In those years,there were few effective means to find out what the Russians were really coming up with,so it made sense to err on the side of caution.These days, American built aircraft & Russian built jets serving with various nations regularly conduct exercises,among other things.
Very distinctly remember our first visit on board a front-line Russian warship, where we were shocked by the vermin (not to mention the painted-shut missile tubes). In any event, we spent them into bankruptcy.