A U.S. Navy carrier aviator's-eye view of a Soviet military aircraft intercepted during a Cold War shadowing mission. The red star on the tail fin identifies the aircraft as Soviet, likely a Tupolev Tu-16 'Badger' bomber or maritime reconnaissance variant. Such intercepts were routine duties for carrier air wings operating in the Pacific during the Vietnam War era, including aircraft launched from USS Ticonderoga, and served both to identify Soviet aircraft and to demonstrate U.S. naval air readiness. Project: 218135