THE 3 - DAY ENCOUNTER BETWEEN
THE RUSSIAN BALZAM CLASS
INTELLIGENCE GATHERING VESSEL
AGI "AZIYA" CCB-493 (SSV-493)
AND THE USS LEAHY IN 1984
Introduction: This page was generated as a result of a request by LCDR. Oleg Rykov,
Russian Navy, (Retired 1992), who was a crewmember aboard CCB-493
"AZIYA (ASIA)" from 1983 - 1990, homeported in Vladivostok with the
Pacific Fleet. Oleg--"I was on one of my longest deployments, lasting 198
days, with no port calls - this particular cruise originated in Jerrybostok
(Vladivostok) in early June". The CCB-493 (AZIYA) was decommission-
ed in 1996.
Date: 2003-01-07 14:04:03
Oleg Rykov (RykovO@mail.ru)
Jolly good start of a long time expected site of the USS Leahy! Sending my hello from "over the hill" officers and sailors of a de-commisioned Soviet Navy unit "CCB -493" which had an encounter with your cruiser at Point Mugu back in 1984 cruising 3 days in an"honorary escort" of the "admiral" and her company and in your cruiser's effort to return a Navy drone picked up by our ship. If anyone has any recollection of that or pictures of the "Charlie Charlie Bravo" taken by your crew? If any, I would appreciate receiving one.
Have a smooth sailing,
Sincerely, Oleg Rykov, LCDR Russian Navy Rtr.
Narratives:
(click on the flag icon)
The Narrative Of Lcdr. Oleg Rykov, Russian Navy, Ret.
Brian Ackerman's Narrative (with updated info)
If you have further info to share regarding this event - click on envelope -->
Info-Photos:
(click on any photo to enlarge)
Photo Info
Top Row Photos L-R: Jane's Fighting Ships 1983 - (2) Overhead Views Of The
Balzam Class - CCB-493 Near "Papa Hotel" Buoy At The Entrance To Pearl Harbor2nd Row Photos L-R: CCB-493 Lowers Motor-Whaleboat - USS Leahy At The Moment Of Pickup Of The "Missing" Drone - News Article
3rd Row Photos: Jamie Kohn's photos of the recovered drone on Leahy's deck
4th And 5th Row Photos L-R: Patrick Shima's photos - Captain Bailey - towing of the recovered drone and a CCB-493 photo taken from the deck of the Leahy
6th Row Photos: 1985 USNIP Article - Oleg Rykov-WestPac 1985, With The Japanese Medium Patrol Vessel "Bihoro"(PM-73) In The Backround
7th Row Photo: USS Leahy April 1985 - CCB-493 Photo 1982
8th Row Photos L-R: CCB-493 JMSDF 1992 Photo - CCB-493 Photo
Bottom Photo: CCB-493 Photo
Info Links:
