Semi-OT: Red Dawn fan fic

[Matt Wiser]

Here's the next segment, and dealing with an underage airman-which, in T2K, units might not be concerned about such things from 1998 onward:



335th TFS Offices: 1500 Hours Central War Time:


Major Matt Wiser was in his office. After debriefing their mission, he had gone into his office to see if any additional paperwork had made its presence known, and he was pleased to see nothing new. The CO then propped his feet on his desk and closed his eyes. A short nap often made him feel refreshed, and he had just closed his eyes, or thought he did, when a voice sounded in his ear.

oeBoss, wake up.

He opened his eyes and found Kara standing over him. oeKara....don't you know your CO needs his beauty rest I was having a nice dream: Me, Goalie, and a few Sports Illustrated swimsuit models, all about to do things nasty enough to get us arrested in a dozen states.

oeSorry to interrupt the dreamland debauchery, but Mark is still out, and so is Don Van Loan. Got a couple things for you, his wingmate replied. With the other two officers out on missions, that left Kara, who was the senior deputy Ops Officer, next in command.

The CO sighed. One thing about being a CO was that you never stopped being one. oeOkay.....what have you got

oeFirst, Doc made it official: Digger is grounded for ten days with that ankle injury. Light duty until then, Kara said, putting a piece of paper in front of the Major.

oeAll right, then. That makes Digger the new day-shift NDO until Doc clears him. And Jang keeps flying with Flossy.

Kara nodded. oeSpeaking of which, our newsies are talking with both of them right now.

Guru's eyes really opened. oeThey get ambushed or what

oeNope, replied Kara. oeMs. Wendt just walked up to 'em, without the crew, and asked if they wanted to talk. They said yes, and, well.... She was referring to Jana Wendt of 9 News Australia and her crew.

oeSay no more, the CO said. oeKodak with 'em Marine Captain Keith oeKodak Crandall was a grounded F-4 back-seater who was doing some PAO duty until he was healed up enough to get back in the cockpit. The news crew was staying with the 335th, and lacking a PAO in the squadron, he had been assigned to fill that job from Marine Air Group 11, the Marine unit the 335th was OPCON to.

oeHe is.

oeGood. What else

oeYeager's people are all billeted, Kara reported. oeThey're getting settled in.

The CO nodded. oeOkay, just don't fleece them tonight. Let them get settled in, see how the animals in the zoo behave, and then tomorrow night Weapons-free.

oeGot you, she said, though none too happily To her, new arrivals were ducks on the pond for the pool table and the poker games.

Major Wiser looked at her. oeJust remember: they're TDY here. Just be nice this first night.

Kara nodded understanding. oeOkay. Oh, I ran into two of his guys. Clancy and Pruitt. They've got 'the look'. Not just from the kill scores on their birds. You can tell. She lowered her voice. oeJust between you and me They really do look like eighth-graders in flight suits.

oeSome people hold their age, oe the CO pointed out. oeI've had people tell me when I was home on leave that if they didn't know how old I was, they'd think I had just graduated high school.

oeI know, but still...

oeNone of our business, Major Wiser reminded her. oeAnything else

oeNot now, but we should have a new mission in thirty minutes.

oeLet me know. And Kara the CO said as she got ready to leave. oeYou do good when Mark and Don are out. Wouldn't surprise me if you got a squadron of your own one day.

oeYeah, twenty years from now. If we all live that long, Kara replied. oeYou know me and paperwork.

Major Wiser knew what she meant. And the peacetime Air Force, when that came around How would those who flew in wartime fit in. oeI do. Let me know when you've got that mission for us.

oeOn my way.

As she left, Goalie came into the office. oeJust got word from Doc.

oeKara told me, Guru said. oeDigger's grounded for ten days.

oeThat, and Kicker definitely has the flu. He'll be in Medical for at least three days.

oeAt least, the CO sighed. oeFridge gets some more flight time.

Goalie nodded. oeHe's been waiting.

oeAll good things come to those who wait. Trouble is, just like Jang, he has to wait for a permanent crew until we lose some people. And that, I don't want. Not now.

His GIB and lover understood what he meant. oeNo letters, Goalie observed.

Guru nodded. oeUh-huh.


Meanwhile, in the squadron office, Master Sergeant Ross was at his desk when Captain Jeb Pruitt came by. oeCaptain, Ross said respectfully. oeWhat can I do for you

oeThey told me you're the go-to guy for some horsetrading, Pruitt replied.

oeMaybe, sir, Ross said. oeWhat can I do for you

oeThe grapevine's buzzing about your Sparrow trouble. Something about a fight with eight Sparrows fired for zero hits. Maybe we can help you guys do something about that.

Ross kept a poker face. oeHow many you talking about, sir Even though they were talking about horsetrading, Ross still showed some respect for Pruitt's status as an officer.

oeRight now Eight, replied Pruitt. oeThen another two dozen when our next shipment comes in. AIM-7Ms, and this would be enough to give you two flights a full Sparrow load. We can take sixteen of your oldest Sparrows off your hands right now, and another sixteen when our next load comes in-and we've got some priority for that. Plus some things for the 474th, and the recipe for the pork tri-tip sandwich the Marines make. He handed Ross a list of things his squadron wanted.

Ross scanned the list. oeSome of these could be tough. As for the Sparrows Normally, I'd go for 'em, but the CO has orders from above to hold off on those.

oeI understand, Pruitt nodded. oeBut I know people in officer detailing, supply, and in MAC. I can plug into your network, and you can plug into mine.

Ross smiled. A new trading partner with some new contacts....and he still hadn't found a new PAO for the 335th. The CO had told him oeDon't make promises you can't keep. And he was still looking. oeSounds good to me, sir. Maybe we can deal.

oeI like the sound of that, Chief.


After Pruitt had left, Ross had gone back to his own (legitimate) paperwork, when the one officer everyone in the 335th-officer and enlisted-loathed, came to his desk. oeMajor Carson What can I do for you, sir Ross asked, silently wishing he could give the snobby Major a kick in the ass. He had a couple of write-ups in hand.

oeMaster Sergeant, Major Frank Carson said in that Boston blue-blood accent of his. oeWhat do you know about Airman First Class Kellogg

oeHe enlisted right out of a refugee camp. Joined the squadron four months ago, sir. He's pretty good in the maintenance shop, his coworkers like him, and no complaints from any of the NCOs or the maintenance officers. Why do you ask, sir

Carson had a grim look on his face. oeKellogg got upset after that CBS report on that mass grave. Seems he's from around here. He got out, but some family, including his parents, didn't. Chances are, they're in that mass grave, but he hasn't been notified yet.

Ross put a palm to his head. oeI'll keep an eye on him, sir.

oeNot just that. He's underage. Two months shy of seventeen. Carson looked at Ross. oeHe should be trying to score a girl at a homecoming dance, not working on F-4s. Not now, anyway. I know about the directive from the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff, and what the Marines did.

oeSir, with all due respect, the Marines did a major fuckup with how they handled that, Ross said. oeHave you seen the op-eds

oeI have, Chief, Carson said. oeStill, I think we should send him to Nellis. General Tanner would do the right thing. I tried taking this to the base JAG office, and they're swamped. Anything I send them is not high priority.

Ross nodded. For once, Carson was handling something right, which was a rare event. About as rare as Richard Pryor doing a PG-rated standup comedy routine. But with all the frivolous crap he'd done..... and he also knew what the CO had told him. Anything Carson sent to JAG, OSI, or the IG's office was now automatically trashed. oeI'll take this to the CO. Anything else, sir

oeChief, personally, I might have disobeyed what General Gray pulled, if I was a Marine. I know his intent was good, but the way they went about it.....

Ross was surprised at Carson's sentiments. oeThey fucked it up, sir. He noticed the other write-ups. oeSomething else, sir

oeCaptain Pruitt. He's been trying to 'acquire' our expired Sparrows. Those are munitions we're talking about Chief. There's likely going to be some kind of JAG, OSI, or IG investigation into how we got those bad missiles, and I do not want that compromised. Whoever gave us bad missiles needs to be hauled in front of a General Court-Martial. Is that clear, Sergeant Carson asked, sounding once again like the Frank Burns wannabe everyone was familiar with.

oeYes, sir, Ross replied. He knew the CO would shred those in a heartbeat. oeI can assure you no investigation will be compromised.

oeThank you, Chief.

After Carson left, Ross got up. He had to talk to the CO.


In his office, Guru looked at his senior NCO. oeHow many Sparrows

oeEight right away, sir, Ross replied. oeAnd two dozen more on the next shipment. Captain Pruitt doesn't know we only carry two Sparrows per bird.

oeWhat else does he want the CO asked. When Ross told him, the Major was incredulous. oeAwful nice of him, but is he crazy That suggestion of pork tri-tip is not even edible by anyone's definition.

Goalie looked at both her CO and the Chief. oeHe must have a cast-iron stomach.

oeYou'd have to ask him, Ma'am, Ross replied.

oeHold off on the Sparrows until General Olds cuts us loose. He's still trying to work though General Tanner. And Tanner has to cut through the Air Force bureaucracy, the Major said. oeStill, get plugged into his network, and plug him into yours. Maybe we can do some horsetrading.

Ross nodded. oeYes, sir. There's something else. It's about Airman Kellogg. Ross then explained what Carson had told him. oeSir How are you going to handle this

'He's what Over sixteen and a half Major Wiser asked. Seeing Ross nod, he took out the directive from the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff. oeThen I can handle this under CO's discretion.

oeGlad I don't have to make this call, Goalie said. Then she glanced outside the office window. oeOh, shit. Frank's coming.

Guru looked out, and sure enough, the 335's most loathed figure was coming to the office. He turned to Ross. oeChief Stay here. You too, Goalie.

oeIn case you need witnesses Goalie asked.

oeYou got it.

Major Carson went to the CO's office and knocked on the door.

oeCome on in, Frank, the CO said. When Carson came in, he found the CO leaning backwards against the front of his desk. oeWhat do you want this time

oeSir, Carson said, snapping a perfect Academy salute, and seeing the CO sketch a return one. oeI see you've been talking with Chief Ross. It's about Airman Kellogg. He's underage.

oeChief Ross told me, Major Wiser said. oeAnd so

oeSir, I know you all think I'm too by-the-book-

oeYou are, the CO said. oeSo out with it.

oeSir, I think sending him to Nellis might be the best option. I know, we're not Marines, and what Gray did was probably illegal as well.

Guru nodded. oeFor once, we're on the same page. As in thinking Gray's actions being illegal. But Nellis Frank, he's past the sixteen and a half mark. That makes it CO's discretion.

oeSir, the ALMAR, and the directive from the Chief of Staff and the Secretary of the Air Force Carson pointed out. oeIf you send him to Nellis, General Tanner would do the right thing.

oeI may still send him to Nellis, Major Wiser said. oeThen again, maybe not. I want to hear his side of the story first. He went to his phone and called up the Aircraft Maintenance Officer, Capt. Kevin O'Donnell. oeKev Yeah, it's me. Listen. I need you and Airman Kellogg over in my office. When Right now. Good. He hung up the phone, and said. oeKev's bringing him over. Frank You actually did something good today.

oeThank you, sir. It's not all. Captain Pruitt from the F-20 team. He's offering us some Sparrows from the F-20's stash. Along with some other things. Completely violating supply procedures, said Carson.

oeSo Goalie asked. oeA Sparrow's a Sparrow.

oeNot these. They're AIM-7Ms. And our planes aren't wired for them.

oeHow'd you know they're Ms Asked the CO.

oeSaw them on the pylons, Carson replied. oeAll of those F-20s have M models loaded.

Chief Ross shook his head. oeWhy didn't I think of that when I was talking to Captain Pruitt

oeEasy, Chief, Major Wiser said. oeYou saw a deal and jumped at it. We can still work this out, and General Olds hasn't cut us loose. He turned to Carson. oeFrank Thanks for bringing both of these to my attention.

oeYou're welcome, sir. Carson replied politely. And everyone noticed the tone of voice. oeAnd Airman Kellogg

oeI'll handle this. My discretion, remember

oeUnderstood, sir.

I doubt you do, the CO thought to himself. oeYou still got a long way to go to shape up, so keep that in mind.That'll be all. He pointed to the office door.

oeSir. Carson said. He knew not to press his luck. Carson saluted and left the office, and nearly ran into Mark Ellis, who was coming in.

oeBoss The XO asked. oeFrank leaving your office and you didn't throw him out What's the deal
The CO explained, and Ellis was shaking his head. oeFrank actually doing a couple of good things

oeLightning struck-twice, Guru said. oeBut he's got an angle, and I think I know. He knows he's not getting the 335th. But....how about a brand new F-20 squadron They're forming new squadrons and wings, so.....

oeSo, he thinks he can get a squadron of his own that way, Ellis finished. oeMight just work.

oeI doubt it, Goalie said. oeRemember what's in Frank's 201 File. Not to mention his flight record.

oeAnd when General Yeager sees what's in those, I know what he'll say to Frank in that West Virginia drawl of his. 'Request denied.' Guru said. oeAnd who knows what Frank's going to do then

oeNot good, Ellis nodded.

Then there was a knock on the door. It was O'Donnell with Airman Kellogg. oeCome on in, the CO said. Both saluted, and and said, oeReporting as ordered, sir.

oeAs you were, both of you, Major Wiser said. He was rarely this formal, but this occasion.....Kev, I want you here to witness this. Kellogg Major Carson told us. You're underage, right

Airman Brian Kellogg looked at his CO. oeSir

oeMajor Carson told us, Major Wiser said. oeTold Chief Ross first.

The young man looked at his squadron commander. oeHe must've overheard me talking to a couple of friends, sir. About that mass grave. I have a gut feeling my parents are there.

oeAny idea how they got there Goalie asked. oeWere they involved in politics

oeDad was a member of the local GOP, Kellogg said. oeBut he also owned a tractor dealership with forty or so employees, Ma'am.

Heads nodded at that. They all knew that the KGB and their lackeys-whether Stasi, DGI, or PSD, considered anyone with more than twelve employees to be a oeClass Enemy and thus deserving of either oeRe-education or just plain being shot. oeYour Mom The CO asked.

oeShe was in the Republican Women's Club, sir.

oeThere you go, Ellis observed. oeYou been home yet

oeNo, sir, Kellogg replied. oeI helped Dad bury our stuff-valuables, money, stuff from the safe deposit box, in the backyard. Then he gave my brother-Brandon-and I, a thousand dollars, a company truck, and told us to get out, as far away from the Russians as we could. Made it to Laramie, Wyoming, and a FEMA Refugee Camp. Brandon joined the Navy right out of the camp, and I waited until last year. Got tired of waiting, sir.

oeOkay.... Major Wiser said. oeYour brother still in the Navy

oeAs far as I know, sir. Got a couple of letters from him. One after he finished boot, another before I joined up. Said he was going into something, and it was censored. He might have gone into SEALS, sir. They'd censor that, wouldn't they

The CO nodded. oeThey might. You have a sister, right

oeDon't know, sir, said Kellogg. oeShe was a sophomore at UT Austin, and she called home the day of the invasion. Dad told her to get as far away as she could. I heard him say 'Little Rock' then 'Memphis or St. Louis.' Sir, that's all I know about Jenna.

Guru nodded again. He thought for a minute. oeAll right. Kellogg, you're staying. First things first. The CO handed him a blank piece of paper and a pen. oeWrite down your info on your siblings: DOB, social security number, and so on. Give that to Chief Ross.

oeYes, sir.

oeChief Major Wiser asked. oeTomorrow, take him into town, and see if he still has a home to go back to when this is all over. You may have squatter trouble, so see if Captain Blanchard will loan you a couple of CSPs. If they're busy Find a few Marines who can help.

oeI know a few who've had similar issues in Amarillo and Lubbock, sir, Ross said. oeRounding up a few who can help won't be a problem.

The CO nodded. oeGood. Mark He asked the XO. oeCheck with the military government people. See what their attitude towards squatters is-especially if the squatters are living in a servicemember's house.

'Will do, Major. Ellis replied.

oeChief, take Kellogg's info and run down his siblings, if you can. Use whatever contacts in the Air Force, Marines, Navy, Army that you've developed via your horse-trading.

oeSir, Ross nodded. oeNo guarantees, though.

oeAs for you, Kellogg The CO nodded at the Airman. oeFor the next ten weeks, until you turn seventeen You work in vehicle maintenance. You're still working with tools, getting grease and oil on you, but it's in a garage, not on the ramp or in a hangar. It's also closer to a bomb shelter if you need to use it. Understood

oeYes, sir! Kellogg's face brightened.

oeGood. You'll be back on the ramp in no time. Any questions

oeNo, sir,

The CO looked at him. He was a good kid, Major Wiser thought. Another life shattered by the war and looking for a way to build a new one. oeAll right: you need anything-especially if you get definite word about your parents Let Chief Ross, Captain O'Donnell, the Exec, or me know. We'll do what we can.

oeThank you,sir. I will do that, Kellogg said.

oeGood. Now, why don't you wait outside I need to talk to Captain O'Donnell.

oeSir. Kellogg replied, saluting.

Guru returned it, and after Kellogg left and closed the door behind him, he turned to his Maintenance Officer and Senior NCO. oeKeep an eye on him. Both of you.

oeWill do, Boss. O'Donnell said.

oeYes, sir. Ross added.

oeGood. That'll be all, both of you. Major Wiser said. After they left, he turned to his Exec. oeWell

Ellis nodded. oeYou handled that better than I could, Boss. Not sure I'd be so...calm.

oeGoalie

oeLittle weird, she said. oeFirst, Frank doing two good things His GIB and lover shook her head. oeThen this Not sure at all how I'd handle it.

Guru looked at her, then his Exec. oeNot something taught in OTS, I'll admit. And probably not at ROTC or the Academy. He saw both nod. oeWhich is probably in the PME we're all missing out on because of the war.

oeSchool of hard knocks, then, Ellis said. oeClass of World War Three.

Goalie nodded, then she noticed their wingmate coming towards the office, and Kara was practically running. oeKara's in a rush.

There was a knock on the door, then it opened. Kara was there. oeBoss, we've got a mission. The birds have been rearmed, and they want us in the air.

oeWhen Guru asked.

oeNow. It's CAS, down in the East German sector. They got a little uppity again, and First Cav and 11th Airborne are hollering for some help.

oeOrdnance

oeBirds have been rearmed from what they were supposed to have. They want us in the air ASAP, Kara said. oeNot just us, but Dave and Flossy as well.

The CO nodded. oeOkay....pass the word to everybody. Gear up and meet at 512.

oeGot you, Kara said. oeI'm gone. She headed out the door.

oeMark Guru turned to his Exec. oeGet your people geared up and ready. Chances are, you'll be right behind us.

Ellis nodded. oeOn my way. He headed on out after Kara.

oeReady Guru turned to his GIB.

Goalie nodded. oeLet's get going.

oeThen we have somewhere to be. Both CO and GIB then headed on out of the office.


After gearing up, both Guru and Goalie headed out to the squadron dispersal, and found their flight, plus Dave and Flossy, waiting at 512's revetment. oeWhat's up Sweaty asked.

oeCAS, down in the East German sector. First Cav and 11th Airborne need some help, and for now We're it. Usual procedures on the radio, and this is likely a divisional level threat, and you all know what that means.

oeSA-6, SA-9, ZSU-23-4, Dave Golen observed. oeAnd MANPADS.

oeNot to mention MiGs, Flossy added.

oeThat, and their own people doing CAS. East Germans and Russians, likely, Guru pointed out. oeIf you run into any of their own CAS people Take the pressure off our guys and splash 'em.

Kara grinned. oeWith pleasure.

oeJust watch out for ground fire-theirs and ours, the CO reminded them. oeOther than that Best bailout area if you're hit is anywhere north of the battle line. Any other questions Heads shook no. oeThen let's hit it.

Crews headed to their aircraft, as Guru and Goalie went for their own, 512. They noticed that Mark-20 Rockeye CBUs had just been loaded, and that meant antiarmor. Sergeant Crowley, the Crew Chief, was waiting. oeMajor, we're locked and cocked. Ordnance guys just finished, and she's ready to go.

oeThanks, Sergeant, Guru said. He and Goalie did a quick walk-around, then mounted the aircraft. After getting strapped in, a quick cockpit check followed, then Guru gave a thumbs-up to Crowley. He got the oeStart Engines signal in reply, and in rapid succession, one, then two, J-79 engines were up and running. As they warmed up, a final check was in order, then Guru called the Tower. oeTower, Corvette Lead with six, requesting taxi and takeoff instructions.

oeCorvette Lead, Tower, replied the controller. oeClear to taxi to Runway Three-three Lima. You are number one in line, and hold prior to the active.

oeRoger that, Tower, Guru said. He gave another thumbs-up, and the ground crew removed the crew ladder and pulled away the wheel chocks. Then Crowley gave the signal to taxi, and Guru taxied the F-4 out of the revetment. When he cleared the revetment, the Crew Chief snapped a salute. Both pilot and GIB returned it, Then Guru taxied to the runway, and held short of it so that the armorers could remove the weapon safeties. Then he contacted the Tower. oeTower, Corvette Lead requesting taxi for takeoff.

oeCorvette Lead, Tower. Clear to taxi for takeoff. Winds are calm.

oeRoger, Tower. Guru replied. He taxied onto the runway, and after he did, Kara taxied 520 in right alongside his bird. As usual, Kara and Brainiac gave a thumbs-up, and both Guru and Goalie returned it. Then, a quick check revealed all set. Ready to go. oeTower, Corvette Lead requesting clear for takeoff.

The Tower flashed a green light. Clear for takeoff.

oeAll set Guru asked Goalie.

oeReady, she replied.

oeCanopy coming down. Guru pulled his canopy down and locked it, and Goalie did the same. A quick glance at 520 to his right showed 520's crew having done the same thing. oeLet's go. He applied full throttle, released the brakes, and 512 rolled down the runway and into the air. At the same time, Kara did the same in 520, and went alongside the CO. Thirty seconds later, it was Sweaty and Hoser's turn, and after that, Dave and Flossy. The six-ship formed up, then set course south for the tankers.

[Matt Wiser]

The next segment:



Over Central Texas, 1555 Hours Central War Time:


Corvette Flight was orbiting just north of the I-20, in a holding pattern at 10,000 feet. They were waiting for either AWACS or the EC-130 Airborne Command Post to clear them onto a FAC, or plain direct them to a target. If there was one thing everyone agreed on, it was this, the waiting.

oeThey tell us to bust ass getting down here, then they tell us to wait Goalie asked from 512's back seat.

Guru grinned. That low, they didn't need their oxygen masks until it was time to go to work. oeSame old-same-old: hurry up and wait. You know that.

oeYeah, she replied. Out of GIB good habits, she took a look around. Everyone was tucked in, waiting for the go-ahead.

oeBoss, Starbuck, Kara called. oeAnything

oeNo joy so far, Guru replied. He glanced to the west, and saw the sun getting lower. Wouldn't be long, he knew, until it got too dark for them to strike visually. Of course, night flying for them wasn't a problem, but night combat was something rare. The squadron needed Pave Tack pods for that, and having a grand total of three meant nearly all of their tasking was in the daytime. Then he heard an EC-130 controller calling.

oeCorvette Lead, Tampa, the controller said. oeContact Nail Six-nine for tasking.

oeRoger, Tampa, Guru replied. He then called the FAC. oeNail Six-nine, Corvette Lead.

oeCopy, Corvette, the FAC replied. oeSay aircraft and ordnance, please.

oeRoger, Nail. Corvette Flight is six Foxtrot Four-Echoes, with twelve Mark-20 Rockeyes each bird, and full air-to-air.

oeRoger, Corvette. Got some armor for you. Moving northwest from Star Hollow Lake towards Lipan. The FAC said.

oeCopy that, Nail, replied Guru. oeSay threat

oeCorvette, threat is regimental and divisional level air defense. Be advised that both helos and fast-movers are in the area as well.

Bad guys doing CAS, Guru knew. oeRoger that. Can give you one run only. South to North.

oeYour call, Corvette. Be advised there are friendly helos in the area.

oeCopy. Can you mark the target, Nail

oeRoger that, Corvette, the FAC told him.

Guru watched as an A-7K rolled in and fired several rockets, and WP exploded on the ground below. oeThat's your target, Corvette.

oeRoger that, Nail. We're rolling in, Guru said. oeFlight, Lead. Masks on, switches on, and music on. Time to go to work, people!

As the flight acknowledged, Goalie told him, oeSwitches set. We're hot. That meant the armament controls had been set. oeEverything in one pass. That was a squadron rule: one pass in a target area unless there was zero surface-to-air threat.

oeGood girl, Guru replied. He put the F-4 in a shallow dive from 10,000 feet, and flew past the armor before rolling in. As they did, several SAMs-what kind, they didn't know, came up and flew past, but their ECM pods were working. oeLooks like a regiment down there. He said, noticing the armor moving to the northwest.

Goalie was scanning with a pair of mini binoculars. oeLooks like it.

oeTime to go. Flight, Lead. Target's in sight. Watch for friendly choppers, people! With that, Guru rolled in on his bomb run.


Down below, the East German 20th Motor Rifle Division was pushing forward-again. They had been roughly handled on the 4th, and the divisional commander knew it. But Army had ordered a series of spoiling attacks, and the Generalmajor had no choice but to get on with it. His panzer regiment was near full strength, with 95 T-55AM2Bs, which were could give the M-60 a good fight, and deal with the Ami paratroopers who were to the north, but if the First Cavalry Division and Third Armored Cavalry Regiment were about, they had M-1s, and that meant trouble. His lead motor-rifle regiment had pushed into what appeared to be undefended terrain, and so he committed his panzer regiment, as per doctrine.

With that, the 20th Panzer Regiment moved forward. The regimental commander, a Colonel, was pleased. His regiment had passed through the motor-rifle boys, and though there was little sign of the enemy, he knew the Amis were out there. The fate of a reserve motor-rifle regiment on the 4th, and the mauling that the 33rd MRR had received as well, reminded him that the Amis could be waiting. With luck, he'd get the regiment to Lipan, and get there before the Amis could react. Then the 31st MRR with their BMP-2s would arrive to relieve them, and this would force the enemy's III Corps to commit to a major action to push them out, preventing them from an attack to get around the Fort Worth-Dallas area, or so what the Divisional Commander had been told, and then told the regimental commanders. No matter. His regiment was moving forward, out of some hills and into open country. The Colonel was riding in his T-55AM2K command tank when his loader, who was manning the DshK 12.7-mm machine gun, tapped him on the shoulder and pointed to the south. The Colonel's heart stopped a beat as he saw what was coming. Smoke trails, which meant only one thing. Ami aircraft. oeAIR ATTACK WARNING-SOUTH! He shouted into his mike.

oeLead's in! Guru called as he rolled in. A full regiment of armor in the open meant plenty of targets, and the bad guys were still in column. Big mistake, Franz.....He centered the center battalion in his pipper. Some flak started to come up, but it was too little, too late. No way, not now......Steady, Steady... Guru muttered. oeAnd HACK! He hit the pickle button and released his Rockeyes. Then he pulled 512 up and away. oeLead's off target.

oeVerdammt! The Colonel shouted as the F-4 flew over his command tank and released its bombs. He saw the CBUs fly open and released their bomblets over the tanks of his Second battalion. T-55s took hits to their thin top armor and engine decks and several exploded, while several others were disabled and caught fire. The regimental commander turned into a rage, shouting for his regimental air defense battalion, with their Strela-1 missile vehicles (SA-9) and ZSU-23-4s, to move forward, while the motor-rifle battalion had their men with Strela-2 (SA-7) missiles riding on top of their BMP-2s and fire. Then the Colonel glanced to the south and saw another Fascist F-4 coming in.

oeSHACK! Goalie shouted. oeGOOD HITS!

oeSecondaries Guru asked. He banked to the right and headed due north, not noticing an SA-9 that flew past his bird.

oeGot some. That meant tanks or APCs had gone up.

oeService with a smile, the CO grinned beneath his mask as he headed north.


oeTwo in hot! Kara called as she rolled in. She picked out the regimental supply columns following behind the regiment, and without those fuel and ammo trucks, that regiment wouldn't be going anywhere. Kara noticed the flak coming, and it was mostly small-arms or heavy machine guns, but there was some ZU-23 fire coming up as well. Not today.....Steady....and....NOW! Kara hit her pickle button and a dozen Rockeyes fell onto the regimental supply column. Ignoring the 23-mm and SAMs-both SA-9 and SA-7, she overflew the regiment and headed north, following in the CO's wake. oeTwo's off safe.

Kara's F-4 flew by, and the Colonel grimaced as it did, but then the explosions behind him caught his attention. oeDAMMT! He shouted into his mike-for all his commanders to hear-as explosions erupted behind him, and they were both fuel and ammunition fed. That told him his regiment's supply column had been hit, and hit hard. Shaking his head, he ordered all his units to disperse, but then he saw another Ami Phantom coming in.....

oeGOOD HITS! Brainiac shouted in 520's rear seat. oeWe got secondaries!

oeBig ones Kara wanted to know.

oeGood ones, her GIB replied.

oeFine by me, Kara said as she headed north, an eye out for either MiGs or Hinds. To her disappointment, none were visible.


oeThree in hot! Sweaty called as she rolled in. She picked out what looked like artillery pieces deploying. Those were always good targets, Sweaty knew, and as she lined them up in her pipper, she also noticed what looked like ammo trucks following the guns. Oh, well...maybe some of the CBU bomblets might take out some of the trucks. Franz, you're having a bad day, she said to herself. oeSteady...steady....and...NOW! Sweaty hit the pickle button, releasing her CBUs, then she pulled up and away, ignoring the 23-mm and SAMs coming up. oeThree off safe, she called.

The Colonel groaned as Sweaty's F-4 flew by, then he saw the explosions in its wake. His regimental artillery commander had been on the radio to him, then his transmission was suddenly-and permanently-silenced as not only had several of the 2S1 122-mm SP howitzers exploded, but the battalion commander's own command vehicle had gone up as well. He shook his head, then ordered his regimental command element to disperse as well. As his command tank moved into a creek, he didn't see a fourth F-4 coming in.

oeSHACK! Preacher yelled to Sweaty as she pulled away.

oeGood hits Sweaty asked as an SA-9 flew past. Those things, for some reason, had a hard time guiding. Not that she-or anyone else she knew-was complaining.

oeRighteous ones! Exclaimed the ex-Seminary student.

oeGood enough for the man upstairs, good enough for me, Sweaty said as she headed north, scanning for enemy aircraft or choppers as she did so.

oeFour's in hot! Hoser called as he came in behind his element lead. He saw where Sweaty had laid her CBUs and noticed the trucks that had largely escaped her attention. Well, if she couldn't get them, he would. He centered the trucks in his pipper, ignoring the flak-and even a couple of SA-7s-that came up. oeAnd...and...and...NOW! Hoser hit his pickle button and released his Rockeyes, and a dozen CBUs came down on the East German artillerymen. He pulled wings level and away, calling out, oeFour's off target.

oeDAMMT! Shouted the Colonel as Hoser's F-4 flew by, leaving more explosions in its wake. This time, he knew, the artillery battalion's supply trucks had been hit, for there were several large sympathetic detonations that no one could miss. What had been an easy ride to the objective was now becoming his worst nightmare, and it had been inflicted from the air. Where were the Amis on the ground The Colonel was checking his map when another F-4 came in....


oeSHACK! KT called. oeGREAT HITS!

oeSecondaries Hoser asked as he headed north, picking up Sweaty visually as he did so.

oeBig ones!

Hoser grinned beneath his oxygen mask. oeGood enough. He scanned for enemy aircraft or choppers and was disappointed not to find any.


oeFive in hot! Dave Golen called. He rolled in, and noticed several vehicles clustered together. That might be the regimental command group, he thought, and decided to take them out. Like the others, he ignored the flak coming up, and saw a tank in the middle. He centered the tank in his pipper. oeSteady....and steady....and....NOW! He hit the pickle button, sending a dozen more CBUs down on the East Germans. He, too, pulled up and away, and called, oeFive's off target.

In his tank, the East German Colonel ducked as Golen's F-4 flew by. He heard the CBUs going off, then nothing as several Rockeye bomblets struck his T-55, hitting the engine deck and the thin top armor of the turret. The Rockeye bomblets burned through the armor-and him, then set off the stored ammunition in the ready rack......no one in the tank had time to scream, much less try and escape the tank, as it fireballed.

oeGOOD HITS! Golen's GIB shouted.

oeHow good Dave asked as he headed north,

oeGot a few secondaries.

oeI'll take those, Dave said as he picked up the others.


oeSix is in hot! Flossy called. She rolled in, and picked out some more vehicles moving up. Those looked like BMPs, and they were a worthy target. She, too, ignored the flak and the missiles, and lined up the middle of the column. You're having a bad day, Franz.....Steady....and...steady....NOW! Flossy hit the pickle button, and released her twelve Rockyes, then she pulled up and away. oeSix off target, she called.

Below, the East German deputy regimental commander, a Major, scampered out of a BTR-60PB that had taken a single CBU hit to the top deck. Normally, that might not be a problem, but the bomblet had wrecked both engines, and the vehicle had caught fire, so everyone had gotten out of the vehicle. He saw the burning hulk of the regimental command tank, and no signs of survivors, and that meant he was now in command. As he called for a radioman, not only did he see Flossy's F-4 fly over, but nearly tripped over the body of the regimental political officer. No great loss, he noted, as the radioman came up. Time to get some order out of this mess, and find out where the Amis were, for a counterattack could be coming and he had to get the regiment ready. This air strike was probably just the beginning.

oeGOOD HITS! Jang called to Flossy. oeWe got some secondaries!

oeHow good Flossy asked, knowing that Jang was still a relative newcomer to combat.

oeFour or five fireballs.

Flossy grinned underneath her mask. oeGood for them. She, too, headed north, and followed her element lead towards the I-20, keeping an eye out for enemy aircraft as she did so. Like the others, she was disappointed none were present. Oh, well....better luck next time.


In 512's rear cockpit, Goalie was beaming. oeSix in, six out, she said.

oeStill got a game on, Guru reminded her. oeNot yet to the fence. That meant the I-20 line. He glanced to his five, and saw Kara pulling in alongside, and his wingmate gave a thumbs-up. oeTwo, glad to see you. Sweaty, you and Hoser

oeRight behind you, Sweaty replied. oeGot you two in sight.

oeDave Guru asked.

oeOn your six, Golen replied. oeFlossy's with me.

oeRoger that. Nail, how'd we do Guru asked the FAC.

oeCorvette, Nail, the FAC replied. oeGood work, fella. Maybe we can do this again sometime.

Guru smiled. oeOur pleasure, Nail.

The flight crossed the I-20 line, and saw not just more aircraft above, but Army attack helicopters forming up to head south. And these weren't Cobras. AH-64s were in town, and they were going to make their presence known. All through the night, if necessary. The flight joined up on the tankers for their post-strike refueling, then headed back to Sheppard.

When Corvette Flight returned to Sheppard, they had to wait in the pattern, as several Marine and Navy flights were ahead of them. Then it was their turn. The six F-4s took their turns in the landing pattern, then as they taxied back to the squadron dispersal, they noticed the news crew filming them. oeNeed to ask her when the interview airs, Guru said. Both he and Goalie had been interviewed by the crew's correspondent, Jana Wendt.

oeForgot about that, Golie said. oeBeen a bit busy, she deadpanned.

oeThat we have.

The crews taxied to their revetments, and when Guru and Goalie got to 512's, they saw the ground crew waiting. This time, the ordnance crews were not there, and that meant that they weren't likely going back out. Good thing, both crew members thought. The sun was very low on the horizon, and unless someone strapped on a Pave Tack pod, they were through for the day. Guru taxied in, and after shutting down, both he and Goalie popped their canopies, then they did a post-flight check. oeGlad that's done she asked.

oeFor now, Guru replied. oeWe could be back at CAS tomorrow.

oeMaybe. Or the Army cleans up on those bastards.

The ground crew brought the crew ladder, and both pilot and GIB stood up in the cockpit. Then they climbed down, where Sergeant Crowley, the Crew Chief, was waiting. oeHow'd things go, Major

oeMade some East German tankers reconsider their choice of vocation, the CO deadpanned.

oeThose who lived, that is, Goalie added as she picked up a bottle of water.

The Crew Chief was beaming. oeShit hot, sir! And Ma'am. He looked at his CO. oeAnything I need to know, sir

oeFive-twelve's working like a champ, Sergeant, Guru said. oeGet her ready, because menana, we might just be going back and teach those East Germans something about staying in their own country.

As both pilot and GIB headed out of the revetment, Goalie asked him, oeYou still going to bump him up on the R&R Rotation or promote him

oeI might just do both, replied Guru.

oeBoss, Kara said as she and Brainiac came to the entrance to the revetment. oeLooks like we did good.

Guru nodded. oeWe did, and we might be going back there tomorrow.

oeWhere were the MiGs Kara wanted to know.

oeI'd like to know myself, Sweaty said as her element arrived. oeWhere were they

Dave Golen and his people arrived just as she said that. oeI, for one, would like to know that as well.

oeMaybe somebody hit their fields, Flossy wondered.

oeMaybe, Guru said. oeOr they hadn't been called yet.

oeToo bad, Kara muttered.

oeYou're not the only one feeling that way, Guru said. oeOkay, people. He checked his watch. oeIt's 1635. We're not going out again, so let's debrief. You need to check your desks, then we can hit the Club.

oeWonder if we'll get some stories from General Yeager, Sweaty thought. oeWouldn't mind hearing some of those.

oeAce in a day.... Kara said. oeFive Me-109s in one afternoon, I heard.

oeNot to mention his test flying, Hoser added. oeGoing supersonic, then the X-1A and nearly getting killed.

oeThen the NF-104, Flossy told them. oeRemember the movie The Right Stuff Heads nodded, as most of them had seen the movie.

Guru nodded, oeAll of that, and one other thing. He's got one kill General Olds doesn't.

oeAnd that is Kara asked.

oeYeager got an Me-262, Guru said. oeCome on. Get the debrief done, clear your desks, then we can get a little crazy.

[Matt Wiser]

And in the Club: anyone recognize the female F-20 pilot



Sheppard AFB Officer's Club, 1510 Hours Central War Time:


Guru and Goalie went into the Officer's Club tent, and the place was already buzzing, as usual. There hadn't been much paperwork after the debrief, but both waited until they were off the clock before going to the Club. The last of the 335th's sorties had come in, and there were no losses, the CO was glad to see. And that was always a reason to celebrate.

Guru and Goalie went to the bar, and found Colonel Brady already there. oeColonel, Guru said.

oeMajor, Brady nodded. oeAnd Lieutenant. Have a look at that table. He pointed to a table where the F-20 jocks were arguing with a mix of aircrew-AF, Marine, and Navy. By the looks of the hand gestures and raised voices, no one was in the mood for polite disagreement. oeLooks like the arguments are in full swing.

oeNobody's going to be convinced of anything tonight, Goalie observed. oeUh, sir.

oeNo, Brady agreed. oeAnd you're absolutely right, Lieutenant. We won't see any minds changed, either way, until they start flying. And that starts tomorrow.

Guru nodded, then scanned the crowd. oeGeneral Olds and General Yeager aren't here yet.

oeThey'll be here, Brady said, just as the bartender came over.

oeSmitty Guru asked the bartender. oeBud for my GIB, and Sam Adams for me.

oeYou got it, Major, Smitty replied. He put the bottles on the bar, and Guru paid him.

oeSo, how'd things go on that last round Brady asked.

Guru took a drink from his beer, then said, oeNot bad, Colonel. Just hope the Army cleans up those East Germans tonight, then we can get back to BAI. Don't mind CAS, but we'd rather leave it to the folks who live and breathe it, like the A-10 people.

oeOr Marines, Brady grinned.

oeOr Marines, Guru admitted. Then Generals Olds and Yeager came in, and they were in an animated conversation, with much hand-waving. Clearly, combat of some sort was the object of discussion. oeWhat's that about

The two generals bellied up to the bar, and after they got their drinks, continued the conversation. oeGenerals, if you don't mind my asking, what's this all about Colonel Brady asked.

oeWell, Colonel, Olds said. oeJust having a friendly discussion over how Chuck here got an Me-262, and I didn't.

oeWasn't your 262 a probable, sir Goalie asked. She had heard the story at the AF Academy.

oeIt was, Olds admitted. oeWish I had been able to check the Luftwaffe records held in the National Archives, but.....

Heads nodded at that. oeWell, sir, maybe after this war's over, you can check, Guru said. oeThen AFHC can give you credit if it did crash.

oeJet kills in two wars, Olds said. oeOnly Israelis have that distinction, he nodded in Dave Golen's direction. There, their IDF oeObserver was with Flossy and their GIBs, talking with one of the F-20 jocks.

oeDave's got kills in three wars now, General, Guru reminded him. oeHe scored in '73, '82, and with us. He's good, General, Guru added, nodding in General Yeager's direction. oeDave's shot MiGs off our ass at least twice, and he's saved the bacon of quite a few people in my squadron.

Both generals nodded. oeWhen his tour's up, Major, Olds said. oeYou might want to recommend him for a decoration.

oeI'll do that, sir, Guru said. oeOh, before I forget. I suggest, sir, that you may want to pay attention to one Major Frank Carson. He's up to something, and I think it's no good.

oeWhat do you mean, Major Olds asked.

oeThis that snotty Major that General Tanner warned us about Yeager added. oeFrom what I was told, he's been a pain in your ass, and that of your predecessor, for some time.

Guru nodded. oeYes, sir, he said. oeGeneral, I think he's angling to try and get a squadron of his own. As in volunteering for the F-20, and hoping that a new squadron that's forming up comes his way. Fat chance of that happening, Guru thought, but he wanted to hear what General Yeager felt. He already knew General Olds' view on the subject.

oeCheck his flight record, Chuck, Olds said. oeFrom what's in it No way he'd make the cut.

oeI'll start taking requests tomorrow, Yeager said. oeAnd for certain, I do want to see what's in his file.

oeSir, it's not just his flight record, but his 201 File as well, said Guru. oeA look at that only reinforces the loathing everyone in this squadron has for him.

General Yeager nodded. oeI usually have a look at both of those, Major. Just so I know who I'm getting. He thought for a minute, then continued. oeTomorrow, Major. Find some time when we're both not busy, and I want to see what's in his 201 File, along with his flight record.

oeYes, sir. Guru nodded. Though he was slightly dreading Frank's reaction when and if any request for the F-20 was denied.

oeAll right: you two have a good evening. Tomorrow night You'll hear some stories.

oeCombat and test flying, sir

oeSix of one, half a dozen of the other, Yeager grinned.

oeBe worth the wait, sir. Guru said.


Guru and Goalie then went and found the rest of their flight at a table, and Kara was curious. oeSaw you guys with Olds and Yeager, she said. oeWhat was that all about

oeThey were having a disagreement at first, Guru said. oeAbout why Yeager got himself an Me-262 back in the day, and Olds didn't. Then the conversation shifted to Frank.

oeWhat

oeFrank's putting on his good face, Guru explained. oeHe's got an angle, and I think I know what it is.

Heads looked at their CO. oeWhat do you mean, Boss Hoser asked.

oeSimple: Frank knows he's never getting the 335th, said Guru. oeBut...he applies for the F-20 program...

oeAnd that's his route to a squadron of his own, Sweaty finished for the CO. oeYou know, it might work.

oeNo, Goalie said firmly. oeYeager told us: he reviews every applicant's 201 File and flight record. Just so he knows what he may be getting.

Preacher knew what the next would be. oeAnd General Yeager tells Frank 'Request Denied.' And Lord knows what's going to happen next.

oeDon't want to think about that, Kara said. oeThen again....what could he do

oeThink about it: he'd probably try something, anything, to get someone to notice him. That attention gets him a transfer, on his terms and not mine, said Guru. oeBut, if Sundown Cunningham swings by on a visit

oeThen Frank goes, period, KT nodded. oeBe a good sight to see.

oeHe goes, period, after New Year's, if he hasn't shaped up, Guru reminded them.


A few minutes later, Cosmo and Revlon, along with Flossy and Jang, came in, along with Ms. Wendt and the news crew. They found a table and sat down, with Mr. Scott, the Cameraman, filming them, and Ms. Wendt talking. Clearly, an improvised interview was underway. oeGuess who's going to be on the news in a few days, Goalie noted.

oeTwo 'unmanned' F-4s in the same squadron Kara asked. oeThat's going to spread like wildfire.

The CO nodded. oeAnd watch as more reporters show up, wanting to talk to the four of 'em, Guru said. oeAnd that makes Kodak Griffith busier than a one-armed paperhanger.

oeAny word on an Air Force PAO Brainiac asked. oeYou've been looking.

oeAnd Chief Ross, said Guru, none too happily. oeBoth of us have struck out so far. So, if you all know anyone who went down the PAO route after the Academy, OTS, or ROTC I'd like someone with PAO experience, who's now a rated pilot or nav.

oeSo that can be their ground job when not flying, Sweaty observed.

oeRight.

Then the mess people came in with dinner. oeFolks, we've got pork chops, or Salisbury Steaks, with all the fixings. Come and get it.

After getting their food, people dug in, and conversation not only dealt with the day's missions, but also the new guests.

oeBoss, Kara said, how long these guys going to be here

oeThree days, maybe four, Guru said after taking a bite of steak, or was it really oeMystery Meat He looked at her. oeAnd you want to fleece these folks as long as you can.

She let out an evil-looking grin. oeYou read my mind.

oeJust remember, Goalie added. oeGeneral Yeager's been doing this about as long as General Olds has. If you think he's an easy mark Forget it.

oeAnd that hangout for test pilots near Edwards Panchos Guru said. oeWant to bet that he won his share of pool at that place.

oeThat place real Preacher wanted to know. oeOr was that something cooked up for the movie

oeIt was real, nodded the CO. oeI read the book The Right Stuff back in college.

Goalie added,And he got his steak dinner. That became a rule at Pancho's. Set a new record, get a steak dinner on the house.

Then the CBS Evening News came on. Walter Cronkite was on the air again from L.A., but today Not much happened in the war, though a new GI Bill had passed the Senate, and was awaiting action in the House. Then there was another On the Road segment, with Charles Kuralt, and this time, it was from Lake Placid, New York, the site of the 1980 Winter Olympics. There, life was going on as it had been after the Olympics and before the war, though some enterprising locals had just up a sign outside the Olympic Ice Hockey arena, where the U.S. Hockey Team had beaten the Soviets in the oeMiracle on Ice. The sign read: oeSquaw Valley 1960, Lake Placid 1980, Wichita, Pueblo, El Paso, 1987. When Mr. Kuralt asked the Mayor about the sign, the response was, oeWhy not After Cronkite signed off, Smitty, the barkeep, switched the TV to ESPN, which was showing a rerun of a 1982 Raiders-Chiefs football game.

oeAny newspapers today Mark Ellis wondered out loud.

oeProbably tomorrow, Sweaty said. oeWe didn't get much on the C-141 today.

oeNo kidding, Flossy said from her table.

oeTomorrow, the CO said. oeWe may be getting two new birds from Japan. If not, the next day.

oeNew crews Hoser asked.

oeDon't know yet.


After dinner, people headed for either the pool table or the poker games that always sprung up, and General Yeager noticed that what he had heard about Kara was quite true. For he saw several Marines and Navy challenge her at the pool table, and all had come out with their wallets lightened. When Guru went back to the bar to get another round for his flight, Yeager tapped him on the shoulder. oeMajor.

oeGeneral Guru asked.

oeI see some of what they told me about your Captain Thrace is dead on, Yeager said in his West Virginia drawl. oeShe really that good

oeShe's that good, sir. Good enough that nobody in the squadron takes her on unless it's a friendly game, said Guru. oeSir, I'd pass the word to your people to stay away from her unless they have the cash. She doesn't take checks, and doesn't do IOUs. And if you can't pay Well, uh, she has an....alternative payment plan.

oeWhich General Tanner told me about. Word's gotten around about her.....antics. I'll let my people know. Thanks for the warning, Major.

oeYou're welcome, sir, Guru nodded. He got the second round, then went back to the table. oeI just warned General Yeager about Kara.

oeWhat'd he say Brainiac asked.

oeHe thanked me for the warning.

Dave Golen came over, and asked, oeAre we going to hear some of his stories

oeTomorrow night, Guru noted. oeHe and his people want to get settled in. The General didn't say, but I'll bet any amount of money they do some flying tomorrow. He glanced over at the table occupied by the F-20 pilots., which still had quite a few AF, Marine, and Navy pilots talking with them. oeThey're still arguing.

Sweaty nodded. oeTalked to them a few minutes ago, she said. oeThey think the F-20's the greatest thing since the P-51.

oeI imagine folks who fly the F-15 or F-16 are going to have something to say about that, Hoser nodded. oeThen there's us, and everyone else who flies the Rhino.

oeNo arguing that, Guru said. oeI asked General Yeager where in the cockpit was the slot for the quarter, and he laughed.

Heads nodded at that, and Sweaty added, oeSaid the same thing to one of those young pups. Clancy, I think. He just shrugged and said, 'You get used to it.'

oeWith us, it's the F-15E, when it gets here, KT pointed out. oeWSOs aren't going out of style anytime soon when those puppies show.

oeHere's to that, Goalie said, raising her beer bottle.

oeHear, hear, the others chimed in.


About twenty minutes until twelve-hour kicked in, Guru and the others noticed one of the F-20 drivers had left that conversation and found a table for herself. They also noticed she already had had two beers and was working on a third, and Guru recognized her as Quinn, the one he and General Yeager had talked about. Collaring Goalie, Sweaty, and Preacher, he went over to talk to her. oeCaptain, he said. oeYou look kind of moody. Care to talk about it

She nodded, just as General Yeager came over. oeMight as well, she said. oeMisery loves company. Especially today.

oeWhat's so special about today Sweaty asked.

Quinn took her wallet out of a flight suit pocket and showed the 335th crews and the General a photo of her and another woman. oeMy older sister, Daria, she said. oeShe was in the Air Force already when this all started.

oeNice looking girl, Preacher said, and both General Yeager and Guru nodded.

oeWhat happened Yeager asked.

oeSir, she was a T-37 IP at Vance AFB in Oklahoma when the war started. She and the rest of them got out, some east of the Mississippi, others west of the Rockies. She was one who went west. When combat was opened to women, she volunteered for F-111s.

The General and the 335th people exchanged glances. That was nasty flying, going in on the deck in the deep-strike mission. oeWhere'd she go Goalie asked.

oeAfter F-111 training Florida. When one of the two wings in England came back, they sent a detachment down to Florida to fly strikes into Cuba. Quinn said. oeShe had four months of F-111 training at Mountain Home, then they sent her there.

oeShe's MIA Yeager asked. oeOr....

oeThe former, sir, Quinn said. oeShe and her navigator were shot down someplace near Havana. Place called Bejucal. They said it was a Soviet HQ complex.

Guru nodded sympathetically. He'd flown his share of hairy missions. oeThe escape capsule fire He meant the F-111's escape capsule instead of ejection seats.

oeIt did, Quinn nodded back, in between slugs of beer. She had nearly finished the bottle, and with ten minutes to twelve-hour, she wanted another, and waved to Smitty.

oeThat's enough, Captain, Yeager said. In his voice, everyone recognized the firmness of command. oeYou're flying tomorrow, and you've had enough.

oeYes, sir. she replied. Though right now, Quinn felt she wasn't drunk enough.

Goalie looked at Quinn. oeSo that's it Just the capsule firing

oeThe beeper, too, replied Quinn. oeBut....that's all. No voice contact, nothing. They went in as a two-ship, and apart from a couple of F-105 Weasel Thuds, and an F-4 flight as MIGCAP, that's it. She finished her beer, then went on. oeThey told Mom and Dad a few months later that a POW identified herself as Daria read a 'confession' over Havana Radio, and someone who said she was Jane did the same thing. Other than that Nothing. They're not on the POW list.

Sin Licon, the intel officer for the 335th, came over. oeSorry, but I couldn't help but overhear. He introduced himself. oeThey don't just rely on radio broadcasts. Intel usually needs photos or video before they'll transfer somebody to the POW list.

oeThanks, Captain, Yeager said, just as Doc Waters announced that the Twelve-hour Rule was now in effect. oeQuinn When aircrew curfew sounds, go find your bunk, get a good night's shut-eye, and be ready to fly in the morning. We'll be giving some of these Phantom Phanatics a taste of what we can do.

oeYes, sir! Quinn's face brightened. Flying was the best therapy, it seemed.


With two more hours to kill before aircrew curfew, people tried their luck at the pool table or poker games, and Kara held court at the former this night. And to her surprise, General Olds came over. Both laid down their money, then people stopped what they were doing to watch. It didn't take long for experience to show its worth, for the General took Kara for $50.00. She came over to Guru's table in a rage. oeWell The CO asked.

oeI want my money back, Kara grumbled. oeAnd with twelve-hour, I can't get sloppy drunk.

Guru nodded sympathetically. oeMake up for it tomorrow, and make those F-20 guys pay. They're fair game, remember

She let out an evil-looking grin. oeMy pleasure. And I'll get my money back from General Olds while I'm at it.

oeBe careful, Goalie said. oeRemember, he's been doing this since your parents were kids.

oeDon't remind me. Kara said.


Time flew by, then Doc Waters announced, oeAircrew Curfew now in effect! It was 2100. Those on the flight schedule headed off to their billets, for soon, it would be 0430, and that meant another day on the firing line.

[Matt Wiser]

The next part, and General Yeager talks with Guru:



10 November, 1987: 335th TFS, Sheppard AFB, TX. 1130 Hours Central War Time:


In his office, Guru was going over some papers. Nothing that was really important, but even for a CO, there were small things that required his attention. One thing, he knew, was that the PME that he was supposed to be getting would have prepared him for this, but now.... He shook his head, and noticed that these could really be handled by the XO. Since the Exec had gone out just after he did, that stuff just got put into his IN box. Oh, well....Guru got up, picked up the papers, and left his office. He found the XO's desk, and Capt. Mark Ellis, the Exec. oeMark.

oeBoss The XO replied. oeWhat's this

oeJust some stuff that the XO could handle. You and I were both out, when it came in. So, here you go. Guru put the papers on the Exec's desk. oeIf you have to, just sign 'For the Commanding Officer', and go from there.

Ellis nodded. oeThanks a heap, Boss. He took the papers.

oeWell, Mark, when you're a CO, you can torment your Exec the same way.

oeSomething to look forward to, said Ellis. Then Kara came over.

oeWhat's up The CO asked his Assistant Ops Officer.

oeDon's out, and they gave this to me, she said. oeWe're on CAS until sunset. Those East Germans got reinforced, with some of their own, and some Russians. So it's shaping up to be a nice little brawl.

oeLovely, both CO and XO said almost at once. oeWhat else Guru asked.

She handed Guru a sheet. oeUpdated weather. Cold front moving in through Colorado and Kansas, and we're going to feel some of it. No rain, but mid- and upper-level clouds. Highs in the fifties, beginning tomorrow, lows in the upper thirties to low forties.

oeAnything else

Two new F-4s from Japan left McClellan an hour ago. Should be here sometime this afternoon.

oeGood, replied the CO. New birds were always welcome. oeAnything about the crews

Kara shook her head. oeWe don't get to keep them, if that's what you want to know. They'll get here, then RON and have to leave tomorrow.

Major Wiser considered that little bit of news. New birds, but no new crews. Well, he had enough unassigned pilots and WSOs to put together new crews, and get people out of temp assignments. And he could express his displeasure in another way..... oeAll right. If we can't keep them, then you can fleece them tonight. Send them back on tomorrow's C-141 with their wallets considerably lightened.

Hearing that, Kara let out a grin. oeWith pleasure.

oeAll right. Mark Guru turned to his Exec. oeLet me know when those two birds get here.

oeWill do, Ellis replied. oeOh, there's this: some of our people have gotten some F-20 time.

The CO nodded. oeOkay....What's the feedback

oeMostly it's, the, well....'Give it to the Aggressors or Guard and Reserve after the war.' No WSOs have taken a ride yet, either.

Kara nodded. oeBecause if the Air Force keeps the F-20, they're out of a job. She had already heard from Brainiac about that, and she actually agreed with him. Having a second pair of eyes in the cockpit had been a life-saver more than once, and enabled her to concentrate on flying the aircraft.

oeGoalie said the same thing, Guru noted. oeF-15E, when it comes, is our future. Not this little....toy.

Just then, Goalie came by. oeGot our lunch, Boss. She had a plastic bag with two food containers and a carrier for two paper cups.

oeOkay. Be right there, Guru said. oeMark You and Kara get something to eat yourselves. Won't be that long before time to head back out.

Both nodded. oeUnderstood, Major, the Exec said. And when anyone used rank, it meant the issue was taken very seriously.

Guru then turned to his WSO. oeLet's eat. They went into his office, and she took out the food. oeWell

oeTwo cheeseburgers with fries and Cole slaw, she said. oeLemonade to drink.

oeBison burgers or beef

oeThey didn't say, Goalie nodded. oeThe Marines didn't fix these. And those F-20 jocks seem to like those Tri-tip sandwiches.

Guru shook his head. oeTheir death wish is their command, he said. oeLet's eat.

They ate, and as they did, they talked about the morning's missions. oeMore East Germans and Russians this afternoon Goalie asked.

Guru nodded. oeYep. Same drill as this morning.

oeWhere are the Hogs She wanted to know. Hogs meant A-10s. Whose pilots lived, breathed, and did everything CAS.

oeSome are around, but the rest are busy further west.


They had just finished eating when the CO's staff sergeant secretary knocked on his door. oeYeah

oeMajor, General Yeager's coming to see you, She said.

oeGuess I'd better be going, Goalie said. oeIs this about Frank

oeLet's hope so.


The door opened again, and General Yeager came into the CO's office. He saw the CO and his GIB stand up, and he said, oeAs you were.

oeGeneral, Major Wiser said. oeWhat can we do for you

oeI'd like to talk privately, Major, Yeager said in his West Virginia drawl. oeIt's about a certain officer you mentioned last night.

oeGuess I'd be going, then, Goalie said. oeSir

oeLieutenant, Yeager said.

oeOne moment. Check on the rest of our flight-and that includes Dave Golen and Flossy. They've been with us all morning, and chances are, they're still going to be with us. If everyone's eaten, get them to the briefing room, and have Kara find out when we're going again.

oeWill do, Major, Goalie said. oeGeneral

oeHave a back seat ride in the D model, Lieutenant. I know you WSOs aren't that keen on the -20, for good reason. Think of it as a sneak preview of the F-15E, Yeager told Goalie. oeIf you don't mind some advice.

She smiled. oeI'll pass it to the other WSOs, General, Goalie said. Then she left the office, closing the door behind her.

oeGeneral, Major Wiser said. oeI take it you want to see Major Frank Carson's file

oeYou read my mind, Major, Yeager replied. oeGot a formal request to join the F-20 program right here. The General threw a piece of paper on the CO's desk.

oeWell, sir, the CO nodded as he went to get Carson's 201 File and flight record. He opened the file cabinet and found what he was looking for. oeYou're not going to like it.

Yeager looked at him, then sat down at the CO's desk. oeHope you don't mind my borrowing your desk, Major. He took the files from the Major.

oeNot at all, sir.

General Yeager opened the 201 File and read it. And Major Wiser noticed a scowl on Yeager's face as he read the material. oeMajor If this had been West Virginia, that Wing Commander at Elmendorf would have been justified in getting a shotgun and giving this guy an ass load of buckshot. Or marching him and his daughter down to the Chaplain for a twelve-gauge nuptial.

oeGeneral, they still do that Major Wiser asked.

oeOnce in a while, Yeager replied. oeNow I know why this Flossy Jenkins has this stare at Carson in the Officer's Club.

oeYes,sir. She's got the 'Don't fuck with me look'. Uh, sir...

oeAnd if that stare happened to be daggers, he'd be bleeding out, Yeager observed. oeHave you.....

Guru nodded. oeSir, he has taken his last airman to bed, and he's on notice. Shape up by New Year's Eve, or he's sent packing. My only problem with that is that I'd be inflicting him on a fellow officer who'd be wondering what he's done to deserve Carson arriving.

Yeager nodded. oeUnfortunately, that's the case with these things. Had my share of these clowns back in WW II. Either West Pointers or Ivy Leaguers who thought they knew everything. And they wouldn't listen when they were told about other ways of getting things done.

oeGeneral, he's the same thing. General Tanner and Colonel Rivers both have put letters in his file expressing their....exasperation with the Major.

oeSo I see, Yeager said, shaking his head. oeHe does look good on paper, but his attitude, and peacetime mentality two years into a war. I'll ask know: why haven't you transferred him

Major Wiser shook his head. oeSir, two reasons. First, Colonel Rivers said in a note he left for me just in case I got the squadron, to give Carson a chance to turn over a new leaf and shape up. He may be doing that now, but I'll wait and see if it holds. Second The two of us have a history, and if I did send him packing, he could go to JAG and claim retaliation.

oeNot surprised, Major, said Yeager sympathetically. oeLet's see his flight record.

Major Wiser handed the General Carson's flight record. oeYou won't like it, sir.

Yeager nodded as he read the file. oeFlight lead, then he lost it The General asked as he read further. 'Six crews in his flight shot out from under him

Nodding, the CO said, oeYes, sir. After the sixth, Colonel Rivers busted him down to element lead and he's been there ever since. Three of those crews lost were his wingmen, by the way.

General Yeager read through the rest of the file. oeWell, he does look good on paper, which is probably why he was sent to this squadron. He shook his head. oeIf it wasn't for the need for warm bodies in cockpits, he'd be behind a desk somewhere.

oeSir, you're not the only one to say that, Major Wiser said.

Yeager nodded, then closed the file. oeMajor, I'll let him know the night before we leave, and that's in three days. But I can tell you now: any orientation flight will be his first-and last-ride in one of my airplanes. He's not going into the program.

oeYes, sir, replied the Major. oeWell, then. That's that.

oeIt is, Yeager agreed. oeNow... He was interrupted by a knock on the door. oeCome on in!

The office door opened and it was Kara. oeGuru-oops, sorry, General, she said. oeMajor, we've got a mission. They want us wheels up in fifteen minutes.

oeBack to work, Major Wiser said. oeGeneral He saw Yeager nod. oeOkay, Kara Get everyone geared up. We going as a four-ship or six

oeSix, came the reply.

Guru nodded. oeAll right. Tell everybody to meet at 512. Get going.

oeI'm gone, she said. oeGeneral, Kara nodded, then she went to notify the rest of the flight.

Major Wiser turned to Yeager. oeGeneral, if you'll excuse me, I've got somewhere to be and business to take care of.

oeGet going, Major. We'll talk later. Just try and bring everyone back. Yeager told him.

oeDo my best, sir, Major Wiser said. oeNo guarantees in this business.

oeAs I'm well aware, nodded the General. oeGet going.

Major Wiser snapped a salute, then went to gear up. When he came out of the Men's Locker Room, he found Goalie waiting outside, all set to go. oeYou ready He asked.

oeWe're back in the saddle, his GIB replied. oeTime to go to work.

Both went out and headed to 512's revetment. They found the rest of the flight, not just the other three usual crews, but Dave Golen and Flossy's crews as well. oeGuru, Golen said. oeTime to get back in the game

oeIt is, Guru said. oeOkay, same drill as this morning. We check in with AWACS, then they hand us off to Tampa. Tampa was the EC-130 ABCCC command plane that controlled CAS missions. oeAfter that, they give us a FAC.

oeAnd if we don't get a FAC Sweaty asked.

oeThere's a few targets we can go to instead, Guru reminded them. oeWeather's still the same, as are bailout areas. Assume the MiGs are still active. If they're running Let them run. Mark's flight after their second run had a pair of MiG-23s try and lure them within range of an SA-8 battery. So be careful.

oeGot you, Boss, Hoser replied. oeUsual on the radio

The CO nodded. oeCall signs between us, mission code to AWACS and other parties. Now, we'll be at this rest of the afternoon. Any other questions

Kara nodded, as did Flossy, who said, oeThis is shaping up to be a brawl.

oeShe took my question, Kara laughed. oeBut she's right.

oeIt is, Guru nodded. oeRussians moved in a division to help the East Germans, and First Cav, 11th Airborne, and 3rd ACR are giving these chumps a good 'Welcome to Texas.' So that's what's up. Any other questions Heads shook no. oeAll right, time to go, the CO said, clapping his hands. oeLet's hit it.

The crews headed for their aircraft, and Guru and Goalie found Sergeant Crowley, the Crew Chief, waiting. He snapped a salute. oeMajor, Crowley said. oeAnd Lieutenant. Five-Twelve's ready for you.

oeThanks,Sergeant, Major Wiser replied. He and Goalie did a quick walk-around, then mounted the aircraft. After getting strapped in, they did a quick preflight in the cockpit. oeIf I had my way, I'd leave this to the Hog drivers.

oeYou're not the only one, thinking that way, Goalie said as she went through the checklist. oeThey busy

oeSome are around, but most of 'em are further west, Guru said. oeAnd that's all they told me.. Ejection seat armed top and bottom.

oeSame here. Preflight checklist complete.

oeTime for engine start, Guru said. He gave a thumbs-up to his CC, and Sergeant Crowley gave the oeStart engines signal. One, then both, J-79 engines were soon up and running, Once the run-up was finished, it was time to taxi. oeTower, Corvette Flight with six, requesting taxi and takeoff instructions.

oeCorvette Lead, Tower, the controller replied. oeClear to taxi to Runway Three-three Charlie. You are number two in line. Hold prior to the active.

oeRoger, Tower. Corvette Lead is rolling. Guru said. He gave another thumbs-up to his Crew Chief, and Sergeant Crowley motioned to the ground crew, who pulled the chocks away from the wheels, then he gave the oeTaxi signal to the pilot.

Guru taxied 512 out of the revetment, then he taxied towards the runway. The flight was right behind a Marine F-4 flight, and after they taxied for takeoff, it was Corvette Flight's turn. The flight taxied into the holding area, where the armorers removed the weapon safeties, and after the Marines took off, it was their turn. oeTower, Corvette Flight requesting taxi for takeoff.

oeCorvette Flight, Tower. Clear to taxi for takeoff, the tower controller said. oeWinds are two-six-eight for five.

oeRoger, Tower. Guru replied. He taxied 512 onto the runway, and Kara followed right behind in 520. He glanced over at their Five O'clock, and saw Kara's bird tucked in position. Both crews gave the thumbs-up, then it was time. oeCanopy coming down. He pulled his canopy down and locked, it. Goalie did the same, and so did Kara and Brainiac. oeTower, Corvette Lead requesting clear for takeoff.

As usual, there was no reply from the Tower, other than a green light. Clear for takeoff.

Guru didn't reply to the tower, but he told Goalie. oeTime to go.

oeReady, Goalie said.

oeLet's go. He ran his throttles to full power, released his brakes, and 512 rolled down the runway and into the air. Kara was right with him in 520, right in with her flight leader. Then it was Sweaty's and Hoser's turn, and right behind them were Dave Golen and Flossy. The six-ship formed up, then headed south for their tanker rendezvous.

[Matt Wiser]

A new mission, and Ivan throws something new at the 335th: can anyone recognize it



Over Central Texas, 1235 Hours Central War Time:


Corvette Flight had topped off from the tankers, and as they orbited, both at the tanker track and in the holding pattern after checking in with AWACS, the crews noticed the area was busy. Air Force, Marines, and Navy aircraft were stacked up, waiting their turn. Whatever this was, it was a major effort, and and everyone could see it.

They were now at 11,000 feet, with traffic stacked up in thousand-foot intervals all the way up to 25,000 feet, and when the flight had checked in with AWACS, they had been handed off to Tampa, the EC-130E Airborne Command Post, with the command, oeGet in line at 25,000 and wait your turn. So they had waited, descending in altitude as strike flights ahead of them were passed on to FACS or ETACs (Enlisted Tactical Air Controllers), to go in. oeAll this proves one thing, Guru said to Goalie over the IC.

oeWhat's that She replied.

oeSimple: the Air Force is like everyone else in the military. Hurry up and wait.

Goalie laughed. oeAnd we're the ones who expect a five-star hotel when we go to war.

oeAnd we got one, Guru reminded her, recalling the squadron's stay at the Mesa Sheraton while based at Williams. oeFor a while, anyway.

oeGuru, Starbuck, Kara called. oeAnything from Tampa Those clowns know we can't orbit forever.

oeNothing yet, Guru said. oeWhen they call us, we'll know it.

oeGuru, Sweaty, another call came. oeJust checked the strike frequency. Some of it's pretty hairy.

oeDefine 'hairy'. Hoser asked.

oeA four-ship of A-10s went in. Two of 'em came out, Sweaty came back. oeThat fit the definition

oeI'd say it does, Guru said.

Then one of the controllers on the EC-130 came on the line. oeCorvette Lead, Tampa. We have tasking for you. Contact Nail Five-six.

oeRoger, Tampa. Contact Nail Five-six. Guru replied. He got on the frequency to talk to the FAC. oeNail Five-six, Corvette Lead.

oeCorvette, Nail, the FAC said. oeGot some tasking for you. Say type of aircraft and ordnance.

oeNail, Corvette Flight is six Foxtrot-Four Echoes. We have four birds with one-two Rockeyes each bird, two with one-two Mark-82 Snakeyes. All have full air-to-air and gun.

oeRoger, Corvette. Be advised the bad guys are Ivan, and that divisional level air defense is the threat. We have Zulu-Sierra-Uniform Three-Zero in the area, along with Gadflies. That meant the new ZSU-30-2 SPAAG and the SA-11 Gadfly SAM. The 335th had never encountered the former, and the latter was considered to be very bad news.

Beneath his oxygen mask, Guru gulped. The gun they had been briefed on, but had never encountered. The SA-11 was familiar, and nasty. This was the first time they had run into both at once. oeUh, Roger that, Nail. Are there Weasels in the area

oeGood question, Goalie muttered over the IC.

The FAC came back. oeThat's affirmative, Corvette, and we have a Spark Vark and a Prowler doing standoff jamming.

oeCopy, replied Guru. oeCan you have friendlies take out any ground based air defense

oeCan do, Corvette, the FAC said. oeStand by one. Down below, fireballs erupted as Army gunners found their targets. oeThat's your target area, Corvette.

Guru took a deep breath. oeRoger that, Nail. Flight, Lead. Switches on, music on, and let's go in.

In the back seat, Goalie worked the armament switches. oeGood to go here. Switches set.

oeGood girl. Ready He asked as he turned on his ECM pod

oeAll set.

oeLet's go, Guru said as he rolled in on his attack run.


Down below, the commander of the 188th Guards Motor-Rifle Regiment, 144th Guards Motor-Rifle Division, was anxious, but confident. The division had arrived in Texas back in September, and after disembarking from the ships in Corpus Christi, had spent a month shaking down and training. They had been deployed around a town called Cuero, and though there had been no serious activity from the Counterrevolutionary bandits who called themselves the Resistance, the attitude of the local population had been such that had the terrain been favorable, there would have been. Even so, anti-Soviet grafitti, cut phone lines, slashed tires, and the surly attitude of the locals were enough to show the soldiers-most of whom were reservists from Estonia, that they were not welcome.

Now, the division had moved forward to the front, but a last-minute change in plans had come about. Instead of going to the Dallas area, the division had been alerted while transiting north that a situation had developed in the East German sector, and their baptism of fire would come sooner than expected.

When the division had arrived, the divisional commander had gone to the East German headquarters, then returned to brief the regimental commanders. The East Germans were pushing a spoiling attack north, and had been mauled a couple of times, but Front Headquarters had insisted on the attack, to prevent the Americans' III Corps from pushing south and cutting Interstate 35, one of the two major supply routes to the Dallas area. The objective was a town called Lipan, and though it showed on aerial reconnaissance photos as more a collection of ruins than a town, it controlled several local roads, and was thus important from that perspective.

Now, the regiment was moving on the division's right flank, moving past what the map said was Star Hollow Lake, and headed to the northwest. The briefing said that the Americans had the First Cavalry Division to the north and northwest, with the 11th Airborne Division to the northeast, with an Armored Cavalry Regiment, which one was unclear, nearby as well, exact location unknown. No matter, his regiment, and the rest of the division, would push north and take the objective, teaching these Americans a lesson, and showing these East German reservists how things ought to be done in the process. A pity none of those useless Libyans were around, for they could absorb enemy defensive fire, thus sparing the lives of some of his own men, and then his regiment would run them over.

The Colonel was in his command vehicle, a modified BTR-70, and he stuck his head out a hatch for a better look. Suddenly, tank fire came from the north, and two of his 2S6 antiaircraft vehicles exploded, along with a Strela-10 SAM (SA-13 Gopher) vehicle, then another. He glanced around, searching for the enemy, then he took a look to the south. Smoke trails in the air, and getting close. He knew what that meant, and shouted into his throat mike oeAIR ATTACK WARNING-SOUTH!

oeLead's in hot! Guru called as he went down on the Russians down below. Fireballs erupting as vehicles were hit and died showed the Army was taking care of the air-defense threat, or so he hoped. What looked like a full regiment was on the move, moving in battalion columns, and taking fire from their right flank. Just as long as there wasn't friendly artillery shooting, as it was bad news if a 155 shell and his F-4 shared the same airspace at the same time......and apart from tracers from heavy machine guns, there was no serious fire coming. Yet. No matter. Guru picked out a battalion as was deploying into formation and decided it was their turn. He lined up some APCs in his pipper and muttered, oeSteady....steady......and HACK! The CO hit his pickle button, and a dozen Rockeye CBUs came off the racks. He pulled wings level and went to full military power, calling out on the radio, oeLead's off target.

The Colonel watched as Guru's F-4 came overhead. He was relieved to see that his regimental command group was not a target, but watched as the Phantom released its load, and it happened to be CBUs. Second Battalion was hit, and several APCs and tanks were hit by the bomblets and either began to burn or just plain exploded. He watched as a 2S6 fired on the F-4, but there was no fireball in the air, and the Colonel shouted into the throat mike, oeDISPERSE!

In 512, Goalie shouted, oeSHACK! We got secondaries!

oeHow many Guru asked as he jinked to avoid ground fire, and those 30-mm tracers looked like basketballs as they went by above the canopy.

oeGot a few.

oeCopy that, replied Guru as he turned north and headed for the I-20.


oeTwo's in! Kara called as she followed the CO in. She saw the fireballs erupt as Guru made his run, and she picked out what looked like tanks, just behind the APCs. That would be the regimental tank battalion, she knew. Kara lined up what looked like the battalion's command vehicles in her pipper, and ignored the tracers coming her way. Even what looked like an SA-7 or -14 didn't faze her, as it flew harmlessly by. oeSteady.....and....and....NOW! Kara hit the pickle button, releasing her Rockeyes. She copied the CO, pulling wings level, jinking, and increasing her throttle. oeTwo's off safe, she called.


oeDAMN! The Colonel shouted as 520 flew over, and released its bombs on the Regimental tank battalion. He watched as several APCs and support vehicles took hits and either burned or, in the case of fuel trucks, fireballed, then a T-72B tank fireballed as well. That meant the battalion commander was now dead. The Colonel tried to contact the battalion's chief of staff, but there was no reply. He turned around and radioed his own deputy to rally the battalion, and, if need be, take over the tank battalion. Before he got an acknowledgment, the Colonel saw another F-4 coming in.


oeSHACK! Brainiac called from the back seat.

oeSecondaries Kara asked as she, too, avoided 30-mm fire. oeSomebody needs to take that guy out.

oeGot a few, and I'm not arguing the last.

Kara nodded in her cockpit as she picked up the CO's bird and followed him north.


Sweaty rolled in on her run. oeThree's hot! she called as she came down onto the target area. She noticed the battalion on the right flank, and decided they needed some attention. Ignoring tracer fire from machine guns, as well as MANPADS, Sweaty lined up several APCs in her pipper. Your turn, Ivan...she thought as she called, oeHACK! A dozen more Rockeyes came off racks when she hit the pickle button. She,, too, pulled wings level and added power as she headed to the north, jinking as she did so. oeThree off target.

oeOf all the... the Colonel said as Sweaty's F-4 flew by to his right. He watched as the bombs came off and the despised CBUs exploded on his Third Battalion. Several more APCs and tanks fireballed as a result, and the Colonel was now in a rage. He was on the radio, demanding to know where the air defenders were, as two Strela-3 shoulder-fired missiles (SA-14s) were fired at the departing aircraft. One of the regiment's surviving Strela-10 vehicles fired on the F-4, but, suddenly, it was engulfed in a fireball as it took fire from the regiment's right. Where.....

oeGOOD HITS! Preacher yelled.

oeHow good Sweaty wanted to know. She was jinking to avoid some 30-mm tracers coming up. Those things were glowing basketballs as they went by....

oeRighteous! The ex-seminary student turned GIB replied.

Sweaty grinned beneath her oxygen mask. oeGood enough! She, too, headed north for the I-20.


oeFour in hot! Hoser called as he went in. He picked up some unattacked vehicles on the left flank of the regiment and selected those as his target. Hoser ignored the flak coming his way, some of it from the regiment down below, while some came from a unit on the left. No matter, he thought, as a group of APCs and a few tanks grew larger and larger....Steady, steady....and.....NOW! He hit the pickle button, releasing his Rockeyes. Then he pulled wings level and accelerated away, dodging flak and even a couple of missiles, SA-19s, as it turned out later. oeFour's off target.

oeNYET! Shouted the Colonel as Hoser's F-4 flew past to his left. He watched helplessly as CBUs rained down on First Battalion, his best, and watched through binoculars as several BTR-70 APCs took hits from the bomblets and either caught fire or simply became fireballs. Groaning, the Colonel contacted the Major commanding First Battalion, and ordered him to continue forward. He did the same with the other two battalions. That was the only way out of this. Forward.

oeWe got secondaries! KT shouted from the back seat of Hoser's bird.

oeGood ones Hoser asked as a missile flew over the canopy, and some 30-mm tracers followed in its wake. He dodged the flak, and headed north as he did so.

KT glanced back. oeGood ones!

oeI'll take that, said Hoser as he picked up his element leader.


oeFive in hot! Dave Golen said as he rolled in. As he did, he noticed a cluster of vehicles behind the regimental-sized force, and that had to be regimental artillery. He came down on them, and sure enough, what looked like trucks and towed artillery pieces were in their field positions, ready to fire. Dave, too, ignored the flak that came up, both 30-mm from the 2S6s, but also 23-mm from the artillery battalion's position No matter. Ivan....Ready, ready....and.....NOW! He hit his pickle button, and released his CBUs. Dave pulled level and went full throttle as he headed out, not noticing the 23-mm and 30-mm flak flying past his aircraft, though his GIB did, and involuntarily ducked in the back seat. oeFive off safe, Dave called.

oeDAMN! The Colonel shouted as Dave's F-4 flew overhead. He looked back, and saw numerous explosions where his Regimental Artillery battalion had deployed. His guns were all towed D-30 122-mm pieces, and where one battery had been, there was just explosions as the guns and their ammunition trucks blew up. Not now.....

oeSHACK! Golen's GIB shouted. oeWe hit the ammo trucks!

oeYou sure about that Golen asked as he saw a missile fly across their path.

The reply came back at once. oeReally sure! Those secondaries were really big.

oeRighteous, as our friend Preacher would say. Golen jinked again to avoid flak, then turned north for I-20.


oeSix is in! Flossy called She rolled in, and picked out some vehicles in the center of the Regiment. The command group, maybe Well, Ivan, you're having a bad day, and it's going to be worse. Ignoring the flak, and a few IR missiles that weren't guiding, Flossy selected her target, and the APCs grew bigger as she lined them up. oeSteady, Steady....and...HACK! More Rockeye CBUs rained down on the Soviets. After she released her bombs, Flossy pulled out and away, following her element lead north. oeSix off target.

The Colonel had pulled up in his command BTR-60 and was talking over the radio with his remaining commanders. Though the tank battalion commander had been killed, along with the command element, the senior company commander had been swiftly apppointed to take over, while the other motor-rifle battalion commanders were still going. The Colonel ordered the regiment to keep moving forward, and as he was giving orders and checking his map, he never heard Flossy's F-4 come in. He only saw the plane as it flew overhead, and CBUs rained down. Several of the regimental command group's vehicles took hits and either caught fire or exploded, but he never saw the bomblets that hit his own vehicle. No one in the BTR-60 was able to scream as the APC became a fireball......

oeGOOD HITS! Jang called from 1569's back seat.

oeHow good Asked Flossy as she avoided some 30-mm fire. Those tracers were like basketballs....and she dreaded the thought of bailing out in the middle of some angry Russians. But she avoided the flak, and headed north, jinking as she did so.

oeGood enough!

oeI'll take that, Flossy replied as a missile, what kind she didn't know, flew over the canopy. She picked up Dave Golen's bird and followed him out. Just as she had a visual on Dave's bird, she heard a yell on the IC.

oeBREAK RIGHT, NOW! Jang yelled.

Without thinking, Flossy broke right and as she pulled hard to the right, two missile trails flew by 1569. She did a full 360, and as she got back on course, Flossy had a look around. oeWhere'd they come from

oeDon't know,

oeLead, Six, we're coming out, but somebody took a shot at us.

oeRoger that, Guru replied. 'Nail, Corvette Lead. How'd we do

oeCorvette, Nail. I give you a four-decimal-zero. Good bombs on target- then there was a burst of static.

oeLead, Sweaty. Got a fireball in the air. Ten O'clock high, maybe two miles. Sweaty called.

Guru took a look, as did Goalie. They saw what looked like an A-7 tumbling out of the sky in flames, and there were no chutes. oeGot it. Crystal Palace, Corvette Lead. Nail Five-six is down. No chutes I can see.

oeCopy that, Corvette Lead, the AWACS controller replied. oe Can you verify negative chutes

Goalie kept looking as the A-7 slammed into the ground and a large fireball came up. oeDon't see any.

oeCrystal Palace, Corvette Lead. Confirmed. Negative chutes.

oeRoger, Corvette Lead.

There was silence as Corvette Flight egressed to the I-20. Between Flossy and Jang's close call and seeing the FAC go down, these Russians were not only on the ball, but had something that the 335th had never faced before. Only when they hit the tankers for the post-strike refueling did the adrenalin stop flowing. After clearing the tankers and heading for Sheppard did the usual post-strike banter kick in, but it was still subdued.

Corvette Flight then got back to Sheppard, and found they were second in the pattern after a four-ship of Marine Hornets. When it was their turn, they came in and landed, and as they taxied back to their squadron's dispersal area, the crews noticed the F-20 guys watching them, while the TV crew filmed the planes as they taxied in. oeWant to bet those guys were wishing they went down south Guru asked his GIB.

oeNo bet, and that's one Kara won't take, Goalie replied. oeAren't they supposed to stay away from combat unless they have no choice

oeThat's my impression, Guru said. oeBut given the chance, they'll bend that restriction if they think they can get away with it.

oeIncluding General Yeager

oeMaybe. Guru then taxied 512 into its revetment, and got the oeShut down signal from his Crew Chief. While the ground crew went to work, and the crew popped their canopies, pilot and GIB did a post-flight check, then the ground crew brought the crew ladder. oeFour and done for today.

oeHow many more Seven's the record during PRAIRIE FIRE, and we set that three days in a row.

oeDon't remind me, the CO said as he stood up in the cockpit. Then he and Goalie got down from the aircraft. oeRight now, what was shooting at us

oeThat's what I'd like to know, Goalie said as she took a bottle of water offered her by a ground crew member, and promptly began downing half of it.

Sergeant Crowley, the Crew Chief, came up. oeHow'd it go, Major he asked, giving the CO a bottle of water as he did so.

oeGave some Russians a Rockeye welcome to Texas, Guru said. He and Goalie did a post-flight walk-around. oeNo damage, Sergeant, and Five-Twelve's still truckin'. Get her turned around, because we'll be back at it before too long.

oeYou got it, Major! Crowley said. He turned to the ground crew. 'You heard the Major. Let's get this bird ready for another one.

Guru and Goalie went to the entrance to the revetment, and found Kara and Brainiac waiting. oeHow'd it go, Kara

oeWho were those guys, and what were they shooting Kara asked. oeThose tracers were big.

oeZSU-30-2 is what the FAC said, Guru replied as Sweaty, Hoser, and their GIBs arrived. oeDon't think we've run into those before.

oeWhat are those KT asked.

oeI'd like to know myself, Dave Golen said as he and Flossy, with their GIBs, came up. oeThose were some very large tracers.

oeCome on, let's debrief, get something to eat, and get ready to go, Guru said. oeStill got a ways to go.

When they got to the squadron office, Capt. Darren oeSin Licon, their intelligence officer, was waiting. oeMajor, glad to see you. Intel just sent word Ivan's using the ZSU-30-2 down there.

oeJust now Guru asked. oeWhat are those things We've never run into any before.

oeAll they tell me is it's on a tank chassis, turret with two 30-mm guns, eight SA-19 SAMs, and a good radar. Captured a few at Wichita, and they're still being evaluated at either Aberdeen or China Lake.

oeFind out what you can from MAG-11's intel people, Guru told the Intel. oeEspecially on the radar and the missiles. If we're going to be facing those in the future....

oeHope not every day, Flossy said.

oeYou never know, Dave Golen reminded everyone.

oeMajor Golen's right, sir, the Intel said.

Guru nodded. oeOkay, let's talk inside. Get debriefed, something inside you, and get ready to go back out. He turned to the Intel. oeWhen we're done...

oeI'll be talking to MAG-11's Intel folks, Licon said.

oeGood man, said Guru. oeLet's get inside and take care of business.

[Matt Wiser]

Fellows, working on new segments...any questions or comments so far

[Pinhead Slim]

Just started reading today, feels like MASH mixed with Top Gun in a good way, and you're much better at writing multiple characters into one dialogue than I have ever managed to lol. My characters end up sounding too similar and it gets difficult to keep track of who is saying what sometimes, but I never got that feeling reading this. I also like the level of detail in gear/procedure. It's just enough so people can get a clear picture but it's not so bogged down in details that it gets long-winded. A hard balance to achieve for sure!

Great stuff, can't wait to see more.

[dragoon500ly]

Matt, what can I say, enjoy your work, even got a couple of people in my office interested, our only complaint....we need more! LOL Keep up the great work!!!

[Matt Wiser]

Thanks, gents. Having Jane's USAF on my old desktop helps, as the F-4E is one of the aircraft flown in the game. I also have a PDF of the F-4E flight manual. Having a GF who flies the F-15C in the CA ANG and a cousin who's a USN Super Hornet driver has also been useful.

When I write the POW side of things, I try to get the balance between gritty and graphic, so that the reader knows bad things are happening or going to, without being overly detailed.

Btw, did anyone recognize the gun/missile vehicle thrown at the 335th in the last segment Don't think there are V.1 stats for that system.....

[Pinhead Slim]

Whatever it is, if one was still functioning in Poland during one of my games I could think of how powerful whoever had it would be. I imagined a group of characters trying to escape Krakow in the Hind kept there in V1, only to come into one of those beasts gun range. The AA gun would radio the Hind and demand it land at a designated area or be shot down, with maybe a short burst of 30mm near the helo to "encourage" it.

I don't know much about heavy military equipment, what kind of range does a weapon system like that have Could a single one dominate a large area in the post apocalypse

[Matt Wiser]

Well, here's the next segment, and the system is described....



335th TFS Offices, 1335 Hours Central War Time:


Major Matt Wiser was in his office, having just come out of the mission debrief. The news that they were facing a new threat had sobered the crews, and hearing that not only had a FAC gone down, but also two A-10s, with a third Hog damaged, along with a Navy A-7 and a Marine A-4, all in the same area, was not good. He had told his Intelligence Officer to talk to MAG-11 Intelligence, and, if necessary, Tenth Air Force, to get any additional information and recommended counters. That done, he checked his IN box. Seeing nothing that required his attention, he went to the break room and found the rest of his flight, along with the Ops Officer's, getting something to eat. oeWhat's available

oeBoss, the Ops Officer, Capt. Don Van Loan, replied. oeTuna, chicken, turkey, pastrami, and something brown that just sits there.

oeThat'll be the pork tri-tip, Kara quipped. oeOr the suggestion thereof.

oeAvoid like the plague, Hoser said.

oeTell that to the F-20 guys, Van Loan's wingman, 1st Lt. Cory Tyler, said. oeThose guys love these for some reason.

Sweaty laughed. oeTheir death wish is their command, she said, and the others joined in. oeThat Pruitt guy, for some reason, loves these.

oeHis problem, KT said. oeBoss, any word on those guns

oeJust that they're radar-guided, have SAMs along with the guns, and they're like the Gepard, Guru said, picking up a tuna sandwich. He began to attack it. oeHe's got a query in to MAG-11 Intelligence and Tenth AF, the CO said for the benefit of the Ops Officer and his flight.

Heads nodded at that. oeJust hope he delivers, Brainiac said.

oeYou, me, and everyone else in the squadron, Van Loan nodded.

Everyone then heard the SDO's phone ring, then Hacksaw came in. oeBoss Colonel Brady on the phone for you. Says it's important.

oeTell him I'll take it in my office, Guru said. Then CO went into his office, still working on the sandwich. He swallowed, then picked up the phone. oeYes, sir He listened to Brady. oeWhat Those guns Sir, is there anything from the intel folks Not much. Yes, sir. I'll let my people know. Sir, it's too bad about Bill Poore. Yes, sir. Do our best, sir. Guru hung up, then took a deep breath. Hoo-boy....he thought. Then he went back into the squadron's office and found the Ops Officer coming out of the break room. oeDon He asked, and those who heard him heard the firmness of command in the CO's voice. oeWho hasn't gone back out yet, besides your flight and mine

oeMark's people are gearing up now, Van Loan replied. oeWhat's up

oeGet Mark's people as soon as they're geared up, along with yours and mine. Main Briefing Room, ASAP.

oeGot you, Van Loan nodded. Whatever it was, he'd find out pretty soon, and he headed to round up the Exec's flight.

oeKara Guru asked his wingmate. oeFind Darren. Capt. Darren Licon was the Intel Officer. oeTell him to come to the briefing room with everything he has on those guns. Right now.

She looked at him, then nodded. oeOn my way. Kara went off to find the Intel.

oeWhat's going on Sweaty asked.

oeDave, Guru said to Dave Golen, their IDF oeObserver. You were in the Yom Kippur War. Wasn't fun going up against SA-6 and ZSU-23-4 for the first time, right

oeIt wasn't, Golen replied. Then he saw the serious look on the CO's face. oeWait Those guns

Guru nodded. oeWe may have the same thing here.

For a minute, memories of 1973 came back to the Israeli. Facing the SA-6 and ZSU-23-4 in the first few days had cost the Israelis dear, and he had lost friends to those missiles and guns in the first few days. oeI hope you're wrong, but it does look that way.

oeSo do I, Dave, the CO replied. oeLet's get to the Briefing Room, people.

When they got to the Briefing Room, not only was Mark's flight there, in full flight gear, but General Olds was there as well. oeMajor, Olds said. oeWhat's going on He had heard about the sudden brief.

oeGeneral, Major Wiser said. oeWe may have a problem. Think Day One of the Yom Kippur War.

Olds nodded. He knew full well what that meant. oeI don't like the sound of that.

oeNeither do I, sir.

Once everyone was in the room, the CO, with the Intel, went to address the crews. Prewar, this had been a lecture room when Sheppard had been an ATC base. Now, it was used for all-officer meetings, or mass briefs like this one. oePeople, you're probably wondering what this is all about. Before I turn it over to the Intel, you need to know this. I had a phone talk with Colonel Brady about ten minutes ago. In case you're wondering, it's about those guns we encountered earlier today. The Marines sent in a four-ship of F-4s from VMFA-134 about twenty minutes ago, to the same area we've been hitting. One-thirty-four's CO was leading the flight. Four went in. One came back.

oeWhat the... Mark Ellis, the Exec, said. oeHow....

oeLet me finish, people, Guru said. oeOne crew bailed out south of I-20, and they're okay. One chute from the second aircraft, and no word yet. The flight lead went in with no chutes. Tail-end Charlie made it back only because he aborted after seeing Number Three go in. He let that piece of news sink in.

Scorpion, from Ellis' flight, asked, oeWhat are these guns

oeGetting to that, the CO nodded. oeIntel He gestured to Sin Licon. oeYour turn.

oeFolks, this system was first encountered at Wichita. He turned on an overhead projector and laid on a transparency with a line drawing. oeIt's a twin mount 30-mm AA gun, with a radar that we and the Brits have code-named Hot Shot. It also has eight SAMs designated SA-19 by DOD.

oeHow are the missiles guided Cosmo asked. She flew as Scorpion's wingmate.

oeGood question, General Olds said.

oeThey're not sure, but it appears to be radio command guidance, Licon said. oeRange is about five miles.

Flossy and Jang looked at each other. Now they knew what had shot at, and nearly gotten, them. oeAny idea of missile range Flossy wanted to know.

oeAbout five miles, Licon said. oeFolks, this is all still tentative as several captured vehicles are still being evaluated at either Aberdeen or China Lake. That does include tests of the missiles.

The crews all exchanged worried glances. oeAny good news Sweaty asked.

oeYour ECM pods do work. MAG-11's intel shop tells me that those who went down had no ECM pods. And it looks like the standoff jamming works as well. The problem with the Marines' losses They had no pods.

General Olds nodded. oeAs soon as this is done, I'm getting on the phone to General Tanner. I'll light a fire on getting you all some more ALQ-119 pods to replace your -101s, and see about the Sparrow missile situation. He was referring to an ongoing problem with the 335th's stock of AIM-7 Sparrow AAMs.

oeGeneral, that's good to know, and thank you, sir, Major Wiser said. oeSin He asked the Intel. oeAny word on when the RWRs will get tweaked

The Intel nodded. oeBest guess, Major It's about a week. They're working on this as fast as they can.

oeNoted, Captain, said General Olds. oeRecommended counters

oeGeneral, everyone, best I can give is this, Licon replied. oeGo in low, go fast, and once you've delivered your ordnance, jink on your way out. That should throw off any fire-control solution if they're using visual backup if the radar is jammed.

The crews nodded, but they also remembered the intel community's unofficial motto, oeWe're betting your life. Then the CO added, oeOne other counter I can think of: Mark, Don Have your FACs see if the Army can take out any air-defense assets. Don't be choosy about how they do it, just have them do it. If they take those guns out, it makes our job a lot easier.

oeGot it, Major, Ellis replied, and Van Loan simply nodded.

oeAll right, then. One last thing: if you get ground fire that is too accurate, abort. Unless the friendlies we're supporting are about to be overrun, nothing down there is worth dying for, Major Wiser said. He looked at General Olds, who nodded approval. oeGet the Army to knock those guys out, hit the tanker, and come around for another one. Got it

oeLoud and clear, Major, Elils said. Whenever someone used the CO's rank, it was serious, and everyone knew it.

oeGeneral, anything to add the CO asked.

Olds shook his head. oeNothing can see. You're right on the abort advice, Major,

oeThank you, sir, Major Wiser said. oeMark Don Good luck. Bring everybody back, and remember what's been said. That goes for everybody here. Any other questions

oeMajor Cosmo asked. oeHow long are we on CAS

oeAt least until the end of the day, the CO replied. oeHopefully, the Army gets on the ball and pushes these bastards back south, and we can get back to the ATO. He paused, then added, oeTo be wished for, anyway.

oeYou've got that right, Major, Kara said.

oeYeah, Major Wiser replied. oeMark Don And your flights Good luck and be careful. Because I am in no mood to write any letters today. Got it

Both flight leads nodded. oeGot it, Major.

oeOkay, then. Let's get back in the game, people!

With that, the meeting broke up. Ellis' flight headed on out to mount their birds, while it was time for Van Loan's to gear up. oeMajor, good brief, Olds said. oeI imagine it was like this for our Israeli friends back in '73, he nodded in Dave Golen's direction.

oeIt was, General, Golen said. oeNot on Day One, but Day two and thereafter. Until your resupply kicked in.

oeI imagine.

oeDarren The CO asked the Intel Officer. oePass this stuff on to the guys coming back. And talk to Yeager's people. They may have encountered these guns at Wichita. Any advice they can give We'll take it.

Licon nodded. oeOn my way, Major.

oeGood, Major Wiser said. oeKara He asked his wingmate and Assistant Ops Officer. oeCall up MAG-11 Ops and ask, on my authority, if they've heard anything from Tenth AF whether or not we're getting an ATO or are on CAS for tomorrow. Hurry, because we gear up in fifteen minutes. We're still on CAS until sunset. Unless they release us.

oeI'm gone, Kara said. She then went to the Ops Office.

The CO surveyed the rest of his flight. oeRest of you If you haven't gotten something to eat or drink Do it. And take care of any latrine business, because we gear up in fifteen.

Heads nodded, and people headed on out. oeMajor, Olds said. oeI need to use your office. I should let General Tanner know what's going on ASAP.

oeGeneral, be my guest, Major Wiser said.

oeThanks, and take your own advice when you go back out, Olds told him.

oeWill do, sir.

oeAnd one other thing: bring everybody back, said the General.

oeI'll do my best,sir, Major Wiser replied. oeNo guarantees in this business.

oeAs I know all too well, Olds said. oeGood luck, Major.

oeThank you, sir.

Major Wiser took his own advice and finished off his sandwich and a bottle of water. Then it was time to gear up. He went to the Men's Locker Room and got into his flight gear. When he came out, Goalie was waiting, all ready to go. oeReady

oeReady. Let's get it over with.

oeNervous Guru asked his GIB and lover. oeDay one happened so fast we didn't have time to be nervous.

oeNow that you mention it I'm a little nervous, she replied. oeAnything special

oeI want your head on a swivel when you're not looking at the radar or the armament panel. Keep your eyes peeled for those tracers.

She looked back at him with a determined look. oeWill do. Not ready to eat Kasha and Borscht just yet.

oeNeither am I.

Both pilot and GIB went out of the office, and saw Van Loan's flight taking off. They went to their squadron's dispersal, and found the rest of the flight waiting at 512's revetment. oeBoss, Sweaty nodded.

oeEverybody, Guru said. He turned to Kara. oeWhat'd you find out

oeTwo things. First, she said. oeThe ATO is due in, MAG-11 said. We should be back on normal ops tomorrow.

Preacher nodded. oeThank God.

oeAnd the second Our two birds from Japan are due anytime, Kara said.

oeGood, the CO said. oeNow, usual procedures on the radio, and the same goes for bailout areas.

Sweaty then asked, oeAnd bad guys in the air

oeKeep an eye out. If you can take a shot at a Hind or MiG on a ground-attack run Do it. Guru told them. oeAnd remember what was said in the brief.

Heads nodded. oeTime enough for this one and one more Flossy asked.

oeYou got it. Guru replied. oeAnything else Heads shook no. oeAll right. Let's hit it. He clapped his hands.

The crews headed to their aircraft, and when Guru and Goalie got to 512, they found Mark-82 Snakeye bombs loaded, along with the usual air-to-air load of four Sidewinders and two Sparrows, with an ALQ-119 ECM pod in the left inboard Sparrow well. Both noted that of the bombs, those on the inboard wing stations had Daisy Cutter fuze extenders. No surprise, because on CAS, one took what was available. oeMajor, Sergeant Crowley, the Crew Chief said. oeFive-twelve's ready to go.

oeGood work, Sergeant, the CO replied. He and Goalie did their usual walk-around, then mounted the aircraft. As they went through the preflight, Guru asked his GIB, oeIn the mood for Shakespeare

oeI'll take the 'Cry Havoc' part this time, she replied.

oeOne of the Henrys Guru asked as he wrapped up the checklist.

oeNot sure, Goalie said. oeEjection seats

oeArmed top and bottom. Yours

oeDitto that. Preflight complete, and time to start engines.

Guru nodded, then gave his CC a thumbs-up. Sergeant Crowley gave the signal to start engines, then first one, then both, J-79 engines were up and running. Once the run-up was finished, Guru called the Tower. oeSheppard Tower, Corvette Flight with six, requesting taxi and takeoff instructions.

oeCorvette Lead, Tower, a tower controller replied. oeClear to taxi to Runway Three-three Charlie. Hold prior to the active, and you are number two in line.

oeRoger, Tower, said Guru. oeCorvette Lead is rolling. He gave another thumbs-up to Crowley, who signaled the ground crew to pull the chocks away from the tires. Once they were clear, Guru saw the CC signal him to taxi.

Guru taxied 512 out of the revetment, and after clearing it, Crowley snapped a salute. Both he and Goalie returned it, then Guru taxied 512 to the holding area short of the runway. There, the armorers removed the weapon safeties, while the crew watched a Marine F/A-18 flight go ahead of them. Then it was their turn. oeTower, Corvette Flight requesting taxi for takeoff.

oeCorvette Lead, Tower, the controller replied at once. oeClear to taxi for takeoff. Winds are two-seven-three for five.

oeRoger, Tower. Guru taxied onto the runway, then held his brakes as Kara taxied 520 into his Five O'clock. Both crews exchanged thumbs-ups, then it was time. oeTower, Corvette Lead requesting clear for takeoff.

As usual, the controller didn't reply, but flashed a green light. Clear for takeoff.

oeCanopy coming down, Goalie said. She closed and locked her canopy as Guru did the same. She glanced at 520 and saw theirs down and locked. oeAll set.

oeThen let's go, Guru said. He pushed the throttles to full power, released the brakes, and, with 520 right with him, rolled 512 down the runway and into the air. Thirty seconds later, it was the turn of Sweaty's element, and thirty seconds after that, Dave Golen's. After meeting up at 10,000 feet, the flight set course south for the tanker track at Mineral Wells.

[Matt Wiser]

This is the line drawing used in the briefing: the 2S6 or 2K22 Tunguska. Really bad news if you're coming in at low level and dropping iron. Two 30-mm cannon, eight SA-19 SAMs, and a radar designated Hot Shot by NATO.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2K22_Tunguska

[Matt Wiser]

Here you go: the F-20s have a time to shine:



Sheppard AFB, TX: 1400 Hours Central War Time:


Captain Darren oeSin Licon was at a run. Major Wiser had told him to touch base with the F-20 people, to see if they had run into the ZSU-30-2s at Wichita and since. His gut told him that chances were, they had, but he had to know for sure. But then again, the battle area had been so big, the guns may have only been in one sector. He came into the tiny office space the F-20 people had, and found two of the drivers eating a late lunch. oeFellas,

oeWhat's up, Sin Captain Matt Clancy asked. Sin was the call sign the rest of the 335th had given Licon after his promotion, a rare thing for a nonflying officer.

oeWe have a problem. Ivan's using some kind of new ZSU type gun, Licon replied. He gave a brief explanation, including the loss of VMFA-134's CO and two others nearly an hour earlier.

Clancy looked at his wingmate, Captain Jeb Pruitt, who nodded grimly. oeWe've run into those. Day three at Wichita cost us our Ops Officer, and got me into the job. Those things are fucking deadly.

oeAny ideas for counters Licon asked. 'My CO needs answers. And fast.

Pruitt nodded. oeBest way to kill 'em is to get the Army to do it on the ground. Those things don't stand up to tank fire or TOWs, for starters.

oeAnd the second

oeStandoff with Maverick. You do outrange them, so just loiter out of 30-mm range and take your Maverick shots. Last but not least It's the most dangerous. Go in low and fast, and use either unguided rockets or CBUs. But you're risking a Golden BB from every grunt Ivan with an AK or machine gun. Not to mention the guns you're going for.

The Intel nodded. oeOkay guys, thanks. oeI'll get this to my people ASAP. And Licon headed back to his own office. What he'd just been told had to be put to paper, and a briefing sheet prepared.

Both F-20 drivers looked at each other. oeThose F-4 guys need some help. And I say we give them a hand, Clancy told his wingman.

Pruitt nodded. oeGotcha. Let's touch base with General Yeager.



Both drivers found General Yeager, who was talking with Captain Quinn oePrada Morgendorffer. oeWhat can I do for you guys

oeThe 335th needs a hand, we think, Clancy said. He gave a quick explanation.

oeThose guns that bad Yeager asked.

oeGeneral, Prada said. oeMy old A-7 squadron lost nine birds of twenty between Wichita and PRAIRIE FIRE days one and two. Six of them were to those damned guns, and only one pilot came back. They're fucking deadly.

oeSo, Yeager nodded. oeYou guys think we should give our F-4 brethren a hand

oeYes, sir, Clancy said, and Pruitt nodded agreement.

Yeager turned to his F-20D driver. oePrada

oeI'm in, but General, the D needs a hundred-hour check, and there's one other thing, she said.

The General nodded. oeAnd that is

oeThe no-combat order, Prada replied, and everyone heard the firmness in her voice. oeThese two pups may not remind you of it, but I will.

General Yeager knew it, and this time, chose not to contest the matter. oeAll right, Prada You take my bird. Clancy You have the flight in the air. Touch base with the 335th's people and get our birds fueled and armed ASAP. I'll handle things with Colonel Brady. Wouldn't do to get any of our hosts in trouble-not today.

oeYes, sir, Clancy said.

'I'll touch base with Chief Ross, Pruitt nodded. oeMost of the 335th people have nothing to do but wait until their birds come back. Get them something to do. And I may have a lead on a PAO for them.

oeGood idea, Yeager replied. He looked at the trio. oeMake it happen. Fast.



Captain Pruitt was talking with Chief Ross. oeA new PAO Ross asked.

oeShe's not trained as a PAO, but has journalism in her background, Pruitt said. oeWas going to Fordham when the war began, and after getting away from the NYC blast zone, she joined the Air Force. Graduated third in her OTS class, fifth in her UPT class, and top ten in her F-4 class.

oeOkay, sir, who do I talk to so I can get her here

Pruitt gave him a slip of paper with a phone number and a name. oeHere.

Ross scanned it. oeOkay, I know the guy, even if it's been a while. Haven't seen him since Hill from 75-77, the Master Sergeant said. oeI'll give him a call. Sir, you just made my CO's day. Giving the Major this kind of news was always good. A new pilot and one who could handle PAO duty when not flying Just what the CO had been asking for. oeAnd you need some help getting your F-20s armed and fueled

oeRighto, Chief.

Ross nodded, then picked up the phone. He called both senior NCOs in Ordnance and in Maintenance. oeThey'll be there in five.

oeThanks, Chief, said Pruitt. Both shook hands on the deal, then they headed out the door.


The 335th's dispersal area was a beehive of activity as the three F-20Cs were being armed and fueled. Chief Ross had talked with Capt. Kevin O'Donnell, the Maintenance Officer, and after O'Donnell had confirmed what Ross wanted with General Yeager himself, the maintenance crews and ordnance guys-the Ordnance Officer, Capt. Kerry Collins, was out on a mission with the Ops Officer's flight, had set to work with a will. All three F-20s had two AIM-9L Sidewinders and a full load of 20-mm already loaded, while the ordnance people began arming the aircraft with two AGM-65D Mavericks, a single AGM-45C Shrike, and an AIM-7M, plus a centerline fuel tank.

Airman First Class Kellogg was watching with Chief Ross. Though he'd been reassigned to vehicle maintenance, he had driven some of the guys over in a 5/4 ton truck-one of a few the squadron had, and he was curious. He noticed not just the regular ordnance people, but civilians in company coveralls-Northrop, Hughes, and Texas Instruments, working to arm the birds. A missile that looked like a small version of a Sparrow caught his eye. oeChief, what's that

A tech-rep from TI overheard him. oeThose are Shrikes. AGM-45C. We were building seeker heads faster than HARM missiles, so we put some of the electronics from HARM into the Shrike. They work, the TI fellow said. oeWell, most of the time.

oeClose enough for government work, Ross noted.

Nearby, General Yeager was talking with Colonel Brady. oeWe're cleared

oeIf you were flying, General, I'd be very reluctant, Brady replied. oeSince you're not, sir. You are.

oeI'll tell my people.


A couple minutes later, the three Captains came over. oeWe're cleared Clancy asked.

oeYou are, Yeager said. oeMount up and get going.

oeOn our way, sir, replied Clancy. This wouldn't be the first time he'd led a combat flight.

oeAll of you Good luck.

oeThank you, General.


The three F-20 drivers did a quick preflight, then mounted their aircraft. After engine start, Clancy called the tower. oeSheppard Tower, Showroom Flight with three, requesting taxi and takeoff instructions.

oeShowroom Lead, Tower, the reply came. oeClear for taxi to Runway Three-Five-Charlie. Hold prior to the active, and you are number four in line.

oeRoger, Tower. Showroom Lead is rolling.

The three F-20s taxied out, and they saw ahead of them a Marine flight of F/A-18s, then six F-4s in SEA camouflage, giving them away as 335th birds, then a flight of Marine F-4s. When they got to the holding area, the armorers removed the weapon safeties. After the Marine Phantoms launched, it was their turn.

oeTower, Showroom Flight requesting taxi for takeoff, Clancy asked the controller.

oeShowroom Lead, clear to taxi for takeoff, the controller told him. oeWinds are Two-seven-one for five.

oeRoger, Tower.

The first two F-20s taxied onto the Runway. Clancy did a final cockpit check, then glanced at his wingman. Pruitt gave a thumbs-up to his leader, then it was time.

oeTower, Showroom Flight requesting clear for takeoff.

The tower flashed a green light. Clear for takeoff.

Clancy ran his engine up to full power, released his brakes, then rolled down the runway and into the air, with his wingman right with him. Thirty seconds later, it was Prada's turn, and after she lifted off, all three set course for the tanker track.


Over Central Texas: 1415 Hours Central War Time


Corvette Flight was orbiting in the holding pattern, as usual for CAS. There were aircraft stacked up ahead of, and behind, them, and as usual when Major Wiser checked in with Tampa, the EC-130E Airborne Command Post, the reply from the controller had been the same. oeGet in line at 25,000 and wait your turn.

Now, they were at 14,000 feet, and the crews could not only see aircraft holding below them, but off at a distance, the smoke from the battlefield. And, on their EW systems, the occasional spike as a missile or gun radar came up. One thing occurred to the CO as he orbited. oeWhere are the Weasels He asked Goalie.

oeYour guess is as good as mine, she replied as she scanned the sky. oeHaven't heard any 'Magnum' calls.

oeLead, Two, Kara called. oeAnything

oeNegative, Guru replied. oeStill 'wait your turn.''

oeLead, Five, Dave Golen came up. oeJust saw a couple of fireballs in the air. Not sure whose they were.

Sweaty asked, oeTheirs or ours

oeNo way to tell at this distance.

Let's find out what's going on, Guru said to himself. He called Tampa. oeTampa, Corvette Lead. Any business for us

oeYour turn's coming, replied the controller in a harassed tone of voice. It had already been a busy day, so why couldn't these fighter jocks understand what 'wait your turn' meant

oeCopy. Say surface-to-air threat Those guns still a factor

oeAffirmative.

oeRoger that and thank you, Guru said. He got back to the flight. oeMore of the same.

In her cockpit, Flossy shook her head. oeSwell, Lead.

Two minutes later, they were down to 10,000 feet and that meant they were getting close, as FACs usually took a flight at 7,000, when a call that surprised everyone came over the tac frequency. oeTampa, Showroom Flight with three, checking in.

oeWhat the... Goalie shouted.

oeLead.... Sweaty added.

oeI heard it. Knock it off! Guru said. oeI want to listen.

oeShowroom, Tampa. Authenticate Alpha Seven Tango. This could be some ALA scum playing radio games, the ABCCC controller knew.

In his F-20, Clancy scanned the authenticator card, then replied, oeVictor Four Charlie.

oeConfirmed, the controller replied. oeSay aircraft and type of ordnance, please.

oeTampa, Showroom is three Foxtrot-Twenty Charlies with full heat, one radar, one Magnum, two Rifle, and full guns each airplane, Clancy replied.

Aboard the EC-130, the controller turned to the Senior Controller and the Tac Coordinator, who had had overheard everything. F-20s With one anti-radar shot each and two Mavericks With the Weasels gone to rearm.... oeClear them in. They go to the front of the line, the TacCo said.

oeShowroom, Tampa, the controller called. oeClear to go in. Contact Nail Five-three.

oeCopy, Clancy replied.

oeShowroom, Corvette, Guru called. oeWhat are you all doing here

oeExplain later, Clancy told him. oeThought you guys needed a hand.

oeRocket man with you That meant Yeager, and for Guru, visions of Loring or Goose Bay this time of year flashed through his eyes.

oeNegative, Corvette. Time for us to go to work, Clancy said. oeSee you at Home Plate.


In 512, Guru took a deep breath. oeWell, that answers one question.

oeWhether those Tigershark kids would get into combat, Goalie replied. By her tone of voice, it wasn't a question. oeAt least Yeager's not with them.

oeFor which we all should be thankful.


Clancy called the FAC. oeNail Five-three, Showroom Flight checking in.

oeRoger that, Showroom, the FAC replied. He was in an A-7K orbiting over the battlefield. Ivan and Franz had nearly taken the town of Lipan, but he could see First Cav just north of the town, waiting....then he could also see 3rd ACR to the east, waiting to pounce like a bobcat onto a mountain goat. oeSay aircraft and ordnance, please.

oeNail, Showroom is three Foxtrot-Twenty-Charlies with one antiradar and two Maverick shots per bird. Full heat, one radar, and full guns for air-to-air.

oeRoger, Showroom. Be advised the threat is both regimental and divisional level. We have Zulu-Sierra-Uniform-Two-threes and Three-zero in the area. Missile threat is MANPADS, Gaskin, Gopher, and Gadfly, the FAC told him. That meant shoulder-fired missiles and the SA-9, -13, and-11 vehicle mounted SAMs, with SA-11 being the most deadly.

In his F-20, Clancy thought for a moment, then radioed his flight. oeTime to go in. Take your Shrike shots, then pick out targets for Rifle. That meant Mavericks. oeThen we boogie out of here.

oeCopy, Pruitt replied.

oeRoger that, Prada said.

oeCopy Nail, Showroom Flight in hot, Clancy said to the FAC.


oeWell, you wanted to see how they'd go in combat, Goalie reminded Guru as 512 orbited. They were now third in line.

oeYeah, he replied. oeBe careful of what you wish for.....

The F-20s went in, and oeMagnum calls came over the radio. One of their Shrikes oewent dumb and never found a target, but two of them did. However, it was the same SA-11 vehicle, but the two Shrikes were enough to explode it. That alone was enough to force the SA-11 crews to shut down their radars, for they didn't know if there were more antiradar missile carriers around. They had been told about Shrike, HARM, and a new English missile called ALARM, but lectures and book learning had been one thing. Real combat, now.....something else.

oeMissiles are down, Pruitt called.

oeRoger that, Two, Clancy said. oeTake your Rifle shots. He picked out a ZSU-30-2 and fired, calling oeRifle! over the radio as he did so. The Maverick tracked down the target and exploded it. He banked away, then turned in again and picked out another. oeRifle again. Clancy fired his second Maverick, killing the second ZSU, then he turned north for I-20. oeLead off target.


In his ZSU-30-2, Senior Sergeant Lupenko was exultant. A 2S6 commander, he had scored highly on the range back in Estonia as the 188th Guards Regiment's best AA gunner, and now, finally in combat, he was showing these Yankees what he could do. His vehicle had shot down an A-7 and an F-4 with gunfire, and had also damaged an A-10, while he had also killed an AH-1 helicopter with a missile. With his battery commander dead earlier in the day from what might have been Imperialist tank fire, he was now in command. He was scanning his radar screen when a shout came over the radio, from another gun in the battery. What the....Suddenly, he and his crew were engulfed in flames as they were hit. None of the crew had a chance to scream.

oeTwo's in!' Pruitt called. He came in, and picked out another ZSU-30, killing it, then he spotted an SA-13 vehicle. He targeted it, fired his second Maverick, then he pulled away, leaving flares in his wake as the SA-13 launcher fired. The Maverick exploded the launcher, and as he turned, Pruitt saw the SA-13 track down one of his flares. Not your day, Ivan....then he followed his flight lead for the I-20. oeTwo's off.

oeThree's in hot! Prada radioed. She rolled in, and to her, it was just like at Wichita, with what looked like a whole Motor-rifle Division on the move and in the open. Unlike Kansas, there were rolling hills, but that made no difference. She scanned for air-defense vehicles, and spotted a couple. One was a ZSU-23-4, and she locked it up and fired. oeRifle! Prada turned away, surprised she wasn't taking fire, but then again, they were out of range of the gun threats, and Weasel call signs were coming back on the radio, and those guys would keep the Gadflies away. She found another ZSU-30, and knew these were what they came for. This one looked like it had a recovery vehicle next to it. Stuck, maybe No matter. Prada locked it up and fired, calling oeRifle! After she took the shot, killing both with one, she, too, turned north for the I-20. oeThree's off target, Prada called as she egressed.

Three out and in, Clancy thought as he headed north. oeNail, Showroom, how'd we do

oeShowroom, Nail, the FAC replied. oeI give you guys a Four-decimal-zero. Nice work, fella. Maybe we can see you guys again.

oeSee what we can do, Clancy said. oeWe are outbound at this time.


oeLooks like those guys are mighty useful, Guru observed.

oeI'll second that, Goalie said. They were now waiting their turn to go in. A Marine Hornet flight and a four-ship of A-10s had gone in after the F-20s, and Corvette Flight was next.

oeGuess we'll be buying for them tonight, Kara added. oeWe're next up

oeLooks that way, Guru replied. Then Tampa came on the line.

oeCorvette Lead, Tampa. Contact Nail Five-three for tasking.

oeRoger that, Tampa, He contacted the FAC. oeNail Five-three, Corvette Lead.

The FAC replied at once. Man, those F-20s were good, he thought as his pilot orbited. oeCorvette, Nail. Say aircraft and ordnance loadout, please.

oeNail, Corvette Flight is six Foxtrot-Four Echoes with full air-to-air. and twelve Mark-eight-two Snakeyes each airplane.

oeRoger, Corvette, Nail came back. oeYour target is mixed tanks and APCs, estimated regimental strength, near the intersection of F.M. 4 and F.M. 112.

Guru checked his map, a JOG graphic much more detailed than a TPC chart. oeCopy, Nail. Can you have friendlies take out any air defense assets down there

oeThat's affirmative, Corvette, Nail replied. oeBe advised those Tigersharks did good on that as well.

oeNot taking chances, Nail, Guru told the FAC. oeOne run, south to north.

oeYour call, Corvette, Nail said. oeMarking the target area. The A-7K rolled in and fired several rockets, which erupted in WP on impact. 'There's your target.

Guru saw the WP smoke. 'Roger that. Flight, Lead. Music on, switches on, and time to go to work.
He turned on his ECM pod, then asked Goalie oeSwitches set

oeAll set back here. We're good to go. She picked up her visual scanning, searching for any SAMs, AAA, bandit fast-movers or helos.

oeKeep your eyes peeled, Guru told his GIB. He began his run-in.


Below, the 188th Guards Motor-rifle Regiment, 144th Guards Motor-rifle Division, had taken a beating. Not just from the Yankees on the ground, but from the air as well. The Regimental Commander had been killed an hour earlier by an F-4, and the rest of the Regimental command element was either dead or wounded as a result, for the attacking aircraft had showered the command vehicles with cluster bombs. Now, the former commander of the First Battalion was now in command, and after a quick conversation by radio with the divisional commander, he knew his mission. Get to the F.M. 112-F.M. 4 intersection, then dig in and hold it until further orders. Despite his regiment's losses, the Lieutenant Colonel was confident in his soldiers and the mission. Though he had heard about the dreadful events at Wichita and after, the man was confident that the effects of the new training program the division had prior to deploying would be felt here. Sitting in the commander's seat of his BTR-60 command vehicle, he picked up his canteen and had just sipped some water when his chief of staff called on the radio.

oeAir Alarm!

The Lieutenant Colonel stuck his head out of the hatch, and saw the man standing in his own APC, pointing south. Smoke trails approaching. How they had come in was no matter. He grabbed his radio mike. oeAIR ATTACK! DISPERSE!


Just to the east, the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, was watching the Soviets. They were waiting for the order to counterattack into Ivan's right flank, and had given the East Germans a drubbing a few days earlier. Major Monica Vansen stood up in her M-1 tank, took off her CVC helmet, and put on her Stetson. Her squadron had taught the East Germans a lesson, and was ready to do the same to this Soviet division-newly arrived if the Regimental S-2 shop was on the ball. She noticed an Air Force ground FAC coming over. oeWhat's up, Captain She asked the man.

oeMa'am, the FAC replied. oeNail asks that your people take out any ground based air defense you see. The fast-movers got hit pretty hard last couple of hours.

Major Vansen nodded. She had seen that for herself. And every Ivan or Franz the tac air took out was one less her boys and girls would have to fight. oeWill do, Captain. You tell your friends in the air we'll get 'em for you. She then relayed the order to her troop commanders. Right away, M-1 tanks began searching out and engaging targets.



In 512, Guru called, oeLead's in hot! as he rolled in. He went down from 5,000 feet, pulling up and wings level at 700 feet AGL, perfect for a Snakeye drop. Guru saw fireballs erupting on the ground, and he hoped the FAC had gotten through to the Army. It looked like it, for no gun or missile radars were up on his EW display. But there were tracers coming up, probably machine guns and small-arms fire, and the proverbial oeGolden BB was always a concern. Someone even shot what looked to be an SA-7 type missile at him, but it was head on, and the missile didn't guide. He picked out a cluster of APCs with a few tanks and selected them as his target. oeSteady.....steady..... More tracers came up as the defenders realized what was coming. Not today.....And...HACK! Guru hit his pickle button, releasing a dozen Mark-82 five-hundred pound bombs onto the Russians below. He then put his throttles to full military power, knowing that heat-seeking missiles loved afterburner plumes, and headed north. 'Lead's off safe.


oeDAMN! Shouted the Lieutenant Colonel as Guru's F-4 flew past his improvised regimental command group, and released its bombs onto the Third Battalion. He saw a T-72B tank flipped onto its side, while BTR-70 APCs were tossed around like toys. Some of the bombs, it appeared, exploded a meter or so above ground, showering fragments in all directions, and one of those exploded in the midst of the battalion's mortar battery, blowing the mortarmen apart. The Colonel looked around, and saw a soldier from Second Battalion launch a shoulder-fired missile, but the Strela-3 (SA-14) missed its target. He glanced around to the south, looking for more aircraft, for American aircraft didn't come in alone. Sure enough, another smoke trail was coming in.

oeSHACK! Goalie called from 512's back seat.

oeSecondaries Guru asked as he jinked to avoid any possible flak or missiles. He wasn't taking any chances with those guns-and he assumed there were some still around.

She had eyeballs to their rear, and grinned beneath her oxygen mask. oeGot a couple.

oeThat'll be enough, replied Guru as he got clear of the FEBA and headed for I-20.


oeTwo's in! Kara called out as she went down on her bomb run. She, too, noted the absence of threats on her EW display, and hoped either the F-20s, or the Army, had gotten rid of those guns. Kara saw where the CO had planted his bombs, and decided to lay hers down to the left. She spotted the crossroads, and noticed tanks and APCs there. Fair enough. As she approached bomb release, tracers from machine guns as well as small-arms fire increased, but she ignored it, concentrating on the bomb run. oeSteady...And....And.....HACK! Kara released her bombs and right away, began jinking to avoid any flak. She picked up her flight leader's smoke trail and followed it. oeTwo's off safe.


In his APC, the Colonel scowled again as Kara's F-4 flew right overhead. He ducked back inside, expecting a rain of bombs to follow, but the bombs didn't land around his BTR. Instead, the explosions were to his front, and he saw through a periscope the bombs going off in the midst of Second Battalion's position, seeing a BTR-70 being tossed into the air, and bodies flying like rags in the wind. The Colonel poked his head out of the hatch to get a better view, and saw several APCs and tanks burning. He was about to order his driver to proceed to Second Battalion when another call came in over his earpiece. More enemy aircraft coming in. He ordered his driver to drive at random, hoping none of the American aircraft would choose his vehicle as a target.

oeGOOD HITS! Brainiac shouted from 520's back seat. oeWe've got secondaries!

oeHow many Kara wanted to know. She was still jinking to avoid possible flak and missiles.

oeSeveral.

oeI'll take 'em. she said as she picked up a visual on the CO's bird and followed him out.


oeThree's in hot! That was Sweaty's call as she followed Kara in. As she came down, she noticed a clutch of trucks and what looked like towed guns. Were those regimental artillery You'll do, she thought as she lined them up in her pipper. Sweaty took a quick look around, and saw none of the large tracers encountered earlier coming up, and hoped the ZSU threat had been taken care of, for those 30-mm guns were dammed deadly. Though none of those were coming up, there were plenty of machine gun tracers and small-arms fire coming up, and even a couple of shoulder-fired missiles, aimed head-on. The missiles flashed by, and Sweaty lined up the guns-a battery's worth, she thought-in her pipper. oeAnd...And...And....NOW! She hit the pickle button, releasing her bombs, and a dozen Snakeyes fell onto the artillery battery. Sweaty then went to full military and headed north, jinking as she did so to avoid any flak or missiles coming her way. As she cleared the area, she called, oeThree off target.


The Colonel heard Sweaty's plane fly over, and the sound of bombs going off to his rear. Just then, he heard his artillery commander go off the air, and knew right away what had happened. The Colonel managed to contact the sole surviving battery, finding out the artillery battalion commander had been with Second Battery, and it had been hit by an air strike. He ordered the battery commander to rally the survivors, and ordered all units to continue their missions. Then his air-defense commander came on the line. More aircraft coming in.....


oeWe got secondaries! Shouted Preacher.

oeGood ones Sweaty asked as she jinked to avoid possible flak. None of those big tracers were coming, she was glad to see. She jinked right, then banked left, and saw a shoulder-fired missile fly a hundred feet above her cockpit. Then she turned north for I-20.

oeBig and righteous! I think you hit some ammo trucks.

oeHallelujah!'


oeFour in hot! Hoser called as he saw Sweaty pulling away. He saw his element lead's bombs going off, and the secondaries, and decided those chumps had gotten their just desserts. Hoser came on in, and saw some trucks moving north on a local road, and those had to be a supply convoy coming in. Well, then....Hoser lined them up in his pipper and counted down, ignoring the machine-gun fire coming up and even a MANPADS. oeSteady....And....HACK! Hoser hit his pickle button, and a dozen Mark-82s came off the racks. He, too, went to full military, and headed north, jinking as he did so. oeFour's off target.

oeWhat the... the Colonel asked as he saw Hoser's F-4 fly by, and bombs going off in his wake. Who was there for an Imperialist aircraft to hit Then he remembered. That local road was his regiment's main supply route, and to the east of that were some East Germans who had been shot up earlier, and tasked with flank security. Suddenly concerned with his fuel and ammunition supply, the Colonel contacted his rear command post, and ordered his Regiment's Rear-Services commander to sort that out and get back to him urgently. For he knew the Yankees would be reacting to his regiment's presence, and soon.


oeSHACK! KT yelled over the IC.

oeGood hits Hoser asked as he jinked. Good thing, too, for he saw a shoulder-fired missile come up and fly beneath the aircraft. He and KT had been shot down once already, and landing in the middle of angry Russians would not be a good thing, he knew.

oeBig ones! You got some fuel or ammo trucks!

Hearing that, Hoser smiled beneath his oxygen mask. oeTheir lucky day. He picked up his element lead and followed her out to the I-20.



Dave Golen was next. oeFive's in! He called as he went down on his bomb run. As he did, he noticed some more tanks and APCs west of the intersection. All right, Ivan....he thought as he came in. Just as the others did, he encountered machine gun and small-arms fire, but, thank God, none of those large tracers. Had those young pups in the F-20s gotten those guns No matter. Dave lined up the APCs in his pipper and counted down. oeSteady...and...NOW! He hit his pickle button, sending a dozen more Mark-82s onto the Russians below. He, too, jinked after bomb release, avoiding any possible flak, and headed north. oeFive off target.


The Colonel had gotten out of his APC and was talking with his acting Chief of Staff, who had been the Deputy Chief of Staff until the Regiment's command group had been hit. While the Regiment had finally reached its objective, the American aircraft were still coming in. A shout from a junior officer alerted them to another aircraft coming in, and the two officers jumped into a small ditch. The F-4 flew by, and released its bombs to their front. The Colonel stuck his head above the ditch and saw the clouds of smoke and dust, and the smoke from burning vehicles. That had been First Battalion's position, his old command. He ran for his APC, intending to get in contact with First Battalion's acting commander when the Chief grabbed him and pulled him back into the ditch. A quick glance upwards and to the south told him why. Another Yankee F-4 was coming in.

oeGOOD HITS Golen's backseater shouted.

oeHow good Dave wanted to know. He was jinking still, the better to avoid any flak. No missiles came up, he was glad to see, but neither he or his backseater saw a SA-14 fly past their tail.

oeReal good, the backseater replied.

oeThey'll do. Dave then headed north.


oeSix is in hot! Flossy called. She saw Dave Golen's bombs going off, and started scanning for someplace to deposit her bombs. Then she saw where the CO had laid his, and decided they would do. Several APCs and tanks were still moving around, and she thought, Who wants to die next' Ignoring the machine gun and small-arms fire coming up, she picked out the APCs and lined them up in her pipper. oeSteady...Steady....And....And... HACK! Flossy hit the pickle button, releasing her bombs. She, too, began jinking to avoid flak and any MANPADS as she headed north. oeSix off target, Flossy called.


In the ditch, the Colonel saw Flossy's F-4 fly right overhead. Again, he expected a rain of bombs to follow, but to his surprise, there wasn't. But the F-4 put its bombs up forward, and after the last bomb went off, he got up out of the ditch to take a look. Third Battalion's position was covered in smoke and flame again, and he saw a BTR-70 on its side, while a T-72B tank had taken a near hit and was burning fiercely. Then the onboard ammunition exploded, sending the tank turret flying into the air. The Colonel told the Chief of Staff to get things sorted out here, while he went forward to the battalions. For he expected that after these air strikes were over, the Yankees would come on the ground, and he wanted his regiment ready to fight.

oeSHACK! Jang called. oeYou got secondaries!

oeHow good Flossy asked. She was still jinking, and was glad to see none of those big tracers anywhere. She saw what looked like an SA-7 come up, only to detonate harmlessly behind their aircraft.

oeReally good, Jang replied.

oeTheir lucky day, Flossy grinned as she headed north.


To the East, Major Vansen and her Squadron had watched the Air Force do its job. Now, they noticed the East German flank guard slacking off, trying to play catch-up. Those guys had been battered earlier, and now they were showing it. But now wasn't the time. Regiment was waiting on the Soviets to bring up their divisional reserve, which meant their BMP-equipped regiment and the divisional tank regiment, before taking them in the flank. And up north, past Lipan, a brigade from First Cav was coming down, and going to smash into the two BTR regiments. With luck, and Corps' AH-64s helping them out, these Russians would get a warm welcome to the USA, and wish they were someplace else. If, of course, they didn't feel that way already.....In the meantime, the squadron would continue to harass the enemy, and take opportunity shots as they presented themselves.


In 520, Guru called the FAC. oeNail, Corvette Lead. You have a Bomb Damage Assessment

oeCorvette, Nail. I give you guys a four-decimal-zero. All ordnance on target. Nice work, fella.

oeRoger that, Nail, and thank you. Corvette Flight is outbound.

oeSix in and out, Goalie said. oeEverybody's off target.

Guru nodded, then glanced to his right. Kara was right there in Combat Spread, with 520 in position. oeStarbuck, how'd it go

oeGood hits, Lead, Kara replied. oeAnd no sign of those guns.

oeSame here, Sweaty called as she and Hoser came up.

Then Dave Golen chimed in. oeBetter than I expected, Lead.

oeI'll take that any day, Guru said. oeLet's get to the tankers.

Corvette Flight joined up on the tankers, and after drinking enough fuel, headed back to Sheppard. When they got into the pattern, there were two flights ahead of them, one being the Ops Officer's, the other Marines. After they landed, the crews noticed activity around the F-20s. And what appeared to be both General Olds and General Yeager congratulating the pilots, with the TV crew also in attendance. oeWell, at least General Yeager didn't fly this time, Guru said. oeNotice I said, this time.

oeYeah, Goalie replied. oeStill think he's going to find a way around that 'No Combat' order

oeDo I Guru shot back. oeI'd bet money on it.

oeYou and me both. Don't tell Kara, though. She'd probably start a pool.

Guru taxied 512 into its revetment. After getting the oeShut down signal from his Crew Chief, he shut down the engines and then he and Goalie went through the post-flight. They then popped their canopies and stood up in the cockpit. oeFive and done, Guru said, wiping his forehead.

oeOne more Goalie asked as the ground crew brought the crew ladder.

oeYou just answered your own question, the CO said as he climbed down. He gestured to the front of the revetment, where ordnance people were waiting. They had bomb carts with TER and MER racks already preloaded with Rockeye CBUs.

After she got down, Goalie shrugged. oeHad to ask.

oeMajor, how's my bird Sergeant Crowley asked. He did a quick scan for any obvious damage.

oeNo damage, Sergeant, and she's still truckin'. Get Five-Twelve ready, because we've got time for one more, Major Wiser said. oeThe sooner we get ready, the sooner we get it over with.

oeYou got it, Major! Crowley said. oeAll right, people! Let's get the CO's bird ready for one more.

As the two crewmates headed to the front of the revetment, they not only found the ordnance people waiting, but Kara and Brainiac as well. oeLooks like the next one's antiarmor, Kara observed.

oeYeah, Sweaty said as the rest of the crews came up. oeMore tank-busting.

oeThat it is, Dave Golen said. oeNow, who sent those F-20s

Major Wiser nodded. oeThat, Dave, is a very good question.

oeBoss, Flossy said. oeOne thing to keep in mind if you're in the mood to chew their asses.

The CO turned to her. oeAnd that is He asked politely, though privately, he was fuming at the F-20s showing up. The last thing he wanted was a nasty call from Sundown Cunningham, followed by packing cold-weather gear for Goose Bay or Loring.

oeThey probably saved our asses. Think about it, Major. F-20s plus Maverick equal no guns.

oeShe's right, Sweaty pointed out, and several others nodded.

Major Wiser nodded. oeWell, I'm not arguing with success, but I don't want to explain to Sundown Cunningham or the Chief of Staff why the F-20s were on a combat mission when they're supposed to be on a demo tour. Not to mention what may happen if General Yeager goes into combat.

oeWhich is in violation of a directive from the Chief of Staff, Mark Ellis said as he came up. oeI heard the F-20s on the radio, Boss. What got into their minds

oeI was about to ask you the same question. The CO looked at his Exec, and the Exec could tell that his squadron commander wasn't too pleased. oeWhat happened

oeI talked to Sin Licon as we were being debriefed. He went and had a talk with Clancy and Pruitt, as you told him. They gave him some ideas for counters, and he's off, typing them up. Next thing he knows is that the F-20s are being armed and fueled, and the crews are gearing up.

Guru nodded. oeWho authorized the mission

oeColonel Brady. And we're likely going to buy drinks for them tonight. They're claiming six of those gun vehicles and at least one SA-11 track destroyed, the Exec said.

oeLooks like we're buying for those guys tonight, Kara observed. oeEven if they look a little young.

oeDown, girl, Guru said. oeOkay, who told Yeager not to fly Colonel Brady

Ellis shook his head. oeNo, it was Prada. Her F-20D is in for a hundred-hour check, and she reminded General Yeager of the no-combat order. He told her to borrow his bird, while he cleared the mission with Colonel Brady.

There was a sigh of relief from the CO. oeOkay, then. I'll talk with General Olds and the two of us will have to talk to General Cunningham and explain things if necessary. Now, you going back out

oeIn twenty. Don's going back in forty-five, and you in an hour.

Guru nodded. oeAll right. Good luck, and I'll see you when I get back.

The XO nodded back, then went to brief with his flight.

oeWell, now, Goalie asked. oeSatisfied

Guru thought for a moment, then smiled. oeFor now, but I'm still dreading what may happen if he does go into combat.

oeNot much choice if he's up and MiGs come calling or they come across a recon flight, Hoser pointed out.

Sweaty nodded. oeHe's right about that, she reminded the CO.

oeNo arguing that, Guru said. oeOkay, the directive doesn't say anything about self-defense, so if they are jumped, they have no choice, and if the MiGs escorting a recon flight turn on them....they can't decline combat.

oeOne way of putting it, Dave Golen said. oeEven if the escorts do not engage, they can say that there was no choice in going after the reconnaissance plane.

oeJust as we would do, Flossy added.

oeJust as we would, Guru confirmed. oeOkay, I'm not arguing with success, and that goes for the rest of us, right He saw his flight nod approval. oeLet's just hope their appetite has been satisfied for one day, and they're not hungry for any more for a day or so.

oeBe careful, Preacher said. oeThey may be hungry for more.

oeWe'll cross that bridge when and if it comes, Guru said. oeAll right, we're back up in an hour, so mission brief in forty-five. We need to debrief. Then you all check your desks and clear any paperwork, get something to eat and drink, because we're back at it.

Kara nodded. oeYou heard him.

With that, the flight went to the squadron office to get the debrief out of the way, and the CO definitely wanted to find out just who-and what-the F-20s had killed that afternoon.

[Matt Wiser]

And another....and Goalie has a reunion with a former AF Academy Classmate who got away from Laughlin AFB (right near the Mexican Border) on Invasion Day:



335th TFS HQ, Sheppard AFB, TX: 1515 Hours Central War Time:


Major Matt Wiser went into the squadron office after getting out of his flight gear. He was looking for the the SIO, and found Capt. Darren oeSin Licon coming out of his own office. oeSin, the CO said. oeI need to talk before the debrief. He saw the expression on the Intel Officer's face. oeAnd no, it's not to chew your ass. My office. Right now.

oeYes, sir. Licon said. He knew what was likely on the CO's mind. Namely, how had the F-20s shown up when they really weren't supposed to be in combat.

The CO nodded, then led him to his office. His Staff Sergeant Secretary nodded at the CO, and he said, oeNo calls, please.

oeYes, sir.

Major Wiser led his intel into the office and had him close the door. oeAll right, Darren. You talked to the F-20 guys Mark tells me you did.

oeI did, Major, and asked them their advice. They have run into these guns before at Wichita and during PRAIRIE FIRE. They gave me three options. Licon handed his CO a sheet. oeHere's their advice on counters.

Major Wiser took the sheet and scanned it. As he did, he let out a sigh. oeOptions one and two-letting the Army take them out, or do Maverick shots, those are good. But the third one-going in low with CBUs or unguided rockets That sounds like a short road to suicide.

oeThat was my thought, Boss, Sin replied. oeBut they did suggest it.

oeOkay. Now.... the CO pointed a finger at his Intel. oeWho suggested the mission

oeBoss, I have no idea. I sure as hell didn't ask them to go. I left Clancy and Pruitt in that little office, and next thing I know, they're turning the F-20s over for combat.

Major Wiser paused for a minute. oeSo....it was their idea, looks like. It wasn't a question.

oeIt was, Boss. I talked to General Yeager after they left. General Olds, too. And it was Prada who reminded General Yeager of the no-combat order. Licon told his CO.

oeColonel Brady authorized the mission Asked the Major. oeThat's what Mark said.

oeHe did. And he was glad that General Yeager wasn't going.

oeGood. Because I do NOT want to hear from Sundown Cunningham, the Chief of Staff, General Dugan, or both, about me letting General Yeager fly an unauthorized mission. Major Wiser said. And by the tone of voice, the Intel knew his CO was not a happy camper at that.

oeUnderstood, Major. It's Frank we went packing for colder climes, not you. Licon nodded.

oeSmart boy, Major Wiser nodded. oeOne other thing. It never occurred to anybody to go over to me-and I was preflighting Five-Twelve, mind-and let me know the F-20s were going out

oeSorry, sir. We, uh, were kind of excited, and well, with the chance General Yeager would go out..

Major Wiser nodded again. oeSay no more, and if I was a junior officer again, I'd probably be just as excited. How long had it been since he'd been a brand-new First Lieutenant Two years or two lifetimes, it seemed. oeI'm not arguing with their success. Just don't like the fact I wasn't told before I left they were getting ready to go out.

oeUnderstood, sir. Licon replied. He was glad that the CO was understanding, though he did know the CO had not been in a good mood a few minutes earlier.

oeGood, the Major said. oeHave you debriefed the F-20 guys yet

oeNot formally.

oeAll right, then. Major Wiser nodded. oeYou can talk to them, but after you get my flight out of the way.

Licon smiled. oeYes, sir.

oeThen let's get it over with.


In the classroom the CO's flight used as a briefing room, the rest of the flight was waiting, along with a guest: General Olds was there, talking with the crews, and he was getting an account of the day's happenings. When he called General Tanner, Olds fully intended to let him know about those guns, and see if the EW boys had an idea when the RWRs could be tweaked. Because right now, the only warning the F-4 crews had about those guns was the tracers coming up, and it might be too late.

The door opened, and the CO came in, followed by the Intel. oePeople, Guru said. oeOops, sorry, General. Didn't expect to see you here.

oeWanted to hear from you people firsthand, Olds said. oeI'll be talking to General Tanner, and he'll know about those guns. Supposedly, some are being tested at Nellis, but nothing's been passed down yet.

oeWell, sir, Major Wiser said. oeHope you don't mind pulling up a chair. Before we get started, I'll say this, right now: Chances are pretty good probably half of us are alive because of those F-20 guys. Sin hasn't talked to them yet officially, but they're claiming six guns or SAM vehicles, and a pair of SA-11 tracks. He paused, and saw the reaction of the crews. They were still surprised, even though the XO had told them after they landed. oeSo, we're buying for them tonight. Then Kara can fleece them, and everyone laughed. oeLet's get with it.

They ran through the debrief, and Sin was taking notes. The fact that no one reported the basketball-sized tracers coming up was more proof that the F-20 guys had done what they said they did. oeNo missiles

oeOther than shoulder-fired ones Sweaty asked. oeNo. And heads nodded in the affirmative.

oeAny fast-movers or choppers

oeDidn't see any where we were, Hoser said.

Dave Golen nodded. oeI'll go along with that. Where are they

oeGood question, Major, General Olds said. oeIntel

Sin shook his head. oeNothing definite, sir. They're out there, that we do know. Just be advised you can run into them anytime.

Heads nodded at that. oeOkay, Darren. Anything else Guru asked.

oeJust be on the alert, sir, for those guns. Not much you can do until your EW systems get tweaked to pick up those radars. And I do have recommended counters.

oeAnd those are General Olds wanted to know.

oeGeneral, everyone, Licon said. oeFirst, get the FAC to have the Army go after them with tank or TOW fire. Their armor doesn't stand up to that kind of firepower. It may be on a tank chassis, but doesn't have tank armor.

The CO nodded. oeNoted, Darren. What's the next one He knew already, but for the flight's and the General's benefit, he asked again.

oeThe next suggestion is to do standoff shots with Maverick. The Maverick C and D-which we have, by the way, do outrange the 30-mm cannon, and probably the missiles, too, but that last bit of info is not definite. Still no word from China Lake on the missile tests, and I do have a query in to MAG-11's Intel people about that. After today, everybody's going to want more on those.

oeNo kidding, Kara replied. oeNot every day we see a squadron CO go down, and two others in his flight with him. She was referring to the loss of VMFA-134's CO and two other F-4s in his flight.

oeI'll second that, Sweaty said. oeAny other advice

oeTheir third recommended counter is going in low, with either unguided rockets or CBUs, and taking them by surprise. The downside is, you guys are going in too low, and you're vulnerable to small-arms fire as well as machine guns and shoulder-fired missiles. And the guns you're going after, Licon replied. oeI may not be a pilot, but that's one piece of advice I wouldn't follow.

Major Wiser looked at his intel, then shot a glance at General Olds. Both made eye contact, and nodded. oeThen we'll ignore that one, as of now, Guru said. oeAnything else, Darren

oeNo, sir, the Intel replied. oeI'll talk to the F-20 guys.

oeDo that, and one more thing.

oeBoss, the Intel asked.

oeLet me know if they're going back out, or if they're planning to, Guru told his Intel Officer. oeFinding out they were in the air with us was a surprise.

oeGeneral Major Wiser asked General Olds. oeAnything to add

oeNo, Major, other than I agree with getting rid of the third option. That's a recipe for increasing your loss rate, Olds replied.

oeI agree, sir. The CO looked at his flight. oeAll right, check your desks, get some food, because we're going back out in forty-five, he told his crews.


After the debrief broke up, Major Wiser ran into his Ops Officer. oeDon, he nodded.

oeBoss, Van Loan said. oeGot some good news. The two birds from Japan are in the pattern.

That was good news, the CO knew. That would bring the squadron up to twenty-two aircraft. oeLet's go see, he told Van Loan. oeAny change in us not keeping the crews

oeNo, and they would have told us, the Ops Officer reminded him.

Guru sighed. Well, he had enough extra pilots and WSOs to form two new crews. oeThen Kara gets to fleece them tonight.

oeThey may be old friends, Van Loan told his boss. oeIf they are, they know her tricks.

oeWe'll see.


A few minutes later, Guru, Goalie, Van Loan, and Sweaty were at the squadron's dispersal area, watching as the two new F-4s taxied in. One thing caught their eye at once: the paint job. oeEuro One Guru asked. oeWhen did that come down

oeNo idea, Van Loan admitted. oeWell have to ask. One other thing occurred to the Ops Officer. oeYou going to see if any of 'em want to transfer

oeIt has occurred to me.


When the CO and the others got to the two new aircraft, they found the crews talking with Capt. Kevin O'Donnell, the Squadron Maintenance Officer. oeKev, Guru said. oeThese our new birds

oeThey are, O'Donnell replied. oeHere's the forms. He added, handing the CO a clipboard with the forms that he would have to sign.

Guru scanned the forms, remembering a saying he'd learned as a History Major. oeBe careful of what you sign. Just ask Neville Chamberlain. He nodded, then signed for the aircraft. oeLooks good to me. TIESO, AGM-65, ARN-101, updated EW systems

oeThat they have, sir, the senior pilot, a captain, said. oePaul Brown, Major.

oeCaptain, Guru said. oeYou guys know why these two are in Euro One Thought those birds went to the Pacific Northwest.

oeMajor, two SEA birds went up there yesterday, a female Captain with pilot's wings said. oeThey were ready before these two, and so...

Guru nodded. oeSo they got sent up there, and we got birds originally meant for somebody else, he said. He regarded the two pilots and their GIBs, who were male. oeHow long you all on the Ferry Run

oeGot two months left, the female pilot, whose nametag read Corinne Cassidy. oeThen we go to the replacement pool.

Goalie had been looking over one of the new birds when she heard that voice. It was familiar. oeCorinne Long time, no see! She went over and hugged the newcomer. oeLong time since Graduation Day.

oeGuess you two know each other, Guru said. oeAcademy

Cassidy smiled. oeClass of '82, Major. She went to Nav and C-130s, and I got flight and an IP slot at Laughlin.

Goalie returned the smile. oeNot just a classmate, but roomie, Goalie said. oeHow'd you get out of Laughlin on Invasion Day

oeThat'd be worth hearing, said Sweaty. oeAnother Day One perspective.

oeIt would, said Guru, ever the history major. oeOkay, two things: first, you guys know you're going to have to RON

All four newcomers nodded. oeWe did pack, Major, Brown said.

oeAnd second, at the Club tonight You'll see two Air Force legends, because both Robin Olds and Chuck Yeager are on base. And I take it since you are on the Ferry Run, you are familiar with one Kara Thrace She's in my squadron, so be warned.

All four nodded, then Captain Brown said, oeWe're well aware of her. Lost some money to her at one time or another.

oeAnd the beach party, Cassidy added.

oeYou were there Goalie asked her old roommate.

oeFourteen-fifteen of us. All pissed off we weren't flying combat, so we had to blow off steam somehow.

Guru winced. He had heard from Kara, slightly, mind, just how crazy that three-day weekend was. oeHow crazy was it, or do I want to know

oeMajor, do the words 'Multiple partner crazy' ring any bells Captain Cassidy asked.

oeSay no more, Guru said. oeDon Show our guests where they can flake out overnight, and then to the Club. You guys have one advantage over us in that regard.

oeWhat's that, Major Brown asked.

oeTwelve-hour doesn't apply to you.


As the CO and the other two went back to the squadron office, Goalie asked, oeYou want to recruit them for the squadron

oeMight be a good idea, Sweaty added. oeWe can use new talent.

oeI'll talk with Tenth Air Force, Guru said. oeAnd Chief Ross. He knows people in Officer Detailing.

oeCorinne's a good girl, Goalie said. oeI'd like to know how she got away from Laughlin on Day One.

Guru nodded. oeYou're not the only one. Let's ask her tonight.


When they got back to the office, General Olds was coming out. oeMajor, got some news for you, from General Tanner. Thought you'd like to hear it.

oeGeneral, that may just make my day, Major Wiser said. oeWhat does he have for us

oeWell, first of all, you people are definitely getting new Sparrows. First shipment of Fs arrives in a week. Earliest they can get here, Olds said, and he could see grins on the faces of the Major and his people. oeBest he can do.

oeSir, that's great. Finally we'll have a BVR weapon that works, Major Wiser smiled. oeWell, most of the time.

Goalie smiled as well. oeGood to know, sir,

oeIt is that, Olds replied. oeSecond, you're getting some more -119 ECM pods. Enough to equip the rest of your squadron. Keep the old ones, though.

oeWe'll do that, sir. Major Wiser nodded. oeDoes General Tanner have any other news

oeJust that your EW systems will be tweaked, and tech-reps will be coming to do that, but it's still two weeks away, minimum, Olds said. He nodded at Goalie and Sweaty. oeI need to talk to your CO for a moment. Both nodded, sketched salutes, then went back into the building. oeMajor. I informed General Tanner of your mission proposal.

Guru nodded. He and Goalie had been doing some planning for a mission that they hoped would give Ivan's Su-24 force a rude surprise. oeSir, what was General Tanner's response

General Olds grinned. oeHe'd like to hear from you and your GIB, Major, Olds said. oeOnce those RAF guys get here and settled in, don't be surprised if you get a call to head to Nellis and brief him personally. Both of you.

'Yes, sir, Guru said. A trip to Nellis and a likely roomful of brass If that's what it takes to get mission approval....

oeAll right, Olds nodded. oeYou've got a mission coming, so you'd best get going. Good luck, and bring everyone back, Major.

oeYes, sir, and thank you. Do my best on that last part.

oeAll you can do, Major.


Major Wiser went back into the office, and found both Goalie and Sweaty waiting. oeWell Goalie asked.

oeThe two of us may be going to Nellis in a few weeks. Tanner wants a brief on that mission we've been planning, Guru told his GIB.

oeWhen

oeAfter the RAF comes and gets settled in. Guru said. He then checked the wall clock. 1545. Then the Exec came by, and in full flight gear. oeMark, getting set to go

oeYeah, and in case you're wondering The F-20 guys are as well. They're turning their birds around right now.

Lovely, the CO thought. oeColonel Brady authorize the mission

oeI did, Major, a voice came from behind him. It was the MAG-11 Commander. oeDon't worry, Major. General Yeager's not going this time. If he was, I wouldn't authorize the mission.

oeColonel, if you don't mind my saying this, but thank you, Guru said. oeLast thing any of us need is General Yeager going into combat.

Colonel Brady nodded. oeYou're not the only one thinking that. NAF Argentia in Newfoundland is not good this time of year. Anyway, I'm getting ready to go back out myself. Today's been an 'all-hands' effort.

oeIt sure has, Colonel.

Brady looked at him. oeYou be careful, Major. Already lost one CO today. Don't want to lose another.

oeWill do, sir, Guru replied.

Brady left the building, and Ellis turned to his CO. oeGot to get going myself.

oeOkay, Mark. What are the F-20 guys going out with

oeTwo Sidewinders, one Sparrow-M, and full guns air-to-air, then two Mavericks and one Shrike air-to-ground, plus a centerline bag, Ellis replied. That meant a centerline fuel tank.

Guru nodded. oeAll right. Whatever they drink in the Club We're buying tonight because they saved a bunch of our asses today. He paused. oeMark Good luck, and be careful. Don't want to break in Don as Exec.

oeYou too, Boss. Not ready to be CO just yet.

Both shook hands. oeRemember those counters for those guns, Guru reminded his Exec.

oeWill do, Ellis said. Then he headed out.

Guru and Goalie then headed to the Ops Office, and found Don Van Loan wrapping up his paperwork. oeBoss, Van Loan said. oeGetting ready to go.

oeYou're out when

oeIn fifteen, the Ops Officer replied. oeYour birds will be ready in twenty.

oeAll right. You be careful out there. Darren tell you about the counters for those guns The CO asked.

oeHe did.

oeOkay, Guru nodded. He looked around, and saw Kara wasn't in the office. oeYou be careful, now. Still don't want to break in Kara as Ops Officer. Yet.

The Ops Officer laughed. oeAnd I'm not ready to be Exec. Will do, Boss.

oeHave a good one, and good luck.

oeYou too, Boss. Van Loan shook hands with the CO, then wen to inform his flight it was time to get ready.

Guru turned to his GIB. oeFind Kara and everyone else. Tell everybody to get whatever they want inside their stomach and something to drink.

oeWhen are we going Goalie asked.

Guru said, oeWhen our birds are ready. As soon as they're finished eating We gear up.

oeGot you. She headed off to round everyone up.

oeSweaty Guru nodded at his second element lead. oeFind Sin and see if MAG-11's intel people gave him anything new.

Sweaty nodded. oeOn my way.


A few minutes later, Guru went to the locker room to gear up. When he came out, he found Goalie there, waiting, ready to go. oeAll set

oeLast one of the day, and maybe we can show those young pups a thing or two, she replied.

oeNow you're talking.

Pilot and GIB went outside, and found Sweaty coming over from the F-20 people at a run. She was geared up and ready, but had gone to find the Intel Officer. oeAnything The CO asked.

oeBoss, found Sin. He was with the F-20 guys. Nothing new on the guns, he said.

oeHad to ask, though, Guru nodded. oeNothing we can do about that.

They went to the dispersal area, and 512's revetment. They found the rest of the flight there, all geared up and ready. oePeople, last one of the day.

oeAnything new on those guns Kara asked.

oeNada. So....either the Army takes them out, or...

oeOr what Hoser asked.

The CO looked at Hoser. oeOr Yeager's people do. They're getting ready to go out again.

oeWhat KT spat. oeThose guys again

oeYep, and remember, the CO told his people. oeThey saved our asses out there today, so keep that in mind. And by the looks of it, they know what they're doing.

oeCan't argue with that, Dave Golen said.

oeNo. Okay, usual procedures on the radio, and remember, this may be the last one today, but treat it like it's the first. DO NOT get sloppy, people! I do not want to write any letters today. VMFA-134's new CO is probably busy doing just that, and I don't want to give him company. Comprende

Heads nodded. oeLoud and clear, Major, Kara replied.

oeGood. Anything else Guru asked. He saw heads shake no. oeAll right: let's go get 'em. Time to hit it. He clapped his hands.

The crews headed to their aircraft, and Guru and Goalie went to 512. They found it loaded with Rockeye CBUs for another antiarmor run, as expected. oeSergeant, Guru asked his Crew Chief. oeShe's ready

Sergeant Crowley nodded. oeFive-twelve's ready for you, Major. She's locked and cocked, the crew chief replied. oeSir, if you don't mind my saying Go out there and kick some Commie ass.

oeDo our best, Sergeant, the CO replied as he and Goalie did their walk-around, then they mounted the aircraft. As they went through the cockpit preflight, Guru asked his GIB. oeWe had some F-20 air-to-ground action today. May get some air-to-air.

oeHaven't seen any MiGs or helos all day, Goalie reminded him. oeThey may not show. Ejection Seats

oeYou never know, he replied as he finished up the preflight. oeEjection seat armed top and bottom. Yours

oeSame here. And you're right about that, Goalie said. oePreflight checklist complete. We're ready for engine start.

Guru gave the thumbs-up to his CC, who gave the oeStart Engines signal. First one, then both, J-79 engines were spun up, and as they warmed up, he noticed the Ops Officer's flight taking off. oeThere goes Don's people.

oeHope they have a free ride.

oeSame here, replied the CO. oeTower, Corvette Flight with six, requesting taxi and takeoff instructions.

oeCorvette Lead, Tower. Clear to taxi to Runway Three-three Lima. Hold prior to the active, and you are number two in line.

oeRoger, Tower, Guru called. He gave the thumbs-up again to Sergeant Crowley, who signaled the ground crew to pull back the landing gear chocks. Then Crowley gave the oeTaxi signal, and Guru taxied 512 out of the revetment. After he cleared it, Crowley gave the CO salute, which both pilot and GIB returned.

Guru taxied to Runway 33W, and ahead of him were a Marine F-4 flight, from VMFA-333, then a flight of Marine Hornets, then it would be their turn. As they waited a C-130 came in to land on 33C, and a Navy A-7 flight went down 33R. Just another busy afternoon, though it was the last flight of the day, it sure didn't look it. Both flights ahead of him went, then it was their turn. He taxied to the holding area, where the armorers removed the weapon safeties. Then it was time. oeTower, Corvette Flight requesting taxi for takeoff.

oeCorvette Flight, Tower. Clear to taxi for takeoff. Winds are two-seven-zero for eight, the Controller replied.

oeRoger, Tower, Guru replied. He taxied 512 into position, and Kara taxied 520 in right with him. He glanced over, and both Kara and Brainiac gave a thumbs-up. He and Goalie returned it, then ran through a final check. Time. oeReady Guru asked his GIB.

oeReady to rock, Goalie said. oeCanopy coming down.

Both pilot and GIB pulled down and locked their canopies, and Guru saw that Kara and Brainiac had done the same in 520. oeTower, Corvette Flight requesting clear for takeoff.

As usual, the Tower responded by flashing a green light. Clear for takeoff.

oeLet's go, Guru said. He ran the engines up to full power, released the brakes, and 512 rolled down the runway and into the air, with Kara's 520 right with him. Thirty seconds later, it was the turn of Sweaty and Hoser, and behind them, Dave Golen and Flossy. The flight met up at FL 100, then they headed for the Mineral Wells tanker track.

[Matt Wiser]

Any questions, comments, etc. before the next segment gets posted