Chronology of the Cold War at Sea, 1945-1991

The Cold War that dominated world political, economic, and military activities for almost half of the 20th century was, in many respects, "fought" at sea between the United States and the Soviet Union. The U.S. Navy played a central role from the outset, projecting America's presence and power to the far corners of the globe while attempting to stop Soviet aggressions and to advance its own agenda. This useful reference provides a detailed chronological outline of Cold War developments and events as they relate to U.S. and Soviet naval forces and their allies. Chronology covers naval forward-presence and combat operations from the Berlin crisis, Korea, the Suez campaign, and the Vietnam War to the Iran-Iraq conflict, the Falkands War, and the Gulf War. Smaller-scale confrontations are also included. Events of the Cuban Missile Crisis, Stalin's massive naval expansion, the largest peace-time U.S. naval buildup in history during the 1980s, and other crucial events are presented. The authors likewise present a wealth of information on naval technological and personnel developments, such as the unveiling of new ship types, advances in missile technology, the introduction of new aircraft, and changes in naval leadership. By showcasing new information made available through the opening of Russian archives, this book serves as a walk through history as well as an indispensable reference for naval history buffs and serious students of the Cold War.