The US Navy had a significant role to play throughout the Cold War. The Navy was engaged in several air operations and ballistic submarines. Additionally, it participated in Operation Passage to Freedom. Because they assisted in protecting the nation from the Soviet Union's danger, these actions were crucial.
The United States Navy took part in Operation Passage to Freedom, which helped transfer over 30,000 Vietnamese from North to South Vietnam during the Cold War. The 1954 Geneva Accords, which ended the First Indochina War, permitted the operation. The US administration perceived a propaganda benefit in aiding the overthrow of communist authority.
The Geneva Accords stipulated a 300-day transitional time for individuals to move. The mission was coordinated and given support by the US Navy. "Freedom" and "Give us back our nation" were the catchphrases painted aboard the Navy's ships. Additionally, the ships were utilized to transfer citizens from the North to the South. Beginning on August 16, 1954, was The Passage to Freedom. The Menard Menard of the Navy started bringing the first migrants from the North. On board, the ship as of August 18 was 1900 people. Government representatives from Saigon assisted the refugees as they were brought to a tent city.
There were two different types of submarines in the American Navy during the Cold War. One group, the submarine tenders, transported ballistic missiles propelled by nuclear energy to key points worldwide. The submarine carried out more than just on-station duties thanks to these tenders, which were sent out on patrol. They may support a crew of between 112 and 140 people because of their water storage and life support equipment. Another class of submarines, known as ballistic missile submarines (BMS), used the surface to fire ballistic missiles. They had two commanders and worked on the principle of two crews. These boats were referred to as bombers or boomers in America and Britain.
The Navy started testing submarine-launched missiles in the early 1960s. Their goal was to develop a long-range, submarine-launched missile. This missile, called Polaris, was intended to deliver a 1-MT warhead. It was also supposed to be a two-stage, 1,000–1500 mile, submarine-launched missile. The Navy performed several tasks throughout the Cold War. They included the protection of the Mediterranean and the sea. They also carried out global security tasks. Additionally, they focused on Southeast Asia's military.
In Vietnam and Laos, ground forces were supported directly by the Navy's carrier-based aircraft. Additionally, they significantly impacted the Navy's reaction to the Middle East crisis in the 1980s. High-speed anti-radiation (HARM) missiles and new surface-to-air missile batteries were also installed. The brand-new F/A-18 Hornet strike jet and Tomahawk land-attack missiles were also introduced. Another effective deterrent against a nuclear assault from the Soviet Union was the Navy's force of ballistic submarines. From their West Coast bases, they were absent for months.
Alpha Strikes involving multiple carriers were typical in the early stages of the Vietnam War. Several ships took part in these operations, including the USS Hancock (CVA-19), USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) and USS Juneau (CVA-57). Aerial reconnaissance teams from the Navy joined the inquiry into Cuba. There, they discovered Soviet missile launch pads.
Early in the 1990s, sexism and gender discrimination were rampant in the US Navy, especially regarding women serving in combat. This meant that women who trained in fighter jet cockpits faced a dual existence—one in which they were prohibited from participating in combat and the other in which they pursued their ambition to become fighter jet pilots.
Kara Hultgreen, a lady, confronted the Navy. In the naval pipeline, she faced off against a few years older, Lt. Susan Still. Their professional success was about equal. According to Hultgreen's grades, she ranked third overall and was the best student in the day landings class. However, Still was in the Navy's pipeline some years before Hultgreen.
With more than 1,000 flying hours, Hultgreen was regarded as a capable F-14 pilot. She spent many hours perfecting her trade. August 1991 marked her promotion to lieutenant. She applied to join the Navy's Women's Wing and competed for the coveted position. Her credentials, however, were inadequate. She did not undergo jet aircraft testing or jet pilot training at Edwards Air Force Base.