THE 3 DAY ENCOUNTER BETWEEN

THE BALZAM CLASS AGI CCB-493 (SSV-493)

AND USS LEAHY IN 1984

As Re-Counted By LT. Matt Risi USN, USS Leahy Electrical Officer

Comments and Observations of:
Commander Glen Berree- Executive Officer
Lt Joseph Guido- Main Propulsion Assistant (MPA)
Lt Jim Hutzelman- Fire Control Officer
Lt Matt Risi- Electrical Officer

The USS Leahy was testing our SM-2 Extended Range Missile System in the spring of 1984.
Part of the weapon's system testing involved missile shoots off the coast of California in the
Pacific Missile Test Center (PMTC) near the Naval Station at Point Magu.

The crew was weary from the CSQT (Combat Systems Qualification) trials at sea and was
looking forward to returning to San Diego for weekend liberty. All that was left was a
session of live missile firings on Friday. The timing of the evolution was complicated by a
Soviet Balzam Class AGI that was operating in the Missile Testing area.

During the test, target drones (BQM-74E) were launched from shore and our radars and
fire control system were poised to engage. These drones contained a new and sophisticated
electronics package and were designed to simulate air to surface cruise missiles (Soviet
AS-4). We fired several missiles that scored "constructive hits" on the targets. At some
critical moment our new and cantakerous Inertial Navigation System (WSN-5) failed leaving
the combat systems without gyro information. The three drones splashed into the ocean as
designed so that they could be retrieved. The missiles rarely ever hit such target drones,
skin to skin, but kills were determined by telemetry.

USS Leahy was then ordered to Port Hueneme where tech reps from Litton Industries would
assist with the repair of the WSN-5. The crew was crestfallen realizing that the ship would
now probably miss the weekend in San Diego.

As we headed into port, the CIC watch listened to a series of conversations on a VHF missile
test range radio circuit called Plead Control. Over the next few hours the Missile Test Range
dispatched a drone recovery CH-46 helicopter to retrieve the splashed target drones. Two
were recovered and then the helo reported trouble retrieving the third drone. The Sea Knight
returned to the beach empty handed stating that the sea state and approaching sunset prevent-
ed drone pick up. There was some conversation on the net about dispatching a drone recovery
boat but the same arguments were used to call off a recovery by the small boats. We chuckled
in CIC that these guys were whining because they didn't want to work late on Friday afternoon.

USS Leahy was then tasked by Plead Control to search for the drone. The ship steamed to the
reported splashdown area and started an expanding square search. We noted that the Soviet
AGI was over the horizon and its position was being reported to our NTDS tracking system by
our Navy P-3 aircraft. Men from almost every division mustered topside to help look for the
orange drone. Enthusiastic sailors crowded the signal bridge and flying bridge and passed
binoculars around in a race against the setting sun. The Boatswains Mates were busy rigging
a J Davit on the starboard side of the forecastle to help haul the drone aboard if we found it.
Under their breath they were cursing the idea that such a large drone would have be hauled
aboard by their manpower. We were somewhat miffed that Plead Control demanded over the
net that we stay out "until we found the drone".

As we searched, a P-3 Orion aircraft (call sign Blood Hound) reported to Plead Control that
there was an orange aircraft on the fantail of the Russian AGI. This report now confirmed
that the Soviets had fished the drone out of the water. USS Leahy then proceeded into Port
Heuneme.

When the ship pulled into port late on Friday afternoon, liberty was granted to the crew and
they headed to the beach on a mission to find the nearest bar. All were disappointed that we
were not in San Diego. Back aboard USS Leahy, the Command Duty Officer (CDO) Jim
Hutzelam was summoned to Radio Central where Third Fleet himself was on a secure line. Third
Fleet asked Jim "How quickly can you get underway." Since we were steaming auxiliary, Jim
was confident that we could regain main steam in a couple of hours. Jim realized that the
critical issue was crew recall and he scrambled to organize the engineers and send teams out to
retrieve the crew and the Captain.

The ship made ready for sea and the crew crawled back aboard. Matt Risi remembers drinking
beer at the base Bowling Alley with Lt Gene Romig when Lt. Bill Robards appeared looking for
crew members. Many were outside the gate in bars and clubs and in town including Postal Clerk
PC2 Keller who met his future wife that evening.

Captain Fred Bailey returned to the ship and was quickly briefed by Jim Hutzelman. Captain
Bailey communicated directly with Third Fleet in Radio Central and was issued orders to get
underway and get the drone back from the AGI. Events were moving so fast that Fred Bailey
was still in civilian clothes.

As we steamed out of port, we lost our port engine due to loss of vacuum in the condenser.
Captain Bailey once again demonstrated his skill as a shiphandler by maneuvering the cruiser
out the narrow channel. After securing from sea detail, the officers assembled in the wardroom
for a briefing. Captain Bailey impressed us with the sensitive nature of this international
incident and made it clear that we would use force if required. We all thought quietly about
what force we could actually use. USS Leahy had fore and aft missile launchers that were
designed to shoot down aircraft. We had Harpoon surface to surface cruise missiles with long
minimum ranges and 50 cal machine guns on the port and starboard sides. Many of us imagined a
boarding party armed with shotguns and ancient M-14 rifles. One officer offered up the bizarre
suggestion to cover up the 45mm saluting batteries with tarps so that we would appear less
aggressive. He melted under Fred Bailey's wrath!

Captain Bailey announced that only he was authorized to communicate with the AGI on the Bridge
to Bridge Radio (Channel 16). We were only allowed to relpy "Roger....wait out" and get the
Captain if the Russians radioed us.

The Captain stated that either he or the Executive Officer Glenn Berree would be on the bridge
at all times. If Captain Bailey motivated the junior officers through fire and brimstone then
our XO Glen Berree was the cheerful and patient coach.

Our Bridge Watch was set with an OOD, JOOD and a JOOW. Officers on the bridge included
Jim Hutzelman, Gene Romig, Matt Risi, Dave Rarey and Joe Guido. Our plan was to trail the AGI
at 2000 yards off their starboard quarter. As in plane guard duty, keen attention had to be paid
by the conning officer and radar ranges were called out every minute by the JOOW. This type
of station keeping is mentally exhausting and downright dangerous on a dark night.

We steamed toward the AGI at sunrise on Saturday along with a Knox Class Frigate and a
Spruance Class Destroyer. S-2 Viking Aircraft swooped low over the AGI to add to the drama. Captain Bailey contacted the AGI on Channel 16 and inquired rather calmly to the Russians about
the drone. We were impressed that the Russians answered back immediately and in good English.
They reported that they had seen the drone and that it had possibly sunk. Captain Bailey
disappeared into CIC to talk with higher authority. When he returned he was focused and
determined. In stern language he demanded the return of the drone. His tone of voice reminded
us of his of his worst fury at Captains Mast or during Zulu 13-C-C shiphandling drills.

The situation was tense. At one point, Soviet sailors manned the rails with rifles and the AGI
pointed a topside AA gun at us. The Russians then increased to top speed, 16 knots, and headed
due west on course 270. The game of cat and mouse continued. The conn was intense as we
concentrated on keeping station. We understood that Soviet officers were not authorized to
act independently and so we assumed that they needed time to communicate with Moscow. Our
surveillance equipment confirmed that the Russians were transmitting HF radio signals. The
Russians tested our seamanship and at some point sent a bogus man overboard signal sending us
maneuvering to avoid. Many pots of coffee were consumed! Lt Rarey was famous for chewing
and consuming wooden coffee stir sticks on watch. After this watch he reported to sick bay
where HM1 Shetzler examined his tongue swollen by splinters!

After nightfall, we continued our station keeping. The AGI appeared to be teasing us with
changes in topside lighting schemes. Our bridge watch was suddenly blinded by the white hot
light of welding torches. Ivan was up to something! The light destroyed our night vision and
made our our station keeping task even more difficult. We were so close that we could smell
burning metal at times. We were convinced that the Russians were deliberately trying to
destroy our night vision as vision as well as well as chopping up the drone into tiny pieces!
Later that night the AGI contacted us on Bridge to Bridge radio. We replied "Rodger wait
out..." and scrambled to get the Captain. When Captain Bailey arrived on the bridge he called
the AGI and they replied that they would return our drone. There was a brief discussion on
how this was going to be accomplished including a suggestion by Fred Bailey that USS Leahy
moor alongside the AGI. They replied that they would launch a raft with the drone. We were
certain that the drone was already stripped of all electronics. As dawn approached, we
observed a raft made out of oil barrels on the fantail of the AGI. Such was the handiwork of
the evening welding party. The drone was apparently in pieces and wrapped in a square canvas
package and lashed to the raft.

The AGI turned south. We made preps to lower our Utility Boat located portside. The bridge
communicated with the boat deck via walkie talkie contact. First Lieutenant Al Page was the
senior officer in the U-Boat. Along with the U-Boat crew were extra Boatswains Mates to help
handle the drone package. The boat was in the process of being lowered when the XO reported
via walkie talkie that the U-Boat had fallen from the forward falls. The initial reports to the
bridge suggested a catastrophe. It took several minutes for the situation to sort itself out and
we were relieved to learn that nobody was seriously hurt. Naturally, we were very embarrassed
of this lubberdly show in front of Ivan! Captain Bailey was furious!

We quickly reorganized and lowered the Motor Whale Boat from the starboard side. The boat
crew towed the barrel raft to the starboard side where the drone was hauled aboard manually
by J Davit. As we suspected the drone was completely disassembled. The barrel raft reeked
of diesel oil and fish. Again the Boatswain’s mates got the shaft as their hands and clothes were
were covered with grease and smelly gunk. As the AGI steamed away, the Bridge to Bridge
Radio came to life. "US Warship 16.....please accept our apology for this misunderstanding....."
The young OOD swooped up the mike and replied to the horror of all on the bridge "We accept
your apology." Later on as we were disengaging from the AGI, the door from CIC flew open and
Captain Bailey appeared. His face was beet red and no sound came out of his mouth as he tried
to scream. Captain Bailey had just reviewed the tapes of the last Channel 16 communication.
The OOD had made a diplomatic blunder and the Captain was as angry as we ever saw him. The
Captain’s verbal and public assault on the young OOD undoubtedly left mental scars.

The ship steamed back to San Diego at flank speed with all four boilers on-line. We even used
our seniority to pass up a Spruance class destroyer that was preparing too enter the channel
ahead of us. Fred Bailey was as anxious as any of us to get home.

Transcribed By:

Matt Risi
San Diego, California
11 December 2003