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In the early 1980's HMCS FRASER was taking part in a major NATO exercise in EASTLANT1. The exercise drew significant interest from the former USSR and it seemed that we were under constant surveillance. One morning a TU-95, Bear Delta, reconnaissance aircraft visited us to have a look. The EW2 shop provided frequent bearing updates as the aircraft approached and we all eagerly anticipated the first visual detection. It was a suitably impressive sight as the large, cumbersome Bear made several close passes to have a look at the various ships but invariably interest faded and, secure that the Bear no longer posed a threat, the Officer of the Watch carried on with his bridge routine. Shortly afterward, the following conversation ensued between the Port Lookout (PL) and the Officer of the Watch (OOW):
PL: Officer the Watch, port lookout.
OOW: Officer of the Watch.
PL: Sir, Helicopter at Red 40, far, angle of elevation 5 degrees, moving left to right.
OOW: That's not a helicopter, it's a Bear Delta.
PL: Aye, aye sir.
...followed closely by...
PL: Officer of the Watch, port lookout.
OOW: Officer of the Watch
PL: Yes sir, that Bear Delta just landed on SKEENA!3
* Gordon (Gord) Gray
Lieutenant (Naval)
Director - Ammunition and Explosives Management and Engineering 3-4-2
National Defence Headquarters
MGen George R Pearkes Bldg
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0K2
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