TEEJ, this is a strange reminder of our carrier ops in the early 80's over Syria in support of French/US forces in Lebanon. (Back when we flew A-6's and Bobby Goodman was taken prisoner after the A-6 was shot down). Assad's dad was in charge in those days, and it was a different sort of conflict. I guess the Russian Navy will get a book full of lessons learned from this operation, all said and done.