The Kingfisher Strikes....P&S at sea
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Survivors, and Refugees
IN A LIFE RAFT
Gallikov sat in silent thought, watching as the American helicopter that sank K-506 circled overhead. He had expected, even almost hoped, it would begin firing, ending his existence. All it had done was continue to circle. Out of his crew of 130, only 42 had made it off before K-506 slipped beneath the surface for the last time. Pyotr Golovko had died when the shock of the torpedo impact had thrown him head first into a bulkhead breaking his neck. Gallikov did not know what had happened to Yuri Orlov, only that after his last status report that the no more missiles could be launched was the last he’d been heard from. Besides Gallikov, only 3 officers hade made it off the boat. The most senior of them was the Diving Officer, Captain Lieutenant Pavel Volodin, a very capable young officer.
“Captain, what do you think will happen now?” Volodin spoke.
“Well Pasha, if I had to say, the ship that helicopter is flying from is probably on its way here. Whether they will rescue us, or shoot us, that I cannot say.”
USS JOHN YOUNG
Hamilton was still in CIC receiving reports as they came in. Contact had been lost with all shore stations, including CINCPACFLT. They were in contact with the Sacramento, and had just made contact with USS Callaghan (DDG-994). Callaghan had just left San Diego Harbor about 3 hours before the exchange began and had reported seeing several mushroom clouds in the area. The three ships would rendezvous later.
A more pressing concern for Hamilton was getting to the site where Seahawk 04 had sunk the Soviet sub. The XO, Lieutenant Commander Chris Parker had suggested to Hamilton that any survivors from the sub should be left to die, but Hamilton had nixed that. Besides the ancient tradition of not abandoning other sailors to the sea, he hoped they may be able to get some information from the Russians about what targets they may have had, to get some idea of what may have been hit.
Hamilton left CIC to go to the Bridge. The ship was nearing where Seahawk 04 was circling the rafts. On the bridge, Hamilton picked up a phone, dialing the number for the ship’s Central Control Station. The Chief Engineer, Lt. Rob Jordan answered.
“Rob, we’re getting close to where that sub went down. Can you spare Chief Kaminsky?”
“I think we can spare the Mad Russian Chief for a bit Captain. If nothing else, he’ll sure be able to cuss them out in their own language.”
The ship began to slow as it approached the rafts, coming to a stop several hundred yards away. Several M60 and M2 machine guns mounted on the bow were manned by gunners mates as the motor whaleboat and captain’s gig were lowered. Once in the water, the two small boats began their first run to the rafts. Both of the boats crews were all wearing a .45 pistol on their sides, and two crew on each also had a 12 gauge shotgun. They had been given orders that if any of the Russian survivors were anything less than completely cooperative, they would not be making the short boat ride back to the ship. In the motor whaleboat was Chief Petty Officer Victor Kaminsky, of Brooklyn, NY. Kaminsky was the son of a Russian sailor who had jumped ship from the freighter he was on in 1944 and settled in Brooklyn’s Russian community. Victor’s mother had grown up there. Growing up, English had only rarely been spoken in the home.
IN A LIFE RAFT
Gallikov sat in silent thought, watching as the American helicopter that sank K-506 circled overhead. He had expected, even almost hoped, it would begin firing, ending his existence. All it had done was continue to circle. Out of his crew of 130, only 42 had made it off before K-506 slipped beneath the surface for the last time. Pyotr Golovko had died when the shock of the torpedo impact had thrown him head first into a bulkhead breaking his neck. Gallikov did not know what had happened to Yuri Orlov, only that after his last status report that the no more missiles could be launched was the last he’d been heard from. Besides Gallikov, only 3 officers hade made it off the boat. The most senior of them was the Diving Officer, Captain Lieutenant Pavel Volodin, a very capable young officer.
“Captain, what do you think will happen now?” Volodin spoke.
“Well Pasha, if I had to say, the ship that helicopter is flying from is probably on its way here. Whether they will rescue us, or shoot us, that I cannot say.”
USS JOHN YOUNG
Hamilton was still in CIC receiving reports as they came in. Contact had been lost with all shore stations, including CINCPACFLT. They were in contact with the Sacramento, and had just made contact with USS Callaghan (DDG-994). Callaghan had just left San Diego Harbor about 3 hours before the exchange began and had reported seeing several mushroom clouds in the area. The three ships would rendezvous later.
A more pressing concern for Hamilton was getting to the site where Seahawk 04 had sunk the Soviet sub. The XO, Lieutenant Commander Chris Parker had suggested to Hamilton that any survivors from the sub should be left to die, but Hamilton had nixed that. Besides the ancient tradition of not abandoning other sailors to the sea, he hoped they may be able to get some information from the Russians about what targets they may have had, to get some idea of what may have been hit.
Hamilton left CIC to go to the Bridge. The ship was nearing where Seahawk 04 was circling the rafts. On the bridge, Hamilton picked up a phone, dialing the number for the ship’s Central Control Station. The Chief Engineer, Lt. Rob Jordan answered.
“Rob, we’re getting close to where that sub went down. Can you spare Chief Kaminsky?”
“I think we can spare the Mad Russian Chief for a bit Captain. If nothing else, he’ll sure be able to cuss them out in their own language.”
The ship began to slow as it approached the rafts, coming to a stop several hundred yards away. Several M60 and M2 machine guns mounted on the bow were manned by gunners mates as the motor whaleboat and captain’s gig were lowered. Once in the water, the two small boats began their first run to the rafts. Both of the boats crews were all wearing a .45 pistol on their sides, and two crew on each also had a 12 gauge shotgun. They had been given orders that if any of the Russian survivors were anything less than completely cooperative, they would not be making the short boat ride back to the ship. In the motor whaleboat was Chief Petty Officer Victor Kaminsky, of Brooklyn, NY. Kaminsky was the son of a Russian sailor who had jumped ship from the freighter he was on in 1944 and settled in Brooklyn’s Russian community. Victor’s mother had grown up there. Growing up, English had only rarely been spoken in the home.
As someone who never served in the armed forces, I have to admit, I am not certain I would be taking prisoners. The realization of what those missiles would do and desire for revenge might overwhelm my training. Then again, my general resistance to following orders is why I never joined...
As a military doctor who would treat PoWs same as US or Allies, with folks like these - who were doing their job no more or less than US crews on our boomers, you really, really don't want to get in to shoot any castaways. If you have people who have truly committed atrocities (I know nuking cities is an atrocity but...) you can put them in front of a hasty court martial and try them, enroute to execution but once you go down the road of the "black flag" it only ends badly.
IN THE MOTOR WHALEBOAT
As the whaleboat approached the collection of rafts, Kaminsky put the bullhorn up to his mouth. He announced, in fluent Russian, “Hands up, all of you! Who is in charge?”
Gallikov shouted back. “I am the commanding officer. We will not resist. If you are going to shoot us, do it now. Otherwise I have men who need medical attention.”
The whaleboat pulled alongside Gallikov’s raft. Kaminsky had Gallikov climb over to the whaleboat. Sir, may I know your name and rank, in order to let my captain know?
“You may tell him that Captain First Rank Anton Gallikov, of the Soviet submarine K-506 sends his regards and looks forward to meeting with him at his convenience. I should also like to meet the pilot of the helicopter who sank my boat.”
Kaminsky relayed this information to the John Young as the life rafts were tied together and riiged for towing to the ship.
BRIDGE, USS JOHN YOUNG
“Chris, we’re going to have guests. Kaminsky reports the Russians have no fight left in them, and that sub’s captain is one of the.” Hamilton was talking with his XO. “Go ahead and let Doc know they have some wounded, so his people are going to be busy. I’m about to call the Chop to see if his people can whip up some sandwiches for them.”
“Yes sir. I have to say though. I’m not real happy about bringing them on board. For one thing, how long will we have food for them? Not to mention the manpower to babysit them.”
“We’ll be meeting up with Sacramento and Callaghan this afternoon. We’ll transfer most if not all of them to the Sacramento. They’re a little better equipped to deal with prisoners, especially wounded ones. Fair enough?”
“Yes sir. I just can’t get it out of my head that these fuckers launched TWO nuclear missiles at our homes! And now we’re helping them? Sorry sir, but that’s what’s on my mind.”
“Trust me Chris, I understand. But we really can’t blame them any more than they could the crew of one of our boomers. Remember, it was the politicians that started all this.”
As Parker left to speak with Medical, Hamilton picked up the mic to the 1MC. He made the annoucement, shipwide. “All hands, this is the Captain. As you know, there has been a nuclear exchange, possibly still in progress, between our nation and the Soviet Union. At this time, we have little to no information as we have not been able to contact any shore stations. If this changes, you will be informed. As you also know, our helicopter, Seahawk 04, sank a Soviet submarine. Survivors from it will be taken on board shortly. I will remind each and every one of you that they are prisoners of war, and will be treated in accordance with the Laws of Armed Conflict. If I hear of anyone willfully mistreating them, they will answer to me. In the meantime, we have made contact with the Sacramento and the Callaghan. We will be rendezvousing with them in a few hours. For now, until we know more, I want to ask a personal favor of each and every one of you. I don’t know what our future holds. I need each of you to take care of yourselves, and take care of each other. If a shipmate is having a bad time, help him out, or get him some help. Above all, I ask for your prayers. With God’s help, and your strength, we will get through this, And may God bless the United States of America. That’s all for now.”
As the whaleboat approached the collection of rafts, Kaminsky put the bullhorn up to his mouth. He announced, in fluent Russian, “Hands up, all of you! Who is in charge?”
Gallikov shouted back. “I am the commanding officer. We will not resist. If you are going to shoot us, do it now. Otherwise I have men who need medical attention.”
The whaleboat pulled alongside Gallikov’s raft. Kaminsky had Gallikov climb over to the whaleboat. Sir, may I know your name and rank, in order to let my captain know?
“You may tell him that Captain First Rank Anton Gallikov, of the Soviet submarine K-506 sends his regards and looks forward to meeting with him at his convenience. I should also like to meet the pilot of the helicopter who sank my boat.”
Kaminsky relayed this information to the John Young as the life rafts were tied together and riiged for towing to the ship.
BRIDGE, USS JOHN YOUNG
“Chris, we’re going to have guests. Kaminsky reports the Russians have no fight left in them, and that sub’s captain is one of the.” Hamilton was talking with his XO. “Go ahead and let Doc know they have some wounded, so his people are going to be busy. I’m about to call the Chop to see if his people can whip up some sandwiches for them.”
“Yes sir. I have to say though. I’m not real happy about bringing them on board. For one thing, how long will we have food for them? Not to mention the manpower to babysit them.”
“We’ll be meeting up with Sacramento and Callaghan this afternoon. We’ll transfer most if not all of them to the Sacramento. They’re a little better equipped to deal with prisoners, especially wounded ones. Fair enough?”
“Yes sir. I just can’t get it out of my head that these fuckers launched TWO nuclear missiles at our homes! And now we’re helping them? Sorry sir, but that’s what’s on my mind.”
“Trust me Chris, I understand. But we really can’t blame them any more than they could the crew of one of our boomers. Remember, it was the politicians that started all this.”
As Parker left to speak with Medical, Hamilton picked up the mic to the 1MC. He made the annoucement, shipwide. “All hands, this is the Captain. As you know, there has been a nuclear exchange, possibly still in progress, between our nation and the Soviet Union. At this time, we have little to no information as we have not been able to contact any shore stations. If this changes, you will be informed. As you also know, our helicopter, Seahawk 04, sank a Soviet submarine. Survivors from it will be taken on board shortly. I will remind each and every one of you that they are prisoners of war, and will be treated in accordance with the Laws of Armed Conflict. If I hear of anyone willfully mistreating them, they will answer to me. In the meantime, we have made contact with the Sacramento and the Callaghan. We will be rendezvousing with them in a few hours. For now, until we know more, I want to ask a personal favor of each and every one of you. I don’t know what our future holds. I need each of you to take care of yourselves, and take care of each other. If a shipmate is having a bad time, help him out, or get him some help. Above all, I ask for your prayers. With God’s help, and your strength, we will get through this, And may God bless the United States of America. That’s all for now.”
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Note: Kaminsky is rather unlikely as a Russian name.
The only Great Russians with surnames ending in -ski (-skiy, actually), were old high aristocratic families.
OTOH, such names were common in formerly PLC territory, such as Belorus, and western Ukraine. So... maybe Kaminski père jumped ship precisely because he wasnt ethnic Russian.
Still. If the Chief's dad were Belorussian, and his mum was descended from emigrés, his Russian, while fluent, might sound quite odd to a modern Soviet Russian ear.
HE thinks he speaks perfect Russian, his ship thinks he does, the Russian sailors ... not quite.
The only Great Russians with surnames ending in -ski (-skiy, actually), were old high aristocratic families.
OTOH, such names were common in formerly PLC territory, such as Belorus, and western Ukraine. So... maybe Kaminski père jumped ship precisely because he wasnt ethnic Russian.
Still. If the Chief's dad were Belorussian, and his mum was descended from emigrés, his Russian, while fluent, might sound quite odd to a modern Soviet Russian ear.
HE thinks he speaks perfect Russian, his ship thinks he does, the Russian sailors ... not quite.
By perfect, I meant fluent. Obviously his accent would sound odd to a native Russian, same as, for example, a child of 1'st generation immigrants from Mexico who grows up in the US. While they may speak Spanish fluently, they could never pass for a native if they were to travel to Mexico. I do see your point however, and I'll make a minor change. I know I haven't said so far, but we'll go ahead and say Kaminsky's dad was Belorussian.
Sorry it's been a while. Real life has a way of butting in. I'm working on an update now, and trying to decide what direction I want to go from there. Yes, the Young will be meeting up with the Nimitz battle group, but I am at a loss as to what direction to go after they meet. It will probably lead in to the epilogue, but I am open to other ideas.
February 1984 I was cooling my heels on Okinawa. Nearly 90 days since we had returned from a five month deployment to Fuji Japan and then Exercise Bear Hunt in Korea. Fussing with motor maintinance, the occasional battery shoot, and counting the months til promotion. The events in Germany certainly would have gotten our attention. There was some sort of war plan to disperse to the wilds of northern Okinawa, but I never actually saw or rehearsed it. There was also one of several underground command bunkers down the road from our battery offices. No doubt the division staff would have been lurking there.
Bigger question is what would have been happening at Kadena air base on Oki, and the US naval base/s in Japan. Lots of franctic screaming, waving of arms, and running in circles no doubt.
Bigger question is what would have been happening at Kadena air base on Oki, and the US naval base/s in Japan. Lots of franctic screaming, waving of arms, and running in circles no doubt.
I'm sure all the major US bases on Okinawa and mainland Japan would have been targeted. I was at Yokosuka later in my career, and even if the Midway battle group had been at sea in 1984, it would've been targeted just for the port facilities and the drydocks there. There were drydocks there that would fit a Nimitz-class carrier.
Conversations
CAPTAIN’S IN-PORT CABIN, USS JOHN YOUNG
Hamilton and Kaminsky entered the cabin, where two armed guards had been posted just outside. Hamilton wanted to speak with the Soviet sub captain both to allay their prisoner’s fears, and to try to get some information.
As they entered, Kaminsky addressed Gallikov. “Z’drastvooyte. Kak vas zavoot?’
Gallikov answered, “I am Kepitan First Rank Anton Gallikov, of the Soviet submarine K-506. I know some English. And you are?”
Hamilton answered this, “I’m Commander Jeffery Hamilton. Welcome aboard USS John Young, Captain. My crew and I will try to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible, given the circumstances.”
“Thank you, Captain. I had injured men in my crew, They are being treated, yes?
“Yes sir, they are, to the best of our ability. You must realize that my ship has only limited medical facilities, but you and your crew will be transferred to a larger ship in just a few hours. In that time, may I have your assurance that your men will be cooperative?”
“May I know the name of your father, Captain?”
Hamilton was confused until Kaminsky nodded. “My father’s name was Robert Hamilton.”
“Jeffery Robertevich, my men will give you no trouble. We are glad to be alive when so many are not.”
“Thank you for your assurances Captain. Would you be willing to discuss where the missiles you launched were targeted?”
“Please, you may call me Anton Borisovich. As to our rockets, I am afraid I cannot answer your question. Not as a matter of keeping secrets, as that no longer matters. I simply do not know. Our rocket’s targets were set into them before they were loaded on my ship. Only my Political Officer may have known, but he did not survive your torpedo. Poor Petya. I suppose it is for the best though as he had a young wife in Vladivostok. I am certain it was hit.”
“We’ve all lost people, I’m sure Anton Borisovich. My home is Shreveport, Louisiana. Dad was retired Air Force so that’s where we lived. I’m sure it’s gone now.
“I am sorry to hear that, Jeffery Robertevich. My family was from Saratov. Engels 2 is nearby. A Long Range Aviation bomber base. I am sure it was also hit. And for what? All because scared old men would rather destroy everything than face the future?” Gallikov slumped into his chair, staring at the deck.
After a pause, Hamilton spoke. “Isn’t that how it always is? Scared old men thinking only of their fears and pride. Then men like you and I have to act on it. Too bad we couldn’t have just put our leaders in a boxing ring to settle it all that way.”
“Da, you are right. That would be better for all.”
CAPTAIN’S IN-PORT CABIN, USS JOHN YOUNG
Hamilton and Kaminsky entered the cabin, where two armed guards had been posted just outside. Hamilton wanted to speak with the Soviet sub captain both to allay their prisoner’s fears, and to try to get some information.
As they entered, Kaminsky addressed Gallikov. “Z’drastvooyte. Kak vas zavoot?’
Gallikov answered, “I am Kepitan First Rank Anton Gallikov, of the Soviet submarine K-506. I know some English. And you are?”
Hamilton answered this, “I’m Commander Jeffery Hamilton. Welcome aboard USS John Young, Captain. My crew and I will try to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible, given the circumstances.”
“Thank you, Captain. I had injured men in my crew, They are being treated, yes?
“Yes sir, they are, to the best of our ability. You must realize that my ship has only limited medical facilities, but you and your crew will be transferred to a larger ship in just a few hours. In that time, may I have your assurance that your men will be cooperative?”
“May I know the name of your father, Captain?”
Hamilton was confused until Kaminsky nodded. “My father’s name was Robert Hamilton.”
“Jeffery Robertevich, my men will give you no trouble. We are glad to be alive when so many are not.”
“Thank you for your assurances Captain. Would you be willing to discuss where the missiles you launched were targeted?”
“Please, you may call me Anton Borisovich. As to our rockets, I am afraid I cannot answer your question. Not as a matter of keeping secrets, as that no longer matters. I simply do not know. Our rocket’s targets were set into them before they were loaded on my ship. Only my Political Officer may have known, but he did not survive your torpedo. Poor Petya. I suppose it is for the best though as he had a young wife in Vladivostok. I am certain it was hit.”
“We’ve all lost people, I’m sure Anton Borisovich. My home is Shreveport, Louisiana. Dad was retired Air Force so that’s where we lived. I’m sure it’s gone now.
“I am sorry to hear that, Jeffery Robertevich. My family was from Saratov. Engels 2 is nearby. A Long Range Aviation bomber base. I am sure it was also hit. And for what? All because scared old men would rather destroy everything than face the future?” Gallikov slumped into his chair, staring at the deck.
After a pause, Hamilton spoke. “Isn’t that how it always is? Scared old men thinking only of their fears and pride. Then men like you and I have to act on it. Too bad we couldn’t have just put our leaders in a boxing ring to settle it all that way.”
“Da, you are right. That would be better for all.”
Otis R. Needleman
Banned
February 1984 - was an instructor in the USAF Signals Intelligence Officer Course at Goodfellow AFB, Texas. Goodfellow is very small and at that time was an intelligence training base. We (then-wife, baby daughter and me) lived in a house next to the base. Used to walk to work. We'd have been vaporized when the base got nuked.
1984 was a fellow in hand & microsurgery/orthopaedic surgeon at UAB hospitals in Birmingham. I was a doc in the navy reserve (had 5 yrs previous to med school as intel officer). I expect that I would have been recalled to active duty well before the bombs flew, I was not in a specific billet, I could have ended up anywhere though probably with the Marines. My fate would depend on exactly where I was when the bombs went off.
1984, I was born in May, in Wichita Falls, Texas which has a major NATO training base...
And I was born with a bilateral cleft lip, I couldn't breast feed because I couldn't form a seal, my parents had to put a tube on a bottle and put the tube down my throat for me to eat
Provided my parents actually survived the initial exchange I may have been the victim of infanticide if things get too bad.
There is a reason I usually avoid P&S threads...
And I was born with a bilateral cleft lip, I couldn't breast feed because I couldn't form a seal, my parents had to put a tube on a bottle and put the tube down my throat for me to eat
Provided my parents actually survived the initial exchange I may have been the victim of infanticide if things get too bad.
There is a reason I usually avoid P&S threads...
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