Soviet minesweeper fired rocket flares at RN Wessex helicopter in 1976

A declassified Foreign Office document has revealed that on Jun. 13, 1976, a Soviet minesweeper fired two green rocket flares at a Fleet Air Arm Wessex helicopter when both are operating in the Mediterranean.

By Mike Freer – Touchdown-aviation [GFDL 1.2 or GFDL 1.2], via Wikimedia Commons

The Wessex from 737 Naval Air Squadron was deployed aboard HMS Devonshire at that time.

The report says the “rockets passed 20 and 10 yards ahead of the helicopter, putting it at risk.” However, the pilot was able to safely navigate the aircraft away from the hazards.

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