 According to a declassified command history for the nuclear @-@ armed battleship New Jersey , during her transit through the Sea of Okhotsk on 27 – 28 September 1986 , " close passes " were made by Soviet Bear and Badger bombers , a Hormone helicopter , and a May maritime patrol airplane . A Kara @-@ class cruiser and two Grisha III frigates also shadowed the U.S. ships . The maneuver , according to the command history , " marked the first time a U.S. battleship had operated in the Soviet Navy 's backyard . " 
