Semi-OT: Red Dawn fan fic

[Matt Wiser]

Next one, and Prada finds out about her sister....anyone recognize the shout-out



335th TFS Offices, 1650 Hours Central War Time:


Major Wiser was in his office, going over some last-minute paperwork before going to the Officer's Club. Nothing major, he was glad to see, though he did wish that the elves would take care of it while he was out. He'd learned in his tenure as XO that the paper warriors could not be ignored, despite what one wished, and though they were not as numerous as they were in peacetime, that species of pest was still a problem. Colonel Rivers, rest his soul, had taught him some ways of dealing with bureaucrats, though no doubt every squadron and wing commander had the same attitude that he had: yank those pests from behind their desks, transfer them to the Army, give them rifles, and send them to the front lines. Or, if that wasn't possible, have them shoveling snow at someplace like Loring or Goose Bay. Ah, well, one could dream, he thought.

He'd finished with what was in his IN box and then went to work on something that had just come up, when there was a knock on the office door. oeYeah Come on in and show yourself.

Capt. Mark Ellis, the Exec, came in with a clipboard. oeBoss, got a few things here.

oeWhat have we got Guru asked, looking up from a paper he had just filled out.

oeAircraft status report. We'll have twenty for the morning. And before you ask, Don's bird needs a hundred-hour check.

The CO nodded. oeOkay.....yours and Frank's just got out of that, right

oeRight on that, Boss, Ellis replied.

Guru thought for a moment. oeAll right, then. You get your bird back, and give the one you flew today to Kerry. Frank gets his back, and Don takes the other Euro One bird.

oeI'll let Don know, and he'll take care of that.

oeGood. What else have you got

oeSupply requesitions, the XO said. oeThe stuff we need to get Kerry's bird back in the air.

Guru signed the forms. oeGladly. Now, get Ross to turn the scroungers loose. Give them the same list Supply's getting, and they have a hunting license. If the clowns in Supply deliver, well and good. If not...

oeGot you. And the usual rules apply.

oeThey do. No felony arrests, no one gets hurt, and best of all, nobody gets caught.

Ellis nodded. oeI'll get him going.

oeGood. the CO said. He put the papers he had been working on into an envelope and sealed it. oeThis goes out to Tenth Air Force in tomorrow's mail. DFC citations for Kerry and Pat for bringing their bird back.

oeThey deserve it, Ellis nodded. oeSpeaking of Tenth Air Force, that C-21 came in. Don took the gun-camera tapes and gave it to the crew. They stayed long enough to refuel, then took off back to Nellis.

oeThose were the originals, right Guru asked, and he saw Ellis nod. oeOkay, so Yeager's people made copies. Our newsies get the word about the blackout being official

oeKodak Griffith said they did. Weren't too happy, but Ms. Wendt went to do a sit-down with General Yeager. I'll bet you the minute that blackout expires, they send the story to Sydney.

oeAnd L.A., Guru reminded him. oeThey also send stuff to CBS, remember

oeForgot about that, Ellis said. oeAnd the weather update. No change for at least five days.

Guru read the sheet. oeSwell. Forget about any stand-down for at least that long.

oeToo bad.

oeSome things you have to live with, Guru said as he stood up. He glanced at the office clock. 1705. oeNow we're off the clock. He picked up the folder Sin Licon had given him. oeLet's hit the Club. I need a cold one, and food.

oeAnd we get to watch Kerry and Pat get drunk, while they try and forget about nearly getting killed today, the Exec said. By the tone of his voice, it wasn't a question.

oeSomething like that.

oeAnd you don't have to write any letters today.

oeThat, I'll gladly drink to.


When the CO and XO got to the Club, they found Colonel Brady already at the bar, and keeping an eye not only on several of his Marines, but also Kerry Collins and Pat McCorkle. oeColonel, Guru said with a nod.

oeMajor, Brady replied. oeThe Mess people won't be too long, which is a good thing. Right now, five of my Marines and your two are racing each other to get drunk. Seems your guys weren't alone in getting shot up today.

Guru and Mark looked at each other. oeColonel, may I ask where Guru asked.

oeSame area: Star Hollow Lake. They're protecting something important.

oeOr someone-sir. Ellis said. oeCould be an Army Commander.

oeThat's what my intel thinks, Brady said. oeAnyway, that's for tomorrow. What's in the folder

Guru opened the folder and showed him. oeI could have shown her on the ramp, but next to a shot-up bird was not the time or place.

oeGood thinking, Major, Brady said as General Olds came in, and he was talking with several 335th aircrew. oeWhat are you going to say

oeFirst, sir, I need to talk with General Yeager, Guru said as the barkeep came over. oeSmitty, any Sam Adams come in

oeSorry, Major, Smitty replied. oeOnly two bottles left.

oeThen Bud, Guru said. oeAnd one for the Exec.

Smitty nodded, and produced the bottles. oeHere you go, Major.'

oeThanks, Guru said. He paid the barkeep, then glanced over at his two people. oeHow many have they had

oeWorking on their second already, Major, Smitty said. oeEach.

oeNo more until they get something to eat, Guru said firmly. He turned to Collins and McCorkle. oeHear that

oeLoud and clear, Major, Collins said, Capt. Ryan Blanchard, the OINC of their Combat Security Police detachment, nodded agreement. She was his girlfriend, and she would watch him like a hawk.

McCorkle grumbled, oeYes, sir.

oeGood, Guru said as General Yeager and his people came in, with the news crew following. oeThose guys are still the stars today.

Ellis nodded. oeWell, Boss, maybe we can get Ms. Wendt to talk to Kerry and Pat-that is, before they get too drunk.

oeOr when they're sober, Guru said. He noticed that Goalie, Kara, and the rest of his flight had gotten a table. oeColonel, if you'll excuse me, I need to get started on my own 'Stress reduction.' It's been a hell of a day.

Brady nodded. oeIt has been that, Major.


Guru went over to the table and sat down. oeWell, don't know whether to be pissed or be thankful. Or both.

oeWhy's that, Boss Kara asked as she got started on her first beer.

oePissed that General Yeager and his people got into a fight, or thankful that General Dugan hasn't called.

oeBetter if it's both, Hoser said. oeUh, Boss.

oeI'll drink to that, Goalie said, and she poked her pilot in the arm.

oeGuess I will, Guru said. oeHell of a day. Then he started on his beer. oeAny newspapers come in on the C-141

Sweaty nodded, then produced the papers. oeUSA Today, Stars and Stripes, L.A. Times, take your pick.

Guru and Goalie shared the L.A., and passed the sports page to Hoser. oeAnything in USA Today that leaps out

oeMore protests in West Germany, Kara said. oeThey had 100,000 in Dusseldorf.

oeSame thing here, Guru said. oe100,000 also in Munich.

Heads nodded at that. oeGood, Dave Golen said from the table next to the CO's. oeOnly a matter of time. And General Olds, who was sitting with Dave, nodded his agreement.

oeHear, hear, several people said.

Just then, the mess people arrived. oePeople, we've got either grilled pork chops or Salisbury Steak, with all the fixn's, one of the local restaurateurs turned Marine Mess Officer said. oeCome and get it.

After people got what they wanted, the CBS Evening News came on. Unlike the previous day, this was a slow news day, even with the war going on, though coverage of the protests in West Germany-and now in Belgium and Holland as well, led the news coming from overseas. And the brewing affair in Philly over Senator Proxmire's aides finding themselves in very hot water over back-channel contacts with the Cuban Embassy in Paris.

oeHow long until Proxcreep gets the heave-ho Cosmo asked from a table where she and Revlon were talking with Ms. Wendt and her crew.

oeHope he gets the message, said Don Van Loan. oeTime for him to take a hike.

oeI'll drink to that, Cosmo said. As an astronomy major, she had very good reason to loathe the Senator' who had a fondness for cutting NASA budgets, while others despised him for his anti-military attitude.

oeSame here, Kara said.

After Walter Cronkite signed off, the bartender turned the TV to ESPN, where a rerun of ABC's Wide World of Sports was playing. oeWell, that's that, Goalie said. oeSlow day in the big picture.

oeBut not for us, Guru nodded.


A few minutes later, as the clock wound towards 1800, Colonel Brady went to the bar and rang the bell. oePeople, we've got exactly one hour left before the twelve-hour rule kicks in, and there are a few people here who have a right to get happily loaded. First, several folks from either the Marines or the 335th came back with shot-up birds, and well, you people have a right to get sloppy drunk. You've got an hour left, so make the most of it! The tent roared with laughter. oeMajor Wiser You've got some Air Force business, I believe

Guru nodded, then went to the bar. oeThank you, sir. Well, Kerry, Pat You guys did good, bringing your bird back after some kasha-eating son of a bitch put a few flak holes in it. And take my advice, from someone who's been there, done that Be glad you're not camping with the Resistance. Or, worse, holed up somewhere, waiting for Jolly Green to get you, evading, or a lot worse, behind barbed wire, eating Kasha and Borscht. So drink up!

oeGlad to, Major, Collins said.

oeJust remember: you're on the flight schedule in the morning. So remember twelve-hour, and hit the sack when Doc calls curfew.

oeWill do, Boss, Pat McCorkle grinned.

Guru nodded, then turned to where General Yeager and his people were seated. oeGeneral Your young pups proved themselves in the air-to-ground arena, and today They showed us what they can do air-to-air. And sir, you may have set a record for the longest gap between kills. Because, people He got a Yak-28 recon bird in that little furball. So, General Here's to number 12.5. Guru raised his beer botle.

oeJust in the right place at the right time, Major, Yeager replied in his West Virginia drawl. oeYou're probably glad the Chief of Staff hasn't chewed your ass over the phone.

oeChewed his ass yet. Sweaty muttered.

Preacher nodded, then said, oeThere's always tomorrow.

Kara shook her head. oeRemember, guys, it's Frank we want packing for Goose Bay.

oeWe know that, Sweaty shot back. oeIt's just, well....surprising the Boss hasn't gotten an over-the-phone ass-chewing.

oeMaybe General Tanner calmed him down, Goalie ventured.

Guru went on. oeGeneral, one of your pups made ace today. Prada Stand up and be recognized. Prada did, and Guru said, oeYou got number five today, and no matter what happens from now on, you're a certified, card-carrying aerial assassin, and for damn sure, no one can take that away from you!

oeThanks, Major, Prada said to the roar of the crowd.

oeEnjoy the moment, Captain, Guru said. oeNow, some 335th business. Cosmo Revlon Stand up.

oeUh-oh, several people muttered.

oeYou two splashed the only MiG to get away from the F-20 furball, Guru said, and there was some applause at that. oeNow, that gives you two three kills. Two more and not only do you two make ace, but you'll be the only all-female ace team not just in the 335th, but hell, probably the whole Air Force for all we know. This place will rock when that happens. But one piece of advice: when you get to number four No trolling for MiGs! You might just run into somebody looking for his fifth. So be careful, you two.

The two looked at each other and grinned. oeNoted, Major, Cosmo said.

oeThat's good. Colonel Guru said, yielding the floor to Colonel Brady.

oeThanks, Major. Now, people, in case anyone's curious, no bad weather for a week. So we''ll be hitting things pretty hard until then. You've got fifty minutes until twelve-hour, so drink up!


Major Wiser went and got another beer, then went back to his table. oeNeed to talk to General Yeager, then Prada. He picked up the folder.

oeWhat's in the folder Brainiac asked.

Goalie knew, but said nothing. oeBe glad you don't know. Yet. That answer made everyone at the table curious.

The CO nodded. oeYou'll find out when I get back. He went over to General Yeager's table, where the news crew had finished talking to his people. oeGeneral,

oeMajor, Yeager nodded.

oeGeneral, right now, I'm glad I haven't gotten an angry phone call from either General Dugan or General Cunningham.

oeFor his exploit today Ms. Wendt asked.

oeSomething like that, Guru said. oeGeneral, I need to show you something, He indicated the folder. oePrivately, sir.

Yeager nodded, and the two went to the bar and found a couple of empty stools. oeMajor

oeSir, my Intel was going to show Prada this on the ramp, but next to a shot-up bird was not a good time or place, Guru said. He opened the folder.

Yeager studied the contents, then frowned. oeShe needs to see this Now.

oeSir, may I suggest having Colonel Brady here He's been there.

oeYou mean Hanoi Yeager asked, and he saw Guru nod. oeGood idea, Major.

Guru went and talked to Colonel Brady for a moment, then the two went back to the bar. Then General Yeager brought Prada over. oeWhat's this about, sir She asked.

oeThis, Guru said as he opened the folder.

Prada looked at the folder's contents. A brief cover letter from DIA, then a copy of an artcle from a Cuban propaganda magazine. It showed two female American POWs, one brown-haired, the other blonde. Both had bruising on their faces, and were wearing long sleeved prison pajamas. And both were familiar to her, the brown-haired one very much so. oeDaria.....she's alive. Prada looked at the date on the article. April, 1987. oeSeven months ago..

oeYour sister's alive, Captain, Brady said. oeNow you know. My family didn't know I was alive until Christmas, 1970, when the Viets let me write my first letter home. He looked at the photo again. oeWho's the other one

oeJane, her WSO, Prada replied. oeGod...right now I don't know whether to be happy or worried.

Brady knew what his family had gone through from January, '68 until March 14, 1973, when he had been released in the third increment of POWs from Hanoi. oeEither one can be graded as correct.

oeLong pajama sleeves, Guru noted. oeTrying to hide the scars.

oeYou picked that up, Major, Yeager said.

oeRead a few books on the subject, sir, Guru replied. oeAnd from SERE.

Prada nodded as she scanned the photo and the accompanying article, which had been translated. oeSays here they 'confessed' to attacking civilian targets, My ass.

oeLook, Prada, Yeager said. oeYour sister's had SERE training, and she'll get through this. And so have you, he said to himself. oeAnd there's this: you might qualify for a transfer under the 'Lone Survivor' rule. Your sister's a POW, and you're flying combat. If you get captured, they might put two and two together...

oeWhat do you mean, sir

oeI can have orders cut transferring you out of the 474th and sending you to Edwards to be an F-20 IP. You're a combat veteran, a fighter ace, and you've done your bit for God and Country. I'd like to meet your parents one day, but I sure as hell don't want to do it handing them a flag.

Prada nodded. oeGeneral, I don't know what to say.....I need to think about it, and if I can, talk with my folks.

Guru wondered, oeRed Cross can arrange that, can't they

oeThey should, Brady said. oeI'll check with the Red Cross office on the base. They opened a week after we got here.

oePrada, I know you want to get back into the fight, but a year away from the war zone as an IP means you'll be passing on your experience, and making sure people know how to fly and fight in the F-20, Yeager said. oeWhen you do come back, you won't have missed a damn thing, because chances are, this war won't be over this time next year. Chances are, we'll be on the Rio Grande, with next stop Mexico City, and there'll still be plenty to do.

oeYes, sir, she replied. oeCan I wait until we get back to California I need to think it over, and talk with my folks, if that's possible.

oeYour call, Yeager nodded. He understood what she was thinking, and knew that some time away from the war zone would probably be best. IP duty wasn't exactly safe, with the potential for accidents, but it was safer than combat.

oeThank you, sir, Prada smiled. oeNow, if you'll excuse me, she waved to Smitty. oeI need to get slightly drunk.

The three senior officers looked at each other, then at her. oeUnderstandable, Captain, Yeager said. oeYou've got forty-five minutes before twelve-hour.

Prada smiled. oeThen, sir, I need to get started.


Guru went back to his flight's table, and sat back down. oeFirst time,

oeWhat Kara asked.

oeTelling someone their MIA loved one is a POW. Quinn's sister is in the Caribbean version of the Hanoi Hilton, Guru spat. oeShot down over Cuba, and was MIA until recently.

oeSo that's what was in the folder, Sweaty nodded.

Guru nodded back as he finished his beer. oeYep. The good thing: her sister's alive. The bad She's a 'guest' of Fidel.

oeAnd we've all got friends POW or MIA, Goalie reminded them.

The CO grimaced. oeThat we do.

Kara then got up and went back to the bar. She got another beer, then went to the pool table. She laid down her money, and the Marine who was there laid down his. It didn't take long for her skills to show, and the Marine wound up paying.

oeI see the Queen of the pool tables is holding court, Ms. Wendt said as she came over. oeMight just challenge her one of these days.

oeYour money, Guru reminded her. oeYou've been warned previously.

oeI know, Major. But still....

General Olds stood up. oeI'll give her another crack at me.

oeOh, shit, Guru said as the General went over to the pool table. He showed his money, Kara showed hers, then both went at it. This time, as with the previous occasion, General Olds' skills were superior, and after Kara paid him, she came back to the table in a fit of the sulks.

oeWell Sweaty asked.

Kara shook her head. oeI have got to beat him before he leaves. she grumbled.

oeLike I said, Kara. Go to the bar, get yourself another beer, then come back and try again, Guru told her.

oeGladly. She then went to the bar, got another beer, and downed half of it before she returned to the pool table. General Olds had returned to his table, and Kara proceeded to defeat another Marine. Then a male AF Major wearing MAC insignia on his flight suit challenged her, and came away with his wallet lightened by $50.00. oeNext!

oeShe always like this Ms. Wendt asked.

oeOnly after she loses, Goalie said. oeWhich ain't often.

Guru looked around, and saw that Prada's friends had joined her at the bar. One of them, Clancy, he thought, was going through Pepsi like it was nothing. Only when Smitty told him they didn't have much left did he lay off. While Pruitt and Prada were talking, and he gave her a hug. Guru then turned, and found General Olds and Dave Golen engaged in a serious conversation, with much hand-waving. SEA against the Yom Kippur War, he knew. Then the bar bell rang.

oeTwelve-Hour now in effect! Doc Waters said.

People flying the next morning turned in their drinks and got something nonalcoholic, and kept things going until 2100, when one of the Navy flight surgeons with MAG-11 rang the bell. oeAircrew Curfew, people!

Those on the flight schedule the next morning got up and headed off to their billets to get some sleep. It wouldn't be long until Zero-dark-thirty, and another day of flying.

[Matt Wiser]

The next day dawns, and a joint AF-Navy strike: .


335th TFS Offices, 0535 Hours Central War Time; 12 November, 1987:


Major Matt Wiser went towards the squadron's office, and, glancing around, saw the first light coming from the east. A few bright stars were still visible, and the sky was clear. Another good flying day, he thought to himself as he went into the office. As he went in, rock music was coming from an office radio, and that meant Wolfman Jack's show was going strong. The NDO, Hacksaw, noticed him and came over. oeMajor.

oeHacksaw, Major Wiser replied. oeHow's the cold

Almost on cue, Hacksaw sneezed. oeDamn cold and damn pills. I don't know which is worse.

oeFeeling better

Hacksaw nodded. oeDoc says I may be flying again in three or four days. Five at the most.

oeListen to him, the CO said. oeHe outranks all of us-even me-when it comes to anything medical. So listen to him, do as he says, and you'll be flying again in no time.

The SDO grinned. oeRight, Boss. The XO's in. He's waiting for you.

oeThanks, Major Wiser nodded. He had a few words with the admin folks on the night shift, then he went into his office and found the Exec waiting. oeMark.

oeBoss, Capt. Mark Ellis nodded. He had a clipboard with some papers, and handed his CO a Styrofoam cup. oeGot your morning admin stuff, and your cocoa.

oeGood, the CO nodded. oeUsual admin stuff

oeMorning report for MAG-11 and Tenth Air Force, Ellis said. The CO signed the papers. oeAnd Supply came through-partially.

oeParts for Kerry's bird Guru asked. They had a bird take flak damage the previous day, and he was anxious to get the bird back in the air.

The Exec nodded. oeGot a rudder, rudder actuator, TIESO-

Guru looked at his XO. oeTIESO

oeYep, said the Exec. oeTook a 30-mm round right through it. They also have a new radome, canopy frame, and canopy.

oeNo horizontal stabilizers Asked the CO.

oeStill looking.

Guru thought for a minute. oeOkay. Ross on it

oeHe and the scroungers are on it. He's running down a few leads.

oeRemind him that those stabilizers are Priority One, Guru told the Exec. oeAnd have him touch base with our F-20 visitors. They may have run across F-4 parts during their own horse-trading or moonlight requesitioning expeditions.

oeWill do.

A knock on the door followed. oeYeah Come on in and show yourself!

Goalie came in, and she had two more cups, one in each hand. oeMorning, guys, she said. oeHot Chocolate for both of us. She handed one cup to her pilot and boyfriend, and kept one for herself.

oeHave a good night Guru asked.

oeSlept like a baby, and ready to get on with earning my flight pay.

oeOf which forty-five cents goes back to the Government on April 15, Mark Ellis joked.

oeSomething like that, Guru said. oeReady to fly with Kara today

oeBoss Ellis asked.

Guru smiled. oeWe're taking General Olds up on a check ride after the second run of the day. And before you ask, no, we're not going anywhere near the front lines. The old Scud Boxes from last summer will do.

The XO stared at the CO. oeFor what

oeJust some ACM, replied Guru. oeWe show him what we're doing, vaguely recall peacetime ACM rules, and just have at it. And before you ask, yeah, we'll be armed, but we sure as hell won't be trolling for MiGs.

Ellis let out a sigh of relief. oeThat's good to hear. Last thing I want is an angry phone call from General Dugan asking what got an AF legend killed. Then packing for Loring or Gander.

oeTha't's for Frank, and we all know it, the CO laughed. oeI'm taking General Olds, and Goalie flies with Kara.

oeAnd you'll just have a couple Sidewinders for self-defense. Ellis nodded.

Guru shook his head. oeNo. Full air-to-air load. You never know, Mark.

The XO nodded. He understood what the CO meant. oeAnd what about Frank He'll flip when he hears you're taking General Olds up.

oeBecause in Frank's egotistical mind, he thinks an Academy grad should be taking General Olds-who is a West Pointer, up, Guru said. It wasn't question. oeIn that case, Frank can go suck an egg for all I care.

oeDon't blame you for that, Ellis said. oeOh, forgot. Weather. He handed Guru a paper. oeNo real change for at least five days. That storm that went through Colorado is now in Kansas and Nebraska, but some down into Oklahoma. Just a few high clouds, temps drop a degree or two, and that's it.

oeOkay. Said the CO. oeAnything in the regs about enlisting Buddy He was referring to the squadron's Golden Lab mascot.

oeNothing that I could find.

oeHey, I got a better idea, Goalie said. oeI remember an Academy lecture where a Thud driver was telling us about Roscoe, the 338th's Mascot at Korat. He came to Korat in the back seat of an F-105F, late '65 or early '66. When his master was shot down over North Vietnam, the whole wing adopted him. Made him an honorary Colonel, club card for the O-Club, even let him sit in on mission briefs. They say that if he slept through a brief It would be an easy ride. If he woke up, or paid attention You were in for a bear.

Both CO and XO were intrigued. oeWhat happened to him Guru asked.

oeHe died in '75, a few weeks before the 388th left Korat, Goalie said. oeThey buried him with full honors next to the O-Club. His master never did come back-still MIA last I heard.

oeHmm.. Guru said. Both XO and GIB noticed he was in thought. oeOkay, we can either enlist him, or make him an honorary Captain. In that case, he can go into the O-Club. I'll talk it over with the General, and go from there. Anything else

oeThat's it, Ellis said.

oeCheck ride aside, we got a busy day coming. Let's go eat.


When Guru, Goalie, and the Exec got to the Officer's Mess Tent, they found the usual crowd gathered, waiting. They noticed General Olds talking with Colonel Brady.. General Olds noticed the three, and waved them over. oeMajor, Olds said.

oeGood morning, sir, Guru replied.

oeReady to get back at it

oeYes, sir. Guru looked around. oeWhere's General Yeager and his people

oeEarly-bird, Brady said. oeThey're wheels-up at 0630, and have a full day.

oeSome more of my people, no doubt, Guru said. oeAs long as those young pups don't wrangle another trip down to the front lines.

General Olds nodded. oeYou're not the only one thinking that, Major. So I told him to go west, to the old Scud Boxes from last Summer.

oeGeneral, that's good to hear, Guru said. oeAnd FYI, sir, that's where we're going this morning for your, uh, 'check ride.'

oeHe's flying with you, Major Brady asked.

oeYes, sir, he is, Guru said. oeCaptain Thrace- he gestured to where Kara was talking with Sweaty, KT, Flossy, and Jang-will be flying as number two, with Lieutenant Eichhorn in the backseat.

Hearing that, Goalie grinned. oeWouldn't miss this for the world, General.

oeAnd if we run into the F-20s Olds asked.

oeThen, General, we have some DACT and teach those young hotheads a lesson, said Guru. oeMaybe. Those F-20s are small and nimble, like the F-5. These guys might give us a good run.

oeWell, we'll find out, won't we, Major Olds grinned. He had an idea that this might turn out to be a mini-Red Flag.

Guru nodded. oeWe will, sir.

The Marine Mess Officer came out of the tent and flipped the sign from CLOSED to OPEN. oeChowtime, people!


After breakfast, Guru went to the Ops Office to get his mission briefing packet. His Ops Officer was waiting for him. oeDon, he nodded. oeWhat have you got for me this morning

Capt. Don Van Loan handed him a briefing packet. oeGoing down to a Soviet-held sector, he told the CO. Right next to the East Germans. That meant the East German sector's western flank, held by the Soviet 32nd Army.

Guru scanned the material. oeSector boundaries are usually good defense-wise. Notice I said, usually.

oeBut going out.... Van Loan said. He, like the CO, knew from experience that things could be nasty going out right over a division.

oeAt least it'll be from the rear, and they may not have any warning, Guru said. oeOkay, we getting Weasels

oeNo, but two VA-135 A-7s are coming with you. I sent them on ahead to your briefing room.

oeTwo targets Guru said as he scanned the mission summary. oeFuel dump and a suspected C3 site

oeYep. They want both hit if you can, Van Loan told the CO.

Guru frowned, then reluctantly nodded. oeDo what we can. All right, then. He gathered the material. oeDon You have a good one.

oeYou too, Boss. Don't want to be Exec just yet.

oeAnd Kara doesn't want to be Ops, the CO laughed. oeJust be careful out there.

Van Loan nodded. oeSame to you, Boss.


Guru went to the Briefing Room his flight used, and found the two A-7 drivers waiting outside. oeMajor A brown-haired, tough-looking fellow in a Navy flight suit with the gold leaves of a Lieutenant Commander asked. oeSteve Kearny. I'm your IRON HAND lead.

The CO nodded. He'd heard of the IRON HAND people: just like their AF Wild Weasel counterparts, they went in ahead of a strike to kill SAMs and AAA sites. But unlike the AF, the Navy had no specialized squadrons, just pilots within an attack squadron who drew that assignment. oeNice to meet you, he said, shaking hands. oeAnd your wingie He gestured to a blonde woman with cropped hair who had a silver bar on her flight suit, and that meant a Lieutenant (junior grade).

oeLynda Patrick, she replied, shaking the CO's hand. oeIn case you're wondering, I've been in combat since May.

oePRAIRIE FIRE, Commander Kearny said. oeShe joined us just in time to kick that off.

oeAnd you, Commander Guru asked.

oeBeen with the squadron since we were formed up in March '86. Got to combat in September, and been there since. And we're either lucky or blessed. We still have half of our original pilots.

oeYou're better off in that department than the 335th is, Guru said as he opened the door. oeShall we

The rest of the flight was in the room, chatting when Guru came in. oeOkay, people! Time to get serious and back to work. This time, we're going in with Navy help. He introduced the two A-7 drivers. oeAnd this time, we're going to a Soviet sector. He took out the briefing materials and found a TPC and JOG chart. oeHere's our two targets.

oeTargets Kara asked.

oeTargets, Guru said. oeHere, southeast of Comanche, at the Route 36/F.M. 1476 intersection. On the Northwest side of the intersection, there's a fuel dump. Southeast, is a suspected C3 site. They don't know what exactly it is, but those trucks with van bodies behind the cab That usually means a command post, com relay, or a SIGINT outfit.

Sweaty asked, oeWho gets what

oeKara and I will take the fuel dump, Guru said. oeYou and Hoser have the C3 site.

oeAnd if it's not there, Boss Hoser asked.

oeGood question. We don't get paid for bringing ordnance home. If it's not there, I'll call it out-or Kara will, and he saw his wingmate nod. oeIn that case Drop on the dump.

oeGot it, Sweaty nodded.

oeMiG threat Brainiac asked. He was hoping he and Kara would be able to add to their tally.

oeBrownwood Regional is the closest, Guru said. oeMiG-21s and -23s. The former are East German, the latter, Soviet. San Angelo has -23s, and so does Grey AAF at Fort Hood. MiG-29s are there as well, and at Bergstrom. Which, by the way, has Flankers.

Heads nodded at that. Nothing new there. oeDefenses Goalie asked.

oeGetting to that. There was an SA-2 there, but it's not listed as operational, but don't take that to the bank, Guru told the crews. oeThis is a divisional rear area, so expect SA-6 or -8, plus either -9s or -13s as we head on out. MANPADS and 23-mm at the target as well. There's at least two 57-mm sites near the targets, so our Navy brethren Take your antiradar shots, then kill the flak sites.

oeWe'll take them out, Commander Kearny said. oeWe're packing two Shrikes and four Rockeyes each bird.

oeThey -45Cs the CO asked. Kearny nodded back. oeGood. Now, as for us Twelve Mark-82 Snakeyes each bird, and the centerline MERs have the Daisy Cutter fuze extensions. Other than that, the usual air-to-air: Four Sidewinders, two Sparrows, full 20-Mike-mike, two wing tanks, and ALQ-119s for the leads, -101s for the wingies.

oeGot it, Kara said. oeIngress'

Guru traced the ingress route on the JOG chart. oeWe come in over Lake Comfort, and follow the Soviet-East German boundary. Past Dublin, and south to the town of Lamkin, on Route 36. He passed the INS coordinates around. oeThen we go south to the town of Pottsville, turn west to the town of Indian Gap. Ten seconds after the town, we turn north. No visual checkpoint for our pop-up point, so it's all INS. Make your runs, then get your asses down low and headed north. He surveyed his crews. oeAny other questions

oeBailout areas KT asked.

oeDown there Anywhere away from the roads, replied Guru. oeWeather is pretty much unchanged, in case you're wondering.

'It had occurred to some of us, Sweaty nodded.

oeI'll bet. Okay, first run of the day, and for Sweaty's element, and Brainiac That's all. Kara and I are taking General Olds to one of the Scud Boxes we prowled last summer. Have some ACM, and maybe we'll run into those F-20 hotheads and teach them a lesson or two.

Hearing that, Kara grinned. oeIt'll be a pleasure.

oeHopefully, Guru reminded her. oeOkay, Commander You guys meet us at ten grand overhead. Anything else Heads shook no. oeThen let's gear up.

The crews went to their locker rooms to change, with the Navy people heading off to their aircraft. Guru came out of the Men's Locker Room and found Goalie waiting, as usual.Ready He asked.

oeLet's get going, his GIB replied.

Pilot and GIB went outside, and headed to the squadron's dispersal area. The sky was brighter, they noticed, and the sun had just risen. When they got to the revetment holding his bird, 512, they found the rest of their flight waiting for his final instructions. oeReady

oeTime to make some Russians think they should've stayed home, Preacher said.

KT nodded. oeThe ones who are still alive, that is.

oeIt is that, Guru said. oeOkay, we're Corvette Flight for at least this one. Now, usual procedures on the radio. Call signs between us, and mission code to AWACS and other parties.

oeAny word on who these Russians are Sweaty asked.

oeNo info, Guru said. oeYou know as much as I do. He looked at his crews. oeAnything else

Heads shook no, then Kara said, oeGuess that's it.

Guru nodded. oeAll right: time to mount up. Let's hit it.

The crews broke up and headed to their aircraft. When Guru and Goalie went into their revetment, Sergeant Crowley, the Crew Chief, was waiting with the ground crew. oeMajor, Lieutenant Crowley said as he snapped a salute. oeFive-twelve's locked and cocked. She's ready to go kick some Commie ass.

oeThanks, Sergeant, Guru said as he and Goalie returned the salute. They did their usual preflight walk-around, then he signed for the aircraft. That done, pilot and GIB mounted the aircraft, put on their helmets, and got strapped in. Then they went through their cockpit checks.

oeBack to a Soviet sector, Guru said as they went through the preflight. oeGot used to East Germans, Nicaraguans, or Libyans.

oeSame here, Goalie replied. oeBut we're going back to Public Enemy Number One, she reminded him. 'Ejection seats

oeArmed top and bottom, said Guru. oeCheck yours. And nothing wrong with that. Arnie

Goalie replied, oeArnie and INS all set. That meant the ARN-101 DMAS and the INS. oePreflight complete and ready for engine start.

oeThat we are, Guru said. He gave a thumbs-up to Sergeant Crowley, who gave the oeStart Engines signal. Guru then started his engines. First one, then both J-79 engines were soon up and running. Then he called the Tower. oeTower, Corvette Flight with four, 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. Corvette Flight rolling, Guru replied. He gave another thumbs-up to his CC, who motioned to the ground crew. They pulled the chocks away from the landing gear, and Crowley gave the oeTaxi signal. Guru released the brakes, and began taxiing out. He headed towards the runway, and the rest of the flight followed.

When the flight got to the holding area, they waited while a Marine flight of F-4s went ahead of them. As the Marines took off, Corvette Flight taxied into the holding area, where the armorers removed the weapon safeties. Then Guru called the Tower. oeTower, Corvette Lead requesting taxi for takeoff.

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

oeRoger, Tower. Guru called back. He taxied 512 onto the runway, and took a quick glance to his right. Kara and Brainiac in 520 were there in his Five O'clock, as they should be. They gave a thumbs-up, and both he and Goalie returned it. Then it was time. oeTower, Corvette Lead requesting clear for takeoff.

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

oeCanopy coming down, Goalie said, and Guru did the same. He glanced to his right again, and saw 520's crew had done the same. oeReady

oeTime to fly, Goalie replied.

oeLet's go. Guru put the throttles forward, released the brakes, and 512 thundered down the runway and into the air, with 520 right with them. Thirty seconds later, it was the turn of Sweaty's element, and after takeoff, all four joined up with the A-7s at Flight Level 100, and they headed south for the tankers.

[Matt Wiser]

Guys, I will have new material up over the weekend. RL has been a serious pain the last week, but things have settled down quite a bit. Patience, please.

[Matt Wiser]

New update, and can anyone recognize the Soviet air-assault officers



Over West-Central Texas: 0745 Hours Central War Time:



Corvette Flight headed south, having had their pre-strike refueling and after dropping to low level, cleared the FLOT. Unlike strikes flown on the east side of the East German sector, where the Nicaraguan gunners were not that excited about shooting at them, this time, the East Germans had the Soviet 32nd Army on their western flank, and both sides would be alert and ready to shoot. The ingress route Guru had planned out took the flight along the boundary between the East Germans and the Soviets, where one side might not know what the other was doing. So far, it looked like things were quiet.

In 512, Guru kept his head on a swivel, checking his instruments, the radar repeater, the EW display, as well as having his eyes out of the cockpit, checking for threats. While in the back seat, Goalie was concentrated on the navigation, but also keeping her eyes out visually for threats as well. oeSo far, so good, she said. oeThey still asleep

oeMaybe they're having a unit inspection or an ORI, Guru jokingly replied. oeDublin off at One O'Clock.

oeGot it, Goalie replied. oeStay on this heading. Two minutes to the turn point.

oeRoger that, said Guru. He glanced at his EW display. Clear so far.


On the outskirts of Dublin, the commander of the 374th MRR, 155th Motor-rifle Division, was watching one of his battalions as it went through some training. The Americans to the north were quiet, and the Regiment needed some quiet time to absorb some personnel and equipment replacements that had recently arrived. Though he was surprised at how young some of the men were: a replacement draft had arrived, and with a few exceptions, all were barely eighteen, depite having had six months' training prior to shipping out. He turned to the battalion commander, a young Major who had been promoted after taking the job due to casualties, and the Colonel saw the man simply shrug his shoulders. The Colonel knew what the Major was thinking: if the Americans came at them now, they'd be in for it, as he doubted many of these replacements would make it through their first battle. Then the sight of jets and the scream of jet engines came, as two A-7 Corsairs and four F-4 Phantoms flew by very close. Some of the young soliders stared at the aircraft, and were promptly kicked-literally-back into their duties by their sergants. The Colonel and the Major shook their heads, and then went back to work.


oeLamkin coming up, Guru said.

oeCopy. One minute to the nav point, Goalie replied. oeEW still clear.

oeGot it, replied Guru. oeCrystal Palace, Corvette Lead. Say threats

oeCorvette Lead, Crystal Palace. Threat bearing One-six-five for fifty-five. Medium, going away. Second threat bearing One-seven-eight for sixty. Medium, closing. Second threat bearing Two-one-one for seventy-five. Medium, closing.

oeRoger that. Guru checked his own radar. Clear for now. oeComing up on the turn

oeThirty seconds, Goalie replied.

Then the small town of Lamkin appeared Just a collection of houses on the south side of State Route 36, it was useful as a navigation checkpoint from their point of view, it went by in a blur. Guru waggled his wings in case there were civilians down there, then he turned slightly right to pick up the heading for the next turn point, the town of Pottsville. oeHow long until the next turn

oeTwo minutes, Goalie replied. She glanced around, then at her own EW display. oeEW still clear...wait: looks like an air-search radar due south.

oeProbably a Mainstay, Guru said, referring to the Mainstay AWACS aircraft. oeStill...Flight, Lead. Music on. That meant to turn on their ECM pods.

oeCopy, Lead, Kara replied, and the others followed suit.


Corvette Flight continued south, then they picked up a small hill, and just past that, Pottsville, which was their turn point. Guru put 512 into a right turn, and picked up the heading to the next turn, the small town of Indian Gap, which was more of a spot on the map than a town. After steadying on the new heading, two-six-five, he asked, oeTurn in when

oeFifteen seconds,, Goalie replied.

oeGot it, Again, this was more a spot on the map than a town, and he banked right and came onto the new course. oeHow long until IP

oeOne minute thirty.

Corvette Flight headed north, generally following F.M. 1476, and though there were some small rolling hills, there were none that stood out, and thus no landmark that could be used as an IP. Guru scanned for threats, and spotted the town of Gustine off in the distance at his One O'clock. Good. oeSet 'em up, Guru told Golalie.

She worked the armament control panel, and replied. oeYou're set.

oeRoger that, Flight, Lead. Switches on, and stand by to pull. Puncher 304, time for you to go to work.

oeRoger, Lead, Commander Kearny replied as the two A-7s climbed, then they began shooting their Shrike missiles.

oeGot some radars, Goalie said.

'Too late, Guru replied

oeStand by....and PULL!

Guru pulled back on the stick, and the Phantom climbed for altitude. He leveled off, and went into a shallow dive. Guru was able to pick out the fuel dump that was their target, but saw the area where the suspected C3 site was supposed to be was empty. oeFlight, Lead. Primary target in sight, secondary is gone.

oeCopy, Sweaty replied. That meant that she and Hoser would drop on the dump.

oeReady back here, Goalie called.

oeTime to go, Guru said as he rolled in on his attack run.


East of the supply dump, just west of the town of Gustine, the 801st Independent Air Assault Battalion was resting after conducting an assault exercise against the town. The battalion had fought in America since 1986, and had taken the casualties to show for it, for they were now on their fourth commander. Though new to America, Lieutenant Colonel Gordunov was a decorated veteran of Afghanistan, fighting at Herat and Kandahar, and was a Hero of the Soviet Union twice over. He had brought several other officers with him, all Afghan vets but one, to rebuild the battalion. As part of the rebuilding process, he had personally led his First Company in an assault exercise on the town's garrison. The garrison, a motor-rifle battalion from the 366th Guards Independent Tank Regiment, which was itself rebuilding, had done well in the exercise, but the umpires from Front Headquarters had ruled that the
air-assault troops had taken the town.

Now, Gordunov and his comanders were going over the exercise over a late breakfast. He had listened to the veteran officers he had inherited upon assuming command, and had been reminded that oeMotor-rifle blockheads are one thing. Americans are totally different. Gordunov had also wondered who had been watching the exercise; though the local inhabitants were indoors as per the curfew, no one could miss the noise of the exercise, and his intelligence officer was now wondering how long until word of their unit's presence would be in the U.S. Sixth Army's hands. Then there was Captain Levin, his Zampolit. The man came across to Gordunov as someone who volunteered for the assignment, and as a sincere and idealistic Communist. The truth about what kind of war he'd landed in was likely to shock the young Zampolit, and Gordunov was right. Still, Levin had the makings of a good solider, and the exercise had shown that. But he was surprised when the Zampolit pointed to the southwest. oeWhat is it, Levin

oeAir raid, Comrade Commander, Levin replied calmly.

oeWhat are you babbling- Gordunov said, then he froze as he recognized the aircraft. F-4 Phantoms coming in. oeTAKE COVER! And get the air defenders up! The officers scattered as they ran for foxholes or a dry creekbed.


oeLead's in hot! Guru called as he rolled in. The A-7s had gone to work, killing a nearby 57-mm site, and had shot at least two Shrikes, forcing the AAA radars off the air, and maybe any SAMs, too. He easily recognized the fuel dump and the motor pool next to it. Selecting the center of the dump, he lined up several large fuel tanks in his pipper, and ignored some light flak, probably 23-mm, that was coming up. Barbeque time, Ivan.....And...Steady...Steady....HACK! Guru hit his pickle button, releasing his Mark-82s down on the dump. He pulled up and leveled off, heading north and jinking to avoid flak as he did so. oeLead off safe, Guru called.


oeWhat the... Gordunov said as he heard Guru's F-4 fly past, and then the bombs went off. The fuel dump had been one of the targets of their exercise, and the seemingly lax security had made their task an easy one. Now, a number of secondary explosions followed in the F-4's wake, and he knew what the target was. He had never been under air attack before, and this was a new experience. He poked his head up, only to have Levin pull him back. He started to demand why, then the Zampolit pointed. Another F-4 was coming in.


oeSHACK! Goalie called from 512's back seat. oeWe got secondaries, and they're big ones!

oeHow big Guru asked as a shoulder-fired missile flew a few hundred feet ahead of his nose, and another one flew over the top of the aircraft.

oeBig enough!

oeWe'll take those, don't you think Guru said as he headed north.


oeTwo's in! Kara called as she rolled 520 in on the target. She saw the secondaries left in the CO's wake, and picked out some revetments on the east side of the dump that had fuel bladders or simply piles of drums. Kara, too, drew some light flak as she came in, and even a SA-7, but she ignored it. Ready to fry, Ivan She lined up the revetments in her pipper. oeAnd...And.....HACK! Hitting the pickle button, Kara sent her dozen Mark-82s down on the fuel depot. She pulled up and away, jinking as she did so. oeTwo's off target, she called.


In the foxhole, Colonel Gordunov heard Kara's F-4, then he-and presumably Levin-heard the bombs going off, and felt the concussion. He poked his head up out of the hole to see several large explosions left in the fighter's wake. Cursing, he looked around, and saw several of his soldiers with Strela-3 missiles on their shoulders fire, and then they watched helplessly as their missiles fell short. Then he noticed the Lieutenant who commanded the air defense platoon point to the south. That had to mean more American aircraft coming, and he dropped back into the hole.


oeGOOD HITS! Brainiac shouted. oeGot some secondaries, and they're big ones!

oeHow big Kara asked as she jinked, and saw a missile fly past their left wing.

oeTexas sized.

oeThat's good enough, she replied as she turned north, picking up the CO as she did so.


oeThree in hot! Sweaty called as she rolled in. She saw that the secondary target was indeed gone, and adjusted her course slightly to aim for the fuel dump. Both the CO and Kara had left an inferno in their wake, but she saw several fuel tanks that had escaped the carnage, and selected those as her target. Hope you enjoy a Texas barbeque, Sweaty thought as she lined up the tanks in her pipper. Ignoring the 23-mm flak, she drew closer. oeSteady....And...And....HACK! She hit the pickle button, and released her bombs onto the dump. Sweaty pulled wings level and away, accelerating as she did so, and jinking to avoid flak or SAMs. oeThree's off safe, she called.


oeWhat the... Gordunov said as Sweaty's Phantom came past, and once again, the Americans left explosions in their wake. He poked his head up again, and noticed Levin doing the same thing, and what they saw....the fuel depot was blazing furiously, and the occasional sympathetic detonation of fuel drums or tanks told them that putting that inferno out was going to be a job. How that was done wasn't his problem, but still....Then Levin pointed to the south again. Another American Phantom was coming down. Gordunov didn't need to be told twice, for he ducked back into the hole.


oeGOOD HITS! Preacher shouted from Sweaty's back seat. oeRighteous ones!

Beneath her oxygen mask, Sweaty grinned. oeHow righteous She, too, had a shoulder-fired missile fly past the aircraft, this time on the right side.

oeLarge and righteous!


oeIf it pleases the guy upstairs, quipped Sweaty as she turned north, picking up Kara's bird as she did.


oeFour's in hot! Hoser called as he rolled in. The other three birds hadn't left much for him to hit, but he didn't get paid for bringing back ordnance. As he came down, he noticed the supply dump's motor pool hadn't been hit, and he lined that area up in his pipper. Even with all the fires and explosions, the flak gunners below hadn't abandoned their posts, for 23-mm fire still came up. Not your day, Ivan., he muttered as the motor pool grew larger in the pipper. oeAnd.....NOW! Hoser hit his pickle button, releasing his Mark-82s. He then pulled up and away, jinking like the others to avoid any flak. oeFour off target.

oeSookin sin... Son of a bitch, Gordonov muttered as Hoser's F-4 came by, the closest of the four. The bombs went off in the plane's wake, followed by some sympathetic explosions, and this time, he felt some of the heat wash over, even though the depot was several hundred meters away. Was it just thinking it did No matter. He got up, and Levin came with him.Gordunov surveyed the scene, and saw several trucks in the depot's motor pool had been tossed aside like toys, and were now blackened skeletons. And several human torches came staggering out of the flames, only to collapse on the ground. He turned to Levin, who was clearly shocked by the sight. Then he remembered that the Political Officer had never been in combat before. oeWell, Levin

oeComrade Commander..... Levin replied. oeIs it always like this

oeI wouldn't know, Gordunov said as he shook his head at the destruction. 'The Dushmani don't have an air force. This had been his first time under air attack. oeSo, Levin, what do we do now He asked, wondering if he'd get some Party blather.

oeWe can only do our duty, Comrade Commander, the Zampolit replied.

Gordunov was surprised, but then again, he had an idea that Levin would make a good soldier. oeThat's all we can do. He waved his Chief of Staff, Major Dukohnin, over. oeAny casualties

oeNone, Comrade Commander, but if those planes return.... said Dukohnin. No more need be said.

oeWe won't be here. Get the battalion ready to move. And as for those poor bastards, Gordunov motioned to the inferno. oeTell the garrison in town that's their problem.

oeRight away, Comrade Commander.


oeSHACK! KT hollered from the back seat. oeWe got some good hits!

oeHow good Hoser asked, wincing as a shoulder-fired missile flew by on the right side.

oeGood secondaries.

oeHave to take 'em, Hoser replied as he headed north, and then he picked up his element lead.


Guru heard the call. oeAll four off target, he said. oePuncher 304, Corvette Lead. We're headed out.

oeRoger that, Corvette, Commander Kearny replied, then he calmly added, oeI'm hit.

oePuncher, can you make the Fence Guru asked. That meant the FLOT, and also I-20.

oeNegative, Kearny said. oeI'm getting out. See you all later.

Guru and Goalie scanned around, but it was Kara who made the call. oeGot him, and there's a chute.

Then Puncher 307 came up. oeCrystal Palace, Puncher 307. Puncher 304 is down, four miles north of the target. Have a visual on a chute.

oeRoger, 307. Will notify Jolly Greens, the controller replied.

oePuncher 307, Corvette Lead. Join up with us. Nothing you can do for him, Guru called Lieutenant Patrick.

In her A-7, Patrick didn't want to leave her element lead, but knew that Air Force flight lead was right. Besides, she had no bombs or Shrikes left, and only had 20-mm. oeCopy. Puncher 304, this is 307. Can't stay, and good luck. Then she reluctantly turned north, following the F-4s on their way out.


oeThat sucks, Goalie said as the A-7 joined up on the F-4s.

oeAlways, Guru replied. Then he called the AWACS. oeCrystal Palace, Corvette Lead. Say threats

oeCorvette, Crystal Palace. Threat bearing One-six-zero for fifty-eight. Medium, closing. Second threat bearing One-nine-one for sixty-five. Medium, closing. Third threat bearing Two-one-zero for seventy. Medium, closing.

oeRoger that, Crystal Palace, Guru replied as the A-7 joined up with the strike flight. oeHow long to the Fence

oeTwo minutes, Goalie called as Proctor Lake flew by on their left.

oeGood, Guru said. Then he did some calculations in his head. Two minutes to the Fence, and the I-20. No way those MiGs would catch them. Then another call came from the AWACS.

oeCorvette Lead, Crystal Palace. Threat bearing One-six-zero for forty. Medium, closing.

oeCopy, Guru said. oeSay bogey dope.

oeCorvette, Crystal Palace. Bandits are Floggers. That meant MiG-23s. oeThreat now One-five-five for thirty-five. Stand by....bandits now turning. And going away.

Guess they don't want a wall of Eagles this morning, Guru thought. oeCopy.

oeOne minute, Goalie called. It wasn't long until the twin ribbons of concrete that were I-20 appeared. oeAnd...now.

oeFlight, Lead. Verify IFF is on, out. Guru called. Now that they were over friendly territory, having their IFF on was a must. Given how the Army and Marine air-defense pukes acted on occasion.....Shoot them down and sort them out on the ground, was their motto.

Once they cleared the Fence, the flight went to the tanker track, and their post-strike refueling. One thing the fighter crews had learned from talking to tanker people, was that it was a heartbreaker sometimes for them to refuel a flight going in, then when that same flight came out, minus one or two aircraft.....and they never asked what happened to the missing birds. It was a cardinal rule, and strictly enforced.

The flight then headed to Sheppard, and got into the traffic pattern. Once the outbound strike birds had cleared, and two inbound ones had gone before them, and then the morning C-141, it was Corvette Flight's turn. After they landed, the crews taxied to their respective dispersals, and as the F-4s taxied, canopies popped, the crews saw the news crew filming, as usual. oeWell, no surprise there, Guru said.

oeShe upset you're flying General Olds before her

oeKinda, Guru replied. oeBut Kara's actually taking her up. I'll have the cameraman.

Goalie grinned in the back seat, oxygen mask off. oeKara going to get her airsick

oeThat's the idea.

Then the Phantoms got to the dispersal, and found their revetments. After taxiing into his, Guru got the oeShut down signal from his Crew Chief, and the ground crew put the wheel chocks into place. He shut down the engines, then he and Goalie went through the post-flight checklist. The ground crew brought the crew ladder, and both pilot and GIB took off their helmets and climbed down. oeOne and done, Guru said.

oeAnd three more, plus our ride with General Olds, Goalie nodded as a ground crewer brought her and Guru bottles of water.

oeThat's about it, Guru replied as he took his bottle and promptly drained half of it.

oeSir Sergeant Crowley, the Crew Chief, asked. oeHow's my bird, and how'd you guys do

oeFive-twelve's working like a champ, the CO said. oeWhatever you're doing, don't change it.

oeYes, sir! Crowley was beaming at that.

oeAnd the fuel dump we hit Goalie added. oeWent sky-high.

oeGood to hear that, Lieutenant, Crowley said. oeMajor, we'll get her ready for the next one.

The CO nodded. oeGood man, Sergeant. Get her ready to go.

Crowley smiled. oeYou got it, Major! All right, you heard the man! Let's get this bird ready for the next one.

Guru and Goalie nodded, then headed to the revetment entrance. Kara and Brainiac were there already, waiting. oeWell, how'd you guys do Guru asked.

oeBig secondaries, and you had some, Kara said, and Brainiac nodded.

oeWhat happened to that A-7 Goalie asked.

oeGood question, Sweaty said as she came up with Preacher, with Hoser and KT right behind them. oeNo radar warning.

oeI'd like to know myself, Guru said as Sin Licon, the SIO, came over. oeSin,

oeMajor, Licon said. oeHeard about the A-7. VA-135's Intel is talking with the wingmate right now. She doesn't know what happened.

Guru shook his head. oeAnd we don't either. No indication on the RWR, nada. And no basketball-sized tracers, in case you're wondering.

The intel nodded. oeCould be anything, Major. Shoulder-fired missile, heavy SAM with optical backup, IR missile from a vehicle-like an SA-9 or -13....

oeOr flak, Kara said.

oeOr flak.

oeOkay, Guru said, getting back to business. oeDebrief in when

oeFifteen, sir. Have to talk to the XO's flight first. They got in ahead of you.

oeAll right, then. Get out of your gear, and briefing room in fifteen. We debrief, then check your desks, because in an hour, we're back at it, Guru said.

Kara nodded, then a grin came over her. oeThen we fly with General Olds.

oeThat we do, Goalie said.

oeBoss, can we come with you Sweaty asked, and Hoser, Preacher, and KT nodded. 'If you run into those F-20 guys, it's more of a fair fight.

oeShe's right, Kara pointed out.

Guru thought for a moment, then nodded, and he had a grin come over his face. oeI like it. You guys can tag along, and if we do run into those F-20 jocks We all get to teach them a thing or two.

oeLove to, Sweaty grinned.

oeFirst things first, Guru reminded them. oeLet's debrief, then get ready for the next one.

[Matt Wiser]

Anyone recognize the Soviet air-assault colonel and his Zampolit Those who've read Ralph Peters' Red Army will know....

[Matt Wiser]

Getting ready for the next mission:




335th TFS: 0850 Hours Central War Time:


Major Wiser was in his office, and was glad to see one particular item of paperwork cross his desk. Supply had come through-for once, and the two horizontal stabilizers for Kerry Collins' shot-up bird would be arriving tomorrow. Good: the sooner that bird was fixed, the squadron would have twenty-two birds flying, and he'd finally be able to form two new crews with the extra people he already had. The CO was mentally deciding on some tentative crew assignments when there was a knock on his office door. oeYeah Show yourself and come in!

Jana Wendt, the reporter attached to the squadron, came in. 'Bad time, Major

oeNot at all, Guru said. oeAlways time for the Fourth Estate. What can I do for you He was recalling the directives from Tenth Air Force about dealing with the news media, and one of those said, oeBe polite and reasonable.

oeJust letting you know: your interview airs in Sydney tomorrow night, Texas time, and the following night On CBS.

oeTook long enough, the CO said. oeNetwork being slow

The reporter shrugged. oeThey didn't tell me, Though they were more interested in the report we did during that air raid, Wendt said, referring to a Soviet air strike on Sheppard, when the reporter and crew had disdained the shelters, and had caught some of the raid on tape.

oeAnd let me guess: you were upset you weren't live

oeYou're right, Major. I did go on the air about an hour later, but they wanted a full report on the raid. Apart from some submarine activity, and Spetsnatz

Guru nodded. oeThat's the term. Soviet Special Forces. They're the meanest and toughest killers Ivan has.

oeOkay, thanks. Apart from that, and the subs, Australia hasn't seen much of the war. Just what we see on the news, Wendt said. oeSame for New Zealand.

The CO understood. oeJust as long as they liked the show.

oeThey did, Ms. Wendt grinned. oeSo, you getting ready for another go

oeAlmost time, Guru said. oeSoutheast Asia wasn't like this, they say. One, maybe two missions 'Up North', a day. If you were in South Vietnam You might get three or four.

Wendt nodded. oeAnd from what General Olds told me in his interview Hanoi was the most heavily defended airspace in history, even more than Berlin was, and he says this can be as bad.

'In some areas, yeah. But talk to the guys who fly for SAC into Russia. At least here If we go down, we have a chance either for a rescue or joining up with the Resistance. There If you go down, you are either dead or in a Gulag, Guru reminded the reporter.

oeI may just do that, when my time here's done, Ms. Wendt said. oeIf, that is, they'll let them talk to the media.

Guru knew what she was talking about. SAC did publicize its missions into Russia, but it was still cautious about what it let the crews discuss with the media. oeFor good reason. Then there was another knock. 'Yeah

Capt. Kevin O'Donnell, the Squadron Maintenance Officer, came in. oeBoss, we're getting to work on Kerry's bird. All we're missing is the two stabilizers.

oeGet what you can done. Because those stabilizers are due in tomorrow. And yeah, I know, it's a three-day job, Guru said, handing the maintenance officer the paper he had scanned. oeMs. Wendt, you didn't hear that.

oeHear what She replied, and the two officers grinned.

oeGood to know you can be deaf when necessary, Guru said, and the trio laughed.


After the reporter and the Maintenance Officer had left, the Exec, Capt. Mark Ellis, came in. oeBoss,

oeMark, Guru said, oeWhatcha got for me

oeFirst, Ross came through on the stabilizers, the Exec said.

Guru handed him the paper he'd shown Kerry Collins. oeSupply, for once, beat him to it. Be here tomorrow.

oeMust be our lucky day, Ellis replied. oeSupply on their tails for once.

oeJust hope that when I kick Frank out of the squadron, he doesn't wind up there, the CO reminded the Exec. oeThat's the only problem with transferring him out: I'd be inflicting him on a fellow officer who'd be wondering what he'd done to deserve Frank showing up.

oeCollateral damage, I'd say.

oeGeneral Olds said the exact same thing, Guru said. oeAnything else

oeYeah, speaking of Frank, he's filed another complaint. Seems he overheard some of us talking about either enlisting our mascot or making him an honorary Captain. Ellis handed the CO a paper. oeAs if he's got other things to worry about.

oeLike SA-11s or MiG-29s showing up, deadpanned Guru. oeYou know where to put that BS, He nodded towards the office shredder.

Ellis took the paper and fed it into the office shredder. oeWhat'd the reporter want to know

oeJust letting me know that the interview that she did with me and Goalie airs in Sydney tomorrow, our time, and on CBS the day after that.

oeWell, now, looks like you two get your fifteen minutes of fame on two continents, the XO said.

oeAnd the GRU adds that to the files they have on the two of us in Moscow, Guru reminded him. oeEvery officer commissioned prewar has a file on them at GRU headquarters, in all likelihood. And that includes you.

oeIt does.

oeOkay, anything else

The XO shook his head. oeThat's it.

Just then, Kara came in. oeBoss, we've got a mission.

Guru stood up. oeAnd we have someplace to be. Round everybody up. Briefing Room in ten.

oeI'm gone, Kara replied. She ran out the office door.

oeGood luck, Boss, Ellis said. oeNot ready to be CO yet.

oeAnd I'm not ready to break in Don as Exec.


The CO went to the Ops Office, and found the Ops Officer waiting. oeMajor, Capt. Don Van Loan said.

oeDon, Guru replied. oeWhat have you got for me

Van Loan handed the CO a briefing packet. oeGoing back to the East German sector. Stephenville Municipal Airport. Not only is it supporting chopper and transport ops, but Su-25s are staging through it again.

Guru scanned the summary. oeWe've hit this place before.

oeYeah, and so have the A-6s and F-111s. They keep bringing it back online. You're going as a four-ship, and no Weasels.

oeLet me guess: the Weasels are all busy. It wasn't a question from the CO's viewpoint.

oeRight you are, Boss. Van Loan replied.

Guru nodded. oeOkay, Don. Oh, I need to file a flight plan with MAG-11 Ops. Van Loan handed the CO the form, and he quickly filled out the form. oeRight after we get back from this one. I want my flight turned around-fuel and any air-to-air ordnance expended replaced. We're taking General Olds on his 'Check ride.'

oeGoing to hassle with those F-20s

oeSomething like that, the CO grinned. oeTeach those young punks a lesson.

Van Loan winced at that. oeWell, I've flown with those 'young punks.' They're good. Remember what you keep saying about overconfidence

oeI know. But, when one of those young punks-either Clancy or Pruitt-declares the F-20 'Greatest since the P-51' Asked the CO. oeSomebody's got to teach them a lesson on overconfidence.

oeAnd it might just as well be you and General Olds.

oeYou got it. Guru let out an evil-looking grin.

oeWell, good luck on the mission, and the, uh, 'check ride, Said van Loan.

oeThanks.


Guru went to his flight's briefing room, and found Buddy there, sitting by the door. The CO opened the door, and the dog went in ahead of him. Then he entered, and found the rest of his flight there. oeFolks, we've got a visitor, he nodded to the dog. oeAnd we've got a mission.

oeWhere to Sweaty asked.

oeSomeplace we've been before. Stephenville Municipal Airport, Guru said. oeWe've hit it a couple of times, and the F-111s or A-6s have as well. But the East Germans are tough, because they keep getting it back operational.

Kara nodded. oeSo what's flying from there She wanted to know, and others nodded as well.

oeChoppers, for one thing, along with light transports like the An-24 or -26, and the L-410. And Su-25s have been staging through there, replied the CO. oeSo we get to put it out of action for a couple of days.

oeIngress route Goalie asked. Since she was the lead navigator, it was a natural question to ask.

Guru showed the route, using a TPC chart and a JOG map. oeWe follow the Brazos River, staying in the Nicaraguan sector until we hit Lake Whitney. Turn west, and pass the town of Meridan, here, the CO said, tapping with a pen. oeGo west to Hico, then turn north and follow U.S. 281. Pop-up point is five miles south of town. We pull up, hit the target, then get your asses north as quick as you can.

oeSounds good, Hoser said. oeDefenses

oeTwo 57-mm batteries, and those have been hit by CBUs, so they may, and I do emphasize may, not have a full compliment of guns. There's also two 23-mm batteries, and MANPADS. This is also in the East German Army-level formation's rear, so SA-4s are around.

There were several scowls at that. oeNice, Boss, KT said. oeWe getting any Weasels

oeNope, just us, Guru said. oeWe stay low, use our ECM pods, and that should take care of Mr. SA-4. The MiG threat is still the same from this morning, by the way.

oeJust about to ask, Kara said. oeBut you did mention helos

The CO nodded. oeHips and possible Hinds.

oeA kill's a kill, Brainiac, Kara's WSO, said, grinning. They were always looking to add to their kill sheet.

oeDon't go out of your way, though, the CO said firmly. oeRemember what I said about flak traps.

oeGot it, Kara said.

oeGood, the CO said. oeMake sure you do. Now, ordnance load and specific aimpoints. Element leads get a dozen Rockeye CBUs. Wingmates get a dozen Mark-82 Snakeyes. I'll take the northern ramp area, Sweaty You take the south.

Sweaty nodded. oeWe'll get 'em, Boss.

oeDo that. Kara You walk your bombs across the hangars. I know, they got taken out last time, but Ivan or Franz just cleared the wreckage, put new frames up, and lined them with corrugated metal. And bingo! Instant hangar.

Brainiac looked at Kara, who nodded. oeWe'll take them out.

oeOkay, Hoser I hate to leave a runway intact, but what good's a working runway if there's no fuel He tapped on a photo of the target. oeFuel dump's to the east of the runway. It's yours.

Hoser and KT looked at each other and nodded. oeWill do, Boss,

oeAll right. We'll have the usual air-to-air load: four AIM-9Ps, two AIM-7Es, and we are getting Fs next week, by the way. Two wing tanks, full cannon load, and ALQ-119 pods for the leads, and -101s for the wingies, Guru said. oeBailout areas: same as usual. Anywhere rural and away from roads.

Kara nodded. oeAnd after that, we take General Olds up on his 'Check ride.'

oeWe do. We'll do a quick debrief and a combat turnaround, get the General geared up and ready, then we go.

oeSounds good, Sweaty grinned.

oeOne mission at a time, people! The CO reminded them. oeAnything else Heads shook no. oeThen let's gear up. We all have somewhere to be. As he gathered the briefing materials, Guru noticed the dog, curled up on the floor and fast asleep. oeLet's hope he's like Roscoe.

oeWhat do you mean by that KT asked.

Goalie explained the story of Roscoe, the Korat mascot during the long war in SEA. oeThey said that if he slept through a briefing, it was an easy ride. If he woke up or paid attention It was going to be a bad one.

After turning in the briefing material, Guru went to the Men's Locker Room to gear up. When he came out, Goalie was there, geared up and ready. oeYou ready

oeTime to fly, she grinned. oeAnd let's hope Buddy's the same as Roscoe.

oeYou, me, and everyone else, the CO said.

As Pilot and GIB left the office, the dog followed, but when they left the lawn, the dog sat down, as if waiting. oeGood omen Guru asked.

oeOught to be, Goalie replied.


CO and GIB walked to the dispersal area, and found the rest of the flight waiting at the revetment for the CO's bird, 512. oeOkay, gather 'round, Guru said. He was giving his final instructions.

oeUsual procedures on the radio, Kara said. It wasn't a question.

oeRight you are. That meant mission code to AWACS and other interested parties, but call signs between them.

oeSo, after this one, we get to eat some Tigersharks, Hoser asked.

The CO frowned, then said, oeOne misison at a time, and remember about complacency, he reminded them. oeBut.....when someone like Clancy or Pruitt-or both-declares the F-20 'Greatest since the P-51', then they need to be cut down to size.

Kara grinned. oeAnd we're the ones to do that.

oeExactly, Guru replied. oeFocus on what's next, then we teach those young punks a lesson. Anything else Heads shook no. The CO clapped his hands. oeAll right! Let's go get 'em. Meet at ten grand overhead. Time to hit it.

The crews headed to their aircraft, and Guru and Goalie went into the revetment and found 512's Crew Chief, Staff Sergeant Crowley, waiting. oeMajor, Lieutenant Crowley asked, snapping a salute. oeFive-twelve's ready to rock.

oeThanks, Sarge, Guru said, returning the salute, as did Goalie. Pilot and GIB did their walk-around, then the CO signed for the aircraft. Then they mounted the aircraft, and the ground crew helped them get strapped in, while the crew donned their helmets and plugged in their oxygen masks and radio headsets. Then it was time for the preflight checklist.

As they went through it, Goalie said, oeThis one reminds me of what they told us at the Academy about strikes like ROLLING THUNDER. Hit a target, then you find out the Viets went out and repaired it, and a few days later, you hit it again.

oeCycle repeats, Guru acknowledged. He'd heard the same thing in OTS and in fighter training.

oeIt does, Goalie said. oeEjection seats

oeArmed top and bottom. Check yours. Arnie and INS

oeAll set, replied Goalie. oePreflight complete and ready for engine start.

Guru replied, oeRoger that. He gave a thumbs-up to Sergeant Crowley, who gave him the oeStart Engines signal in return. Guru hit the engine starters, and first, one, then two, J-79 engines were up and running. When the warm-up was complete, Guru called the tower. oeTower, Corvette Flight with four, requesting taxi and takeoff instructions.

The tower replied at once. oeCorvette Lead, Tower. Clear to taxi to Runway Three-Five-Lima. Hold prior to the active, and you are number three in line.

oeRoger, Tower. Corvette Flight rolling. Guru gave another thumbs-up to his Crew Chief, who signaled to the ground crew, who pulled the chocks away from the wheels. Then Crowley gave the oeTaxi signal, and Guru taxied 512 out of the revetment. Once clear, Crowley snapped a salute, then gave another thumbs-up.

Pilot and GIB returned the salute, then Guru taxied to the runway, with the rest of the flight following. When they got to the holding area, there was a Marine F-4 flight and a Navy A-7 flight ahead of them. But before the Marines could taxi, four F-20s came in to land. oeYeager's people coming back.

oeRemind me to find out when they leave, Guru said. oeI have an idea about maybe running them out of gas, or jumping them just before they're BINGO on fuel.

In the back seat, Goalie grinned. oeYou can be a sneaky bastard.

oeGot to be one when I was Exec. Guru said as he watched the F-20s taxi off, then the Marines taxied onto the runway, then they took off. Then the Navy A-7As went, then it was their turn. In the holding area, the armorers removed the weapon safeties, and that meant their ordnance was now live. Then Guru called the Tower. oeTower, Corvette Flight requesting clear for taxi and takeoff.

oeCorvette Flight, Tower. Clear to taxi for takeoff. Winds are two-seven-two for eight.

oeRoger, Tower. Guru replied. He taxied 512 onto the runway, and Kara followed in 520. A final cockpit check, then a glance at Kara and Brainiac in their Five O'clock. They gave a thumbs-up to 512's crew, and it was returned. Time. oeTower, Corvette Lead requesting clear for takeoff.

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

oeCanopy coming down, Goalie said as she closed and locked her canopy.

oeGot it, Guru replied, pulling his own canopy down and locked. A quick glance at 520 showed Kara's bird ready. oeAll set

oeLet's go, Goalie replied.

oeThen let's do it, Guru said. He firewalled the throttles forward, released the brakes, and 512 rumbled down the runway and into the air, with 520 right with them. Thirty seconds later, it was the turn of Sweaty's element. The flight met up at FL 100, then headed south for the tanker track.

[Matt Wiser]

Next mission, and prepping for General Olds' 'Check Ride."



Over Central Texas: 1015 Hours Central War Time:


Corvette Flight was headed south, following the Brazos River, in the Nicaraguan sector. One thing that everyone noticed was that this time, the Nicaraguan AAA gunners on the east side of the river were more active than usual. This morning, instead of not shooting at all as the strike flight passed the first bridge at Granbury, the Nicaraguan gunners had opened fire, but only after the F-4s had passed the bridge. Something had stirred them up, and the crews were wondering what had happened. oeSomething's got them fired up-pardon the pun-this morning, Guru said after passing the Granbury bridge.

oeYeah, and I'd like to know what, Goalie replied. oeThirty seconds to Lake Granbury Dam. One minute to the U.S. 67 bridge.

oeGot it, said Guru. oeFlight, Lead. Watch for flak at the dam up ahead. He then added, oeMusic on. That meant to turn on their ECM pods.

oeCopy, Lead, Kara called back, and the others also acknowledged.

oeDam ahead, Goalie called, and sure enough, the dam appeared, with bursts of flak coming. With the windy path of the Brazos, staying on the East side wasn't always possible, and ironically, the easiest way to avoid the AAA was to cut across a point where the river went to the east,and then turned back, which meant the East German sector. Despite the flak, the strike flight cleared the dam, then got back into the Nicaraguan sector. oeDam's clear.

oeRoger that! Guru snapped.

oeThirty seconds to U.S. 67, Goalie called.

oeGot it. Guru glanced at his RWR. Still clear. oeBridge in sight. Again, puffs of flak-both 37-mm and 57-mm, appeared, and as the flight flew past, there was a convoy on the bridge. oeOne reason they're shooting.

Goalie nodded in the back seat. oeLooks that way, she observed. oeFifteen seconds to the Brazospoint Bridge, then one minute to the Route 174 Bridge.

oeCopy. Guru had his head on a swivel, keeping his eyes peeled for threats, checking his instruments, and doing the same with his RWR. oeAnd Brazospoint coming up.

It may have been a small bridge, but it was still defended, and the flak gunners opened up as the strike birds flew by. As 512 flew on, Goalie glanced back, and saw the gunners still shooting. That meant they were now in the Libyan AOR. oeOne minute to 174, and those are Libyans down there.

Guru replied, oeRoger that. He then called the AWACS. oeCrystal Palace, Corvette Lead. Say threats

oeCorvette Lead, Crystal Palace, the AWACS controller replied. oeThreat bearing One-six-five for sixty. Medium, going away. Second threat bearing One-seven-two, for seventy-five. Medium, closing. Third threat bearing One-nine-one for eighty-five. Medium, closing.

oeRoger, Crystal Palace, Guru called. oeETA to the 174 Bridge

oeThirty seconds, Goalie replied. oeWatch for the Libyans shooting.

oeGot it, Guru said. oeBridge in sight. And they're shooting from both sides, he calmly added.

As the strike flight overflew the bridge, not only did the AAA open up, but the crews noticed a convoy of trucks and some APCs crossing the bridge. And those on the bridge opened up as well with machine guns and small arms.

oeLibyans being Libyans, Goalie noted.

oeAs usual, Guru replied. He was referring to the Libyan habit of shooting at anything that flew, and the gunners acted as if someone would outlaw the practice in the next ten minutes. Fortunately, the strike flight flew past, and as GIBs glanced backwards, the flak was still coming up. oeNext turn point

oeOver the lake. One minute, Goalie called. She was not only using the ARN-101 DMAS, but also the INS, as well as old-fashioned dead reckoning.

oeCopy, Guru said.

The strike flight headed south, and quickly the Brazos River became Lake Whitney. Unknown to the aircrews, there were locals fishing the lake, hoping to catch some fish to supplement what the occupiers' ration quota allowed. And several of the fishermen and -women waved to the F-4s as they flew by.

oeTurn point in fifteen, Goalie called from the back seat. oeAnd ten....five, four, three, two, one, NOW!

Guru put 512 into a hard right turn, which put him and the rest of the flight headed for the town of Meridian. oeMeridan next stop.

oeOne minute thirty, Goalie said.

Guru nodded in his cockpit, then glanced at his RWR. A search radar to the south was up and looking for them. Probably a Red AWACS. oeFlight, lead. Verify you've got Music on. He checked his ECM pod and saw that it was going.

oeTwo, on, Kara replied, and the others followed suit.

oeMeridian coming up, called Goalie.Thirty seconds.

oeGot it, Guru replied. Then the town appeared. oeNo flak,

Goalie reminded him with the operative word. oeYet.

In Meridian, the local garrison, which was Nicaraguan in this case, had been reinforced with a detachment of Soviet MVD troops. Ostensibly for rear-area security, the MVD was also watching the watchers, as some of the locals wryly observed. Relations between the two allies were tense, with the Nicaraguans content to leave the locals alone, as long as no one from the garrison was wounded or killed, while the Soviets-mainly Uzbeks and Tartars from Central Asia were more eager to show who was boss, and not just to the local population, but also the Nicaraguans garrison.

At the City Hall, a Nicaraguan Major came out of the Mayor's office, and he was not in a good mood. The Soviets were a big problem, and there was word that regular Soviet Army units were on their way, with everything that entailed, including KGB troops for traffic control. Then the local PSD officer was insistent that the Major round up several civilians for suspected oeCounterrevolutionary Activity, and the Major was reluctant to do so. He argued that doing such things would stir up Resistance activities, and so far, things were quiet. The Major then went down to the ground floor and went outside to get a breath of fresh air. A University professor in civilian life, he wondered what he was doing in this place called Texas. Of course, Nicaragua had to mobilize to fend off what the President said was a threatened Yanqui invasion, and then to help their Mexican brothers throw off the PRI yoke and bring about socialism, but going to war with America No doubt, some of his former students had been called to the colors, and were either fighting at the front, wounded, dead, or in some American POW Camp, and the thought of those who enjoyed English Literature either in a grave on foreign soil or in a hospital back home, maimed, disturbed him.

His thoughts were interrupted when there was cheering from the civilians on the streets, as four F-4 Phantoms came over. Some of the civilians waved to the aircraft, and they waggled their wings in return. That PSD swine would probably want some of those who had cheered or waved shot, and he was not going to allow that. Shaking his head, he went back into the City Hall, and waved for a Captain and two soldiers to follow. Maybe an oeaccidental discharge of a weapon into that PSD man was a good idea.


oeThat's Meridian, Guru said after waggling his wings. oeHico next

oeAffirmative, Goalie replied. oeOne minute twenty-five, she added.

oeCopy that. Guru looked at his RWR display. That Red AWACS was still there. oeCrystal Palace, Corvette Lead. Say closest threat.

The reply came back at once. oeCorvette Lead, Crystal Palace. Threat bearing Two-zero-two for fifty-eight. Medium, closing.

oeRoger, Crystal Palace, Guru replied. oeSay Bogey Dope

oeCorvette, bandits are Fishbeds. That meant MiG-21s. And probably East Germans, too.

oeCopy.

Goalie chimed in. oeForty-five seconds. That meant the town of Hico and their next turn point.

oeGot it.

The hills and plains flew past as the strike flight headed west, generally following State Route 6. It wasn't long until they got to Hico. oeHico coming up, Goalie advised.

oeGot it. Turn in when Guru asked as the town got closer.

oeFive, four, three, two, one, and MARK!

Guru put the F-4 into a hard right turn, then headed north, and the rest of the flight followed.


In Hico, an East German supply convoy was just entering the town. It had been a long trip from the Port of Corpus Christi, and though there had been warnings of activity from either the counterrevolutionary bandits who called themselves the American Resistance, or from the Imperialists' own Special Forces, there had been no serious incidents-and the convoy commander was glad to be nearing his destination was few casualties or lost cargoes. the convoy approached the town called Hico, along Route 281, there was a sight that brought a chill to the East German Major. For four Ami F-4 Phantoms overflew the town, then turned north towards Stephenville. In his truck, the Major looked at his driver, who shrugged. At least we're not being attacked, the Major thought.

oeTime to target Guru asked Goalie.

oeOne minute, she replied. oeSet 'em up

oeGood girl, Guru said. oeFlight, Lead. Switches on, forty-five seconds to pull.

The others acknowledged, then Goalie came back on the IC. oeAll set. We're good to go.

oeRoger that,' Guru acknowledged. oeCall time to pull.

oeThirty seconds.

Stephenville grew closer in the windscreen. A quick glance at the RWR display showed the SA-4s still quiet. And the Soviet-manned SA-2 site was still off the air. Hopefully. oeTarget coming up.

oePull in ten, Goalie said. oeAnd, five, four, three, two....And....PULL!

Guru pulled back on the stick, and climbed. Their navigation had been right on the ball, for there was the airport, below and to the right. As he climbed, the radars-both gun and missle-came up. Guru then decided to play a trick. oeCoors One-Four, MAGNUM! A few seconds later, the radars all dropped off.
He turned and lined up on the target. oeFlight, Lead. Target in sight, and let's go in.

oeAll set back here, Goalie said on the IC.

oeGood girl, Guru replied. oeHold on and let's go. He rolled in on his run.

At Stephenville City Hall, the garrison commander had actually been breathing a sigh of relief. General Metzler, the Commander of the oeKampfgruppe Rosa Luxumbourg, had gone forward to the front, and had taken the insufferable Party man with him. Though the general was respected as a combat commander, the Political Officer was only good for spouting the latest Party line from East Berlin and not much else, and the Colonel who was now in command wasn't alone in feeling that way. Then the attitude of the local population was also an issue, as any fool could see that the fighting to the north was going bad for the Socialist Forces, and it was evident to anyone but said fool that the local population was waiting eagerly for the U.S. Army's return. It didn't help matters that the local PSD representative was now the fourth man to hold the position, as his three predecessors had met unpleasant ends (one had been shot in his car, another's home had a bomb planted inside, and the third was killed when his car ran over a roadside bomb), and the man was getting on everyone's nerves, even the garrison-who were recalled Frontier Troops, and many were hoping that the PSD swine would meet a violent end himself.

Now, in his office, the Colonel was talking with the Mayor, and it was an open secret in the town that the man was working for the Resistance. Thus far, there had been very little activity by the counterrevolutionary bandits, and both the Colonel and the Mayor wanted to keep things calm. However, the Colonel didn't know that the Mayor was biding his time, and waiting. They were discussing a plan to increase food rations for the Americans' Thanksgiving Holiday and Christmas when the air raid sirens began sounding. Both the Colonel and the Mayor went to the office window and saw the first anti-aircraft fire. oeWhat in Himmel....

oeLooks like the Air Force is coming in again, the Mayor observed.

oeLead's in hot! Guru called He ignored the flak coming up, and was glad to see that the SAM radars that had come up had gone off when he gave his phony oeMagnum call. Good. And if you catch on and a real Weasel's around You'll eat a HARM....Guru lined up the northern ramp in his pipper and watched it grow as he approached his release point. He lined up a couple of Mi-8 helos and what looked like a Let-410 transport in the pipper. You'll do, Franz.....A SA-7 type missle flew past, but Guru ignored it, as he got ready. oeSteady...Steady...And....NOW! He hit the pickle button, releasing his Rockeye CBUs onto the ramp area. He pulled up and leveled off, jinking as he did so to avoid flak and any missiles. oeLead's off target.

Both the Colonel and the Mayor watched as Guru's F-4 made its run, and they saw the CBUs going off To the Colonel, it looked like a thousand firecrackers going off on the ground, then there were three larger explosions as clearly, some of those bomblets had found targets. But what happened at the airport wasn't his responsibility, as the Air Force was in charge there. Then a second F-4 came in.

oeGOOD HITS! Goalie shouted from 512's back seat. oeWe got secondaries!

oeHow many Guru asked as 23-mm tracers flew past the aircraft, as did a MANPADS. Somebody's pissed off, he thought.

oeThree big ones, she replied.

That meant those two helos and the transport. Good. oeThree ground kills. Time to boogie out of here. He set course due north for the I-20.

oeTwo in hot! Kara called as she went on her run. The hangars were her target, and she saw the CO go on his run, and the secondaries that followed. Good job, Boss, she thought as she lined up the southern hangars in her pipper, intending to walk her dozen Mark-82s across all three hangars. Ignoring the 23-mm and 57-mm flak coming up, she centered the pipper on the hangar in question and noted what looked like a Hind helicopter parked in front of one, and its rotors had just started turning. Your turn, she said to herself. oeSteady....And....And....HACK! Kara hit her pickle button, walking her Mark-82s across the hangar area. She pulled up and level, jinking to avoid the flak. oeTwo's off safe.

oeDAMMT! The Colonel said as Kara's F-4 flew past, leaving explosions and pieces of hangars flying in its wake. He looked out around the building, and saw that many of the locals were on the streets, watching and cheering. He turned to the Mayor, who shrugged. Then the Colonel noticed a third Phantom coming in.

oeSHACK! Yelled Brainiac from 520's back seat. oeGot some secondaries!

oeGood ones Kara asked as a large missile, an SA-4 most likely was fired, but the big missile flew over the aircraft by at least a hundred feet and much to her relief, it didn't go off. Probably too close to the launcher....

oeBig and good! Brainiac called. He, too, had noticed the missile, and breathed a sigh of relief as the SA-4 kept on going.

oeI'll take those. Kara grinned beneath her oxygen mask as she picked up first the CO's smoke trail, then his bird.


Three's in! Sweaty called as she rolled in on her run. She saw the results of Kara's run, and even saw the Hind blowing up. There were still a couple of helos on the ramp, and what looked like a pair of Su-25s. Good, she thought, even though one of the Frogfoots began to move. Not your day, Ivan or Franz....Ignoring the flak, she lined up the southern ramp in her pipper, centering one of the Frogfoots. oeAnd...Steady....And....HACK! Sweaty hit her pickle button, releasing her dozen Rockeye CBUs onto the ramp area. She, too, pulled up and away, jinking to avoid the flak as she did. oeThree's off target, she called.

At City Hall, the Colonel shook his head. oeOf all the.... he muttered as Sweaty's F-4 made its run, leaving the CBUs going off in its wake, and at least one larger explosion as well. And both he and the Mayor could hear the cheering as that fireball climbed. Then he glanced to the south, and saw another F-4 coming in....Please, let this one be the last.

oeSHACK! Preacher shouted in the back seat.

oeGood hits Sweaty asked as a line of 23-mm tracers passed above the aircraft.

oeGreat ones! The ex-seminary student said. oeYou might have gotten that Frogfoot.

oeI'll take a ground kill if you will, joked Sweaty as she headed north.


oeFour in hot! Hoser called as he came in for his run. He saw the explosions at the ramp area, and noticed one Su-25 burning, but that a second one had taxied clear and was going for the runway. If only Dave and Flossy were with us, he thought as he lined up the fuel dump in his pipper. Hoser, too, ignored the flak as the fuel dump grew larger in his pipper. A quick glance at the runway showed the Su-25 getting ready to take off. He closed off that thought as he concentrated on the bomb run. oeAnd....Steady....And....HACK! Hoser hit his pickle button and sent his twelve Mark-82s against the fuel dump. He pulled up and away, and like the others, jinking to avoid the flak and any SAMs. oeFour's off target, Hoser called.

oeGOTT IN HIMMEL! Shouted the Colonel as Hoser's F-4 finished its run, and the resulting explosions showed what the target had been, for several fuel-fed explosions followed in the Phantom's wake. He turned to the Mayor, who was trying to conceal a smile, and he heard the cheering outside his office window. And deep down, he didn't blame these people for doing so. Shaking his head, the Colonel and the Mayor resumed their conversation.

oeGREAT HITS! KT shouted. oeYou got the fuel dump!

oeHow many secondaries Hoser asked as some 23-mm tracers flew by harmlessly.

KT was grinning beneath her oxygen mask. oeHow many do you want

oeToo many to count's good enough, replied Hoser. He glanced back and saw the Su-25 just climbing out from the runway. No way, Ivan. He turned north, picking up Sweaty's bird and following his element lead out.

oeWhoo-hoo! Guru said as he took a quick glance to the rear. He could see the fuel dump going up.

oeFuel dump Goalie asked.

oeHoser got it, Guru replied. Now, they weren't flying for Uncle Sam, they were flying for themselves. oeTime to I-20

oeOne minute forty-five, was the reply.

oeLead, Four, Hoser called. oeA Frogfoot got off after I made my run. Can't see him.

oeRoger that, Four, Guru replied. oeFlight, Lead. Pick up your visual scanning. See if he's behind us. Even a ground-attack bird like the Su-25 could ruin your day, for they carried AA-8 Aphid AAMs for self-defense, and still had two 30-mm cannon. Not good under the right circumstances. oeCrystal Palace, Corvette Lead. Say threat.

oeCorvette Lead, Crystal Palace. Threat bearing One-nine-one for thirty. Medium, closing. Second threat...stand by one. The controller paused, then picked up. oeSecond threat bearing one-eight-zero for ten. Low, steady.

oeThat'll be the Frogfoot, Goalie commented.

oeIt would, Guru said. And he knew they could outrun him. oeCrystal Palace, can you have a reception committee if he gets closer

oeCopy that, Corvette, the controller replied. oeBandits at One-nine-one for twenty-five. Medium, closing. Bandits are Fishbeds.

oeCopy, Guru said.

oeOne minute to I-20, Goalie added.

The AWACS called up a flight of F-16s. oePuncher Three-one, Crystal Palace. Bandits bearing One-seven-eight for thirty. Medium, closing. Kill. Repeat: KILL. Clear to arm, clear to fire.

oeRoger that! A female voice came over the frequency. oePuncher Three-one copies.

oeThirty seconds, Goalie said. That meant the I-20. Just then, the F-4 crews saw four F-16s pass overhead, heading south.

oeGo get some, Kara muttered in her cockpit. Oh, for another dogfight and another Red Star on the side of 520. Maybe next time, she knew.

Goalie checked her navigation in 512's rear seat. oeThirty seconds, she called.

oeGot it, Guru replied. Then the F-16s came over the radio as they waded into the MiG-21s. Two of the East Germans went down, then one of the F-16s, then one more East German, with the surviving MiG running for his base.

oePuncher Three-four is down, Three-one called. oeGood chute.

oeRoger, Puncher Three-one, AWACS called. oeWill notify Jollys. That meant the Jolly Greens, the CSAR choppers.

oeDamn it, Guru growled as he heard the fight.

oeCan't win them all, Goalie reminded him. oeI-20 dead ahead.

The twin ribbons of Interstate appeared, with Army supply convoys moving in both directions, and this time, the strike flight's egress route was away from the I-20 bridges over the Brazos, with their attendant I-HAWK SAM sites. And those pukes, everyone knew, had the oeshoot them down and sort them out on the ground later, attitude. oeCrossing the Fence, Guru called. oeWe're clear.

oeGood, Goalie said. Then she gave the course for the tanker track over Mineral Wells.

The flight formed up and headed for the tankers, with both KC-10s and KC-135s in their orbits, and protected by F-15s and F-16s. Ivan had tried on numerous occasions to get at the tankers, and had failed for the most part. Though every once in a while, someone got lucky, and a KC-135 became a very big fireball.

After the refueling, the flight headed back to Sheppard. When they got into the pattern, it was full, as both outbound and inbound flights were making the base very busy. Guru checked the outbound flights to see if the F-20s were among them, and he was disappointed that they were not. After landing, they taxied in, and as usual, the news crew was filming. oeDon't they ever stop Guru asked.

oeYou must be joking, Goalie said.

oeSomebody will use the footage, I guess, Guru replied. Then they taxied into the squadron's dispersal, and found the F-20s still in their revetments. But everyone noticed the ground crews beginning to clear, and it was obvious: the F-20s were getting ready to depart. Good. Then the flight found their own revetments and taxied in. When Guru taxied 512 into its revetment and shut down, he let out a sigh of relief. oeThat's done.

oeAnd we're going after the F-20s next, Goalie reminded him.

oeThat we are, Guru said as he popped his canopy and Goalie did the same. oeBusiness before pleasure, though. They went through the post-flight checklist, then the ground crew brought the crew ladder. Pilot and GIB stood in their cockpits and stretched, then climbed down. A ground crewmember offered both bottles of water, and they gratefully accepted.

oeMajor, my bird come back without a scratch Sergeant Crowley asked. Crew Chiefs never hesitated to remind crews that the crew chief oeowned the aircraft, and the crew merely borrowed it.

oeShe's doing fine, Sergeant, said Guru. The CO did a quick walk-around, then nodded. oeYou do know about the, uh, 'Check ride for General Olds

His Crew Chief nodded back. oeYes, sir. Captain Van Loan told me and the other Chiefs. Fifteen minute turnaruond, Major.

oeDon't waste anymore time, Sergeant, Guru said. oeLet's get her ready to skin those Tigersharks.

oeYou got it, Major! Crowley beamed. oeAll right, people! Get the CO's bird ready to fly.

Pilot and GIB walked to the entrance of the revetment, and found a Dodge Crew-Cab pickup there, with not just Sin Licon, the SIO, but also Don Van Loan, the Ops Officer, and General Olds with Chief Ross and the news crew. And the mascot, Buddy. They noticed that General Olds was already in full flight gear. oeGeneral, Guru said. oeGuess you're ready to go.

oeI am, Major, Olds said as the rest of the flight came over. oeFirst things first, though: your Intel wants a debrief,

oeThen let's get it over with, Guru said as Kara came up.

oeBoss, I think you got a couple of helos and a Let-410 on your run, she said. oeSaw the secondaries as we rolled in.

oeI think everybody got a ground kill or two on this one, Sweaty chimed in. oeAll but Hoser, that is.

Hoser and KT shrugged. oeBetter luck next time, Hoser said.

oeLet's get this done, please, said Licon. They went over the mission, and just as they were wrapping up, the F-20s began taxiing out.

Guru noticed that, and checked his watch. He hit the stopwatch function. oeOkay, they've got forty-five minutes' endurance from wheels up. I want to catch them when they're maybe two, three minutes shy of Ms. Betty bitching 'Bingo fuel.'

Olds knew the tactic. oeMajor, you want to teach them something about fuel management, among other things, I take it

oeYes, sir, I do, replied the CO. oePeople, treat these guys like they're MiG-21s. Keep the fight in the vertical if at all possible. Don't turn with them.

The rest of the crews recognized that at once. oeKeep it in the vertical, Kara said. It wasn't a question.

General Olds nodded. oeYou're right on that, Captain. Go high, go low, but do not turn with them. Keep things in the vertical if at all possible.

oeThey've also got all-aspect Sidewinders, Van Loan reminded them. oeKeep that in mind as you go.

oeNoted, Don, Guru said. oeDid they join with a tanker when you were with them

The Ops Officer shook his head. oeNegative on that, Boss. Tankers were all busy.

oeOkay... the CO thought aloud. oeI'll talk to the AWACS. See if those punks did ask for a vector to a tanker. If they did, we wait a few, then go in. If not...

Kara grinned. oeDucks on the pond.

oeBe careful, Captain, Olds said. oeOverconfidence, even in DACT, is a bad thing, Be aware of that.

oeYes, sir,

Guru turned to his Ops Officer. oeDon, who's in Prada's back seat

oeDave Golen, Van Loan replied. Their IDF oeObserver would be making a report back to Tel Aviv on the F-20, and that would no doubt make Northrop very happy about a possible sale to the Israeli AF after the war.

Then they heard the rumble of the F-20s' F404 engines as they rolled down the runway into the air. oeStarting the clock, Guru said. oeBest I can figure, they've got twenty minutes' playtime in the old Scud Box before they head back.

oeTen minutes to get there, ten back with a five minute reserve, Brainiac noted.

oeSo when do we go Sweaty asked.

Guru did some quick calculations in his head. oeGeneral, how does ten minutes from now sound

oeSounds good to me, Major, said Olds. oeI'm riding with you.

oeYes, sir, Guru replied. oeGoalie's with Kara on this one, said the CO. oeSorry, Brainiac, you're odd man out this time.

oeOh, well, Kara's GIB shrugged. oeSomebody has to.

oeWhat's the rules, Major Olds asked.

oeSir, I'm glad you asked. Keep things above five grand AGL and everything's copectic. Five seconds' lock with whatever weapon you're calling is enough for a kill. And be careful, people! Paint transfer at altitude is bad news, okay

oeWhat about Party Crashers Goalie asked.

oeIf they've got red stars on their tails, fight's on, Guru nodded. oeThat satisfies the no-combat directive.

General Olds nodded. oeThat's how I read it, Major.

oeThank you, sir, said Guru. oeAnything else

Kara spoke up. oeWho's buying tonight

oeLosers, Sweaty replied.

oeHopefully, they will, KT added.

Major Wiser let out a grin. oeThat's the idea, folks. Anything else Heads shook no. He turned to General Olds, who nodded. oeThen let's hit it, people. And teach those young punks a thing or two.

oeLet's go and do it, Major, Hoser said.

Guru nodded. oeYeah, let's. Meet at ten grand overhead. Time to fly.

oeHey, look at Buddy, Preacher said. The dog had not slept during the brief, and was paying attention. oeIt may be a friendly round, but some of us may be 'killed.'

oeHope not, Goalie said.

oeSame here, the CO said. oeLet's go.

The crews headed to their aircraft, the news crew following the CO and General Olds as they went to 512. And Sergeant Crowley was surprised to see a Two-star General coming to fly on oehis aircraft. oeGeneral, he said as he snapped a salute. oeMajor. Five-twelve's ready to go.

oeThanks, Sarge, General Olds said. He turned to the CO. oeMajor, you're still the AC. I'm just along for the ride.

oeYes, sir, Guru said. He and Olds did a quick preflight walk-around, and then Crowley helped him get General Olds in the back seat.

oeAnything special, Major Olds asked.

oeSir, there's only three things I may need from you. One and two happen to be turning the radar on and off. The third would be going boresight on the radar so I can get a quick system lock.

oeUnderstood, Major, Olds replied.

Guru nodded, hopped down, then mounted his own cockpit. The two went through the preflight as if it was for a prewar incentive ride, then it was time for engine start. He gave a thumbs-up to Sergeant Crowley, who gave the oeStart Engines signal. One, then two, J-79 engines were soon up and running.

oeHow's that feel, sir Guru asked the General.

oeMajor, it may be twenty-five years since my last flight in a fighter, but you never forget. It feels good back here, Olds replied.

oeGeneral, if you're pleased, then so am I, replied the CO. oeTower, Corvette Flight with four, requesting taxi and takeoff instructions.

oeCorvette Lead, Tower. Clear to taxi to Runway Three-Five-Lima. Hold prior to the active, and you are number two in line, the controller called.

oeRoger, Tower, Guru said. He gave another thumbs-up to Crowley, who waved to the ground crew. They pulled the chocks away from the landing gear, then Crowley gave the oetaxi signal.

Guru released the brakes, and taxied out of the revetment. As 512 cleared the revetment, Sergeant Crowley snapped a perfect salute, which Guru and General Olds returned. Then the CO taxied to the runway, with the other three F-4s following.

When the flight got to the holding area, there was a Marine Hornet flight ahead of them. After the Marines took off, it was their turn to taxi to the holding area. Guru taxied to the holding area, and the armorers removed the weapon safeties. They had four AIM-9Ps, two AIM-7Es, a full load of 20-mm, and the appropriate ECM pod for leaders and wingmates. Not that they hoped to use any, but General Yeager's encounter with a recon flight the previous day showed that combat could happen anywhere. Unlike a regular combat mission, the wing tanks were left off, for all they would do in this case was provide drag. Then it was time to taxi for takeoff. oeTower, Corvette Lead with four, requesting clear to taxi for takeoff.

oeCorvette Lead, Tower. Clear to taxi for takeoff. Winds are two-seven-eight for ten. Good luck, General, added the controller.

oeRoger that, Tower, Olds handled the reply. oeAnd thank you.

Guru taxied onto the runway, and then Kara and Goalie taxied 520 onto their right wing. Guru glanced over, as did the General, and they saw both Kara and Goalie give a thumbs-up. They returned it, then after a quick check, Guru called the tower. oeTower, Corvette Lead requesting clear for takeoff.

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

oeReady, sir Guru asked his VIP (Very Important Passenger).

oeReady back here, Major, Olds responded. oeCanopy coming down.

Both closed and locked their canopies, and a quick glance at 520 showed Kara and Goalie had done the same. Then Guru went to full throttle, released the brakes, and 512 rolled down the runway and into the air, with 520 right alongside. Sweaty and Hoser followed thirty seconds later, then they met at FL 100 and headed west, towards the old Scud Box.

[Matt Wiser]

General Olds' "Check Ride", and some DACT with the F-20s:



Over Northern Texas, near Childress, 1100 Hours Central War Time:


Corvette Flight approached the old Scud Box, intent on finding the F-20s. Due to traffic headed to and from Amarillo-the two full F-4 Wings in Tenth AF were based there-the actual area in the box that was open for any kind of DACT was limited. Still, Guru wanted to know where the F-20s were, and instead of calling the AWACS, which, he knew, the F-20s would be listening in, called up a couple of F-4 flights headed to or from Amarillo to see if they had noticed the Tigersharks. The two flights in question hadn't, but one of the flight leaders, an ex-IIAF Major in the 306th TFS, thought he might know someone who had, and called up another flight that was inbound. Sure enough, word got to Corvette Flight that the F-20s were in the central part of the Box, and had been aggressively playing not just with each other, but had challenged some of the ex-IIAF guys to fights-and the F-20s had won, much to the regret of the 306th. One of the Iranians told Guru to oeUphold the honor of the F-4, and Guru had said he'd try.


Now, Corvette Flight was headed south, towards the center of the old box, and only one radar was on: Kara's. oeTwo, Lead, Guru said over the radio. oeYou find 'em for us. Call out when you have bogeys.

oeCopy, Lead, Kara replied. In 520's back seat, Goalie turned on the APQ-120 radar and began searching for targets. Though the radar could generally detect a bomber-sized target up to 40 miles away, going after fighters meant about half that. Still.....

oeNothing yet, Goalie called. One feature of the F-4 was that, originally, there had been two rated pilots in the aircraft, and the backseater had full radio controls. She was now the eyes of the flight.

Sweaty got on the radio. oeLead, Three, she called. oeAny ideas

oeFlight, Lead. Guru responded. oeThey can see us before we see them, no thanks to these engines. Try and stay up-sun if you can.

In 512's back seat, General Olds recalled an old WW II adage: oeBeware the Hun in the Sun. oeJust like in Europe, Major.

oeYes, sir. Still applies today, Guru noted. Then he had an idea. Maybe the AWACS would tell, and remind the F-20 guys that peacetime DACT rules applied. oeWarlock, Corvette Lead.

oeCorvette Lead, Warlock, the AWACS controller replied. oeGo.

oeWarlock, any Tigersharks around The way he put the question, it would be clear to the controller that Guru was looking for a pickup DACT session.
oeAffirmative, Corvette. On your nose, thirty-five miles, Medium.

oeRoger that, Warlock. If they call, remind them peacetime rules apply.

oeCopy, Corvette, replied the controller.

In the E-3B, the controller turned to the Senior Controller, an ex-F-4 driver who had a serious back injury from a prewar ejection and that had meant he could never fly an ejection seat aircraft again. oeThese F-4s are looking for Yeager's people.

oeFive bucks says they get the drop on them, the Major replied.

oeYou're on.


oeSweaty, Guru. You and Hoser go high. I'll take Kara and go low. People, if they try and lock you up, do a Doppler Break, then turn into 'em.

oeRoger, Lead, Sweaty called. oeHoser, on me. The two F-4s climbed, while the lead element went low. With both searching for targets, either with the radar, TIESO, or visually with the Mark-one eyeball.


To the south, the F-20s had been doing ACT with each other.

In Prada's bird, the two-seat D, IDF Major Dave Golen was very impressed with the aircraft. oeYou know, Goria Epstein would love this plane.

In the front seat, Prada asked, oeWho's he

oeJust our top ace from the Six-Day War, War of Attrition, and the Yom Kippur War, with seventeen kills. All in Mirages or Neshers. But some of your guys have passed his total, Golen said. He checked the radar display and wondered what oeHawkeye as Espstein was known, would think of the F-20. Maybe after the war, Northrop could send a demonstration flight to Israel.....

oeThis is a pure dogfighter, I'll admit, Prada said. oeNot much capacity for air-to-ground ordnance, though we've done that a lot. We've got short legs, but we've done well so far.

Golen nodded in the back seat. oeAnd your impressions of Clancy and Pruitt He, too, like some of Major Wiser's people, wondered just how old they were. Then again, the CO pointed out that some people held their age pretty well.

oeThey're good at what they do. Their antics over Altus as PRAIRIE FIRE pushed south, making ace in a day, prove that. Both know how to use their aircraft, but they do like to take risks. She paused for a moment, then went on, watching the objects of their conversation do some ACT with General Yeager watching from above. oeHonestly, though, with the losses the 474th has taken, they've climbed the ladder a little too fast for my taste.

oeWorried

oeCan't say I'm thrilled, but not surprised they took with Yeager when he asked for both of them to come to this detail.

Golen had a chuckle. oeLeaving you behind

oeNo, she replied. oeWell, just a little. The brass has a very good reason for the no-combat order, though. The Yak, though, was unavoidable. The General should be in another two-seater, but he has the rank, and Clancy and Pruitt have the experience.

Then the AWACS controller came on the radio. oeShowroom Flight, Warlock. A flight of Foxtrot-Fours is transiting the area.

In his F-20C, Clancy laughed. oeSo the Phantom Phanatics want to play

oeCareful, Yeager warned. oeSay your fuel state. Yeager checked his own fuel, and saw he only had four or five minutes' fuel left.

oeGot five minutes, Clancy replied.

oeSame here, Pruitt added.

oeFour, Prada chimed in.

oeWarlock, Showroom Lead. Say composition Yeager asked.

oeShowroom, Corvette Flight is inbound with four. Two radar, four heat, and full gun, the Controller replied.

oeWarlock, can you vector us onto them

oeNegative. Peacetime rules apply. This was from the senior controller himself.


In 512, Guru was listening in on the AWACS frequency. So, if that's your game.....Showroom Lead, Corvette Lead. Five seconds' lock with whatever weapon you're calling is a kill. Keep everything above five grand AGL and everything's copectic.

oePrada Yeager called. oeYou want to do the honors

oeMy pleasure, Lead, she replied. Then she called the F-4s. oeScrew you, flyboy, and flygirl, if Starbuck's with you.

oeYou're not my type, Kara shot back, and Goalie laughed. Then she got serious.

oeTwelve miles.

oeYour choice, Guru added. oeFight's on!

oeLet's go get 'em, Clancy said.


oeSweaty, Guru called. oeYou and Hoser stay high, Kara On me. He went down low, pulling up just before 5,000 and leveling off at 5050 feet.

oeRoger that, Sweaty replied. oeThey're trying to lock me up! Then she remembered the Doppler Break, going hard left, and Hoser went with her.

oeFour hits on scope, Goalie called from 520. oeTwo at Twelve, two at One.

oeTwelve will be Yeager and his wingman, General Olds said.

oeGeneral, Guru said, oeCan you get the radar on, and once it's on, go boresight

oeMy pleasure, Major. Olds worked the controls, and by God, it did come back. oeRadar on, and you're boresighted.

oeThanks, General, replied Guru. He turned on the auto-acquisition, hoping to lock the nearest F-20 up....


oeTwo, you and three break left, Yeager told Clancy. oePrada, with me. He broke right, with Prada right with him. oePrada, go active on radar, and pick them out.

oeRoger that, Prada replied. She called up the radar on her MFD and began scanning. oeTwo at Twelve, two at Eleven. One pair high, one low.

oeGot one, Clancy called. He called up his radar missiles and tried to lock up one of the F-4s. Then he saw both of them do a hard break, and recognized the tactic at once. oeThey're doing a Doppler Break!

oeSteady, Two, Pruitt called. oeI got one..... He locked up the trailing F-4 in that element. oeAnd...FOX ONE on the trailer.

In their bird, Hoser and KT unclipped their oxygen masks. oeDamn it! he called. oeFour's been splashed. And under the rules, he had to leave the area for two minutes before coming back in. oeWe're on our way out.


oeShit! Sweaty called over the radio. oeI need some help here.

oeOn our way, Guru called. Both he and General Olds had their eyes out of the cockpit, swiveling around. oeStarbuck, got tally

oeNo joy, she replied.

oeGeneral, could you go boresight, if you would Guru asked. The request was a polite order.

oeGladly, Olds replied. oeYou're set.

oeThank you, sir, Guru said as he scanned the sky. oeTally two at One, low.

In 520, Kara grinned. oeThat'll be Clancy and Pruitt, she said.

oeWatch it, Goalie replied. She was keeping her own head on a swivel, trying to check six.

oeSweaty, where are you Guru asked as he rolled in on the two F-20s.

Sweaty was above, making some S-turns and jinking, trying to run Yeager out of fuel, as he was closing in. oeGot some trouble here, but I can handle it. She then pulled back on the stick and pulled up into a Vector Roll to the right, hoping to turn the tables on her attacker.

oeCopy that, Guru said as he rolled in on the two. oeI got the one on the right. That meant Pruitt.

oeI got the other one, Kara said. You are mine, she said to herself as the two F-20s broke.


Clancy swore. These F-4 guys were good. And all of them, pilots and GIBs, were aces. oeBreak! he called to Pruitt. And both F-20s broke, Clancy left, and Pruitt right.

oeI got him, Guru called as he went to RADAR and tried to lock Pruitt up. And the tone signaled in his headset. oeFox One on Pruitt.

Pruitt cursed aloud. oeShit! He, too, had to leave the area. He checked his fuel. Maybe time for one pass on the way back.....

oeGot him!

oeLead, Break! Sweaty called. oePrada's on you!

Unknown to either him or General Olds, Prada had snuck in while Guru was taking his shot on Pruitt. She had taken advantage of the F-4's bad rear visibility, but had made a big mistake. She had target fixation and was trying to line up a gun shot.

oeRoger that! Guru called, and he, too, applied power and pulled up into a left vector roll, forcing Prada to overshoot.


oeWhere'd he go Prada wondered aloud. She was trying to pick up the F-4, and she knew by the tailcode it was Guru she had been after.

oeCan't see him, Dave Golen said. He, too, had been scanning. oeHe's in the sun!

Hearing that, General Yeager started to scan himself. He saw Sweaty make her one mistake-she had leveled out and reversed her turn-probably so that she could clear her CO's tail. oeAnd Fox two on Sweaty, Yeager called in his West Virginia twang.

oeDamn it! Sweaty called as she and Preacher yanked off their oxygen masks. They, too, had to pull out for two minutes before coming back in.

Just then, Guru came out of the sun and right behind Prada.

oeHe's behind you, Prada, Yeager called, his voice calm over the radio.

oeWhere Prada asked as she swiveled her head to take a look.


oeNice try, girl, Guru said as he lined her up in his pipper, the Sidewinder's growl very loud in his headset. oeFox two on Prada.


oeI think we're dead, Dave Golen said calmly.

oeFuck! Prada shouted over the IC. oeWe're out, she called as she, too, vacated the area.


Below, Kara in 520 was chasing Clancy, who was all over the sky, trying to shake his pursuer. He had made one mistake, namely, letting her get too close, but had managed to deny her the killing shot. oeHe's good, Kara said over the IC.

oeMaybe too good. Goalie said. She had her eyes out of the cockpit, looking for Yeager. oeGuru, six clear

oeYour six is clear, Two, Guru replied. oeTake him.


oeNeed some help here, Clancy called.

oeOn you, Yeager replied. He dove in, glancing at his fuel state. One minute's fuel before breaking off....


oeGot him... Kara said as the F-20 leveled out and headed east. Had to be low on fuel...... oeGoing heat....and....FOX TWO! Sorry, Clancy.

oeShit! Clancy called over the open radio. Then a voice called in his headset. oeBingo Fuel. Bingo Fuel.

oeShut up, bitch. I know I'm low. He headed east, towards Sheppard.


oeWe got him! Kara yelled.

oeYou did, Two, Olds called. oeBreak right! Yeager's coming down.

They barely had time to look before an F-20 came out of the sun. oeFox two on Kara, Yeager's drawl sounded on the radio.


oeHe got us, Goalie said.

oeBetter him than one of those punks, Kara sighed as she headed out of the area.


oePrada is bingo, they heard, then both Clancy and Pruitt made similar calls.


Guru turned to try and line up Yeager, but a oeBingo call from Yeager ended that idea. He pulled up and orbited as Hoser, then Sweaty, and two minutes later, Kara, came in. oeLead, Kara called. oeThat didn't go the way we thought.

oeNo kidding, Sweaty added. oeThose guys were good.

oeToo good, Hoser chimed in. oeWhere'd those two learn to fly and fight like that

oeGeneral, I'd like to know myself, Guru said. oeLooks like we learned a couple of things. And eat some humble pie.

oeBoth sides will, Olds said. oeHonors were even here.

oeThey were, Guru said. oeLet's go home.


The AWACS controller turned to his Senior Controller, palm extended.

The Major took out his wallet, paid what he owed, and wondered, what had gone down with those guys


Corvette Flight returned to Sheppard, and when they got back, found they had to wait in the pattern, for there were several strikes coming back and heading out. Once the pattern was clear, they came in and landed. As they taxied in, the crews noticed the F-20 guys were waiting. oeNo disrespect, General, Guru said, oeThose guys look like they're trying to rub it in.

oeNot a surprise, Major, Olds said. oeYou people expected to clean up, and instead....

oeBetter this way, sir, than in combat. I'd be writing a few letters if this had been real.

oeNo arguing that, Major.


The flight taxied to their squadron dispersal, and found their revetments. Guru taxied 512 into its revetment, and after going through the shut down routine, popped his canopy, and Olds did the same. Sergeant Crowley came up with the crew ladder as they went through a post-flight check. oeSergeant, Guru said. oeDidn't go the way we thought.

oeMajor Crowley asked. oeWhat the...

oeThree of theirs, and three of ours, Guru said as he climbed down the crew ladder, with the General following suit. Both accepted bottles of water from the ground crew.

oeFirst fight I've been in-real or training, where everyone involved was an ace, Olds nodded. He took a drink of water. oeGeneral Yeager, and those three young pups. Then he remembered. oeAnd Major Golen.

Crowley nodded. oeSir, that would've been something to see.

oeIt was, Guru said. oeGet her turned around, Sergeant, he told his Crew Chief. oeNext one's for real.

oeYes, sir!

As the ground crew started the turnaound, Major Wiser and General Olds went to the entrance of the revetment, and found the rest of the flight waiting. oeWell

oeWhere'd they learn to fly and fight like that Kara asked. And that was a question on everyone's mind. oeThey fly like there's no tomorrow.

Sweaty nodded. oeSo do we, she reminded them. oeWe fly Double-Ugly like we stole them, and those punks....

'That we do, Hoser added.

Then a Dodge Crew-Cab pickup pulled up, with Chief Ross and Buddy aboard. oeGeneral Major General Yeager's people want to debrief.

oeGeneral Guru asked, and saw Olds nod. oeOkay, let's get over there. All eight piled into the truck, and Ross drove them back to the Squadron Office. When they got to the Briefing Room used after the affair with the recon flight, they found the F-20 people waiting.

oeWell, Major, Yeager said. oeLooks like things didn't go your way,

oeNo, sir, Guru admitted. oeYou had the AWACS tell you we were coming.

Yeager nodded. oeAfter that recon flight, I thought it was a good idea to be warned about party crashers-friendly or otherwise.

Kara had a scowl on her face. oeGeneral, you got me at the end, And you had to be short on fuel.

oeThirty seconds from Bingo, Yeager admitted. oeYou people did teach us one thing about fuel management. Yeager had been the last to make a oeBingo call and break off.

oeYou knew about our radar missiles, Clancy pointed out.

oeWe did, Sweaty replied. oeYou got Hoser right from the get-go, but you forgot about the Doppler Break.

oeAnti-F-15 tactic, KT chimed in. oeToo bad we did it too late. You had us.

oeThey did, Hoser said.

oeWell, that's that, Clancy said. oeNow that's two you have on me.

Heads turned to Clancy. oeTwo Pruitt asked.

oeThe pool match, he reminded them. oeI'll get you one of these days.

oeMaybe, Kara replied.

General Olds turned to Prada. oeYou should have taken a Sidewinder shot, he told her. oeYou would've had us.

oeYes, sir, said Prada. oeBut with Dave Golen in the back seat, and you know how the Israelis value gun kills....

Guru recognized it at once. oeYou had target fixation, and tried to line up a gun kill. Those are good, but you had missiles and didn't use them.

oeIt's what they're there for, Yeager added.

oeGuilty, Prada said. Now, she was thinking very seriously about taking that IP assignment in California. Even though this had been a pickup DACT round, she knew full well had it been real, she would be either hanging in a chute at least, if not dead. oeI got greedy and tried showing off.

oeDon't, Clancy told her. oeJust take the shot and kill 'em dead. Remember, we didn't hunt those ZSU-30s with CBUs, rockets, and guns because we wanted to. We did it because we had no other choice, being short on Maverick and Shrike.

Yeager nodded. oeHe's got a point.

oeThrow in some complacency on both sides, General Olds reminded everyone. oeBoth sides came in very overconfident.

oeGeneral, I'd say so, Guru said. oeThis is the first time I know of where everyone in a DACT is an ace, either pilot or GIB.

Kara nodded. oeYou've got Phantom Jockeys here who fly Double-Ugly like they stole it. And you fought us to a draw.

oeAnd you taught us a lesson in fuel management, Yeager said. oeWe were short on fuel when you came calling.

Clancy nodded. 'If we had belly tanks, it would've been four-to-one your favor. Drag from the tanks would've held us back. I probably have Frank Carson to thank for that. I wanted CBUs on the centerline, but he suggested we take the tank.

Yeager agreed. oeWe run low pretty fast. I'll talk to the guys at Northrop and see if they can get some more fuel tankage added after the war. But you go to war with what you have, not what you want to have.

There was no argument there. oePoint taken, General Olds said. oeAnything else He saw everyone stay quiet. oeMajor Golen, how about you

oeIt was a hell of a ride, Golen said. oeCan't promise anything, but we might want to have you bring a couple of these to Israel after the war. Don't know what use we may have for them, but the IDF doesn't have a dedicated aggressor squadron. Might be a good idea..,' he mused.

oeInteresting take, Olds said. oeMajor He turned to Guru. oeAnything to add

oeJust that this was a shock to everyone involved. We all learned some lessons today, Guru replied. Was it like this for Nagumo after Midway, or the guys in the Philippines who hadn't taken much of the Zero, only to find out on Day One that yes, the Japanese could build a very capable fighter-the hard way.

Yeager nodded agreement. oeThat we did.

oeAll right: Major, I believe your people have missions scheduled in the afternoon Olds asked.

oeYes, sir, we do. My people Let's get something to eat, check your desks, because in an hour or so, we're back at it for real.

[Matt Wiser]

Anyone surprised how the DACT turned out

[Matt Wiser]

In between the DACT and a real strike:



335th TFS Offices, Sheppard AFB, TX: 1210 Hours Central War Time:


Major Matt Wiser was in his office, wrapping up some paperwork. Even though the Exec filtered out what he could do on his own-and he ought to know, having been Exec himself, leaving the the really important stuff for the CO's attention, still, there was sometimes too much that the armchair warriors insisted on. Once his OUT box was full, he sat back and waited for lunch. Then there was a knock on the door. oeYeah Come on in and show yourself!

oeLunchtime, a female voice said as the office door opened. 1st Lt. Lisa oeGoalie Eichhorn came in, two bags in hand. oeGrilled Chicken sandwiches with cole slaw.

The CO nodded. She was not only his GIB, but also his girlfriend. oeAnd iced tea or lemonade to drink, he observed. One thing about being a fighter pilot, you didn't drink sodas that much if you expected to be flying shortly, for passing gas at Flight Level 200 was not a good idea.

oeLemonade, she replied.

oeThen let's eat. Over lunch, they discussed the DACT just concluded. oeWell, how's it feel to be back from the dead

oeFirst time I've done that since Kingsley Field and the RTU, Goalie replied. oeGuru, when's the last time for you

oeRequalification course after the E&E, Guru replied. oeGot 'killed' a couple of times. Went down to Stead for that, and we played with the Navy out of Fallon. He was referring to NAS Fallon and the Naval Strike Warfare Center, which had its own aggressor squadron. oeAnd some folks I still can't talk about. All I can say is that they flew out of Tonopah, and they were good.

Goalie nodded. She, too, had flown against folks who were out of Tonopah, and after the DACT, had to sign a form saying the flight had been against the Aggressors out of Nellis, not who they had really flown against. oeWell, we were up against some of the best today, she said.

oeThe best in F-20s, Guru corrected her. oeLike I said: first fight I've been in where everyone involved is an ace.

oeSame here, Goalie said. oeYou said you wanted to teach those guys a few lessons. Question is, did we

Guru thought for a minute. oeI think we did. First one is target fixation.

His GIB knew what he was talking about. oePrada had Dave Golen in the back seat, and we all know how the Israelis value gun kills. She wanted to give him one.

oeExactly. Remember Bob Lodge and Bob Locher on 10 May '72 He had target fixation.

Goalie knew what her pilot meant. Captains Bob Lodge and Bob Locher had led an F-4 flight into the Hanoi area on the opening day of LINEBACKER, and had a fight with MiG-21s. They had splashed one, two others in their flight (Steve Ritchie being one) also killed MiGs, but when another MiG-21 came in, Lodge went after it. His wingman called two MiG-19s coming in behind him, but Lodge, fixated on the MiG in front of him, wasn't paying attention. The MiG-19s sprayed the F-4 with 30-mm fire, and the F-4 fell in flames. Bob Locher, the GIB, punched out and spent 23 days on the ground in North Vietnam before being rescued. Lodge, though, never made it out. His remains were returned in 1977. oeLearned that at the Academy, and at Kingsley Field.

oeWhich leads into the second lesson, Guru said. oeFuel management. Those guys don't have much legs. And if they'd had the centerline tank...

oeDrag, said Goalie. oeAnd Clancy said it himself: we would have cleaned them up.

oeYep. And I imagine fuel management gets into the F-20 syllabus, Guru noted. oeAnd then there's one lesson applicable to both.

Goalie remembered the debrief. oeOverconfidence. Both sides expected to clean up on the other. Instead....

oeInstead, we had a draw, Guru nodded. Then there was a knock on the door. oeYeah

Capt. Mark Ellis, the Exec, came in. oeBoss, heard about the fight earlier. You guys got humbled.

oeSo did Yeager's people, Guru said. oeIt was a draw. And we'll talk about it tonight. He noticed a couple of papers in the XO's hand. oeWhat have you got

oeWell, all the remaining parts Kev O'Donnell needs to get Kerry Collins' bird up and flying are on the next C-141, along with some other stuff we need.

oeGood, said the CO. oeSooner we get that bird back up, the better. Even though it's a three-day job. What else

oeThe 'other stuff Two spare ejection seats. As requested.

Guru nodded. oeHaving a couple of spare seats is a good thing. Right now, if we have a bad seat, that bird in question is off the flight schedule until we get a new one. What else

oeWe're also getting a few replacement airmen, Ellis said. Seeing the expression on the CO's face, he added, oeFor guys who went off to Airman to Pilot, or to Pararescue School.

oeAll right, Guru said. oeAnything I need to sign

oeNo. This is for your information, not action, the XO replied.

oeThat's always good. Then there was another knock on the door. oeYeah

Kara came in. oeBoss, and XO, she said, seeing Mark Ellis there. oeWe've got missions. Briefing packets are ready.

oeOkay, Guru said. oeRound up our flight, and get them to our briefing room. In ten.

oeDo the same for me, if you would, Ellis added.

Kara nodded. oeOn my way. She then went back out.

oeWell, Mark, hope you enjoyed the break, said Guru.

oeFun while it lasted, Ellis grinned. oeBe careful, Boss. Don't want to be CO yet.

oeAnd you too, Guru said, and both Ellis and Goalie could tell the seriousness in the CO's voice. oeDon doesn't want to be XO just yet, and Kara doesn't want to be Ops.

Ellis laughed. oeWill do, Boss. He then left to get his flight briefed and ready.

oeLooks like we're back in the game, Goalie said.

The CO nodded. oeThat we are. Get on over to the Briefing Room. I'll get our mission. Then we all have somewhere to be.

Guru went to the Ops office, and found Capt. Don Van Loan, the Operations Officer, waiting. oeDon,

oeBoss, Van Loan said. oeHeard you guys found those Tigersharks weren't easy meat after all.

oeThe hard way, Guru replied. oeYou'll get the story tonight at the Club. What have you got for me

oeChalk Mountain area, Van Loan said, handing the CO a mission packet. oeFifteen miles east of Stephenville. oe He showed Guru a photo. oeLots of vehicles here, and quite a few antennas deployed. It's either a C3 Site, a SIGINT installation, or a jamming site. And across the road here is a damaged vehicle collection and repair point.

oeEither way, they'll be defending it, Guru observed. oeA few gun sites, I see. This is in the East German sector, so any Weasels

Van Loan shook his head. oeNegative on that, and before you ask, Dave and Flossy have their own mission. They drew escort for a photo bird. And we know the drivers.

oeAthena and Helo, the CO nodded. It wasn't a question.

The Ops Officer grinned. oeYou got it.

oeOkay, any Weasels This is in the East German sector again.

oeNada, Boss.

Guru nodded. oeOkay. Don You have a good one, and be careful out there. Don't want Kara becoming Ops just yet.

oeThat's a very good reason to come back, Van Loan laughed. oeKnowing her and paperwork...

oeYou got it, said Guru. oeThanks, Don. Then the CO headed to the briefing room his flight used and opened the door. oePeople,

oeBoss, Kara said. oeWhat's on tap for us

He opened the packet. oeRight here, near Chalk Mountain, about fifteen miles east of Stephenville. This is the East German sector if you'll recall.

oeSwell, Hoser said.

oeYeah. Anyway, right here, just south of U.S. 67. We have two targets. One is either a C3 site, a field SIGINT station, or a mobile EW station. We get to make it go away.

oeNice, Sweaty noted. oeAnd the other target

oeAcross the road. It's at the Route 220/F.M. 197-199 intersection. Right between that is U.S. 67. The C3 site is between the intersection and Highway 67. Due west and across the road is the collection point.

KT nodded. oeSo, Boss, what do we have to make them go away

oeUsual air-to-air, and that includes the usual ECM Pods. As for air-to-ground Element leads have a dozen Mark-82 Snakeyes. Wingmen have a dozen Rockeye CBUs, replied Guru.

Kara looked at the photos, and then the CO. oeWho hits what

oeYou and I take the C3 site, said Guru. oeSweaty He nodded at his second element lead. oeYou and Hoser get the collection point. If the C3 site has moved We all drop on the latter target. Nobody brings ordnance home.

oeDefenses Preacher asked.

oeNothing other than 23-mm seen on the imagery, Guru replied. oeJust because it wasn't there yesterday...

oeMeaning it could be there now, Goalie said.

Guru nodded. oeRight you are, he said. oeThis is the East German sector again, and their SA-4s are only fifteen miles to the west, around Stephenville. And the area we did that CAS a couple days ago is to the north, so expect divisional-level Soviet or East German air defense. Guns, MANPADS, and vehicle mounted SAMs.

oeWe getting Weasels Brainiac wanted to know.

oeNot this time.

oeLovely, Kara said. oeAnd if we encounter those basketball-sized tracers

oeAbort, said Guru. oeGet your asses north in that case. And ingress We follow the Brazos again, staying in the Nicaraguan sector as long as we can. Get to Lake Whitney, and just before we get to the dam, turn west. Get to Meridian, then follow State Route 6 to Hico. Then go north along Route 220. There are two small lakes just short of the target area. That's our IP.

oeGot you, Kara nodded. oeMiG threat

oeUnchanged since morning, and bailout areas still the same.

Hoser said, oeAnyplace rural and away from roads.

oeRight on that. Anything else Guru asked.

oeOne more after this Preacher asked.

Guru nodded. oeYou hope. But if the Army starts screaming for CAS like they did a couple days ago...

oeTime enough for two more, Sweaty commented.

oeYeah, the CO replied. oeAnything else He asked as he gathered up the briefing materials. Heads shook no. oeOkay. Gear up and I'll see you at 512.

The crews headed off to the locker rooms, and after Guru geared up, he left the Men's Locker Room and found Goalie waiting as usual. oeReady

oeWe're back at it, she said.

oeThat we are, and this time Buddy wasn't with us.

oeHope he slept through whatever brief he was in on.

As pilot and GIB left the squadron office, they noticed two F-4Es already taxiing. They recognized Dave Golen's and Flossy's birds, and knew that Athena and Helo were in good hands. Then they walked to 512's revetment, and found the rest of the flight waiting. oeOkay, a reminder: if you see those basketball-sized tracers at the target Abort.

oeNoted, Major, Kara said. oeBut what if we see them on ingress or egress

oeEvade, and mark the location, the CO replied. oeOther than that Usual procedures on the radio.

Sweaty nodded. oeGot it.

oeOne more after this one Brainiac asked.

oeUnless the Army starts screaming for CAS yesterday, Guru quipped. oeOh, one last thing: when we get back from this one Try and spend some time in the fitness tent. I know, Doc hasn't been on us, but if he sees us going in there, he won't be on my back about it.

Heads nodded at that. Though it wasn't peacetime, spending some time keeping in shape was necessary. oeKeep the Sawbones happy KT asked.

oeAnd the Jarheads, Sweaty growled. oeThey like seeing the girls in sports bras.

oeDown, girl, Goalie said.

oeAnd staring at you, all sweaty-no pun intended, Guru said, nodding in Sweaty's direction, oeIs no reason to deck them. He nodded at Kara. oeWe're on good terms with the Jarheads, so let's keep it that way.

Kara grumbled. oeSo all I get to do is clean them out at the pool table or in a poker game

oeDo that, Guru said. oeAnd nothing else. All right, is that it Heads shook no. oeOkay, we've got somewhere to be and things to blow up. Let's hit it.

The crews headed to their aircraft, and when Guru and Goalie went into their revetment, Sergeant Crowley was waiting. He snapped a salute, which both pilot and GIB returned. oeMajor, Lieutenant Five-twelve is locked and cocked. Ready to kick some Commie ass.

oeThanks, Sergeant, Guru said. He and Goalie did their usual preflight walk-around, and noted the air-to-air loadout. Four AIM-9Ps, and two AIM-7s. But when Guru checked the left rear Sparrow, he saw the stencils. oeAIM-7Fs. Sergeant, who brought these

oeSome guys from Ordnance, Sir. And the same with the rest of your flight. Thought we just had Es, Major. Crowley said.

oeI think I know, Goalie said.

oeSo do I. Talk to Chief Ross, Sergeant. He'll fill you in. Guru said. He noted the two wing tanks, the ALQ-119 ECM pod, and the twelve Mark-82 Snakeye five-hundred pound bombs. The CO also knew the 20-mm Vulcan cannon had a full load of ammo. oeEverything looks good, Sergeant, He signed for the aircraft, then he and Goalie mounted the bird. After getting strapped in, they went through their preflight in the cockpit.

oeBack to the real deal, Goalie said. oeNice to be back from the dead.

oeJust be glad it was a game, Guru reminded her. oeBeen a while since my requalification and the last game time.

oeYou're right on that, she replied. oeEjection seats

oeArmed top and bottom. Check yours. And when this war's over Be strange playing again.

oeIt will. Arnie and INS all set. Preflight checklist complete, Goalie said.

oeIt is that, said Guru. He gave a thumbs-up to Sergeant Crowley, who gave the oeStart Engines signal. One, then both, J-79 engines were soon up and running. Once the warm-up was complete, he called the Tower. oeTower, Corvette Lead with four, requesting taxi and takeoff instructions.

oeCorvette Lead, Tower, the controller replied at once. oeClear to taxi to Runway Three-Five-Lima. Hold prior to the active, and you are number three in line.

oeRoger, Tower, Guru replied. oeCorvette Lead is rolling. He gave another thumbs-up to Sergeant Crowley, who motioned to the ground crew, who pulled the chocks away from the wheels. Then Crowley gave the oeTaxi signal, and Guru released the brakes, applied throttle, and taxied out of the revetment. When 512 was clear, Crowley snapped a salute, which was returned by Pilot and GIB.

The flight taxied to the runway, and found two flights, one Marine F-4 and one F/A-18, ahead of them. After the Hornets taxied for takeoff. Guru led Corvette Flight to the holding area, where the armorers removed the weapon safeties. Once the Hornets had taken off, it was their turn. oeTower, Corvette Lead requesting taxi for takeoff.

oeCorvette Lead, Tower. Clear to taxi for takeoff. Winds are two-six-seven for five.

oeRoger, Tower, said Guru. He taxied 512 onto the runway, and Kara followed in 520, forming up in his Five O'clock position. Guru glanced over at 520, and both Kara and Brainiac gave a thumbs-up. Guru and Goalie returned it, then did a last check. oeEverything set

oeAll set, Goalie replied. oeTime to go.

oeIt is, Guru said. oeTower, Corvette Lead requesting clear for takeoff.

As usual, there was no reply by radio, but the Tower flashed a green light. Clear for takeoff.

oeCanopy coming down, Guru said, pulling down and locking his canopy.

oeGot it, Goalie replied, doing the same.

Guru then glanced over at 520, which was just as ready. oeLet's go. He applied full throttle, and released the brakes. Then 512 thundered down the runway and into the air, with 520 right alongside. Thirty seconds later, it was Sweaty and Hoser's turn. The flight joined up at FL 110, and headed south for the tanker track.

[Matt Wiser]

Next strike:



Over Central Texas, 1325 Hours Central War Time:


Corvette Flight was headed south, having just passed the U.S. 377 bridge at Granbury. The pre-strike refueling had gone off without a hitch, and so had the initial penetration into enemy territory. The strike flight had encountered flak, this time from both sides of the Brazos, which was unusual, but given that somebody had just hit the Granbury Municipal Airport. unknown to any of the aircrews.... and so the flak gunners were still on edge-both East German and Nicaraguan.

oeSomebody's got them worked up, Guru said as the bridge disappeared behind them.

oeNo kidding! Goalie shot back. oeWho scheduled us to go past there right after a strike

oeSee what I can do about that, Guru replied. oeFlak ahead at the Dam. He was referring to the Lake Granbury Dam up ahead. oeHow far to the Glen Rose Bridge That meant U.S. 67.

oeOne minute, Goalie said. oeAnd flak at One, she called. Sure enough, 23-mm and 57-mm fire began to come up. This time, there were no radars guiding the guns, and the strike flight easily avoided the ground fire. oeWe're clear.

oeCopy that. Guru then called the AWACS. oeCrystal Palace, Corvette Lead. Say threats

A controller replied at once. oeCorvette Lead, Crystal Palace. First threat bearing One-six-five for sixty-five. Medium, closing. Second threat bearing One-eight-zero for seventy-five. Medium, going away. Third threat bearing Two-zero-two for ninety. Medium, closing.

oeRoger, Crystal Palace, said Guru. oeGlen Rose coming up.

This time, the flak only came from the west side, as the East Germans opened fire, but the Nicaraguan gunners stayed quiet. oeAnd they're behind us, Goalie said as the bridge flew by. oeThirty seconds to the next bridge.

oeGot it, Guru replied. His head was on a swivel, checking outside the aircraft for threats, then glancing at his instruments, and then at his EW display. Sure enough, there was an air-search radar, but far away. oeMainstay again.

oeHow many of those do they have

oeNeed to ask Sin that when we debrief, Guru replied. oeBrazospoint bridge coming up.

oeGot it, Goalie said. oeFlak at One, she called, as flak came up again from the East German side of the Brazos. In a flash, they were past the bridge. oeOne minute to the 114 Bridge. She meant the State Route 114 bridge. And once they got there, the flak would be from both sides, as the Libyans were on the east side of the river.

oeCopy, Guru called. He glanced at his fuel gauges. These low-level runs ate up a lot of gas. Well, that's why they made tankers, he knew.

The strike flight maintained its southerly course, following the river where possible. Pilots and GIBs were focused, the former watching out of the cockpit and scanning their instruments, while the GIBs handled the navigation. oeBridge dead ahead, Goalie called. oeAnd so's flak.

oeGot it, Guru said. Sure enough, the gunners on both sides of the river were shooting, and more intense than usual. For there was a convoy crossing the bridge, and there were even tracers coming from some of the vehicles. oeToo bad...

oeWhat

oeConvoy on the bridge. Not their turn to die, he said calmly.

Goalie chuckled. oeMaybe next time, she said as the bridge, with the convoy, flew past. oeOne minute thirty to the turn point.

oeRoger that.

The river soon turned into Lake Whitney, and the F-4s dropped a hundred feet lower. They weren't exactly skimming the lake, but the lower, the better. The fact there were no power lines crossing the lake helped. And much to the crews' surprise, there were some boats on the lake. Locals were fishing, to supplement the rationed food allowed by the occupiers, and even some Soviet soliders, looking for some fresh food instead of Red Army fare, and all were surprised to see four F-4s coming in low over the lake.

oeGot some boat traffic, Guru noted. oeTurn in when

oeFifteen seconds, Goalie said. oeStand by....and five, four, three, two, one, MARK!

Guru put the F-4 into a hard right turn, and lined up on a 270 heading. oeMeridian in when

oeOne minute ten, Goalie confirmed.

Guru checked to his right. Kara in 520 was still there, tucked in at the Five O'clock position. He glanced to his left, and found Sweaty and Hoser also there. Good. oeStill got the air-search radar.

oeMainstay Goalie asked. oeThirty seconds, she added. That meant Meridian.

oeProbably, replied Guru. oeMeridian in sight, and no flak.


In Meridian's City Hall, The Nicaraguan garrison commander was actually pleased with how things were going. Though a Soviet motor-rifle division had passed through, headed north, and another Soviet division was due in later, heading to the west side of Lake Whitney to rest and refit, things were calm. Even with the KGB and MVD troops, he was surprised to find. As for that PSD swine, well, the man seemed to think that the garrison should have known him by sight, but.....his fault for not being quick to show his ID after curfew when a sentry stopped him. No great loss, the Major felt, and even the Mayor, who he knew was likely biding his time until the U.S. Army returned, actually agreed with him.

Then, a very loud rumble got his attention. He went to his office window and looked outside. Sure enough, more Yanqui aircraft flew by overhead, and to his amusement, the MVD troops, isntead of
manning whatever air-defense weapons they had, ran to the shelters. He had heard from a Russian counterpart that the MVD troops weren't known for their smarts, and the Nicaraguan was finding out that this was largely correct. Not even some cheers from the local population didn't bother him as he went back to his desk.

oeNo flak, Guru noted.

oeNot this time, Goalie said. oeHico next up. One minute twenty-five.

oeRoger that, said Guru. Time to call the AWACS again. oeCrystal Palace, Corvette Lead. Say threats

oeCorvette Lead, Crystal Palace. Threat bearing One-six-zero for fifty-five. Medium, going away. Second threat bearing One-seven-eight for sixty. Medium, closing. Third threat bearing Two-one-one for sixty-five. Medium, closing, the controller replied.

oeRoger, Crystal Palace.

Just like the last time they were down here, the strike flight generally followed State Route 6, There wasn't much traffic on the road, meaning military traffic, as convoys or armored columns would likely be using towns to hide in during the day. It wasn't long before Hico came into view.

oeHico coming up. Guru said. oeNo flak so far.

oeRoger that, Goalie replied. oeStand by to turn.

Then some tracer fire came up. oeLead, Two, Kara called. oeFlak at Eleven.

oeI see it, Two, replied Guru. oeStand by to turn.

Goalie started the count. oeTurn in five, four, three, two, one, MARK!

Guru put the F-4 into a sharp turn to the right, and picked up State Route 220, ignoring the light flak as he did so. The rest of the flight made the turn with him, and they lined up along the highway. oeHow long to IP

oeForty-five seconds. Goalie reported. oeSet'em up She meant the armament control panel. Though the pilot had a panel, the GIB did as well.

oeGood girl, Guru said.

She worked the armmament controls, setting up things so that all of the bombs would be released in one pass. oeYou're set. Goalie called. oeIP coming up.

oeGot it, Guru said. oeFlight, Lead. Switches on, music on, and time to pull.

oeRoger, Lead, Kara replied, as did Sweaty and Hoser.

oePull in...three, two, one, NOW! Goalie said.

Guru pulled back on the stick, and as he did, the F-4 climbed, and more radars appeared on his RWR. He went wings level and then lowered the nose slightly to pick up the target. As he did, he was amazed at what he found. oeHoly....there's no C3 site. But a whole damned regiment, looks like.

oeWell, what are we waiting for Goalie said.

oeFlight, Lead, Guru called. oeLooks like our target just changed. Drop on the armor down below.

In 520, Kara saw the sight and grinned. oeCopy, Lead. Their turn to die today, she thought.

oeAll set Guru asked Goalie.

oeReady back here, she replied.

oeThen let's go.


At the U.S. 67/Route 220 intersection, the battered 254th Guards Motor-rifle Regiment was gathered. The regiment had been roughly handled in its first engagement in America, and many of the regiment's leaders had been killed or wounded. And, the acting regimental commander, a major who had been commanding the regiment's third battalion noted, as this regiment went, so did the division, the 144th Guards Motor-rifle Division.

Though the division had benefited from six months' training in at its home station in Estonia prior to deploying to Cuba, where it had gone through further training before arriving in Texas, the reality of combat was that the Americans had not gotten complacent after Wichita-which many of the Division's officers had heard horror stories about-but that they were more than ready for a fight after their Summer Offensive.

Now, the Major hoped, now that they had been pulled out of the line, the regiment-and the rest of the division, would be able to refit, reconstitute, and get ready to return to the front. And maybe, he could find a way to get rid of his Zampolit while they were at it. The man was on his nerves, upset that so many Party members and Komsomol organizers had been killed or wounded. Clearly, in their first action, the most enthusisatic Communists had led the way, and the Party man was not pleased that their enthusaism had led to high casualties.

That's his problem, the Major thought as he climbed down from his command vehicle, a BTR-70, and called his Chief of Staff over. That officer, a Captain, had the same job in Second Battalion, but from First No officer higher than Senior Lieutenant had come out of the action in one piece, and those above that young officer were either dead or in the hospital. Just as the Chief came to him, the Regiment's Sergeant-Major, the Major's old one from Third Battalion, yelled, oeAir Alarm!

oeWhat

oeEnemy aircraft, Comrade Commander! Get down!

The two officers jumped into a just-dug slit trench, as the air alarm sounded.


Guru rolled in on his attack run. oeLead's in hot! he called. As he came down on the unexpected target, he noticed some tanks that appeared to be laagered up, just north of the 67-220 intersection. Your turn now, Ivan. Or is it Franz No matter, he thought. Guru noticed some light flak coming up, and it looked like unguided 23-mm with some heavy machine-gun tracers mixed in. Ignoring that, and a MANPADS that flew past 512, he lined up the tanks in his pipper. oeSteady...And...Steady....And....NOW! Guru hit his pickle button, releasing his dozen Mark-82 Snakeyes down on the tanks below. He then applied full power, and began jinking to avoid any flak or missiles coming his way. oeLead's off safe.

oeDamn! the Major yelled as the bombs exploded to the north. He felt the concussion, even in the trench. Though he'd been attacked from the air before, as well as fighting off the Americans over the past two days, still....He glanced up and took a quick look. Several T-72s were damaged, at least one had been flipped over by a near hit, and one had taken a direct hit and been blown apart. Then he got back down, for he'd learned the hard way over the past three days that American aircraft didn't attack alone.

oeSHACK! Goalie called from 512's back seat. oeGot some secondaries.

oeHow many Guru asked as a missile, maybe an SA-13, flew past him on the left as he jinked right.

oeGot a couple.

oeWe'll take 'em, he replied as he headed north, eyes open for those damned basketball-sized tracers.


oeTwo's in! Kara called. She came down on 520's bomb run, and she saw the CO's run in, and some secondaries as he pulled away. As she came in, Kara noticed what looked like artillery pieces and their prime movers down below, just southeast of the intersection. Regimental artillery You'll do. She lined up the guns in her pipper.....And....And...HACK! Kara hit the pickle button, sending her dozen Mark-82s down on the guns. She then pulled level, applied power, and headed north, jinking as she did so. oeTwo's off target.


The Major heard Kara's F-4 fly over, then the bombs went off in the plane's wake. Then several additional explosions came, and he knew that the regimental artillery had been hit. He wanted to take a look for himself, believing only two aircraft had come in, but seeing several tank commanders and soldiers turn their weapons back to the south told him otherwise. More American aircraft were coming in., so he ducked back into the trench.


oeGOOD HITS! Brainiac yelled from 520's back seat. oeLoads of secondaries!

oeHow many Kara asked as a missile flew below the aircraft as she jinked. She, too, was watching for large tracers....

oeEnough!

oeHave to take that, she quipped as Kara headed north and picked up the CO as she did so.


oeThree's in hot! Sweaty called as she came in on her run. She saw the effects of Kara's bombs going off, and noted the light flak coming back up. No ZSU-30s Good. She picked out several APCs clustered together just to the north of the intersection, to the left of where the CO had laid his bombs on some tanks. Your turn to die, Sweaty said to herself as she lined them up in her pipper. oeAnd....And....HACK! Another dozen Mark-82s were released upon the Soviet regiment, then Sweaty applied full power and began jinking as she headed north, not seeing an SA-14 fly past her left wing. oeThree off target.

oeSookin sin! the Major said aloud to himself as Sweaty's F-4 came over. . Son of a bitch. These Yankees were determined. Though he'd seen several American aircraft fall to air-defense systems over the past two days, the Americans had systematically gone after those assets. And now.....all his regiment had for air defense were the air defense platoons in the battalions, and a handful of ZU-23s operated by regimental artillery, and also the headquarters company, along with a single Strela-10 launcher. And they were nearly out of missiles. He glanced at where the F-4 had deposited its bombs, and saw that they had landed on Second Battalion's position. Several BTR-70s were either flipped upside down, tossed aside like toys, or, in at least one case, had taken direct hits from bombs, and were now so many pieces of rubbish flying in the wind. Shaking his head, he ducked down again as more anti-aircraft fire opened up. How many Yankee aircraft were coming

oeSHACK! Preacher said. oeWe've got secondaries!

oeWhat kind Sweaty asked as she jinked to avoid flak. oeGood ones

oeYou just answered your own question, replied Preacher. He glanced to the right and saw a missile-a MANPADS, he thought, fly over them by about fifty feet.

oeThen let's get the hell north, Sweaty said as she headed for the Brazos.


oeFour's in! Hoser called as he came down on his run. He, too, ignored the flak as he went down on the regiment, and saw what looked like some supply vehicles at the Route 220/F.M. 197/F.M. 199 intersection, just south of U.S. 67. Nice...and you'll do, he thought as he lined the trucks up in his pipper. oeSteady... Hoser called as the flak came up. oeAnd....and....HACK! He hit his pickle button, and released his bombs. Another dozen Snakeyes fell onto the Russians down below. Hoser pulled wings level, applying power as he did so, and began jinking. oeFour's off target, he called.

oeDamn it! The Major shouted as Hoser's aircraft right over him, and explosions sounded in its wake. Fortunately, none were too close, and after the American had cleared the area, he and his Chief of Staff got out of the trench and surveyed the area. Howls of agony came from the tank battalion and Second battalion, as the wounded literally screamed for attention. Secondary explosions continued from where a battery of D-30 howitzers had been parked, and that meant the regimental artillery was now down to a handful of men and a couple of guns-if that. And smoke to the south meant the regiment's supply column had been hit. Shaking his head, he turned to the Chief of Staff and began issuing orders. Time to get this madhouse back in some kind of order.

oeSHACK! KT yelled. oeWe have secondaries!

oeWhat kind Hoser asked as he tried to pick up Sweaty as he jinked.

oeBig ones!

oeI'll take those, he said as he eyeballed his element leader. Hoser, too, kept an eye for those tracers. He and KT had been shot down once, and that was enough for the both of them, thank you very much.


oeHoser's off, Goalie said in 512's back seat. oeFour in and out.

oeNot until we're across the fence, Guru reminded her. oeStill got a game on. He was watching for those tracers.....Crystal Palace, Corvette Lead. Say threats

The AWACS controller replied at once. oeCorvette Lead, Crystal Palace. Threat bearing One-seven-five for forty. Medium, closing. Second threat bearing One-eight-zero for fifty. Medium, closing.

oeCopy, Crystal Palace. Say bogey dope. Guru was asking for ID on the bandits.

oeCorvette, Crystal Palace. Initial threats are Floggers. Second threats are Fishbeds. That meant MiG-23s and MiG-21s.

oeRoger that, Guru said. He did some calculations in his head. oeHow long to the Fence He asked Goalie.

oeTwo minutes, was the reply.

oeCrystal Palace, Corvette Lead. Can you have a welcoming committee for the bandits Guru asked the AWACS.

oeRoger that, Corvette. We'll have some friends waiting for 'em. Cowboy Two-one, Crystal Palace. Threats bearing one-eight-zero for forty-five. Medium, closing. Kill. Repeat: KILL. Clear to arm and fire.

oeCowboy Two-one, Roger, an F-15 flight lead called.

In 512, Guru grinned beneath his oxygen mask. oeThose MiGs get a wall of Eagles.

oeTheir lucky day, Goalie said. oeOne minute thirty to the Fence, she called as the Brazos River appeared.

Guru banked left to follow the river, then the U.S. 377 bridge at Granbury appeared. As usual, the East German gunners opened fire, but this time, the Nicaraguans stayed quiet.

oeCorvette Lead, Crystal Palace. Threat bearing One-eight-zero for twenty-five. Medium, closing, the AWACS controller warned.

oeEagles coming Guru asked the controller, not bothering with mission code right then.

oeCorvette Lead, that's affirmative.

Then the F-15s appeared overhead, heading south. And oeFox one calls came as the Eagles engaged the MiG-23s.

oeCrossing the fence.....now, Guru said as I-20 appeared. oeFlight, Lead. Verify IFF is on, out. He turned on his IFF transponder, and the rest of the flight did the same. Those Army air-defense pukes liked to shoot first and argue afterwards, especially the I-HAWK crews. And the I-20 bridges over the Brazos had an I-HAWK battery close by....

oeEagles had some fun, Kara called. She had been listening in on the fight. The F-15s engaged the MiG-23s, killing three, and as the survivor turned for home, the MiG-21s came in. Two of those were splashed before the F-15s had to break off for fuel.

oeMaybe next time, Guru said.

oeGuess so, Kara replied.

The flight climbed back to cruising altitude, and met up with the tankers. As they took on fuel, they saw two more F-4Es and an RF-4C join up on another tanker cell, and that meant Dave and Flossy had brought Athena and Helo back. The Photo-Phantom turned west for Cannon AFB after refueling, while the fighters headed for Sheppard.

When they got to Sheppard, both flights had to wait, as outbound flights and an inbound C-141 had priority. Then they were cleared in. After landing, they taxied to their squadron dispersal, and popped their canopies. And as usual, the news crew was filming.

oeThey ever going to stop Guru wondered aloud.

oeHas to be a slow day, Goalie said. oeBut doesn't our interview air soon

oeShould be tomorrow night, Guru replied.

oeWonder how we'll look

oeWe'll just have to wait and see, Guru said as he taxied into 512's revetment. He got the oeHold signal from Sergeant Crowley, and after the ground crew put the chocks around the tires, then came the oeShut down signal. After shutting down, and going through the post-flight checks, Guru took a deep breath. oeThree and done, not counting the 'Check ride.'

oeAnd time for one more, Goalie said. oeSwell.

oeDon't remind me.

The ground crew brought the crew ladder, and pilot and GIB climbed down. After a quick walk-around, Sergeant Crowley came over. oeMajor, Lieutenant How's my bird He handed the CO and GIB each a bottle of water.

Guru took a drink, then nodded. oeShe's working like a champ, Sergeant. Get her turned around for the next one.

oeSir, how'd you guys do

oeHelped turn a regiment into a battalion, Goalie said after taking a long drink from the bottle. oeHopefully.

Crowley smiled. oeSounds good to me, Ma'am.

oeSame here, Sergeant, Guru said. oeLet's get her ready.

oeYes, sir!

Guru and Goalie went to the revetment's entrance, and found Kara and Brainiac already there. oeWell Kara asked. oeWhere'd the C3 site go

oeGood question, Guru said. oeSometimes what was briefed is replaced by something else. Others....

oeEmpty space, Sweaty spat as she and Preacher came, with Hoser and KT following. oeWhere'd those guys come from

oeAlso a very good question, the CO replied. oeLet's get debriefed. Maybe Sin Licon has some answers, or he'll be just as surprised as we were.

KT nodded. oeProbably the latter, she said.

oeYeah, Brainiac added. oeNow what

oeDebrief, then get some kind of workout in, because we've got time for one more, Guru said.

oeAny kind of a stand-down coming Kara asked. oeWe could use the rest.

oeNot for four or five days, Guru said. oeI know, we can all use a break. But not until then. He nodded in the direction of the squadron's office. oeCome on. Sooner we debrief, sooner we can make Doc happy.

oeAnd we get to do this again in an hour and a half, Sweaty said. oeHave to earn our flight pay.

oeThat we do.

[Matt Wiser]

Getting ready for the last one of the day:




335th TFS, 1500 Hours Central War Time:


Major Wiser had just gotten back into his office, having debriefed the previous mission, and then went to deal with some paperwork before getting in a four-mile run on the fitness tent's treadmills. He checked the papers and found not much there, to his delight. The CO attacked the papers, and it wasn't long until his OUT box was full and the IN box quite empty. With the oearmchair warriors now satisfied, he decided to go and get in his workout, but before he could do so, there was a knock on the office door. oeYeah Come in and show yourself!

The Exec came in. oeBoss, Capt. Mark Ellis said. oeGot a few things for you.

oeAnything I need to sign Guru asked.

oeNo, not yet. This is all for your information, not action.

oeOkay, Mark, Guru said. oeLay it on me.

oeFirst of all, the eastbound C-141 came in. The, uh, stabilizers that Ross and the scroungers found are on it, the Exec reported.

oeTell Kev O'Donnell to keep 'em around, Guru decided. oeWe've had two birds with that kind of battle damage in a month, so...

Ellis nodded. He understood what his CO meant. oeThey will be handy.

oeThat they will, said Guru. oeWhat else

oeThe RAF will be here in four days, the Exec said. oeThey have to go to either Dow AFB in Bangor, or Otis in Massachussetts first of all.

oeWhat the hell for

oeAmong other things, clearing customs, said Ellis. oeI know, even with the war and all. Personally, I think that's all a bunch of bullshit.

oeCustoms The CO asked. oeThis on the level

oeIt is, Boss, the XO replied. oeI know, it sounds crazy, but...

oeReminds me of something I read in Newsweek, after my E&E. Catching up on news I missed, said Guru. oeAnyway, when they brought the Black Horse Cav from England, a couple of weeks into the war, their convoy pulled into Boston Harbor. Some Customs officer wanted to know what they had to declare, and if they had any fruit, vegetables, or house plants. Wanted customs forms from every soldier in the Regiment. The Colonel in command literally threw the guy into the harbor, and told the other officers, 'None of your damn business! So let's get these ships unloaded!' Peacetime mentality, two weeks into the war. Guru shook his head at that.

oeKind of like Frank, Ellis observed.

oeKind of, the CO replied. oeAnything else

Ellis grinned. oeOur PAO should be here about the same time. Her R&R's almost up, and she'll probably be hitchhiking on a MAC Space-available to get here.

oeGood. Kodak Griffith's been good, but he's a Marine, and sooner or later, we have to give him back, the CO reminded Ellis. oeBecause he wants back in the cockpit.

oeYeah. I'd be chomping at the bit to get back flying myself, said Ellis.

oeHope you're never in that position, Guru said. oeYou may think you're ready, but if the Docs think you're not.... His voice trailed off.

oeYou're flying a desk until they say you're ready, Ellis nodded.

oeYep. Anything else before I get my workout in

Ellis nodded again. oeC-141 also brought in some newspapers: Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Stars and Stripes. That'll be good to read.

oeIt will, Guru said. oeThat's it

oeIt is for now.

Guru got up from behind his desk. oeAll right. I'll be in the fitness center. You been there today

oeWhile you were on your, uh, 'Check Ride' with the General, Ellis said. oeBe warned: Doc's got one of his medics with a list, and he's checking off names.

oeThanks, Mark.


Guru went to his tent to change into some workout clothes, and went over to the fitness tent. Sure enough, one of Doc Waters' medics was waiting outside. oeDoc have you keeping tabs on who's working out He asked the ex-PJ Tech Sergeant who had a clipboard in hand.

oeYes, sir, the sergeant replied. He checked off the CO's name on the list.

oeFigures, the CO nodded, then he went inside. He got on a treadmill and started his run, and after a few minutes, noticed the rest of his flight come in, plus Dave Golen, Flossy, Jang, and Dave's GIB. Sure enough, several of the others-mostly Marines, but a few Navy, stared at Kara and several of the other women in their sports bras or tank tops, only to receive icy stares in return. Most of the old hands knew not to go any further, but a few persisted, only to be told by others that Kara in particular had a long memory, and would get her revenge-usually at the pool table or a poker game. After his run, and some time on the weight machines, Guru told the NCOIC of the ten to have his crews at the briefing room in fifteen, left to take a quick shower, and get changed back into a flight suit.

When he got back to the squadron office, his Ops Officer was waiting. oeDon, Guru asked.

oeBoss, Don Van Loan nodded. oeGot a new mission for you. Just then, Dave Golen came in.

oeAnything for us Golen asked the Ops Officer.

oeAs a matter of fact, yes, Van Loan said. oeBoss, you've got a target here, north of Hico. It's a SAM support facility, and it looks like they're moving in some SA-2 and SA-3.

oeLovely, Guru said. oeAt least we get to take them out before they can get the sites set up.

oeThat's the idea, Boss, Van Loan replied. oeDave You and Flossy are going to Walnut Springs. Fuel dump, which explains a two-ship.

Golen nodded. oeIt does. That escort for the recon didn't draw MiGs, but everyone and their mother was shooting at us.

oeLibyan sector Guru asked.

oeAs a matter of fact, yes, Golen replied. oeHow'd you know

oeSimple, Guru said. oeThe Libyans are the only ones who shoot as if ammo is going to be outlawed in the next five minutes. Not to mention they hardly aim at all.

oeThat they did. Golen checked his packet. oeWe're still Mustang. You

oeCorvette, the CO said. oeIf you hit trouble, Dave Holler. We'll be there.

oeSame for you, replied Golen.

The two shook hands, then went to brief their respective crews. When Guru got to his flight's briefing room, everyone was there, along with a four-legged guest. oeOkay, who let Buddy in

oeHe was here when we got here, Kara said. oeAnd he's sound asleep.

oeGood, Hoser nodded. oeHe was alert during the DACT brief, and we all know what happened.

Goalie grinned. oeHe was, and we do. What's up for us

oeSAM support facility, Guru said, opening the briefing packet. oeHere, about seven miles north of Hico. There's a town-more like a collection of houses with a church than a town, called Duffau. Five of those Farm-to-Market Roads come together there. Our target is north of the town itself. Right at the F.M. 2481/F.M. 212 intersection. There's a ranch there, and Ivan's using it as a SAM support facility.

oeSo we get to kill them before they set up the SAM sites Sweaty asked. oeSounds good to me.

oeBetter that way, Kara said. oeWhat's there

oeSA-2, and there's not only several SA-2s on transporters, but more in their shipping containers, Guru said, pointing to a recon photo. And note the trucks with two missiles on top. Those are SA-3 transporters. He noted the intel notations in the photo.

Preacher looked at the photo. oeAnd SA-4 transporters, I noticed. Nice of them to put all their SAMs in one basket.

oeIt is that, Guru said. oeOkay, targets. I'll take the SA-2 area. Kara You go for the -3s, and Sweaty The -4s are all yours.

oeThanks, Boss, Kara replied.

oeHoser You take the ranch house and barns. Guru said, tapping the imagery with a pen. oeThe ranch house is probably their CP, and where the officers bed down. The missile techs are in the barns, in all likelihood.

oeGot it, Hoser said. oeOrdnance

oeSix Mark-82 Snakeyes, six M-117Rs each airplane, said the CO. oeThe Mark-82s have the Daisy Cutter fuze extensions. Other than that Usual air-to-air load, ECM pods, and wing tanks.

Heads nodded at that. oeDefenses Goalie asked.

oeSeveral ZU-23s around the place, and you can expect MANPADS as well. This is the East German rear, so SA-4s from Stephenville are possible. And there's this.

oeWhat

oeSome of the Russians and East Germans we helped bomb the shit out of are probably close by, resting up and refitting. So you can expect regimental and divisional level air defense anyhere. See the look on Sin Licon's face when we told him what we hit, instead of the C3 site Guru reminded everyone. The squadron intelligence officer, Capt. Darren oeSin Licon, was very surprised when the crews told him what had been at the location of a C3 site they had been briefed to hit, to say the least.

Heads nodded at that. oeSo, we could run into almost anything going in or going out Hoser wanted to know.

oeThat's about it. If you see any of those basketball-sized tracers on the target Abort, said Guru. oeAnywhere else Evade, and call out the position.

Kara nodded. oeGot it, Boss. MiG theats

oeUnchanged since this morning. So are bailout areas.

oeSounds good, Sweaty said. oeAnd ingress

oeComing to that, Guru nodded. oeAfter the pre-strike refueling, we cross the fence here, at Ranger, on the I-20. Get down low, and head due south for Proctor Lake. Once we hit the lake, head east to Route 6 and the town of Clairette. Then we go to U.S. 281. After that, we pick up an old railroad right of way just to the east of the highway. That's the IP. After you make your run, get back down low, and head northeast. Pick up the Brazos somewhere between Glen Rose and Granbury to the north, then we head for the I-20.

oeWe're on the Soviet/East German boundary, Brainiac noted. oeOn the way in, I mean.

oeThat we are. Soviet 32nd Army to the west of the East Germans. We've been along that boundary before, and they don't coordinate air defense for some reason. Anyway, this may be the last one of the day, but treat it like it's the first. DO NOT get complacent, Guru said firmly. oeUnderstood

oeLoud and clear, Major, Kara said. As usual, when someone addressed Guru by his rank, that meant they were very serious about the subject at hand.

oeGood to hear, Guru nodded. oeAll right; anything else Heads shook no. Guru nodded, then glanced at Buddy. The dog was sound asleep.

oeLooks like Buddy thinks it'll be an easy one, KT joked.

The CO grinned. oeLet's hope he's right. Time to get back at it. Gear up and meet me at 512.

The crews went to their locker rooms to gear up. When Guru came out of the Men's Locker Room, Goalie was waiting outside, as usual, geared up and ready. oeReady to rock

oeGame time, she replied.

oeIt is that, Guru nodded.

Guru and Goalie then left the squadron building and headed for the squadron dispersal. When they got to 512's revetment, the rest of the flight was there, waiting, as was General Olds.General, Guru said as he and Goalie sketched a salute.

oeMajor, Olds replied. oeLieutenant, he added. oeJust wanted to see you all off this time.

oeThank you, sir, and I didn't ask earlier, but hoped you liked the Check Ride.

oeMajor, that flight made me feel twenty years younger. Hope you have a good mission, Olds said.

oeThank you, sir, Guru replied. oeAll right, people. Gather round. He was giving his final instructions.
oeUsual procedures on the radio.

Sweaty nodded. oeCall signs between us, and mission code to AWACS and other interested parties.

oeRight you are, Guru said. oeRemember, if you see those basketball-sized tracers at the target Abort.

oeGot it, Kara nodded, and so did the others.

oeAny other questions Guru asked. Heads shook no. Then he clapped his hands. oeTime to go get 'em. Let's hit it.

The crews headed to their aircraft, and as Guru and Goalie went into 512's revetment, General Olds accompanied them. Sergeant Crowley was waiting, and the Crew Chief snapped a salute. oeMajor, Five-twelve's ready to go.

oeThanks, Sergeant, Guru said. He and Goalie did their usual preflight walkaround, then he signed for the aircraft. The bombs were in their racks, and the usual air-to-air load of four AIM-9Ps, two AIM-7s (now Fs), and an ALQ-119 ECM pod in the left front Sparrow well, along with the two 370 gallon wint tanks were all loaded. Then it was time for him and Goalie to mount the aircraft, and before they climbed aboard, General Olds was waiting one last time. oeGeneral

oeMajor, Olds said, extending his hand. oeGood luck. And you, Lieutenant, he said to Goalie.

Guru shook hands with the General, who did the same with Goalie. oeThank you, sir.

oeBring everybody back, Olds said with due seriousness.

oeDo my best, General, Guru said as he climbed the crew ladder. oeNo guarantees in this business.

oeAin't that the sorry truth, Olds admitted. oeJust do your best, Major. Then a Dodge Crew-Cab pickup pulled up and Master Sergeant Ross waved to the General. oeThat's my ride, Major. See you when you get back.

oeYes, sir, Guur said as he put his helmet on and got strapped in. Then he saw the General get in the pickup and it drove off. Then he and Goalie did the preflight. oeLast one.

oeAlways good, Goalie said as she went through the checklist. oeOnce more unto the breach. Ejection seats

oeArmed top and bottom. Check yours, Guru replied. oeJust leave out the 'close the walls with our dead' crap. Arnie That meant the ARN-101 DMAS.

oeArnie's set, and INS ready, Goalie said. oeI'll go along with that. Preflight complete and ready for engine start.

oeRoger that, said Guru. He gave a thumbs-up to Sergeant Crowley, who gave the oeStart Engines signal. First one, then two, J-79 engines were up and running. Once the run-up was complete, Guru called the Tower. oeTower, Corvette Lead with four, requesting taxi and takeoff instructions.

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

oeRoger, Tower. Corvette Lead is rolling. Guru then gave another thumbs-up to Sergeant Crowley, who waved to the ground crew. The chocks were pulled away from the tires, and Crowley gave the oeTaxi signal.

Guru released the brakes, and taxied out of the revetment. When 512 cleared the revetment, Sergeant Crowley snapped a salute, and both pilot and GIB returned it. Guru then taxied to Runway 33C, with the rest of the flight following. When they got to the holding area, a Marine F-4 flight was ahead of them as a flight of Navy A-7s went down the runway. After that, a flight of Marine Hornets landed. After the Marine Phantoms taxied onto the runway, it was their turn.

Corvette Flight taxied into the holding area, where the armorers removed the weapon safeties. As they did that, the Marine F-4s took off, then it was their turn to taxi. oeTower, Corvette Lead requesting taxi for takeoff.

oeCorvette Lead, Tower. Clear to taxi for takeoff. Winds are two-seven-two for five.

oeRoger, Tower, Guru called. He then taxied 512 onto the runway, and he and Goalie did a final check. Guru glanced to the right, and found Kara and Brainiac in 520 in their Five O'clock position, ready to go. Both crews exchanged thumbs-up, then it was time. oeTower, Corvette Lead requesting clear for takeoff.

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

oeReady Guru asked his GIB.

oeLet's go, Goalie said. oeCanopy down. She closed and locked her canopy.

oeTime to fly, Guru said as he closed and locked his canopy. A quick glance to the right showed 520's crew had done the same. oeHere we go. Guru applied full power, and released the brakes. 512 then thundered down the runway and into the air. Right with them was 520. Thirty seconds later, it was Sweaty and Hoser's turn. Then the flight rendezvoused at FL 110, and headed south for the tankers.

[Matt Wiser]

Last strike of the day:



Over Central Texas: 1615 Hours Central War Time;


Corvette Flight was inbound, having crossed the I-20, and into enemy territory. They were ingressing roughly along the boundary between the Soviet 32nd Army to the west, and the East Germans to the east, and so far, neither one had reacted to their presence. While the GIBs concentrated on the navigation, the pilots were busy keeping their heads on a swivel, checking instruments, then scanning outside for threats.

oeHow long to Proctor Lake Guru asked Goalie in 512 as the Texas landscape flew by. A few hills in this part, though flat otherwise. They were flying just west of, and parallel to, State Route 16, which was no doubt in use by the Soviets and East Germans.

oeTwo minutes to the lake, Goalie called from the back seat.

oeCopy, Guru replied. He checked his EW display. So far, so good. No threats detected...yet.

The strike flight followed the Leon River, then crossed Route 16, and headed for Proctor Lake. A quick glance west had the setting sun, and that was a good thing. Anyone looking for them visually would have the sun to contend with, not to mention interfering with an IR missile's seeker head. oeLake coming up, Goalie called. oeFifteen seconds to turn.

oeRoger that, Guru said. Just then, a spoke appeared on his EW display, and the SEARCH indicator came on. oeLooks like a search radar.

oeNot close, Goalie observed.Turn in five, four, three, two, one, and...TURN!

Guru put the aircraft into a left turn, then settled onto a heading between northeast and east. oeOn the second leg.

oeGotcha. Goalie checked her map-a good GIB always used the old-fashioned backups. oeTwo minutes to the next turn.

oeRoger that.

Then the AWACS came on the line. oeCorvette Lead, Crystal Palace. Threats bearing One-six-five for fifty-eight. Medium, closing. Second threat bearing One-eight-zero for sixty-five. Medium, closing. Third threat bearing Two-zero-two for seventy. Medium, Closing.

oeCrystal Palace, Corvette Lead, Guru replied. oeSay bogey dope

oeCorvette Lead, Crystal Palace, First two threats are Floggers. Threats at Two-zero-two are Fishbeds.

oeRoger, Crystal Palace, Guru said. He kept his eye open as several farm-to-market roads flew by below, and any one of them could have a hidden threat, such as any type of ZSU gun or mobile SAM launcher as a mobile flak trap. oeFlight, Lead. Music on, he called. That meant to turn on their ECM pods.

oeCopy, Lead, Kara replied, and the others followed suit.

Just then, the flight overflew a convoy. Goalie glanced at the trucks and even a tank transporter. oeNot their turn.

oeMaybe tomorrow, Guru called.

Below, moving north on F.M. 1702, an East German Major was leading his supply convoy. It had been a long way from the port in Corpus Christi, and they had actually had no incidents with the counterrevolutionary bandits who infested rural parts of Texas. However, they had encountered the deadly aftemath of several of their attacks, where either patrols or small convoys had been attacked, leaving burned-out vehicles and bodies in their wake. As they got closer to the Army rear, signs of Fascist air attack had also become common, with facilities in the rear being targeted, or engineers repairing bomb-damaged bridges. Clearly, the Imperialist air forces were a threat, and so, when the convoy had arrived in Hamilton, orders were waiting for them to divert west along Route 36, then north on this Farm-to-Market Road 1702. They would get to Dublin, then follow Route 67/377 to Stephenville, where their cargoes were to be delivered.

Suddenly, four American aircraft overflew the convoy, headed in a northeasterly direction. The Major screamed over the radio for the convoy to halt, and soldiers deployed from several BTR-60s with Strela missiles on their shoulders. No follow-on aircraft appeared, much to his relief. They were running late as it was with the detour, and this... oeBetter late than dead, the Major said as he ordered his men back into their trucks and APCs.

oeHow far to Clarette Guru asked. That was the next checkpoint. They had one more after that before the IP.

oeThirty seconds, Goalie replied.

oeCopy that, Guru nodded. He shot a quick glance at his EW display. That search radar was still there. oeMainstay may have us.

oeHope they've lost us in the clutter.

oeYou're not the only one, said Guru. oeCrystal Palace, Corvette Lead. Say threats

The controller responded right away. oeCorvette Lead, Crystal Palace. Threat Bearing One-seven-zero for fifty-five. Medium, going away. Second threat bearing One-eight-zero for sixty-two. Medium, closing. Third threat bearing Two-one-one for sixty-five. Medium, closing.

oeCopy.

oeClarette in five, four, three, two, one, MARK! Goalie called.

The town, more a collection of houses alongside Route 6 than a town, flew by. Then U.S. 281 flew past a few seconds later. oeIP in when

oeTwenty seconds, Goalie called. oeSet 'em up She meant the armament control panel.

oeYou read my mind, replied Guru. oeAll in one go. Flight, Lead, Switches on, and stand by.

oeTwo copies, Kara called.

oeThree ready, from Sweaty.

oeFour, roger, was Hoser's call.

Goalie worked the backseater's armament control panel. Though the pilot had one up front, setting up the weapons was often the GIB's responsibility. oeAll set. IP coming up.

oeGot it, Guru said. oeFlight, Lead, stand by to pull.

Goalie made the call. oeAnd....NOW!

Guru pulled back on the stick, and as he pulled up, the little town of Duffau appeared to his right. And right at the intersection, as described in the mission brief was the target. oeTarget in sight, Guru called. oeReady

oeAll set back here, Goalie said. oeLet's go.

oeGoing in, Guru said as he rolled in on his bomb run.


At the missile support facility, a Voyska-PVO Lieutenant Colonel was wondering how he'd wound up halfway around the world, serving the Rodina when he should be lecturing to students at the University in Kuibyshev. He had served in a S-75 battalion and then a missile brigade during his service, only to be lured out of uniform by a need for engineering instructors at several universities, so he had been discharged into the Reserves in 1978, only to be recalled in 1986, a year into the war. With the oewar emergency, he had been promoted to first Major, then Lieutenant Colonel. The Colonel had been to Cuba once, during his time on active duty, and his father had actually been deployed there in 1962, as a battalion commander in one of the Motor-rifle regiments sent there as part of Operation ANADYR. Now, he was in America, and not only had he gotten to hate the place called Texas, he had also found out that the local population, with few exceptions, resented the Socialist Forces' presence, and had made that clear on several occasions, either with mortar attacks on his missile support battalion at previous locations, snipers, and even a culvert bomb that had blown one of his missile transporters-and the S-75 missile being carried-into tiny pieces.

Now, his missile support battalion was in the rear of the East Germans, supporting both the Voyska-PVO S-75 and S-125 (SA-2 and SA-3) sites in the area. To make matters worse, the Army had moved in a missile support unit of its own, for the 2K11 (SA-4), 2K12 (SA-6) and 9K33 Osa missiles used by both Soviet and East German units, and they all happened to be sharing the same area. To his surprise, the Colonel got along fine with his Army opposite number, a Lieutenant Colonel like himself, only younger-it seemed that the man had been promoted to take a dead man's place. Something all too common in the Soviet military these days......So far, he'd never been attacked from the air, but he'd heard from battery commanders who had, and often the first warning was the WHOOSH of the antiradar missile, followed by the missile exploding on target.

The Colonel got up from behind his military-issue desk, and left the ranch house being used as a headquarters, and went to see how things were going. The Stephenville S-75 site was due to be back online in two days, and finally, all of the necessary equipment had arrived. Command was also hoping to add an S-125 site in the same area, and one of his officers had left with a part to survey possible site locations, for the Imperialists had been very active in the air, and both the Army and the East Germans were screaming for additional missile cover. He walked over to where several missile transporters were parked, each with an S-75 on a trailer, and was about to sign them out when he heard shouting, then the ZU-23 AA guns around the site began firing. Air raid He scanned the sky, then was suddenly pushed into a slit trench by someone, who said, oeComrade Colonel, air attack!

oeLead's in hot! Guru called as he rolled in on his bomb run. Coming in, he easily picked out where the SA-2 transporters were parked, and centered them in his pipper, and noticed the tracers coming up at him. Ignoring the light flak coming up, and even a SA-7 type missile that flew by on the left side, Guru got ready to release....Not your day, Ivan, or Franz.....Steady...Steady...And.....HACK! He hit the pickle button, releasing his six Mark-82s and six M-117Rs onto the target below, walking them across the transporters and the missile containers nearby. Guru then pulled wings level and headed north, jinking as he did to avoid flak and any MANPADS. Only then did he make his call. oeLead's off safe.

oeDamn! Muttered the Colonel as Guru's F-4 came overhead. This was his first time under air attack, and he shuddered in the trench as the bombs went off. Then there were several sympathetic detonations as something had been set off by the bomb blasts. The Colonel was tempted to look, but remembered his training, and the air raid drills. More enemy aircraft were coming in.

Goalie yelled from 512's back seat. oeSHACK!

oeSecondaries Guru asked as he jinked again.

oeGood ones, Goalie replied. oeAnd a missile at Seven, she added.

Guru jinked right, and glanced over as a missile-probably another SA-7 type, flew past. Then he headed to the northeast, intent on finding the Brazos. Now he and Goalie were flying for themselves.
oeKeep an eye out, he said.

oeYou got it.


Kara came in next. oeTwo's in hot! She called, putting 520 in on its bomb run. She saw the CO's run, and noted with satisfaction as the SA-2 transporters-and what looked like missiles in their shipping containers-going up in fireballs. Kara lined up on the SA-3 area, and picked out several SA-3 transporters. Your turn, she thought. She, took ignored the flak coming up as she lined up the transporters in her pipper. oeSteady.....And....And... NOW! Kara hit her pickle button, sending her bombs down on the Russians below. She, too pulled wings level, and began jinking to avoid flak and SAMs. Only then did Kara call, oeTwo off target.

oeOf all the... the Colonel said as Kara's F-4 came over. Again, he felt the concussion of the bombs going off in the trench, and just as before, there were sympathetic explosions. The Colonel didn't need to lift his head and have a look around, for he knew where the explosions had come from. The S-125 area, he said to himself. He stood up, only to see the ZU-23s track back to the south and open fire. The Colonel ducked back into the trench, for more Imperialist aircraft were coming in.

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

oeHow good Kara asked as an SA-7 type missile flew right overhead by about fifty feet. Then she jinked again to throw off any bad guys' aim.

oeGood and big!

oeThen we'll take those, Kara said. She picked up the CO's smoke trail, then got eyeballs on his bird.


oeThree's in hot! Sweaty called as she came down on the target. She picked out the SA-4s on their tracked transporters, and rolled in. Though the defenders down below were sending up 23-mm fire back at her, along with what looked like machine-gun fire, Sweaty ignored the flak as she lined up the SA-4 transporters in her pipper. oeAnd...And....And.....NOW! She hit her pickle button, releasing her six M-117Rs and six Mark-82s down onto the target, walking her bombs across the SA-4 area. Sweaty then pulled wings level and headed north, jinking as she did so to avoid flak. oeThree off target.

oeSookin sin, the Colonel muttered in the trench. Son of a bitch. That was his thought as Sweaty's F-4 came by. He glanced upwards, and saw the F-4 actually releasing its bombs. Now what was the target Then he knew, as the aircrafts path took it over the 2K12 area. Then the bombs exploded, and sure enough, several more explosions followed. He stayed in the trench, even as fragments of shrapnel and were they vehicles-landed in the trench. The Colonel then lifted his head and looked to the south. The AA guns were traversing again in that direction. More aircraft....


oeSHACK! Preacher shouted. oeGot some secondaries!

Sweaty was jinking as she avoided some 23-mm tracers. oeHow many

oeSeveral good ones, replied Preacher.

oeGood enough for the guy upstairs Sweaty asked her seminary student-turned GIB.

oeHe'd be happy.


oeFour's in hot! Hoser called as he came in on his run. He saw the explosions on the ground where Sweaty had laid down her bombs, and the fires and smoke where the CO and Kara had done the same. He picked out the ranch buildings, and saw a missile cook off and fly into one of the two barns, which immediately exploded. Thank you, Major, he said to himself as the ranch buildings came into his pipper. Hoser lined them up in the pipper, and muttered. oeSteady.....Steady....HACK! He hit his pickle button, releasing his bombs onto the HQ area. Hoser then pulled wings level, pulling up and away from the target, then made his call. oeFour off safe.

The Colonel heard Hoser's F-4 come over, and saw the bombs coming off. He ducked involuntarily into the trench as one bomb obliterated the ranch house headquarters, but then another bomb landed right next to the trench....the Colonel and several others in the trench never had the chance to scream.


oeGOOD HITS! KT yelled. oeGot a few secondaries. And a couple of fireballs. That usually meant fuel going up.

oeHow good Hoser asked, dodging an SA-7 and noting the tracers falling short.

oeBig enough, she replied.

Hoser smiled as he picked up his element lead's trail, then saw Sweaty's F-4 up ahead. oeWe'll take those.


Back at the SAM facility, a Soviet Army Lieutenant Colonel got up out of his own trench and shook his head. He'd been bombed before, but this one was bad. He took a look around and noted three of the 2K12 transporters were nothing but junk, their missiles either detonated or had shot off on their own, and where several missiles had been stored in their shipping containers, only a couple of bomb craters and some fires remained. A quick glance over at the V-PVO area for the S-75s and S-125s told a similar story. The man shook his head, and when a V-PVO Captain came up and told him his opposite number had been killed, he simply nodded. Time to get this madhouse back in some kind of order, he knew. His training and experience kicked in, and he began issuing orders.


oeHere we go, Guru said. oeTime to fly for ourselves.

oeFour in and out of the target area, Goalie said. oeNo flak yet.

oeHope it stays that way, replied Guru. He was watching for tracers, especially the basketball-sized ones. That meant ZSU-30-2s, and those he did not want to see.

oeLead, Two, Kara called. oeComing up on your Five.

Guru glanced at his Five O'clock, and saw 520 coming up in combat spread. oeTally on you, Guru replied. oeSweaty

oeOn your Six, and coming fast. Hoser's with me, Sweaty called back. oeLight flak at Two O'clock.

oeI see it, Guru said. Light tracers were coming up, either heavy machine guns or 23-mm. None of the flak was accurate, for the tracers either fell short or flew wide. oeCrystal Palace, Guru called. oeCorvette Lead. Say threats

oeCorvette Lead, Crystal Palace. Threat bearing One-six-five for fifty. Medium, closing. Second threat bearing One-eight-zero for sixty-two. Medium, closing. Third threat bearing Two-one-zero for seventy. Medium, closing.

oeRoger, Crystal Palace. Say bogey dope

oeCorvette Lead, nearest threats are Floggers. Second threats also Floggers. Third threats are Fishbeds.

oeCopy that, said Guru.

oeOne minute to the Brazos, Goalie said. oeMore flak at eleven. She checked her map. oeIt's the nuke plant!

oeFlight, Lead, Guru called. oeFollow me. He banked right to give the Triple-A around the Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant a wide berth, and the rest of the flight followed. Some black puffs of 57-mm came close, but thanks to their ECM pods, the F-4s were able to evade the flak. And a few seconds later, they were at the Brazos and the Glen Rose Bridge on U.S. 67, where more flak from the East German gunners came up. They evaded that barrage, then crossed the river into the Nicaraguan II Corps sector, then turned north, then banked slightly west to pick up the river. oeHow long to the Fence Guru asked Goalie.

oeTwo minutes, she replied. oeAnd more flak at the Granbury bridge.

oeFirst time in a while we've had fire from these chumps on the way out.

oeEven they have to earn their pay, quipped Goalie.

oeCorvette Lead, Crystal Palace, the AWACS controller called. oeThreat bearing One-eight-zero for thirty-five. Medium, still closing. Second threat bearing One-seven-two for forty-five, Medium, closing.

oeCrystal Palace, Corvette, Guru replied. oeCan you arrange a reception for those party-crashers

Aboard the AWACS, the controller chuckled, then replied, oeThat's affirmative, Corvette. Break. Rustler Three-one, Crystal Palace. Bandits bearing One-seven-five for fifty. Clear to arm, clear to fire. Kill. Repeat: KILL.

oeRustler Three-one copies, an F-15 leader called, then led four F-15Cs in on the bandits.


oeFence in thirty, Goalie called.

oeRoger that, Guru replied. oeFlight, Lead. Verify IFF is on, out. He reached down and turned on his IFF transponder. The last thing anyone wanted as they cleared the Fence was a friendly-fire incident, either with their own kind, or worse, the Army down below.

oeAnd there it is... said Goalie as the twin ribbons of I-20 appeared, then flew past in a blur.

Then the F-15s engaged the MiG-23s, killing three of the first flight, then the second flight came in. Two more from that flight also went down, before the F-15s broke off due to fuel.

After clearing the I-20, Corvette Flight headed for the tanker track. Guru saw that two of his flights from the 335th were also joining up for their post-strike refueling, and he was glad to see a four-ship and a two-ship drinking fuel. The four-ship happened to be the Ops Officer's while the two-ship was Dave Golen and Flossy.

After their own refueling, Corvette Flight headed for Sheppard, and when they got there, their flight was the last one in. After landing, the flight taxied to the squadron's dispersal, and noticed, as usual, the news crew filming them. oeThey ever stop Guru asked.

oeHave to ask them, I suppose, Goalie said. oeThey'll have plenty of stock footage of F-4s when this is over.

Guru shook his head as he and Goalie popped their canopies and taxied into their revetment. After getting the oeShut down signal from Sergeant Crowley, and shutting down, both took a deep breath. Four and done, and not a scratch. They went through the post-flight checklist as the ground crew brought the crew ladder. Then they climbed down and did a quick walk-around. oeSergeant, Guru said as Sergeant Crowley brought him and Goalie each a bottle of water.

oeHow's my bird, sir Crowley asked.

oeShe's going good, Sergeant. Whatever you're doing Don't change a thing, Guru told his Crew Chief. oeGet her ready for the morning.

oeYou got it, Major! Crowley said. oeAll right you guys! Let's get the Major's bird ready for tomorrow.

As both pilot and GIB left, the ground crew got right to work. oeYou do know, those guys need a break, Guru said. oeEven more than we do.

oeAny chance of bad weather Goalie asked.

oeNot for another four days at least, the CO said as they got to the entrance to the revetment, where Kara and Brainiac were waiting. oeHow'd you guys do

oeMade the SA-3s go away, Kara said.

oeAnd some of 'em flew off horizontal, if you get the drift, Brainiac added.

Guru let out a grin. oeI sure do, he said as Sweaty, Preacher, Hoser, and KT arrived. oeHave a good one

oeGood for us, Sweaty replied. oeBut not so good for Ivan, she grinned.

oeI'm sure the Good Lord would approve, Preacher added.

Hoser nodded. oeThere were quite a few secondaries there, and killing SAMs this way beats Wild Weasels doing it.

oeSeconded, KT said.

As they walked back to the squadron's office, they passed the F-20s in their revetments, with company tech reps going over the aircraft. oeStill got something to teach those boys, Guru said.

oeFor that 'Greatest since the P-51' remark Kara asked.

Guru nodded. oeThat, for one. But it'll have to wait until after the war, assuming we're all still alive, he said.

oeThere is that one little detail, Sweaty noted.

oeYeah, and tomorrow's the day Frank gets notified he's not going to the F-20 Program.

oeHappy Day, Kara grinned. oeThis'll be the second time that bastard finds out not everything goes his way. She was referring to when their previous CO, the late Lt. Col. Dean Rivers, had been killed, and Guru had gotten the squadron as he was XO, even though he was only a Captain at the time.

oeWhich begs two questions: first, how's he going to react Preacher asked. oeAnd second How long until he gets a case of the stupids

Guru winced, but replied. oeBoth are valid questions. Just as long as any such case doesn't get any friendlies-or himself for that matter, killed.

oeLovely, Kara spat.

oeYeah, the CO agreed. oeOkay, let's talk to Sin and debrief. Check your desks for anything for the armchair warriors want, then we're off the clock.

Heads nodded. oeAnd menana, KT said. oeWe're at this again.

oeThat we are, Guru said. oeCome on. Let's get debriefed.

[Matt Wiser]

Winding down the day:



335th TFS, 1700 Hours Central War Time:


Major Wiser was in his office, going over some last bits of paperwork before he could call it a day and go on over to the Officer's Club for dinner and some oestress reduction. He had finished what was in his IN box when there was a knock on the door. oeYeah Show yourself and come in!

The Exec came in. oeBoss, got a few things for you before we're off the clock.

Guru nodded. oeLay it on me, Mark. He was looking forward to discussing the fight with the F-20s at the Club-hopefully without using his fists, because he still wanted to cut the F-20 jockeys down to size.

oeFirst, aircraft status report for tomorrow. We'll have two birds down, Ellis said. oeKerry's bird, you know about, but Van Loan's bird has an issue with the oxygen system. They're pulling it now.

oeHow serious The CO asked.

oeThey may replace all the oxygen generators, and purge the system, Kev O'Donnell says. His guys will pull an all-nighter, but plan on it being down.

Guru looked at his Exec. oeIt might be ready by the morning

oeMight, underlined about four or five times. Ellis reported. oeWe did get the two new birds from Japan, and he can use one. Frank's been using the other since his bird had a hundred-hour check.

oeHe gets his regular bird back when

oeTomorrow.

oeGood. What else Guru wanted to know.

oeR&R roster, and no officers on this one, Ellis said, handing the CO the list. oeSome lucky enlisted folks get their two weeks.

Guru nodded, taking the list. oeOkay....one of these days, I'm probably going to put my Crew Chief on that list. Even if I have to order him to take some R&R.

oeTake two weeks with your family, enjoy yourself, and oh, by the way, that's an order

oeSomething like that.

Ellis chuckled. oeThat's a first. At least, that I know of.

Guru nodded. oeFirst time for everything, Mark. What's next

oeGeneral Yeager told me that three of our people have applied to the F-20 program. Two got in, Ellis said. oeThe third.....

oeWe know about, finished Guru. oeLet's just hope that Frank takes it like a man, instead of going off half-cocked. And that's as likely as the Russians throwing me a birthday party, he thought.

oeYeah. Anyway, they've got two weeks before they have to report to Edwards. So we don't lose them right away, said Ellis.

oeWhich gives us time to get a couple of replacements, the CO noted. oeOkay, get the ball rolling on that. We get a new PAO in two days, and hopefully Goalie's friend Cassidy shows up sooner than expected.

oeMeaning, she finishes the next ferry run and comes this way instead of going back to Okinawa, Ellis nodded. oeHopefully.

oeYeah, the CO said. oeWhat's left

Ellis handed him a sheet. oeWeather update, and no change for four more days. So when those RAF guys get here....

oeThe day after, we get a storm, and no flying. Good. We get a day off to catch up on maintenance, and on sleep, said Guru. oeThat it

Ellis smiled. oeIt is until morning.

The CO got out of his chair and looked at the clock, which read 1710. oeNow we're off the clock. Let's get to the Club.


When the CO and XO got to the Club, it was already filling up. Both officers bellied up to the bar, and found Colonel Brady already there. oeColonel, Guru said.

oeMajor, Brady replied. oeHeard about the hassle with the F-20s. You guys thought you'd clean up on those young pups. Instead....

oeInstead, sir, we came out even, Guru admited. oeSmitty What's available

oeNo Sam Adams until tomorrow, at least. Bud, Foster's, Sapporo, Miller Lite... replied the bartender.

oeBud for me and the Exec, Guru said. Smitty produced two cold bottles, and Guru paid him. Then he turned back to Colonel Brady. oeBoth sides had every pilot-or in our case, GIB, an ace, and yet...

Brady nodded. He'd had his backseat ride a couple days earlier. oeBoth sides learned something.

Guru nodded as General Yeager and his people came in. And he noticed the icy stares being exchanged between the F-4 people and the F-20 jocks. oeAnd both sides have some unfinished business. Uh, sir.

Brady nodded. oeThat'll have to wait, though.

oeYes, sir. After the war. Assuming, that is, everyone involved lives that long, Guru noted.

oeThere is that little detail, Ellis observed. oeSomething to keep in mind.

oeThat's always a factor, Brady said. oeYou going up with them, Major

oeTomorrow after our second mission, said Guru. oeBut if anyone's expecting me to give up the 335th for the F-20 They are sadly mistaken.

Colonel Brady nodded. oeAnd there is someone in particlular who'd be happy if that happened.

oeHe'll be doubly disappointed, sir, Guru replied. oeGeneral Yeager's already told me that someone is not getting in an F-20 ever again.

Brady knew what Major Wiser was talking about. oeIn that case, Major, you'd best keep an eye on that someone.

oeSir, we've already started that.

oeGood, said Brady. Then General Olds came in. oeLooks like General Olds wants a word with me. You two have a good evening.

oeYes, sir, Guru said, and Ellis did the same.

Guru went to the table his flight normally used, and found them already there. oeWell

oeNext-to-last night for these guys, Kara said, and everyone could hear the nasty mood in her voice. oeI'll clean them out after what happened today.

oeIf you want to fleece them Go ahead, the CO said. oeI'm not in a good mood myself. If that had been real, I'd be writing a bunch of letters.

oeNot good, Sweaty noted. oeSo, where are they building those things, anyway Heard the Northrop factory in California's busy with F/A-18 work.

oeTaiwan and South Korea is what I heard, Hoser said. oeHeard Prada and Clancy talking about that.

Hearing that, KT asked, oeWhy there

oeBoth of them built F-5s under license, Brainiac said. oeNot that much of a jump to the F-20.

oeNo, said Guru. oeAnything new in the papers He asked.

oeJust getting to those, Goalie said as Ms. Wendt and her crew came in, and they were talking again with Flossy and Jang. oeI'll bet they're doing a story on the two female crews.

oeNo takers, Kara said. She handed Guru the Los Angeles Times. oeHere you go.

oeThanks, Guru replied. oeAnything in Stars and Stripes

oeSays here the 6th Marine Division was awarded a PUC for that raid on Kola.

oeDidn't Colonel Brady say that was a Charlie-Fox from his view Brainiac asked. oeI remember him saying something about that.

oePretty much, Guru nodded as he scanned the L.A. Times. oeWell, now.....Looks like the neutralist cowards in West Germany just lost another cabinet member.

oeAnother 'car accident' Goalie joked as she went through the local section of the same paper.

oeNope, Guru said. oeSays here the Minister of Justice said-and in public, mind-that 'I can no longer serve a government supposedly dedicated to freedom and democracy when those very institutions are under attack, and have been for two years. I call upon the Chancellor and Foreign Minister to resign, and, like the fellow travelers they are, join their friends in East Berlin, if not Moscow.

oeWhere'd he say that Dave Golen asked from a nearby table. He'd been politely listening in.

oeSays here at a rally of some kind in Cologne.

oeMore than that, Jack Lord, their RAF Liasion Officer, said as he came by. oeJust heard the BBC on shortwave. oeThey had 200,000 there, people from all over the Ruhr and the Rhineland. Another one in Munich had about 100,000.

oeAnd all demanding the Greens pack their bags and go to Moscow. Kara noted.

oeThat's it, Jana Wendt said as she and her crew arrived. oeAnd this was probably too late for the paper, but the Greens tried to get a new Defense Minister. The fellow they wanted turned down the job offer. Said he wouldn't serve a government that was a stooge of Moscow and East Berlin.

Hearing that, General Olds observed, oeSomebody didn't want to get run over by the tanks when the coup goes down.

oeWell, General, somebody over there has some common sense, Guru said. oeEither the Greenie scum get the message, and go join their pals in East Berlin, or the tanks roll. Question is, when

oeSoon, Sin Licon commented. oeWon't be too long. Two weeks, earliest, A month, most.

oeSooner the better, General Olds said.


A few minutes later, the Mess Crew arrived, with meals prepared by the restaurateurs who had taken over the mess operation. oePeople, we've got grilled chicken, or Salisbury Steak, with all the fixings. Come and get it.

After people got their meals, it was time for the CBS Evening News, and the oeMost trusted man in America came on. oeGood evening from Los Angeles. In Texas, U.S. Forces continue to meet Soviet and East German counterattacks in Central Texas. Our Richard Threlkeld has a report.

The screen then showed U.S. Army armored cavalry moving forward, with M-1 tanks and M-113 ACAV vehicles pushing ahead. Occasionally, there would be a BOOM as a tank fired its main gun, and a fireball. oeHere, west of the Brazos River, the Third Armored Cavalry is busy dealing with Soviet and East German rearguards and stragglers. Some of the Russians are eager to surrender, while others, and most of the East Germans, are not, and have to be blasted out. The screen then showed cavalry troopers flushing some East Germans out of a farm or ranch house, and most of them being cut down by fire from both vehicles and small-arms fire. oeBut after a fight, the enemy wounded get the same care as a wounded American. Then there were scenes of a medic treating an East German soldier who had a severe belly wound, then the man was loaded onto an M-113 ambulance and taken, along with some American casualties, to an aid station. oeI'm with Major Monica Vansen, and her squadron has been in the thick of it. Major, Threlkeld asked a blonde woman in a Cavalry Stetson and full armor officer's regalia, 'How's it going today

oeSo far, pretty good, Vansen replied. oeI'd like to be a little further south than we are, but sometimes, that's up to the bad guys. She waved at several wrecked T-72 tanks and BTR-70 APCs. oeOverall, though, we're doing well.

oeHow tough is the enemy

oeThe East Germans are pretty tough, and most of the Soviets, but these guys-she pointed at several Soviets who were chatting amicably with a couple of American officers, oeare Estonians. They don't want to be here, and they gave up when they found the chance. Wish more of 'em would, though. She took a drink from a canteen, then picked up a radio handset and began speaking into it.

oeAnd so far, the Army in this sector is pushing back south. And this part of Texas, is once again, in American hands. Richard Threlkeld, with the Third Armored Cavalry, Central Texas.

After a couple of reports about the war at sea, one from a destroyer that had an ASW action escorting a coastal convoy, a commercial break, then a story that warmed the hearts of those in the Club. oeOur sister Network from Australia, 9 News, has a correspondent with the Air Force in Texas, Jana Wendt interviewed two of the pilots who are flying every day into the Bear's mouth.

The report began. oeHere, at an air base in Liberated Texas, is an Air Force squadron that has been fighting since the first day of the war. The squadron's commander is a young Major who is one of a few veterans of the first day of the war. And he's not much older than those he leads. Then Guru's interview began. As those in the Club watched, there were more than a few smiles on the faces of the aircrews, AF, Marine, and Navy. oeAnd, something that would've been unheard of two years ago, he has a female back seat weapons officer. Goalie then came on the screen, and the interview continued.

oeWe have this relatonship in the cockpit, Guru said. oeI do the pilot stuff, she does the WSO stuff. And I told her, 'Lisa,I don't want to die surprised. If my last conscious thought is 'What the hell was that' I'll hunt you for eternity.

oeAnd you know what Goalie said with a chuckle. oeHe really did say that. And hoots of laughter followed, for a number of pilot/GIB combinations did the same.

oeThis is just one of several crews we're following. Including two all-female crews, which may be an first for the Air Force. And this squadron keeps on going, taking the fight to the enemy. . Jana Wendt, with the U.S. Air Force, Liberated Texas.

Applause followed, and several slaps on both Guru's and Goalie's backs followed. oeNice job, Boss! Don Van Loan said.

oeHope the GRU likes that interview, Flossy added.

Guru smiled, then turned to Goalie. oeWell

oeIf our peers like it, hope the GRU does, Goalie grinned.

Jack Lord stared at them. oeHow can they get it to Moscow

oeThey've got a big SIGINT Station in Cuba, Sin Licon said. oeThey can either tape it there, or just relay it to Moscow. Either way, this winds up in their files.

Lord shook his head. oeWell, Guru, he said. oeHope they enjoy it.

oeThey'll get more, Ms. Wendt grinned. oeThat was just a part, as the rest of the news aired. oeThe whole thing aired in Sydney, and chances are, CBS will want the whole thing as well.

oeSo be warned Guru asked.

oeBe warned.

After a couple of more segments, and a Charles Kuralt On the Road piece, this time from Atlantic City, NJ, where the casinos were still open, but catering to military personnel on R&R, then Walter Cronkite signed off. oeAnd that's the way it is. For all of us at CBS News, good night.

oeWell, Major General Olds asked. oeYou might want to be careful now. Remember what happened to Robbie Risner and Jim Kasler in Vietnam when they got profiled by Time

oeThat I do, General, Guru said as he got up to go back to the bar. oeThey got shot down, and the North Vietnamese weren't happy to see both of them. They got more than their share of abuse in Hanoi.

Goalie nodded. oeThey did. She had attended an Academy lecture with several Vietnam POWs speaking, and both General Risner and Colonel Kasler had been among those present.

oeIn that case, I do need another beer, Guru said as he went to the bar. When he got there, he found a familiar-and loathed-figure in undress blues getting his own beer. oeFrank.

oeMajor, Major Frank Carson replied politely, though Guru could tell the arrogance in his voice.

oeI see someone's all dressed up, even if they don't need to, Guru said, referring to the other animals in the zoo.

oeSomeone has to uphold Air Force standards, especially with Generals Olds and Yeager here, Carson replied.

oeNotice they're in flight suits Guru pointed out. oeOne more, he nodded at Smitty.

oeSo

oeThere's a time and a place for dressing up, Frank. And guess what This ain't it, Guru reminded him as Smitty handed him a cold beer. He paid the barkeep, and said, 'Thanks.

oeAnytime, Major, the barkeep smiled.

oeThe way you're strutting around, Frank Looks like you're looking forward to something.

oeI've applied to the F-20 program, and I'm looking forward to the transition, Carson said smugly. oeThen my talents will be properly appreciated by the Air Force.

Guru regarded Carson. The most loathed figure in the squadron, and yet..... oeWell, Frank Take some advice my Grandma gave me a long time ago: Don't count your chickens until they're hatched.

oeWhat do you mean Carson asked, and the CO could tell the contempt in his voice.

oeJust that three people applied to the F-20 program from this squadron, and two got in, Guru said. Take my advice: Be prepared for some possible bad news.

oeI'm pretty confident that I will be accepted into the program.

oeOkay, Frank. Just, well, don't say you weren't warned about the alternative, Guru said, returning to his table.

oeWhat was all that about with Frank Kara asked. She was getting ready to hold court at the pool table.

Guru let out a grin. oeJust telling him not to count his chickens, because I did say three people from this unit applied to the F-20, and two got in.

Goalie nodded. oeAnd he thinks he's one of the two. It wasn't a question.

oeBingo..

Brainiac shook his head. oeWouldn't want to be the one who tells him.

oeYou're not the only one, Hoser said. oeHow's that going to work

oeChances are, the old letter that says, 'Dear candidate, your application has been carefully reviewed...' And we know the rest, Preacher nodded.

oeYeah, and I'm just hoping he'll take the hint and ask for a transfer, Guru said. oeEither that, or Sundown Cunningham shows up and kicks him off this base so fast Frank never knows what hit him.

Kara grinned. oeThat'll be the day. She then got up and went to the pool table. To her surprise, General Olds' aide, Major Brandon Kinney, came over and laid down his money. Kara showed hers, then went to work. A few minutes later, the aide came back, his wallet lightened. oeNext!

oeShe always like that Kinney asked. He was angry, and wanted his money back.

oeYou've been around here long enough to find out, Don Van Loan pointed out.

oeFirst time it happened for real, Kinney grumbled. He went straight to the bar. Since he was the General's aide, Twelve-Hour didn't apply to him, and he decided to get sloppy drunk.

oeUh-oh.... Guru said. oeLooks like Kara's got some competition.

oeWho Sweaty asked. Then she saw it. oeGeneral Yeager.

oeUh-huh... Guru nodded. Both combatants laid down their money, then went at it. It didn't take long for General Yeager's skills to show, and Kara found her wallet lightened by $50.00. She came back to the table in a fit of the sulks. oeWell

oeThat's twice with him, Kara grumbled. She checked her watch. oeTwenty minutes to Twelve-Hour. I can get a little bit drunk, then go back and teach some manners to those young punks. To prove her point, she went straight to the bar, got another beer, then went back to the pool table.

oeThat's three generals who've beaten her, Mark Ellis nodded. oeWhat happens if Sundown comes and she beats him

oeGood question, Guru said.


A few minutes later, it was Clancy's turn. He went to Kara, shook hands, then laid down his money. Kara did so as well, and they went at it. This time, Kara's skills were superior, just as they had been in the air that morning, and Clancy's wallet was now $50.00 lighter. oeWhere'd she learn to play pool like that

oeAuburn, Goalie said. oeTry some of the student hangouts there, because that's where she went to college.

oeSwell, Clancy grumbled as he went to the bar and came back with a Pepsi.

oeThat all he drinks Preacher noted. He wasn't puritanical, far from it, and wasn't shy about buying a round and hoisting a cold one. But he did notice.

oeLooks like, KT said. oeReminds me of something they said in OTS. There was a Medal of Honor winner in Vietnam, some guy who flew A-1s. Anyway, they say the strongest thing he drank was iced tea.

oeTo each his own, Dave Golen observed. He noted Flossy and Jang along with Cosmo and Revlon talking with Ms. Wendt. This was an oeOff the record conversation as the cameraman and sound man weren't there. oeI see our guest from the media's talking with the, well, oeunmanned crews. Again.

oeOh Guru asked. Then he saw for himself. oeShe'll be doing the same with the Day One vets. Those of us who are left.

Golen understood. oeJust like the Battle of Britain, he said. oeYou guys are this war's version of Churchill's 'few.'

oeAnd just like those guys, we have a habit of getting fewer, Guru said, remembering lost friends.


A few minutes before Twelve-Hour, Colonel Brady rang the bell. oePeople! Got something to share with you all. The F-20 people had a DACT with some F-4s from the 335th, and both sides went in expecting to clean up. Didn't quite work out that way, and well, in a fight where everyone involved is an ace, honors came out even. General Yeager Major Wiser Anything to say as the only ones who are, well, 'alive', other than General Olds, who had a hell of a Check Ride He glanced over at General Olds, who nodded.

oeColonel, Yeager said. oeBoth sides got humbled. Though a few lessons were taught to each.

oeThey were, General, Guru replied. oeOn both sides. But, I'll wager that both also have scores to settle.

oeOh, we do, Kara muttered.

oeYou've got that right, Clancy grumbled, just loud enough for Pruitt and Prada to hear.

oeGeneral Olds Brady asked.

Olds stood up. oeI'll say this much: It was one hell of a check ride, and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

oeNo doubt, General, Brady said. oeTen minutes to Twelve-Hour, so drink up!

People finished their drinks, for at 1900, one of the Navy flight surgeons rang the bar bell. oeTwelve-Hour's now in effect!

For those on the flight schedule in the morning, they either turned in their drinks or poured them out. Then it was strictly nonalcoholic from then on.

oeWell, Boss Hoser asked as he brought a plate of nachos over. oeMore of the same tomorrow.

oeAs long as it's not CAS, Sweaty nodded. oeHad enough of that a few days ago.

oeDown, both of you, Guru said firmly. oeWe take what they give us. And tomorrow, I get a ride in the F-20D.

Goalie looked at her pilot and lover. oeAnd

oeAnd I'll tell them it's a nice little interceptor that's small, nimble, and deadly. But I'll stick with Double-Ugly, mind, until the F-15E comes along, said Guru. oeNo ifs, ands, or buts.

oeHear, hear, Brainiac said. oeNo F-15E means GIBs are out of a job.

oeCan't have that, Sweaty added. oeWhen

oeYear and a half, maybe two, Guru said. oeIf Aviation Leak is accurate. He was referring to Aviation Week and Space Technology magazine, which, despite the war, was still living up to its nickname.

oeHappy day when those come, said Goalie.

oeReally happy.


Time flew, and it wasn't long until 2100, when Doc Waters rang the bell. oeAircrew curfew in effect!
With that, those on the flight schedule headed off to their tents to grab some sleep, because it wouldn't be long until 0430 and the beginning of a new day. And getting on with the war.

[Matt Wiser]

The next morning dawns....


335th TFS Offices, Sheppard AFB, TX; 0530 Hours Central War Time:


Major Matt Wiser walked from his tent to the squadron's office. A building that housed a T-38 training squadron as part of Air Training Command prewar, he noted the bullet holes in the walls, left over after the 23rd ID had taken the base. Something that needed to be taken care of, especially with winter coming, he knew. Making a mental note to ask Colonel Brady about that, he glanced skyward. Some middle-level and upper-level clouds, were visible in the predawn sky as the eastern horizon grew lighter, and that meant good flying weather. The CO went into the office, and found the night-shift SDO there. oeHacksaw, Major Wiser said. oeHow's the cold

oeGetting better, Major, Hacksaw replied. oeNot sneezing as much. Doc says it'll be another four days before I'm cleared.

oeBeen there, done that, Guru replied, remembering a cold that had kept him grounded for two weeks back in March. oeDoc say anything else

oeJust that I'll be back flying then. Other than that Have to bear it.

oeListen to him, the CO reminded Hacksaw. oeAnd keep in mind that if you think you're missing anything

oeBoss Hacksaw asked.

oeYou're not, the CO said firmly. He glanced towards his office. oeXO in

The SDO nodded. oeWaiting for you, Boss.

oeGood, said Guru. oeWhat's Wolfman Jack playing He gestured to the radio on Hacksaw's desk.

oeLittle bit of everything, Hacksaw replied. oeJourney, Van Halen, Rolling Stones, Otis Redding, Had Nancy Sinatra on a few minutes ago.

Guru smiled. oeLet me guess: These Boots are Made for Walkin'. It wasn't a question.

oeFour-oh, Boss.

oeOkay. Now, someone from General Yeager might come by and leave a letter on folks' desks. Three people applied for the F-20, and two got in. He may notify by letter, and so...

Hacksaw nodded. oeGotcha, Boss. And when Major Carson gets one....

oeLet me know, Guru said, and Hacksaw noticed the firmness in his voice. oeNo telling what's going to happen when that goes down.

oeWill do, Boss, and I'll pass it on.

oeDo that.

Guru then headed to his office, and found the Exec waiting with a cup of steaming liquid. oeMorning, Mark.

oeMorning, Boss, Capt. Mark Ellis said pleasantly as he handed the CO a cup of hot cocoa. oeNot much paperwork wise.

oeThat'll change, Guru noted as he started on the drink. oeWhat's up

oeMorning reports for both MAG-11 and Tenth Air Force, the XO said. He had a clipboard with the papers for the CO's signature.

Guru signed, then nodded. oeNext

The Exec checked the papers. oeRAF guys will be here in three days.

oeGood, and we'll have some dedicated strike escort, for once. They can also cover the recon birds. Dave and Flossy flew escort for Athena and Helo yesterday, the CO noted. oeAnd General Yeager and his people will be with the ROKs then.

oeThey will, said Ellis. oeNext Weather. Good weather for the next three days. In four....

The CO finished for him. oeWe're due for a storm. Nice way for our British cousins to get a welcome to Texas.

oeOne way to put it, the XO replied. oeEver fly with the Brits

oeNo, but if there'd been no war, a REFORGER or a Crested Cap exercise would've come along. Ross told me that if the balloon had gone up in NATO We were supposed to go to Bentwaters in the UK, said Guru.

oeLike in those two Hackett books Boy, did he get World War Three wrong.

oeEverybody did, Guru reminded him. oeWhat about our two sick birds

oeMaintenance is working on Kerry Collins' bird as we speak. They did an all-nighter, and Van Loan's bird is good to go. His element ate at Early-Bird, and they'll be up shortly on the check flight.

Guru nodded. oeOkay. Now, anything else, besides General Yeager notifying people about their applications to the F-20 program

oeNada, Boss, Ellis said as there was a knock on the door.

oeGome in and show yourself, Guru said.

His GIB, First Lieutenant Lisa oeGoalie Eichhorn, came in bearing two cups of hot liquid. oeMorning, Boss, she said. oeAnd XO. She handed the CO a cup. oeMore hot chocolate for the Boss.

Guru grinned. oeAnd you want me alert and awake, he said.

oeWhat's wrong with that his girlfriend replied. Everyone in the squadron knew about their relationship.

oeNothing. Now, Mark Any idea when General Yeager informs the lucky two, and the unlucky Frank

The XO shook his head. oeNada, Boss.

oeSpeaking of F-20s, Goalie asked. oeWhen's your ride

oeToday, after our second run, Guru said. oeGet a little perspective on those after yesterday, he added, recalling their DACT with Yeager's people.

oeAnd

oeI'll tell the General that the F-20's a nice little interceptor, good for air forces that can't afford anything better, and maybe Aggressor and ANG use postwar is probably the most they can expect, said Guru.

oeGood, because GIBs aren't going out of style, Goalie replied. oeEverybody else here is waiting on the F-15E.

Guru let out a grin. oeYou're not the only one with that in mind. Now, Mark. Anything else

oeNot now, the Exec replied.

oeGood. Tonight, we'll make Buddy an honorary Captain, get him a card for the O-Club, all of that. I'd like to do it while General Olds is here. And he's leaving day after tomorrow.

oeWill do, Boss, Ellis said.

Guru nodded, then looked at the wall clock. 0555. oeLet's go eat. We've got a busy day ahead.

On their way out of the office, the three officers paused to listen to Hacksaw's radio. oeWell, haven't heard that in a while, Boss, Hacksaw said.

oeWhat Guru asked.

oePetula Clark's Downtown.

That had been the song from which the phrase oeGoing Downtown had come during Vietnam. oeWant to bet an oldies station in Miami gets that requested a lot Goalie quipped. oeThe guys at Homestead Go Downtown to Havana all the time.

oeNo bet, Ellis said. oeThis is one Kara wouldn't take.

oeI'll go along with that, the CO said. oeLet's go eat.



When they got to the Officer's Mess Tent, people were milling around, and General Olds was talking with not only Colonel Brady, but the news people and their RAF liaison officer. oeGeneral, Guru said, sketching a salute.

oeMajor, Olds replied. oeJust touching base with our friends from the Fourth Estate.

oeBe warned, General, said Guru. oeMs. Wendt there can be a sneaky bitch. She'll have you in front of the cameras again before you know it.

Hearing that, Ms. Wendt smiled. oeHe's already paid that compliment to me already, General.

oeOnce was enough, thanks, Olds grinned. oeAfter General Yeager leaves, it'll be time for me to move on.

Brady and the other officers nodded. oeAt least, sir, you'll see tonight who got into the F-20 from this base.

oeTwo lucky ones, sir, Guru added. He glanced around, looking for Major Carson. The skunk was nowhere to be seen. Good. oeAnd one who's not going to be too happy, and we all know who that person will be.

oeA certain snotty major Olds asked, and he saw Guru nod. oeGood.

oeSpeaking of General Yeager, you have a hop today with him, Major Brady asked.

oeYes, sir. Right after my second strike. Debrief, then jump into the D, then go, replied Guru. oeAnd I'll be polite. They're nice little interceptors who'd make a decent aggressor bird, and Northrop will be happy with FMS sales postwar, but other than that....

oeGuard and Reserve Olds asked.

oeYes, sir. Unless the Congress-Critters tell the Air Force otherwise.

Olds shook his head. oePolitics.

oeYes, sir,

Then the Marine Mess Officer came and flipped the sign from CLOSED to OPEN. oeChow Hall's open.


After breakfast, the crews headed to their respective briefing rooms, while the flight leads got their missions. When the CO got to the Ops Office, he found his Ops Officer already back from his check ride. oeDon,

oeBoss, Capt. Don Van Loan replied. oeCheck ride went good, before you ask. No issues, and 564's back on the schedule.

oeAlways good to hear, the CO said. oeWhat have you got on tap for me

Van Loan handed Guru a briefing packet. oeTown called Morgan, on Route 174, about a dozen miles west of Lake Whitney. Southeast of the town, there's a helo dispersal field. Ivan's been using it for Hinds and Hips.

oeAnd we get to take it out.

oeNot just that: the Hillsboro SA-2 site is back up, and you're within range of at least the Waco North SA-2 as well, Van Loan said.

oeWe're getting Weasels, I hope Guru asked. Two SA-2 sites in range Lovely.

oeYou are, and they'll join you at the tankers, the Ops Officer replied.

Guru nodded. oeAll right, Don. Thanks.

oeGood Luck, Boss. Don't want to be XO yet, Van Loan told his CO.

oeAnd Kara doesn't want to be Ops just yet, Guru reminded his Ops Officer. oeYou be careful yourself.

oeWill do.

Guru then went to the briefing room his flight used, and when he got there, there was a four-legged guest. Buddy. He opened the door to the room and said, oeAfter you. Guru followed the dog into the room and found the rest of the flight there. oeOkay, people! Settle down, because we've got our first mission.

Goalie looked at him. oeAnd where to this morning

The CO opened the briefing packet, and maps, and photos, along with some intel sheets, came out. oeHere, about a dozen miles west of Lake Whitney, along Route 174. Town called Morgan. Just southeast of the town is a helo dispersal field. Ivan's been using it for Hips and Hinds.

oeAnd we're taking it out, Kara said. It wasn't a question, from her tone of voice.

oeThat's it. Now, ordnance load is twelve Mark-82 Snakeyes each bird. I know, this is usually a target for CBUs, but not this time.

oeToo close to the town Hoser asked.

oeUm-hmm, Guru replied. oeThis may be a field that kids play in, or it's used for farming. If this was away from the town, no problem on CBUs. However....not this time.

oeFair enough, Boss, Sweaty said. oeAir to air

oeUusal: four AIM-9Ps, two AIM-7Fs, thanks to the F-20 folks, usual ECM pods for lead and wingmates, full gun, and two wing tanks.

Kara nodded at that. oeIngress

oeGetting in the back way, Guru said. He traced the route on a TPC chart. oeCross the Fence near Lake Leon, head south to Proctor Lake. Head east to Hico, then Meridian. Turn north for thirty seconds and we're at the target. Meridian is the IP for all intents and purposes. He saw he had his flight's full attention. oeOnce you make your run Head north for the Brazos and get your asses to the I-20.

Hoser nodded. oeGood way in. What's the defenses

oeWe're getting Weasels as this area is under 4th Guards Tank Army, so SA-4s are possible, along with the usual divisional level defenses. Throw in the Hillsboro and Waco North SA-2s. At the target There's ZU-23s and MANPADS, plus small-arms fire, said Guru.

Brainiac asked, oeWhen do the Weasels come

oeGood question, KT added.

oeMiller flight joins us at the tankers, and we're going to Tanker Track CHEVRON, north of Hubbard Creek Reservoir, Guru replied. oeAs for MiGs Same threat level from yesterday. And we do have Intel confirmation of Mainstays in theater.

There were scowls at that. oeThey need to tell us something we don't already know, Preacher said. oeThis 'we're betting your life' can be a pain.

oeNo kidding, Preacher, Guru said. oeJust remember, Sin Licon's only passing on what they give him. Don't blame him.

oeWe know, Kara replied. oeJust that he's convenient.

oeYeah, and I've blown my stack on him once or twice, Guru admitted. oeOkay, weather: unchanged. Good flying weather for four more days. Then we get a storm.

The rest of the crews looked at each other and grinned. About time. oeSo, we get a stand-down Preacher asked.

oeWe do, and the day before The RAF comes.

Kara let out another grin. oeAnd we get our strike escorts.

oeThat we do. Now, one last thing: bailout areas are anyplace away from roads. And stay sharp, because we've got four missions today, unless CAS rears its ugly head.

Sweaty frowned at that. oeLovely.

oeYou're not the only one feeling that way, Guru said. oeAnything else Heads shook no. Then he glanced at the dog. Buddy was sitting up and alert. oeUh-oh...

oeI was about to say that, Hoser said. oeThis might be a rough ride.

oeHope he's wrong, Goalie added.

oeSeconded, Guru nodded. oeAll right. One last thing: we're Camaro Flight. Now let's gear up. We've got a full day coming.

The crews headed to their locker rooms, and as Guru left, an NCO from Ops was waiting to collect the briefing materials. That done, he went to the Men's Locker Room to gear up. When he came out, Goalie was there as usual. oeReady

oeTime to earn our flight pay, she replied.

oeIt is that, Guru nodded as they went out. As they did, the dog followed and then laid down on the sidewalk outside. oeHope he's wrong about this one.

oeYou and me both, Goalie said as they walked to the squadron's dispersal.

oeRoscoe was wrong on occasion, said the CO when they got to their revetment, and the rest of the flight was there. oeAll right: gather around.

oeUsual procedures on the radio Kara asked.

oeYou got it, Guru replied. That meant mission code to AWACS and other parties, call signs between them. oeAll right, if you see those basketball-sized tracers on the way in or out Evade. If you see them at the target Abort.

Heads nodded. oeGot it, Major, Sweaty replied.

oeWe meet at ten grand overhead. Any other questions Guru asked. Heads shook no, then he added, oeThen let's go. Time to hit it. He clapped his hands.

The crews then headed to mount their own aircraft, as Guru and Goalie went to 512. oeSergeant, he said to Sergeant Crowley, his Crew Chief.

oeMajor, Lieutenant, Crowley replied, snapping a perfect salute. oeFive-twelve's ready to rock.

oeThanks, Sarge, Guru said. He and Goalie did their usual preflight walk-around. After signing for the aircraft, Guru and Goalie then mounted up. After getting strapped in, they went through the preflight checklist.

oeArnie Guru asked. oeAnd today's the day Frank finds out he's not in the F-20.

oeHe'll pop his cork, Goalie replied. oeArnie's all set. So's the INS.

oeGood. He'll whine and complain, especially to his dad, then what Guru wanted to know.

oeThat is a very good question, and I doubt you know the answer, Goalie said. oeEjection seats

oeYou're right on not knowing, replied Guru. oeArmed top and bottom. Check yours.

oeAll set. Preflight complete and ready for engine start, said Goalie as she put away her checklist.

oeRoger that, Guru said. He gave a thumbs-up to his CC, who gave the oeStart Engines signal. First one, then two, J-79 engines were up and running. As they warmed up, Guru called the Tower. oeTower,
Camaro Flight with four, requesting taxi and takeoff instructions.

oeCamaro Flight, Tower, the controller replied. oeClear to taxi to Runway Three-Five-Charlie. You are number three in line, and hold prior to the active.

oeRoger, Tower. Camaro Flight rolling. Guru then gave another thumbs-up, and Sergeant Crowley waved to the ground crew, who pulled the chocks away. Then Crowley gave the oeTaxi signal, and Guru released the brakes, taxiing out of the revetment.

Guru taxied Five-twelve out of the revetment, and as he taxied to the runway, the rest of the flight followed. When they got to the runway, they found a Marine Hornet flight first, then a flight of Marine S model F-4s second. After the Hornets launched, the Marine F-4s taxied onto the runway, and Camaro Flight taxied into the holding area, where the armorers removed the weapon safeties.

After the Marine F-4s departed, it was their turn. oeTower, Camaro Flight requesting taxi for takeoff, Guru called the tower.

oeCamaro Lead, clear to taxi for takeoff. Winds are calm, the controller called back.

oeRoger, Tower, Guru called as he taxied onto the runway. Kara and Brainiac followed, taxiing into their Five O'clock position. Guru glanced over, and found 520 in position. Thumbs-ups were exchanged, then Guru called the Tower. oeTower, Camaro Lead requesting clear for takeoff.

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

oeReady Guru asked Goalie.

oeLet's go, Goalie replied.

oeLet's, said Guru. oeCanopy coming down.

Both pilot and GIB closed and locked their canopies, and a quick look saw 520's crew had done the same. Guru then applied full power on the throttle, released the brakes, and 512 rumbled down the runway and into the air, with 520 right with them.

Thirty seconds later, it was the turn of Sweaty and Hoser, then Camaro flight met up at FL 100. They then headed south to their rendezvous with the tankers and their Weasels.