This flag would have witnessed the stand-off of 3 Soviet vessels encircling the Glomar Explorer as they tried to discern why the American ship was anchored in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
1.usa.gov/XPudp7
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1970: CIA engineers & contractors concluded the only solution was to use a large mechanical claw to grab the sub & lift it.
Much of what was retrieved is still classified; however 2 nuclear torpedoes were found in the recovered part of the Soviet sub.
Project AZORIAN remains an engineering marvel, greatly advancing deep-ocean mining and heavy-lift technology.
1.usa.gov/XPudp7
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DhMr8CTW4AALqKj.jpg)
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DhMsC3YWkAA02hS.jpg)