Biggest scare I had was back in 1962 just after the Cuban Missile Crisis pushed the USA and the USSR to the brink of war.
Then one night the news broke in and announced unknown incoming flying object coming in over the DEW Line! Pucker factor kicked in until they showed a cheap copy of Santa Clause and his sled.
I wasn’t sure to be relieved, as it was Dec 24, or upset because of the scare.
I was in the communication station in Norfolk relaying traffic from the JCS to the picket commander at the quarantine. As the Soviet freighter approached the picket, the commander asked JCS what to do. The response was, if he doesn’t stop, sink him. Chill bump time. Then the freighter stopped.