US Navy Cold War airborne electronic reconnaissance (243)

Cold War Conversations

Ian Sanders

Society & Culture, Documentary, History

4.8 • 758 Ratings

🗓️ 8 July 2022

⏱️ 76 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

KC flew the US Navy’s airborne Electronic Reconnaissance during the 1980s in the Lockheed EP-3 which is an electronic signals reconnaissance version of the P-3 Orion. He flew as a Navigator, Senior Electronic Warfare Evaluator and Mission Commander. We hear about several missions he was involved in including his first detachment to Athens the then main USN operating base for missions in the Mediterranean and the Adriatic. We also hear about flying in the Baltic from bases in the UK (Mildenhall/Wyton) or FRG (Schleswig-Jagel). Flying from Keflavik in Iceland KC monitored a huge Soviet Navy exercise in the Norwegian Sea involving the Kiev, Kirov, and numerous cruisers, destroyers, and frigates. In the 1980s Libya was claiming the Gulf of Sidra as its territorial waters and KC flew in support of “freedom of navigation” operations involving USN ships. It’s a great insight into a relatively unknown part of Cold War air operations. 0:00 Introduction and KC's experience on the EP3 9:21 Focus on the Adriatic and Yugoslavia and Albania 15:24 The aftermath of the La Belle disco bomb attack and increased security measures 26:10 Busy month flying from Athens 32:27 Continuation of Cold War era aircraft in service today 36:15 The Achilles Lauro cruise ship hijacking, October 1985 54:25 Iowa class battleships and their role in the Cold War 1:02:12 KC's last flight in the Baltic 1:06:15 Instructions for landing in enemy territory 1:13:33 Cold War conversations on Facebook Table of contents powered by PodcastAI✨ Cold War history is disappearing; however, a simple monthly donation will keep this podcast on the air. You’ll get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a financial contribution is not your cup of tea, then you can still help us by leaving written reviews wherever you listen to us as well as sharing us on social media. It really helps us get new guests on the show. I am delighted to welcome KC to our Cold War conversation… Episode notes here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode243/ Follow us on Twitter here https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ If you can’t wait for next week’s episode do visit our Facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations in Facebook. Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Cold War Conversations, the home of real stories of the Cold War.
0:05.8	You know, food service on an EP3 was pretty lacking, and we were eating out-of-box lunches.
0:11.0	But what I'll never forget on the Nimrod R was after takeoff, here came a guy down the trolley with tea and crumpets.
0:22.2	This is Cold War Conversations.
0:26.9	If you're new here, you've come to the right place to listen to first-hand Cold War
0:31.8	History accounts.
0:33.3	Do make sure you follow us in your podcast app so you don't miss out on any of the episodes.
0:40.0	KC flew the US Navy's airborne electronic reconnaissance during the 1980s in the Lockheed EP3,
0:48.8	which is the electronic signals reconnaissance version of the P3 Orion.
0:53.9	He flew as a navigator, senior electronic warfare
0:57.1	evaluator and mission commander. We hear about several missions he was involved in, including
1:03.9	his first detachment to Athens, the then main US Navy operating base for missions in the
1:09.7	Mediterranean and the Adriatic.
1:12.2	We also hear about flying in the Baltic from bases in the UK, such as RAF Mildenhall and
1:17.7	R.E.F. Witten. And from West Germany, from Schleswig Yegel.
1:24.1	Flying from Keflovik in Iceland, KC monitored a huge Soviet Navy exercise in the Norwegian Sea,
1:31.9	involving the Kiev, the Kirov, as well as numerous cruisers, destroyers and frigates.
1:38.5	In the 1980s, Libya was claiming the Gulf of Sidra as its territorial waters,
1:43.9	and KC flew in support of
1:46.7	freedom of navigation operations involving US Navy ships. It's a great insight into a relatively
1:53.7	unknown part of Cold War air operations. Now, Cold War history is disappearing, but a simple monthly donation will help keep this podcast on the air.
2:06.7	As a monthly supporter, you'll get the sought after Cold War Conversations drinks coaster as a thank you,
	...

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