We have just returned from our historic SHARKHUNTERS and EAGLEHUNTERS trip to Russia and Ukraine, and here are just some of the 'firsts' we enjoyed: We were the FIRST outsiders:

• to have a meeting with the Commander of the Leningrad Naval Base, VADM VLADIMIR GRISHANOV (2533-1992) pictured here with HARRY COOPER (1-LIFE-1983);
• to visit the Russian Submarine Officer's college and enjoy a Birthday Party with the Commandant;
• to be received by the Vice Mayor of St. Petersburg and to have the NATIONAL ANTHEM played by a Russian band in our honor in City Hall;
• to tour the very secret DIAMOND Shipyard;
• to enjoy the gala NAVY DAY concert in St. Petersburg;
• to be received by the Mayor of Fortress Kronshtadt;
• to tour the WW II submarine D-2;
• to be Guests of Honor on board the Flagship of the Leningrad Fleet, the cruiser SMOLNY, and to watch the Navy Day festivities from the deck of this ship;
• to be received at a gala celebration in the Officer's wardroom for lunch and refreshments on the cruiser SMOLNY;
• to enjoy a dinner in Sevastopol with WW II Soviet Sub Vets;
• to see AND PHOTOGRAPH the secret entrance in the cliff for the submarines of the Black Sea Fleet;
• to tour ON BOARD a Russian FOX TROT submarine!;
• to be received by the Admiral Commanding, Black Sea Fleet;
• to tour and photograph aboard the Flagship of the Black Sea Fleet, the cruiser KERTSH;
• to enjoy a gala celebration in the Officer's Wardroom on the cruiser KERTSH with the Flotilla Commander, the C.O.s of the ships in the Flotilla as the ship's band played;
• to cruise the harbor at Sevastopol on the Fleet launches;

These were all fantastic 'firsts' for our group. These things had never been done, seen or experienced by any outsiders before. Of course, we had a few other 'firsts' that probably should not go into the record books - such as:

• the 1st American to board a prototype ALPHA Class boat with titanium hull, diving depth of 3,000 feet and underwater speed pushing 60 knots.
• the first American to quickly get put off a prototype ALPHA. I was politely told this was not the FOX TROT;
• the first US Navy veteran to throw up aboard KERTSH;
• the first former US Navy 'BOOMER' Skipper to be carried to his room by the Vice Mayor of Sevastopol after a great many toasts to just about everyone and everything - all with straight vodka!.

All in all - it was a SUPERB time. Short report in KTB #115.