Vice Admiral Michael Kalleres, U.S. Navy (Retired)—During the seventh month of President Reagan's tenure in office, Muammar Khadafi issued his famous "line of death edict" in the summer of 1981. he claimed a portion of what were free and open seas in the Mediterranean (Gulf of Sidra) for Libya and stated he would eliminate any vessel or plane if they crossed the line.
Three events occurred that summer that changed our routine cruise. First, During August 1981 we were on deployment in the Mediterranean. I was designated as acting commander of the USS Forrestal (CVA-59) Battle Group and tactical commander-a first for a black-shoe. (Our flag officer was involved in a NATO exercise several thousand miles away.) Second, contrary to previous standing orders on holding fire until so ordered, President Reagan gave us new orders to promptly return fire on any aggressor who attacked U.S. forces. Third, contrary to the custom of nearly 600 years, private and merchant ships were not always dipping their flags to the warships of the world (to proclaim innocent passage). The dismal and seemingly hopeless events of 1979-81 regarding the Iranian hostage crisis and the failed Operation Eagleclaw desert rescue operation from the previous administration had negatively affected the U.S. reputation at sea as well as on land.
Over a two-day period in August 1981, numerous of President Khadafi's planes flew out to challenge the battle group in proximity of the Gulf of Sidra. Early on the morning of the second day, two Libyan planes flew out and one fired missiles at one of our fighters on combat air patrol station. The fighter, after evasive maneuvering, came around and shot down the two Libyan planes pursuing him.
After the dust settled we proceeded on duties assigned. I noticed that virtually all the more than 100 merchant vessels that passed us in the next three days dipped their flags to ships in our battle group. When I queried the master of one of the ships by shortwave phone, his response was terse but upbeat: "America is back! That Reagan guy knows how to do business." We realized then that these shipmasters felt we had lost our courage to respond to any threat or dishonor to our people. As a naval officer I felt we had regained our honor because of President Reagan's brave and necessary actions.
Vice Admiral N. Ronald Thunman, U.S. Navy (Retired)—In spring 1981, I came to the Pentagon as the new Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Submarines. I found myself among experienced three-star officers who jealously guarded the resources of their bailiwicks. Some of them wanted our submarine force resources as well, and initially, I was too inexperienced in Pentagon politics to protect my turf.
At my first CNO Executive Panel meeting, we reviewed the ship building plan for the coming fiscal year. The construction of several ships was discussed, with no mention of submarines. When I meekly raised this issue at the end of the meeting, I was told that we might get one in the 1982 building program: "We'll have to wait and see."
Later, the ship building plan was announced, and there were two nuclear attack submarines (SSNs) and one Trident submarine in the President's budget for 1982! I never knew how that came about, but I knew of President Reagan's intentions to rebuild the Navy when he came to office in 1981. It was evident his new administration was very much aware of the vital importance of a strong submarine force. We increased the submarine building rate over the next four years, and when I left the Pentagon in 1985 there were five SSNs with Tomahawk vertical launch systems and one Trident with the Trident II missile in that year's shipbuilding plan. This massive submarine buildup was approved by Congress as a key element of President Reagan's budget.
So, I remember President Reagan. His leadership created the finest submarine force the world has ever seen, and this force was instrumental in winning the Cold War. We still rely on the combat capabilities of many of these ships in today's war on terrorism. As he would say, "Not bad."