On 1 September 1983 '' Callaghan '' was on deployment to the Western Pacific , and making a port visit in Sasebo , Japan . Korean Air Lines Flight 007 , on its way from Anchorage , Alaska to Seoul , South Korea , carrying 269 passengers and crew , strayed into Soviet airspace . A Soviet Sukhoi Su-15 fighter jet was sent up to destroy the intruding Boeing 747 . After the attack , the '' Callaghan '' s crew was recalled and sent to search for survivors . During its survey of the crash site , the '' Callaghan '' was under very close scrutiny of the Soviet Navy , narrowly avoiding open conflict while engaged in their search . No survivors were found . The '' Callaghan '' received a Meritorious Unit Citation from the U.S. Navy and a special citation from the South Korean government for its role in the mission
Korean Air Lines Flight 007
Korean Air Lines Flight 007
USS Callaghan (DDG-994)