positional position and, having transferred to the escort ship with the searchlight “Free. Then I go on my own, ”immediately at the exit from the bay, we again plunged and lay down on the course of exit to the starting point of deployment. It was another “homework” for stealth.
Went to the deployment route, plunged into 100 m, gave a minimally quiet course. Now it is possible to study the documents of the package more attentively, to familiarize them in the part concerning the officers, to set the task for the crew, the main attention is to be paid to the secrecy, noiselessness of behavior in the boat. But Havelov, having familiarized himself with the plan of the march, was amazed at the fact, and because he himself had been given a plan.
You are the author, you and the steering wheels myself I do not interfere.
Sailing. Only once a day, practically without changing the rotations of the screw, in order not to create cavitation conditions, we emerge to a communication session to receive radio information from the coast: correction of the coordinates of its place is even less common. At pre-calculated points of the route, we produce a special maneuver to check for the absence of a “tail,” that is, the tracking boat of the foe. Everything is clear.
Life in the boat is measured, hours in all the compartments are Moscow time, all journal entries are kept Moscow time. Schedule. the life rhythm is also special, for each combat shift of their own, subordinated to the convenience of carrying and changing watches every four hours, wakefulness of the basement, receiving food and rest. The galley, the coca, the galley workers, led by the midshipman Dudchenko, work in a continuous mode, adjusting to each combat shift. All this is under the control of the political officer Zadoyana. Assistant Belozerova and Chief of Staff Lieutenant Sharaevsky. By the way. Georgy Yurevich Sharaevsky is now Major General of the Medical Service, Head of the Medical Service of the Russian Navy. Commander's watch on the GCP for eight hours, in shifts, I carry, as a senior officer Kaisin. Assistant Belozerov with senior Agavelova on a campaign. The navigator's watch is also being watched by 8 for hours, the commander of the BC-1 captain-lieutenant Kalish and the commander of the electronic navigation group, senior lieutenant Germanov. The watch officers: the commander of the warhead-II captain-lieutenant Chekin, the commander of the missile group, senior lieutenant Volkov, the commander of the warhead-III, captain-lieutenant Rudoy. Watch mechanics: the commanders of the divisions of the warhead-V lieutenant commander Kapitonov, Priyma and Antonov. The commander of the electromechanical warhead (BS-V). By the way, the largest CU, 3 captain of the rank Evseenko Felix Alexandrovich, regulates his workday independently, in connection with the special responsibility for energy, means of movement and survivability of the ship, in accordance with the circumstances of the cruise. Of course, other officers constantly bear full responsibility for their institution, the subordinate personal banner, for the assigned work, whether they are on watch or not. Outside the watch and the work of the chief lieutenant Kazarin. The importance of systematic monitoring of the radiation situation on a nuclear-powered icebreaker goes without saying. As well as control over the chemical and percentage composition of the air, the system for cleaning and regeneration of air, production and distribution of oxygen. Here is their collaboration with the head of the medical service. Zampolit, of course, also has everything to do with it. He himself builds work, it seems, around the clock crawling in the compartments, on the fighting posts, talking, talking with everyone. Every day, or even several times a day, informs me about the situation on the ship, about the relationship between people. 90 days in closed volume. 90 days are the same. Person ... Maybe stress. Zampolit Victor Antonovich Zadoyan on guard. He was a good political officer. Had a whole, it seems, two flaws. Firstly, some tongue-tiedness and inability to speak with rather short phrases. Long sentences, as if they were overwhelmed with endless deacon and sacrament turns, there was not enough air to finish the phrase, the sound was gone ... The speaker was amazed ... and the listeners were waiting, what's next? Secondly, he suffered excessive suspicion. Here he had to restrain a few. He believed that he was just vigilant.
Yes I was distracted from the mechanic! And I wanted to confirm that the commander of the CU-V still has its status. Not without reason, at the next level of the fleet hierarchy, in the compound, the status of the flagship electrician was raised to the deputy commander for EMP. True, Evseenko developed a “fad” of excessive importance on this basis, and he often clashed with the first mate on the topic “Who is who”, should he be considered subordinate to the first mate. I had to interfere with the political officer, extinguish passion. Every four hours in the fourth compartment, the entire personnel of the intercepting watch is built up, under the guidance of the watch officer and watch mechanic, instructions are given, comments of the previous watch are disassembled. There, with its special role and the commander of the warhead-V. At the command of the SCG: “Willingness No. 2 underwater ... oh (—s) change to intercede!” The next watch takes over, having received a report on the reception of the watch. GKP commanded: “Get out of places to leave!” And so 3 of the month or 90 days, or 2160 hours and more than 540 times! Why more? Because the uniform course of life is interlaced with planned and unplanned events, signals of the “Battle Alarm”, etc. The event has passed and the watch again intercepts. Again silence, measured life.
Somehow, already on the course in the open ocean there was such an unexpected event. Depth 150 m. Low speed under one turbine. The boat is well-differentiated, the vertical and horizontal rudders on the “automaton”, the arrows of the rudder position indicators slightly slightly wiggle. In the CPU, silence, or rather, an even slightly audible buzz of the included devices, periodic reports of the watchman's acoustics: "The horizon is clean." Suddenly ... Dry-dy-dy-dy ... The boat shook, as if sliding down a giant washboard ... There is a vacuum under the spleen, as when going down in an elevator ... There is a report of the watchman on the watch:
- Depth 210 m. 0 trim!
Everything was quiet. The boat keeps the depth, given the speed. The “apparition” lasted only a few seconds.
- What was it?
The question remained unanswered. Everyone who was in the CPU. Look at me in disbelief. Reports of a “phenomenon” come from the compartments, but there are no comments in the compartments, the acoustic horizon is clean, almost 6000 is under the keel. I walk up to the map of the navigator, I think ... Finally, it seems like guess: the boat passed the meeting of two currents - warm Kuroshio and cold Kamchatsky. Here they met, the cold dived under the warm, a little mixed up and turned east. At the border, a “hill” of variable density of water was formed - and we “pulled it off”. An interesting phenomenon, just in case the corresponding entry in the logbook. At the same time, they made a hydrological cut from the surface to the working depth, determined the optimal depth of the hidden course, checked the absence of a “tail”. Go ahead. Silence. The explanatory work on observance of secrecy has given its results. As it moves east toward the Gulf of Alaska, the temperature of the seawater falls. I invite the division commander-1 Kapitonov to think whether it is impossible, given the low power of the NPP, to turn off the circulation pumps, to switch to cooling the second circuit on the “self-flow”. Noise NPU should decrease. After some time reports:
- I think it is possible.
- What, what, what? - Evseenko interferes, the conversation takes place in the CPU. - Comrade commander, why these experiments ?! The speed is small, which self-flow?
- Mechanic, do not boil, let's try.
We debate a few more minutes, then the mechanics leave to "try." On the move, I see Evseenko in a low voice pronouncing Kapitonov, so that "he would not climb over the dad in Peclock." I knew that if I went by subordination, the idea would perish immediately. Somewhere in an hour, the mechanic returns from the feed compartments, either reporting, or informing:
- No, pulls ... We'll see.
A few days later, when 200 miles were left before the city of Kin-Mei, I suggest that Evseenko (but in the presence of all his divisions, so that he would not wriggle) another idea:
- Fur, can we move on to electric motors?
- ...? What will it give?
- Well, let's turn off the GTZA (turbo gear unit), because it’s the noisiest.
- And if you suddenly need a move? Who knows what?
- Well, practice, try. There is time.
They trained, removed the standard, thought through possible situations. They made a decision and got up on the regime. Acoustics measured the level of their own interference: there is an expected result! However, after a few hours, it was discovered that electric motor control stations were warming up. At this point, the mechanics themselves offered and sewed sleeves from a tarpaulin and connected them to the blowers of the water-cooling system, since there was enough tarpaulin from the factory “dowry” in the household of Dudchenko. In such a low-noise mode, they walked around the city of Kin-Mei, where it was supposed to have one of the receiving hydrophones of the SOSUS system. In subsequent communication sessions, emerging under the periscope, they checked according to the search radar receiver (PRP) whether there was a search - tracking by the Orion R-AP aircraft or not. The radar signals of the aircraft radar for the entire campaign have never been found. I even started to worry if the PDP is working properly? However, when they entered the intensive shipping routes, long-range signals from shipborne radars were regularly recorded. So the PDP is good.
As it moved south along the American continent, the temperature of the water gradually increased. At some stage it was necessary to abandon the movement under the electric motors, and then from the "self-flow" and turn on the CN of the NPP. The noise of the boat increased, but the total noise of the ocean increased due to the proximity of shipping routes. In any case, we do not reveal any signs of tracking.
In one of the communication sessions, we received information from the “coast” that one of the operational AUGs would proceed through our area in the period ..., it should go to the metropolis after the change from the 7 of the US operational fleet. They corrected their maneuvering, but after a couple of days in the far acoustic zone they found a group target, and they also corrected their maneuver to disperse from the AUG at a safe distance from detection. The episode brought a variety to the well-established “autonomy mode”. and then besides the whistle, the singing of dolphins, killer whales and whales and the clicks of other creatures of the underwater kingdom, nothing was heard from the acoustics for a long time. Some diversity was made, however, by underwater inhabitants who came into the underwater cameras' field of view ...
Yes, there were, however, still quite vivid and memorable events, even with a mark on the body. I do not remember exactly which day of the trip, but already on the combat patrol route, I felt some pain in the right side of the abdomen. It is quite tolerable, but decided to better complain to our doctor. He crushed, shook, tolerated. Did a blood test. After a couple of hours more analysis. Doc insists, immediate surgery is needed, the diagnosis is acute appendicitis. We discussed with Agavelova - what to do? What to do, what to do! To be operated! On the "shore" while decided not to inform, that in vain to disturb, they still will not help. He lay down on the operating table, the benefit of our project is, albeit a small one, but the operating room, not like on the diesel engine, is a table in the mess room. George Yurievich Sharayevsky made the operation perfectly. Not a seam, but a shovchik. Almost every time during medical examinations in the future, the doctors notice: “Who did it so carefully operate on you?” For five years already I have answered: “Chief of the Medical Service of the Navy, Major General of the Medical Service G.Yu. Sharaevsky. - And I add. “At a depth of 150, but then he was a senior lieutenant.” In that campaign, Sharaevsky performed three operations for appendicitis, all workshops, successful, with the latter simply heroic. Operated by the foreman of the hydroacoustics team. The belly of a young man from hypotension (in a long hike in a limited volume of the submarine mobility is insufficient) was prolonged with fat, because of this the operation was delayed, the anesthesia began to release, it was necessary to make an additional anesthetic injection. And here, obviously, during the injection over the operating wound, the syringe broke. A sharp fragment of a syringe, cutting through a rubber glove, pierced the surgeon's palm!
Sharaevsky, with the help of an assistant (foreman of the 2 article, a sanitary chemist, sorry, I don’t remember his last name) left himself with stitches with his left hand, stitching a wound together with a rubber glove, repeated the injection and successfully completed the operation. All operations were timely, on the verge of peritonitis. Covered appendixes are presented at the hospital to the hospital as evidence. The postoperative period in all without comment. On the third day after the operation I was already in the central post. Having arrived at the base, the professional heroism of the head of the media immediately reported to the squadron commander Rear-Admiral Spiridonov and presented him for the award. G. Yu. Sharaevsky - the only one of our crew, who was awarded the medal "For Military Merit" for that trip.
Finally, the day and the hour came when the boat reached the final point of the combat patrol route and the radio broadcasting bore the good news across the compartments: “We went to the base on the course!” Gradually increased the speed, made the second turbine, put the second reactor into operation. In the center of the Pacific Ocean were already going middle speed. To our surprise, and on an average run, our acoustics managed to be detected in the RCoH and for a long time accompany the noise of the propellers of the transports that go along the routes from the ports of Southeast Asia to America and back.
A few days before approaching Kamchatka, they received from the Navy TsKP a signal to make a training conventional missile launch. After the conditional "rocket attack" - a short report on the "launch of missiles" - this is the second news about yourself for the whole campaign, they say everything is fine, we are alive, we are going home. The first ultrashort report on their place was also given on request from the “shore” in the middle of the hike. And more "no gu-gu."
And here the “approach point”, the rendezvous point with the meeting ship at the appointed time, he himself denotes the work of the echo sounder. "Request - Answer" sonar on ZPS ... You can float. Periscope breaks a wave ... Here it is - TFR, onboard № ...
- Blow out the middle one! ... The upper manhole hatch is opened.
- Signalman on the bridge ...
A breath of fresh air ... Dizzy. A fresh breeze caught a tear in his eyes. Still would! 90 days! And around the beauty! The sky and the sea are blue, the hills are green, only the snowy tops of volcanoes gleam with white in the sun ...
We exchanged call signs with the TFR, he gave “Follow me”, go to the entrance to the base. The surface of the hull of the boat dried out and it turned out that it was red, green and red, and it was black, like a fish's back. It was us that the sea “cucumbers” were painted when we were walking in the warm waters of Kuroshio, we saw them in underwater television cameras. Nothing, wash, clean up.
On the bridge and in the fencing of the felling there is a joyful galdezh free from the watch. We look at each other, faces and bodies in the light of the bright sun are pale, even blue. In the boat it is not so noticeable.
At the entrance to Avacha they meet "Three Brothers", three sharp rocks protruding from the waters. Howler - "Battle alarm! We are going through narrowness! ”Avacha Bay ... We are entering Krasheninnikov’s native bay, piers, fodder stabilizers of boats, basic buildings ..., houses of a residential village, families are open, there are families ... Tzyn-yn-ting-yn-ting ... - forgotten signal of "Avral":
- To stand in places, to become moorings!
On the pier already meets a small group of command, officers of the headquarters of the division and squadron, orchestra. Under the bravura marches we moor. The gangway is filed, I go, I report to Spiridonov, the squadron commander, division commander Gromov. At the end of the short report, as always:
- ... the material part is in order, the personnel are healthy, ready to fulfill any task of the Motherland.
Congratulations, handshaking ...
- Come on, build a team, the commander of the burbaz will hand the pig. Going away, Spiridonov is talking to a senior on the campaign Agavelova. Clearly, probably wondered how this crew showed itself, the commander. I built a crew on the pier, except for those who have working mechanisms, go with a report to the squadron commander. I looked, Emil changed his face (so we called him by the eyes), his eyes were harsh, his lips were tightly compressed, through his teeth:
- What are you not reporting on the state of emergency? Drunk with brawl in combat service, and you are silent?
So, clearly, Agavelov immediately blurted out “compromising”, could not wait for the end of the solemn meeting, “a spoonful of tar in a barrel of honey”, it hurts all right for the young and the early ...
- Yes, I was not going to hide. It hurts too not the right time for a fiscal report. Mitchman Dudchenko has no hardening in the fleet, he could not stand it, he broke down, stress ... We will punish. And, in general, he is a good, economic bataler ...
- Okay, sort it out ... Let's go to the crew.
Congratulated. A few words about affairs in the country and in the fleet, in the squadron, about the all-fleet teachings "Ocean-73" and ...
- Thank you for your service! Amicably:
- Serve the Soviet Union!
- Well, everything, the boat to the second crew does not pass, get ready for a responsible exit according to the teachings.
Story dissolved. Flagpets began to torment the commanders of combat units, beginning. Software - Deputy Zadoyan (probably, "executes" for Dudchenko), and we with divisional commander Boris Ivanovich Gromov stepped aside, smoke break.
- Is the report ready?
- Ready.
- So far, according to the fleet, the trip is secretive. Submit a report, then at a meeting with the commanders, share your experience, conduct a review.
The hike really was secretive, maybe the only secretive. Many years later, meeting with the head of the fleet intelligence department, captain 1 of rank Shtyrov, and then, when he was already deputy. the chief of staff of the KVF, we started talking about this campaign many times, and he confirmed it, including according to intelligence reports. And he followed this information especially. Unfortunately, I do not know if anyone used our experience later or not, planning and implementing hikes of the PKK CH is a secretive, state-owned business. Nevertheless, operational officers were not mistaken about the secrecy of our campaigns, since Soviet second-generation boats were still quite noisy, and the possibilities of the SOSUS global submarine monitoring system in the world's oceans were very strong. Plus, the advanced forward-based system of operational fleets, dozens of Orion patrol aircraft and multi-purpose submarines created a serious problem for the secrecy of our submarine operations. Understandably, in the case of a global war, the boats would not be left alone with the system of "anti-submarine war" of a "probable enemy", but in peacetime and in the initial period of a threatened position to evade detection and tracking is an art.
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