The exercise was attended by the usual Soviet snoopers but in all cases fighters from the U.S.S. "Nimitz” intercepted the Russian aircraft more than 100 miles away from the task group. Here a Grumman F-14A Tomcat of VF-84 escorts a Soviet Tupolev Tu-95 "Bear D” as "Nimitz” cruises in the background.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman F-14 Tomcat - СШАUSA - 1970Туполев Ту-95РЦ - РоссияRussia - 1965

Grumman F-14A Tomcat 160384 of VF-84 "Jolly Rogers" which shares the air defence task with similarly equipped VF-41 "Ace of Spades"

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman F-14 Tomcat - СШАUSA - 1970

Grumman A-6E Intruder 15 7002 of VA-35 "Panthers". Also aboard were some KA-6D tanker versions of the Intruder for in-flight refuelling

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman A-6 Intruder - СШАUSA - 1960

Vought A-7E Corsair II 157573 of VA-86 "Sidewinders", one of the few "Nimitz" squadrons still sporting colourful markings.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Vought A-7 Corsair II - СШАUSA - 1965

Long-range ASW is the role of Lockheed S-3A Viking 159769 of VS-24 which has 300-gal. auxiliary tanks under its wing pylons

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed S-3 Viking - СШАUSA - 1972

The "eyes" of the Fleet, Grumman E-2C Hawkeye 161094 of VAW-124, seen undergoing a propeller change.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman E-2 Hawkeye - СШАUSA - 1960

U.S.S. "Nimitz” at anchor off Portsmouth. Lifting off from the bows is Sikorsky SH-3H Sea King 148046 of HS-1.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Sikorsky H-3 / S-61 Sea King - СШАUSA - 1959

For antisubmarine work, Sikorsky SH-3D Sea King 148046 of HS-1.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Sikorsky H-3 / S-61 Sea King - СШАUSA - 1959