The Double D's

[MaverickMike 10]

Keep the rports coming vicar. I find myself hoping you survive each mission just so we can hear your excellent AAR. Are you keeping copies of these for yourself? Putting them all together in a sort diary format would make interesting reading. Mike

[+Cliff7600 1,148]

Ens Peter J. Raczesky

 

October 17 1965

 

VF-114, CVA-63 Kitty Hawk – F-4B Phantom II – Take off 11.24 – Landing 12.07

 

Target : Noi Bai, Escort Python flight (8 F-4 VF-21 Freelancers)

 

3 MiG-17

 

Dallas 11 : Ens Pete “Linger” Raczesky / Ens Mark “Snake” Short

 

Dallas 12 : Ens Dave "Plumber" Amend / Lt jg Charlie "Robert" Maxwell

 

Dallas 13 : Lt Eugene "Ruler" Freckleton / Lt jg Kenneth "Pancake" Carr

 

Dallas 14 : Lt jg Scott "Machine" Ruliffson / Lt jg James "Clockwise" Stender

 

Report :

 

Things getting better!

 

Once again we had to escort a strike force to Noi Bai but today we were on time!

 

We rejoined Python flight and escort them until we reached the shore. Then the AAA started their barrage and when Python flight lost one of their F-4 on my starboard side, I decided to climb. We were there to chase some bandits, not to be shot by ground fire. We reached level 20 but we didn’t locked anything. We noticed a MiG-17 and the flight split up. I followed the MiG but lost him in the clouds. I tried to engage several times others MiGs (or maybe it was the same from the beginning?) but always lost them in the clouds. Red Crown told us to RTB so I asked my wingmen to join formation. As I was waiting for them for an egress to the North, I saw another Fresco and engaged him to prevent my wingmen being assaulted. This time we were above the clouds and this guy wasn’t very aggressive. I won the dogfight and, on his 6, had a radar lock. I fired 2 AIM-7E and, as he began a turn, launched a third and prepared for the last one. I saw him started to smoke and as I overtook him, Snake yelled “Yeeaah!”. I smiled.

 

On the way back, we were warned that there were many planes going back to the carrier. So I asked a direct approach and landed on the deck almost perfectly.

 

We celebrated our victories of the day : Three MiGs, one for Plumber and Robert, one for Ruler and Pancake and the last for us. It’s our second victory and this time it wasn’t a lucky shot like the first one was, and I shared it with Snake who seems to be more confident with me.

_

[xclusiv8 35]

Vicar and Cliff, GREAT REPORTS!

[Lt. James Cater 62]

Went back North again.

 

After settings things right after my last debacle, i figured that things can go nice and smooth if i stick to a standard procedure depending on the circumstance.

 

Well, we got fragged to go to Quon Lang and man did, we luck out. Usually having lousy weather in a pain in the $#% but this time it would work in our favor. So away we went. Seeing as we didn't want to be on the target too early, i figured a slow climb to altitude was in order. After a long takeoff roll we were gear up, flaps up, turned onto course and heading for the skies.

 

Any climb in bad weather is a by the books instrument situation but it's smoother than one thinks. About the only things you have to worry about are rock laden clouds and Charlie opening up on you. Now, i know what minumum altitude needs to be taken to avoid the rocks and with all the clouds Charlie won't be able to see us.

 

And as usual, i was wrong

 

Out of nowhere, AAA fire explodes all around us. My reaction is sudden and panicky. AAAAAAHHH!!!!! GOD#@%^%$ #&^%ERS GOT US NOW!!!!!!!!!!!

 

They couldn't have asked for a better target than what we provided them. A pair of slow, heavily burdened prop jobs that just happened to appear right over a clear spot in the clouds. After first trying to climb out of the fire i realized that i was losing airspeed and becomming a sure shooting gallery clay pigeon for the gunners down there. So i did the next best thing. Threw the plane aound like a maniac and prayed that i didn't hit a mountain while i was blindedly stumbling through the clouds.

 

It worked to an extent, i managed to lose them for about 5 seconds or so. When i went wings level they opened up again. The second firestorm was just as bad and i flew just as bad also. Forget about "evasion manuvers" and the such. I had NO single idea of what the hell i was doing as far as handling the aircraft. I quite simply forgot about everything else in the world, including my wingman, in order to escape the grooundfire that surely had my name.

 

But they didn't get us. Amazingly we actually managed to gain 1500 ft over our altitude when the fire first came up and wee just about 15 degrees off course. Even more amazing was checking up on my wingman and finding him only about a quarter mile behind me. Now that is some great flying on his part!

 

If Charlie gets any closer to Pleiku, They'll be able to hit us with pea shooters as we take off and land. Sooner or later we'll have to deal with those guns.

 

After that things got rather anti-climatic. We countinued our cimb and finally level off at the acceptable altitude of 14,500ft. The flight to the initial point was a time for thought. Arthur Eskew is my wingman and this is his very first combat mission. If he can drop bombs like he flys he should work out well. I've been hoping for someone really solid since Doug Ryan went down last year.

 

Ol' Doug. I miss him.

 

As we drone on, calls begin coming in from other flights doing their thing. I'm most anticipating Kingfish and Python to check in. Those are our flak suppresion guys and there is no way that we are going in on the target until they soften things up a bit. Even if the defenses are not as tough as Vihn, it is still plenty enough to nail us.

 

After what seems like a prolonged delay, Kingfish comes up on the channel. I was wondering if we'd been forgotten and was beginning to worry about dealing with the target unassisted. A big strike is heading for Ben Thuy and they seem to be getting all the support in the world. I'd love just a tiny piece of the elemnts heading there.

 

The closer we get, the more the tension rises. Python checked in and we are all set. Some B-57s are also headed to Quon Lang. I forgot completely about them. That really makes my day. Some more people to distract the flak!

 

About 10 miles from the initial point i made the decision to circle a bit and wait for Kingfish and Python. Despite attempts not to be in early, that's exactly what we have done. So we wait. It's not very long, just about 3-4 minutes then back to the IP heading. Once we hit the IP it's all business. Kingfish and Python do a good job. Sometimes i wish i was in a fast mover. A Hun would be really nice for getting out of trouble fast. Likewise the A-4s that Python are flying.

 

It's almost a textbook approach. We are just about to the roll in point and not a shot fired at us. This is nice! then the moment of truth. I give Art the order and down he goes, punching his drop tank as he begins his dive. I wait a few seconds more, roll the plane on it's back and begin my attack also.

 

Sometimes, you can have moments of perfect clarity while you are on a bomb run. This is one of those times. Everything is perfect on our part with no AAA to deal with. Even the clouds below are perfect. We plunge through them and once below, see the target as if we were on a bombing range back home. Still not a shot fired.

 

Art called "bombs away" while i was in the clouds and seconds after i broke though, his bombs walked across the warehouse, destroying it. I saw what looked like some other storage facilities adjacent to Art's bomb blasts si i quickly adjusted aim and let fly.

 

We got them by surprise but they reacted rapidly. As we pulled out of our dives and turned west towards the mountains, the AAA finally found us. It was intense but rather inaccurate. Make on wonder if this area isn't equipped with fire control radars or perhaps it was just or day. Art took more fire than i did, seeing as he went lower and lost speed trying to climb at too steep an angle to rejoin with me. Despite this, he managed to get away, his plane taking only minor damage. Once at altitude and over the mountains, we set a course for home.

 

If it wasn't for Python lead getting shot down, it would have been perfect beyond demand. Oh well, thems the breaks of being in a war.

 

Well, looks like Arthur Eskew is my new wingman!

 

 

During debrief i found that even with getting my bombs in a direct line with Art's, i didn't hit a thing!

[Lt. James Cater 62]

16April66

 

Just back from an nice mission

 

We got Loc Chau as a target area and to be honest, i wasn't exactly thrilled. You see, the river the target is on just happens to be the southern edge of the Vihn flak zone. If things went wrong we would be the subject of a whole lot of hostile fire.

 

So we took off, Art Eskew and i to hit a warehouse.

 

The weather was just like the last mission, and it's turning out to be a favorite of mine. High overcast with dense scattered clouds down below to hide us from AAA.

 

The flight out was routine anxiety filled moments until 8,500ft was reached and then a slow lazy climb to altitude. Nothing was out of the ordinary until we reached the coast south of Hue. For some strange reason, i could have sworn i heard the engine running rough for a while. It sure didn't sound right. It took some adjusting of the throttles to make things better and to be honest, i feel that it was just a case of nerves.

 

Perhaps nerves were due to amongst other things, Gopher flight running late. It really did seem like it. Every call sign was on the radio except Gopher. Leave it to some jarhead to screw up an important task. Why did the fates assign them flak supression today?

 

So we flew along.

 

It wasn't until we were close to our rally point over the Navy carriers that Gopher checked in. Damned if they didn't make me feel uneasy. It just didn't feel right so we circled a few times and pulled back on the throttle a bit to allow the jarheads some time to make their way north.

 

When we set off towards the target, we went at slow a speed as possible. Knowing what's in the area, going in early would be suicidal.

 

So on we putt.

 

At 20 miles i can take no more so we circle once again. Things are really breaking down and Gopher has really screwed the pooch today. When i heard other flights calling in their status, i decided to bite the bullet and go in without Gopher. With a glance at Eskew, course was set towards the target.

 

It seems like it was the weather helped the most. I don't know of any radar fire control on the southside of Vihn but just in case, we tried to come in behind other strikes heading further north of our target.

Finally the moment of truth once again. Closer and closer we went towards what felt like the proper moment to roll in.

 

At last i gave Art the order so down we went and as usual i was wrong.

 

I don't know why the hell i do it, but always the order is given at a distance that will guarantee the wrong angle for a proper weapons release. Perhaps it's from spending so much time concentrating on CAS techniques and not enough dive bombing. Whatever the reason, the angle was shallow and wrong.

 

Despite the error, it didn't seem to affect Eskew. The guy is a true professional and so adjusted perfectly to my error. I was at his 4 o'clock about 3/4 of a mile behind him and saw his attack. The way the bombs walked was a thing of beauty and so i quickly switched targets. The riverside docks were inviting and so i decided to drop on them even as Eskew's bombs were going off. By this time the gunners below were onto us and they opened up with a vengeance.

 

However, it was too late on their part. I had what i considered an almost perfect SWAG at my target and let loose.

 

The second i made sure that the ordnance was on it's way i slammed the throttle all the way and pulled hard towards the escape route. Forget about seeing the results, i knew it was going to be good. From previous flights in the area it became obvious that "The Garden" had no AAA in the area and so that's we were heading. We also got lucky as Gopher finally showed up as well as another flight that was hitting something in the vicinity.

The one sticking point is that Art turned north afer his attack and so put himself between a rock and a hard place. I don't know how he got out alive

 

The rest is mere details. Once at the Garden i climbed and waited for Art. The flight home was strictly routine. Excepting two things, The first was hearing Gopher call on final approach while we still have God knows how far before home. The SOBs don't do a damn thing and they'll be sipping a beer before we are even halfway home! The second is that Art went seriously Tard a few times. Something about "the Arrowhead" seems to attract him.

 

Back home we got great news. Art took out the main target as well as a few other warehouses and things while my bombs tore a swath through the dock area. We did a onslaught of tornadoes worth of damage!

 

Got this as well.

Edited January 9, 2010 by Lt. James Cater

[+Cliff7600 1,148]

Thank you xclusiv8 :)

 

Bolshie, Sykes, Andrews and the others are on their way to become Double D's heroes!

 

Vicar, you know how to create a hero!

Lt Cater, I knew that already but you know how to be smart and brave at the same time!

 

Here's my last mission :

 

 

Ens Peter J. Raczesky

 

October 21 1965

 

VF-114, CVA-63 Kitty Hawk – F-4B Phantom II – Take off 7.20 – Landing 7.51

 

Target : Vinh, Reconnaissance

 

2 MiG-17

 

Austin 11 : Ens Pete “Linger” Raczesky / Ens Mark “Snake” Short

 

Austin 12 : Ens Spence "Baron" Flagg / Lt jg Tom "Butcher" Speer

 

Report :

 

What a flight! I just can’t realize what happened!

 

Baron/Butcher, Snake and I were tasked to perform a recce over Vinh. We knew that this place is quite a dangerous area and this mission was to be taken very seriously. I didn’t really understand how we were assigned to this mission because Butcher was the higher in rank and is only Lt jg. As I was in charge of the flight, we discussed about the loadout and we chose belly droptanks instead of wings droptanks. Much lighter.

 

We took off and followed the flight plan. At the IP, we went on the deck and pushed hard full burners. We flew over the target (There were many cargos in the harbor and two more in the bay). We turned sharply to the east and Snake noticed that there were two Ramrods hunted by several bandits. We were not able to engage those guys, going back on the Kitty Hawk was the priority. One Ramrod was shot down…

 

Austin 12 rejoined formation and we prepared for the landing. But the remaining Ramrod and the b.....s who were on his tail were too close to the carrier. We decided that Austin 12 will land and save the precious reco datas and I will help Ramrod.

I was closing to them and shot a bandit with an AIM-7E after Snake did a perfect lock on him. Ramrod was a Marines F-4 and kept his course to the south, one bandit went back to his base but two others started a dogfight with me. We really were in big troubles : 1 vs 2 and we knew that the F-4 is inferior to the Fresco during a slow and close combat. I didn’t take the advantage during the dogfight, requested help from Red Crown (no fighter available) and was waiting for the carrier AAA to shoot those guys. We were just above the carrier! I almost get shot when one of them was on our 6 and fired his guns! Scary…

 

I thought that if we get shot, we’ll be rescued anyway so I started to relax while some observers on the carrier helped us “One, break right! Break right!” I thank them to the bottom of my heart. One of the bandits headed to Vinh and I decided that the last one should be for me! It was impossible to land with this guy around. I finally got his 6 by trying something new : I used the flaps to handle the F-4 while slowing down. It’s risky if the other MiG is still in the fight but I managed to follow the little fighter while he was turning and banking (Snake told me later that he was ready to eject at this moment). I launched my second AIM-9D and got him. What a relief!

 

I knew that there were many people looking at us while I did the landing pattern so I thought “Don’t mess up, don’t do something stupid, act as a professional combat pilot of the US Navy…” Snake helped me watch the speed, we are becoming a real team by now. I was a little too high but performed my best trap since a long time.

 

After a loud debriefing (Navy officers don’t appreciate to see MiG-17 fly over their vessel), we were warmly congratulated by LCdr Greer who told me “Two weeks before I was thinking to send you back home, but today I know I was right to give you a second chance. I don’t believe this is reasonable but you’re promoted to Lieutenant junior grade and Snake and you will receive the Air Medal for your air show above all of us. Linger, this is my last warning : Don’t do that again!”

 

Snake and I had to buy our rounds to the whole squad. Big party!

 

_

Edited January 8, 2010 by Cliff11

[vicar 1]

Greetings, Comrades!

 

 

31 October 1962

 

Today was a relatively uneventful day for Mother Russia and her pilots in the 179. Almost immediately I knew something was not right. I tried to wake Matus for breakfast, my faithful wingman, but he said he was sick! --You are not sick, I yelled. You are hung over! --And you have a medal, he replied. --HA HA! You are jealous! Fine, stay here in your bed like an old toothless babushka. I have Americans to kill.

 

But of course I didn't. Today we would be on ready alert, but otherwise there would be no missions for me. So instead we washed our airplanes! Yes, we get them clean, and shining, so that the world may see the Soviet silver glinting in the sun from miles away, and crap their pants in fear! And crapped pants at twenty-thousand feet is not a pleasant experience, let me assure you, comrades.

 

Shortly after lunch we all hear airplanes, incoming! What is this? No warning from any of our spotters? Our AA lights up, and two F-105 Thunderchiefs streak over our base, heading northeast. I was standing out in the open next to my Bohdana, and after I made sure that I wasn't bombed to smithereens without my realizing it, I climbed into the pit and began warming the engine. Imagine the size of those Americans' balls, I thought, to fly so low (only 1000-1500 feet) over our base! We shall teach them a lesson they will not soon forget.

 

I and the three others on Ready Alert shortly lined up and took off in pursuit, going as fast as we dared with cold engines, gradually increasing throttle as much as was safe. We caught up with them about halfway to Gross Dolln, and I ordered the engagement. I pulled in behind them, and crept closer, and closer, but the radar would not lock! About a mile out, the Thunderchiefs must have seen us, because suddenly they lifted into the sky, and I had a lock! I switched over to my R-55, and got tone as well. Launch! I watched my missiles head toward the target, but then he dove toward the earth, and I lost the lock! My missiles missed. Again, he lifted himself into the sky, and again I got lock and tone. Launch! And again, he dove to the ground and I lost the lock.

 

 

 

Stupid Mechanic! What sort of missile gunnery principles are these that waste ammunition because the radar cannot keep its lock so close to the ground?

 

Frustrated, I turned for home, and hoped that one of my flight would manage what I had not. No. We returned home without further incident, missiles exhausted, Americans safe from harm.

 

Americans safe from harm! What sort of nonsense is this? Idiot mechanic! If I had all four R-55s, maybe I would have had a chance. At least I would not have had to rely on a radar so easily fouled by ground-clutter.

 

 

1 November 1962

 

Again, Matus was sick, and so I flew with Valdemar Reshetov as my wingman. We got our orders mid-morning, and set about prepping our airplanes. There was to be a large operation, comrades! Eight of our airplanes would be flying Combat Air Patrol over Frankfurt Am Main.

 

Takeoff and the flight was easy, and the weather was clear. A perfect day for shooting Americans! Soon enough one of the flight called the sighting, and we headed towards them. They must have seen us at about the same time, because we merged head-to-head! As the enemy flashed past us I noticed they were again those West German CL-13s, and began to sweat and shiver at the same time. I could not control myself.

 

The comms came to life with my comrade pilots yelling, Get him off of me! and He's on my six! I managed to get behind one of them, but he would always bank and turn. It made getting a clear shot difficult; I noticed that this enemy plane was not a CL-13, but an F-100D. There was more than one enemy squadron, and I was already shaking! Already I had to fight the bastards who killed my Alena, now I had to deal with their friends as well, at the same time? I will admit to you, comrades, that I did not wait for tone and lock, but wasted my first two missiles in futile gestures. I heard at least one of my brethren call out that he was hit.

 

 

Finally I saw a CL-13 chasing one of ours. I lined up behind him, and got a tone and a lock both! Launch! Nothing, comrades! Nothing, and the CL-13 took down one of my wingmates. I had had enough. I was beaten, and I was out of missiles. I ordered the squadron home.

 

We took stock of ourselves after we arrived. Two of us had been killed and one wounded, to none of the enemy. It was a bleak day for the 179.

 

This is a list of the dead and wounded to date:

 

Jr Lt Valery Lobov - Missing - 26 October 1962

Jr Lt Donat Smirnov - Wounded - 27 October 1962

Sr Lt German Litvyak (3 confirmed kills) - Deceased - 28 October 1962

Sr Lt Iosef Sutzkow (1 confirmed kill) - Deceased - 1 November 1962

Sr Lt Semyon Gerasimenko - Deceased - 1 November 1962

Jr Lt Valdemar Reshetov - Wounded - 1 November 1962

[Lt. James Cater 62]

Hey Vicar,

 

dealing with those Sabres is really a pain. I flew a campaign in one and my squadron did not lose a single plane due to enemy fighters. Dogfighting them is a losing proposition when airspeed begins dropping.

 

Anyways, love your AARs!

[Lt. James Cater 62]

Cliff,

 

nice to hear of your adventures with the boats's AAA. There are all kinds of crazy things happening with this new mod!

 

It's also quite enlightening to hear of the effect the flak is having on the fast movers. It looks like anyone in a jet is really going to have to respect the AAA.

[Slartibartfast 153]

Speaking of Flak Suppression....

 

2 A-4E

 

Ltjg Andrews

Ens Flagg

 

Flak Suppression

 

Ha Gia

 

Well pulled the short straw today Flak suppression duties with Ens Flagg. Cluster bombs for the first time and my least favourite weapons 2.75 inch rockets or as I prefer shoot and hope as those things go everywhere...

 

Take off nice and early 08:47 into the rising sun of the old girl The O Boat into the early morning sun clouds from 4000ft all the way up to 16000ft not good weather for killing guns I can tell you. Either see them too late or they get your silhouette as your coming down through the clouds. Anyway coasted in at 17000ft and headed north on a roundabout route to get round Hanoi not a fun place to spend any time over. After being airborne for about 45 minutes descended to 3500ft to see whats what and for once my navigation was perfect 5 miles short of the POL yards we where to hit damn was I feeling good. Went screaming in and lined up the largest flash I could see KS-30 and fired the rockets and they went where I wanted them to go surprised I was... KS-30 gone my wingman was working over a set of M1939 so went to give him a hand but he smashed it up pretty good before I got there I rolled over to see what was still down there and found the source of all the ECM problems a Firecan but as I was only at short range I fired my guns in a hope of hitting it and took it out but took a few rounds of 14.5mm from a DSHK (well thats what the crew chief told me) in exchange which my wingman duly flattened the area around where the rounds came from with 4 CBU's went real quiet round there after that. Pulled up to around 3500ft and started reworking the area killing a few more guns with rockets and cluster bombs. Once we had both gone winchester it was hometime I had done my work for Uncle Sam and it was my time now so climbed up to 18000ft and headed out wingie in close. Flak followed us all the way up and we where pinged by just about every radar in North Vietnam but no SAM's thank god must have fired them all at the Air Force... Feet wet master arm off well there was nothing left to fire anyway... And its back to the boat landed shakily got a 2 wire not good but hey any landing you walk away from is a good one...

 

Well my battered Scooter doesnt know when to quit she just keeps on going... bulletholes or no bulletholes..

 

Well after 2 days off flying I was dragged out of a sound sleep and good dreams and I am to be presented with the Silver Star for shooting up guns...

 

Edited January 9, 2010 by Slartibartfast

[vicar 1]

Nice. I really get a kick out of reading all these reports on here.

[Slartibartfast 153]

Nice. I really get a kick out of reading all these reports on here.

 

Well Vicar yours are a great read after all makes you want to root for the Commie's. You most likely take more time writing the report than in the flying... Keep em coming...

[+Cliff7600 1,148]

Vicar,

"You most likely take more time writing the report than in the flying... "

 

Sure, you're flying a Su-9!

 

Doing a DID campaign is a challenge in itself ; choose a Su-9 to do it sure boosts your ego, as you said.

She's a beauty and really fine to fly, but there's more vodka in Bolshie's bootle than fuel in the Fishpot's tanks!

 

"Those who live short but exciting lives" Thx!

 

...there's a Su-9 in my install now :)

[+Cliff7600 1,148]

Lt jg Peter J. Raczesky

 

April 23 1966

 

VF-114, CVA-63 Kitty Hawk – F-4B Phantom II – Take off 10.19 – Landing 11.01

 

Target : Noi Bai, Escort Olds flight (4 A-4C VA-76 Spirits)

 

2 MiG-17 – 3 MiG-21

 

Gopher 11 : Lt jg Pete “Linger” Raczesky / Ens Mark “Snake” Short

 

Gopher 12 : Ens Jack "Taylor" Floyd / Lt Donald "Bull" Bruning

 

Gopher 13 : Lt Eugene "Ruler" Freckleton / Lt jg Kenneth "Pancake" Carr

 

Gopher 14 : Lt Lt jg Dorsie "Surgeon" Ford / Lt Lee "Injector" Dunlop

 

Report :

 

After few months we’re back in Vietnam!

 

I must say that I feel weird after this mission. It was very tough and some of us didn’t went back home…

 

It started well, we were on time to rejoin Olds flight and were the first of the second wave heading to Noi Bai. We detected a bunch of bandits and we got a lock very soon. I fired two AIM-7E, but the first one detonated just after have been launched. Snake told me to turn off “the music” just to be sure our Sparrows would not be jammed by our own device. Third and fourth didn’t hit anything, I was really disgusted because the MiGs were in sight. I switched to the AIM-9 but they saw us and broke up. I chose one of them and we started a dogfight. This North-Vietnamese pilot was a good opponent but, despite of the AAA and the SAM launches, I won the fight and went on his 6, it was a MiG-21. I fired two Sidewinders and the second hit him (I didn’t think that it was our 5^th kill, so Snake and I didn’t say anything at that time). The sky was boiling so we engaged another MiG-21 and fired the two remaining Sidewinders. We were out of ammo, and I must admit that we were lost (above Haiphong?) so I decided to set a course back to the sea, and it was straight ahead, full speed… (when I think about that moment, I feel like a coward)

 

As I was turning left and right to avoid AAA fire, Red Crown confirmed my premature decision and told us to RTB. Gopher 12 (Taylor/Bull) was just behind us, doing his wingman job, but Gopher 13 (Ruler/Pancake) and 14 (Surgeon/Injector) didn’t answered.

 

Gopher 13 made it back to the carrier with a badly damaged Phantom. The debriefing revealed that Gopher 14, Lt jg Dorsie Ford and Lt Lee Dunlop were reported MIA after a victory against a MiG-17. We don’t know what happened to them.

 

Our MiG-21 should be confirmed as well and Ruler and Pancake took out 2 MiG-21 and 1 MiG-17, three victories in one mission! We should celebrate our 5 victories of the day but no-one has the heart to rejoice… We’re crying our friends…

 

LCdr Greer will ask a promotion for Snake and told us to answer to the journalists, as we are the second crew of the squadron to win 5 victories (Breaker and Vulture were the first in October 65).

I don’t care about fame but Greer insisted “It’s a part of your job, you have your orders.” My smile was fake…

_

Edited January 10, 2010 by Cliff11

[xclusiv8 35]

September 28, 1979 Germany

 

"Robert, why so quiet?", George asked his friend and fellow pilot. "Its not like you wont see her again, she'll be there when you get back home"

"I dont know George. It just doesnt feel right leaving her all alone", Geroge said and looked down on the ground feeling the sadness in his heart.

 

Just a week ago Robert Brew and George Higg graduated from the Royal Air Force flight academy. Command had emideatly assigned them to an RAF F-4M squadron (No. 92) stationed in Germany. In a way Robert was looking forward to getting some action after all the hard training, but leaving the love of his life behind was harder than he had imagined.

And here they were, waiting for the buss that would take them to Wildenrath Airbase. Rumor had it that more pilots had lost theire lifes at that airbase than any other. Rookie pilots had started to call it Wrath airbase but Robert would not let himself get draged down into this way of thinking. He had to stay possitive because he knew he had to get back to his dear Sarah.

 

"You know what George!?" Robert asked looking all energized like if he had just taken a zip of Scottish whisky. "I know we will make it, with you as my WSO nothing can stop us, not even those pesky Ruskies!"

"That's the Robert i know, always possitive!", George almost screamed out but realised fast that people had started too stare.

 

After 5 minutes of trashtalking the Ruskies a green buss arrived. It looked like the germans had taken two busses and glued them together. Some kind of mechanism was holding the two pices together in the middle and was covered with a big rubber sheet, or so it looked.

"Who makes a green buss?", Robert thought to himself and got onboard. He payed for his ticket and sat down on the second row to the left. Seconds later George sat next to him and turned around.

"Who makes a green buss?", he asked Robert.

"Exactly my thought, no wonder nobody likes these Germans.", Robert said while chuckling.

"Hey, dont go all communist on me now", Geroge cried out and both of them were laughing loud.

 

Two hours later the buss stoped outside Wildenrath Airbase. The two pilots got out and stretched theire backs. Although they were only 25 years old they could feel the pain in theire bones from sitting still for two hours. They started walking and got to the front gate of the base. An military police stopped them and asked for theire ID:s.

 

"Well, well", the MP said and smiled at the two pilots. "I see you boys are here to kick some Ruskie ass"

Robert and George smiled and nodded together.

"I am guessing you boys know what they call this place?", again Robert and George nodded but this time without the smiles.

"This morning we lost four Phantoms to those god damn SAM:s, so watch yourself when you'r out there. You never know when you'll get a telephone pole up your sweet asses" the MP said and gave back theire ID:s "The Wing Commander is waiting for you in the barracks"

Robert and George took the ID:s and just walked passed the MP not saying a word. Both of them had just gotten a big kick in the stomach. "This was it", George thought to himself. There was no going back for either one of them unless it was in a bodybag or by winning the war.

 

At the barracks they encountered the WC as promised. He was a strong man in his 50s with a big brown mustasch. Robert noticed that he had a big scar over his left eyebrow, "proberbly an old war injury", he thought to himself.

Robert and George saluted the officer and stood still waiting for his response.

The WC saluted,

"My name is Arthur Webster and i am your commanding officer here at Wildenrath Airbase"

"Pleased to meet you sir", the young pilots said.

"As the both of you know, we are a little short on pilots, thats why you boys are here." the WC said and looked a little troubled. "I dont want to do this since you boys just arrived but i have no choice"

 

George started to look nervouse and asked the WC what he was talking about.

"All pilots are on missions right now so it will be up too you two. This morning we lost four Phantoms too SAM:s and i need you to fly out there and take care of them." the WC said with sorrow in his voice.

"You can find the Engineer Officer in hangar 4, talk to him about your loadout"

"Do we have any intel on the SAM:s loacations" Robert asked the WC

"No, we do have the generall area so this will be an Armed Recon mission. Get out there, find the SAM:s, destroy them and get back home safetly."

 

Robert and George saluted the officer and turned around walking out of the barracks and going straight for hangar 4.

 

Wildenrath Airbase was pretty big. So one could expect alot of noise from it but it was all quiet today. Both Robert and George noticed this. There were no jets taking of or landing, all they could see and hear was one truck driving around 200 meters away from them.

Hangar 4 was an enormous building. It was painted yellow with a grey roof. "Not so pretty to look at George", thought to himself. But it served its purpose.

Inside they found a short man working on a grey/green painted RAF F4M with the nr XT892 painted on it. They could see that he was working on attaching the SUU-23/A gun pod.

They walked up to him and intruduced themselfs.

Egineer Officer Smith was a man in his 30s, he had a very smooth face with tons of freckles and was wearing a green overall covered in grease.

"Welcome to Wrath airbase fellas" the EO said with a smile on his face. "This bird is yours for the night, i've checked her myself and she is in top condition. All i need from you guys is the loadout you want. Ive taken the liberty to install the gun pod as you can see."

 

"I want 4 skyflash missiles, 4 AIM-9L:s and 6 CBU-24/B cluster bombs" Robert said with a determined voice.

 

The EO looked at Robert and smiled and said "Yes Sir!" and started working. George walked away and got the mission documentation, the little information they had. Both of them sat down on the chairs that were in the corner of the hangar and started planning for the mission.

 

85 minutes later the Phantom was loaded and ready. Robert and George had changed into theire flightsuits and were getting ready to start the jet. To theire suprise one F-4M had landed and WC Webster had informed them about the situation. Pilot Officer Ron and his WSO Stewe were going to be Roberts wingman. There was not much time for formalities. PO Ron loaded up his jet and both jets got lined up on the runway.

 

 

"Are you ready for this?" Robert asked George.

 

"As ready as i can be!" A couple of seconds passed and George was starting to wonder why they were not moving.

"Hey Guiness! You okey?"

Guiness was Roberts callsign. He got that name after winning a beer drinking competition after passing the first tests at the flight academy.

 

"Just one more thing then we are of to the skies", Robert answered and reached for a photograph that he had inside of his flightsuit. It was a picture of Sarah. She was a beautiful girl, light brown hair with beautiful and mysterious eyes. Her smile could make a thief turn himself to the police.

"This is all for you" Robert thought and put the picutre next to the radar monitor.

 

He put the afterburner on and the RAF F-4M rocketed towards the sky.

"Ohhhh yeah, i was born for this s**t!", George screamed out.

 

Robert smiled and pulled some extra G:s for George.

"This is WC Webster, dont waste too much fuel boys. You have a long trip ahead of you."

"No Sir! We are just making sure the bird is flightworthy", Robert replied

"Affirmitive PO. God be with you, WC out."

 

As far as intelligence knew the SAM:s were somewhere around the city of Merseburg. The problem was that they did not know where exactly so Robert and his wingman had too scan the area which could end up beeing very dangerous.

The flight towards the target was far from evenfull. On the radio they could hear a great battle taking place. By the sound of it, eight RAF Phantoms were up against 15 Soviet MiG:s and it sounded like our boys were loosing.

 

"THIS IS RAMROD THREE, OH MY GOD I AM HIT, I AM GOING DOWN, GOING DOWN"

"Eject Ramrod three, EJECT!" and both transmissions ended.

 

"This is freaking insane Robert, we have to do something" George cried out.

"There is nothing we can do my friend, they are to far away."

"Hey guys, we are not alone", Ron reported over the radio. "Check your radar, I read three boogies"

"Is see them Mamba two, target boogie three and fire when in range" Robert ordered his wingman. "We will target boogie one and we'll take the second one together."

"Roger that, Ron out."

 

"George give me a lock on the first one"

"Already on it Guinnie" George said. "We have a lock, fire when ready"

Robert possitioned his jet and waited for the Ruskies to get in range. By the look of it they were not aware of them. 6 seonds later both F-4:s fired a skyflash missile each.

 

 

 

"Come on baby, come on" Robert mumbled to himself.

"15 seconds to impact" Geroge reported.

Robert could hear Ron screaming over the radio as the two missiles struck theire targets. They could see two bright flashes and the fireballs as they were plummeting towards the earth.

 

 

 

"The game is not over yet Ron, target the last MiG and bring him down", Robert ordered.

 

Ron fired his skyflash missile but missed since they were getting to close and the MiG was turning like a maniac. Robert immediately switched to AIM-9L IR seeking missiles and vent veritcal just as the MiG passed right by them with guns blazing.

By the look of if the Ruskie did not see Robert go vertical and just continued to fly straight. "Maybe he is trying to run", Robert thought to himself and leveled out his jet for a shot. He hit the afterburner to close the gap between them.

"Fox two, missile away!" Robert radioed. The missile left the wing with a speed of 850m/s and it was not long before it hit the MiG, turning it into a huge fireball of jetfuel and scrapmetal.

"Ruskie down!"

 

"Hell yeah!" George screamed and jumped in his seat

"Great shot Mamba leader, lets return to our mission"

 

15 minutes later and they were over the mission area searching for the SAM:s that had shot theire fellow pilots down.

"I cant see squat, Robert" Geroge said while looking down on the ground.

Suddenly theire radar warning reciver started to beep and Ron reported missile inbound over the radio. Robert looked to his 4 o'clock and saw the smoke from the missiles engine. He bulled hard on the stick and flew right towards the missile while dropping chaff and flares. The missile flew right passt theire right wing.

 

"Mamba Two, take that sucker out while we play bait for them"

"Roger that Mamba leader" Ron speeded towards the target and dropped two cluster bombs but they missed. "Sorry about that, ill try again"

 

Robert and George were circling over the SAM site. Just as Ron missed another missile rocketed towards Robert and just as before he turned into the missiles flight path just as he'd learned at the flight academy and it missed.

To his left Robert could see Ron lining up for another drop.

"Bombs away" Ron reported and pulled up. "MISSILE INBOUND MAMBA LEADER!"

 

The bombs hit the missile launchers but missed the radar so the missile that was in the air was still a threat.

"Oh my!" Robert cried out and pulled hard on the stick, turning the F-4 hard to left. The missile was determined to take them down. Robert felt like he was out of options and took the jet to the vertical blazing towards the emptyness of space with the SAM right behind him.

 

Because of the bad backwards visibility in the F-4 he could not see if the missile had lost its track or if it still was after him. 4 seconds later he found out. Warning lights started light up the cockpit and he could see fire in the mirrors.

 

 

 

"ROBERT WE ARE ON FIRE" George screamed out in panic.

"EJECT EJECT EJECT" Robert yelled to his friend. George ejected and left the jet.

"MAMBA TWO, RETURN TO BASE"

 

Ron and Stewe could do nothing but watch this horrible event. "It was true what they said. The Wrath airbase rumours were true.", Ron thought to himself

 

Robert pulled the ejection lever and felt the canopy leave the jet. The ejection seat shot out into the windstream breaking Roberts left arm and ripping of his helmet. He could feel the pain in his arm and face. The wind felt like a brick wall pressig his skin and bones down into the seat.

The last thing he saw before he passed out was Sarahs face.

 

December 12, 1979 England

 

It was several months since her Robert had left to fight for queen and country. She had been thinking about him every day, writing him letters to tell him how much she missed him and loved him. Untill this day she had not gotten any responses. She thought maybe he was to busy or maybe the letters did not arrive. But this winter morning something had changed. She woke up when she heard the mail man. He was knocking on the door so she got up, put some clothes on and went to open it.

 

"Hello miss Shanny, i have a letter for you today. Maybe its your boyfriend", the mail man said and gave her the letter.

"Thank you mr White" Sarah hurried to open the letter but her hands were shaking from the excitement.

"Here let me help you with that" the mail man said and opened the letter up for her. "Here you go miss Shanny"

She started to read the letter out loud.

 

Dear miss Sarah Shanny,

We have recived information that you are the closest friend/family mr Robert Brew has and therefore this letter has been sent to you.

We regret to inform you that since september 28, 1979 Robert Brew is missing in action. We want you to know that we will do everything in our power to bring him back safetly.

Sincerely Wing Commander Arthur Webster

 

Sarah fell to her knees crying.....

 

 

I apologize for any misspellings. English is not my native language. Even though ive proof read it a billion times i cant guarantee perfection :) Peace Out!

[vicar 1]

Greetings, Comrades!

 

These are truly the days that try men's souls.

 

 

2 November 1962

 

We were told that this was to be another big operation. Eight Su-9's, intercepting a large American force over Haina!

 

We took off and moved in. The weather was terrible. It was like soup. Still, we do what we have to do. We are soldiers, comrades! The flight was short, and we had almost reached the target before the number four of the second flight had even taken off. The enemy was right where Control had told us to look for them. A flight of no less than six B-27's! I let them pass, and turned into their rear, in order to shove missiles up their backsides. This is my favorite method of fighting, and is far preferable to any other. I like to call it "The Italian Method."

 

I told the squadron to engage and dropped my tanks. Of course, before I had even completed my turn, I was hit by the American escort following the B-57's. I knew right away that I was hit because my Bohdana slewed hard to the right side. My panel came to life with red lights telling me that she was on fire, and punched out.

 

As I floated down, I saw the Americans that had done it. F-100D Super Sabers! I turned my attention from them and watched Bohdana sink into the fog, turning everything around her a wet orange-red.

 

I will admit to you that as I watched, I thought to myself, --It is not so bad. She was a Boris anyway. I am ashamed of myself for these thoughts! She did the best she could, and I dishonor her memory in such a way?

 

 

3 November 1962

 

There were no missions today, and it is just as well. Perhaps the Lieutenant Colonel realized that morale in the 179 was low and gave us a day off. Perhaps the weather was just too bad to fly. Who knows. All I know is that I slept, for a long time. When Matus asked me if I would like to meet my new airplane, number seven, I shouted at him. --NO! I would not like to meet her. I would not like to name her. I would not like to fly her!

 

Matus left me alone after that, which is just as well. I am obviously irrational, and the loss of Bohdana has affected me more than I realized.

 

I did not get out of bed today, at all.

 

 

4 November 1962

 

Another large operation. An intercept over Merseburg, which is right next door to our base in Allstedt. I am beginning to dread these large operations.

 

Fedya Smirnov flew my wing. You will remember him. He is one of the Smirnov brothers; his brother Donat was wounded at the very start of this war.

 

Again the weather is like soup. This makes four straight days of rain, comrades!

 

I climbed into the cockpit and I was numb. I do not know how else to describe it. I wasn't feeling anything. I wasn't thinking anything. I performed the pre-flight mechanically, like a robot. I lifted off, like a robot. I headed for the target, without thinking, without feeling, without even realizing where I was or what I was doing. Of course that all changed when Control told us that our mission had changed! --Come to 0 degrees heading and climb to 30,000 feet, she said. A flight of three B-52's had been spotted, and we were tasked with the intercept.

 

At last! More B-52's! I felt myself come alive as I climbed above the cloud cover and blinked into the sun. There, I could see them, and began to intercept.

 

 

Closer I crept, and closer. I got the lock, and I launched. Two missiles, away! I watched them streak toward the target, and I watched the B-52's drop flares and chaff, and both of my missiles missed! Damn! And then the tracers started streaking toward my plane, and I turned hard, realizing that I had allowed myself to get too close. No luck, comrades. My airplane shuddered and again my cockpit lit up with fire warnings. Again I punched out, the second time in two sorties.

 

 

I did not even name this airplane. She died without a name. The numbness returned to me as I watched her descend into the clouds, a flaming corpse. It is cold at 30,000 feet, comrades, but I did not notice. When your stomach is already ice, everything else seems warm by comparison.

 

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I apologize for not having any pics for 2 November. It all happened quite fast. Really, I thought I had one, of me burning with 2 F-100D's streaking by (quite a nice pic, too), but apparently I didn't actually press the button. Strange, that. Anyway, my apologies.

 

Somebody said that he hoped I wouldn't die, so that I could continue the story. These two missions, coupled with the one earlier, make for quite a few near-misses. More than I think should, by rights, have occurred. I don't believe that I've ever been shot down so many times in a campaign without having a campaign-ending finish such as an MIA, POW, or even a wounding. The only thing I can think is that, as an interceptor squadron, I'm flying the majority of my missions over friendly territory. Still, I have now flown only eight-ish sorties, of a maximum twenty-five for this campaign. If it keeps up like this, I'm definitely going to have to figure out a way to end the story semi-realistically, with a dead pilot obviously being unable to speak of his experiences. Hmm. Quite the challenge.

Edited January 10, 2010 by vicar

[vicar 1]

Sorry for the double post.

 

Good story, xclusiv8!

 

Yes, there were some small mis-spellings, but I wouldn't worry about it. It wasn't anything that a reader couldn't figure out, and the story itself was incredibly entertaining.

 

Good job, and keep it up.

[MaverickMike 10]

Vicar, maybe it would be an idea that if your shot down and KIA, switch 2 an AAR from another pilot from the same flight 2 describe how your pilot died? Just an idea. Keep these excellent stories coming!

[Lt. James Cater 62]

22APR66(IIRC)

 

We got word of an NVA push against the Marines up by the DMZ so we were fragged to provide some support.

 

Knowing what happened the last time i was on a CAS, i decided on advising the CO to put Eskew onto other duties. He's obviously to valuable to risk in these kind of things.

 

So the lineup looked like this...

 

1LT Sykes

 

1LT Hill

 

CPT Croker

 

2LT O'Neil

 

 

I had the usual loadout but everyone else was carrying 5 CBUs each. We figured that this would be enough to rain on the NVA's day as well as give a better low level performance for the lousy weather which we should find over the target area.

 

The climb after takeoff was rather nerve racking. Anyone who's been to Pleiku knows about the mountain thats just off at one end of the strip and all the other peaks in the Central Highlands. In perfect conditions it can be a tough task dealing with them after takeoff but in instrument conditions?

 

Let's just say you will be sweating every second until you reach 8,500ft, which is the minimum safe altitude. Any lower and you'll be flying into a stone filled cloud sooner or later.

 

Once safe and everyone in position, we set cruise speed and headed out on course. You can have a really nice time sight seeing in an A1. Compared to the Jet Jockeys, we can enjoy the views provided by nature since we are moving relatively low and very slow. Think about this... For us, 200kts is moving at a fast clip! Things are very calm on the flight. The only flights on the radio seems to be comming from the rear echelon gas and trash types. don't know of any other combat flights besides us. that makes for a pretty lonely feeling.

 

A few miles from the coastal lowlands, it's time to go down under the clouds and the next anxiety filled moment begins. You see, now it's the reverse of the intial climb, if your navigation is off, you'll find out the hard way as the plane turns into a fireball after smasing into a ridgeline that was unknowingly below your flight.

 

But it doesn't happen. At least this time.

 

At about 5,00ft the clouds break and down we go. After a few minutes we fly over where the Marines are supposed to be and begin a slow, careful search for the enemy. My only real concern is if ant light AAA is in the area, they got us cold because we are a perfect target for them.

 

But sure enough, the Marines call for help!

 

They were about 7 miles away and even as i pull up on the stick, i can see the smoke from what must have been a good sized ambush. As one, four SPADs turn towards the fight and prepare to deliver hell.

 

After doing a quick doublecheck of the weapons switches, i got my mind set for the attack. Soon we are there and the order is given. NVA TROOPS, PREPARE TO DIE CHEAP!!!!

 

Seconds later, it seemed that the world exploded. I mean, there were so many flashes and the an unending sound of popping behind my aircraft that i thought i was hit and on fire!

 

As i pulled away and banked, i learned why i thought my plane was a goner. You could see nothing of the NVA positions but a masive dust cloud that was kicked up by a mass CBU drop. Imagine 16 CBUs going off over a spot a little bigger that a football and you'll wonder how anything could survive under the blast. but tracer and rocket fire showed that indeed the NVA were still there and still fighting!

 

They didn't have a chance though, the four of us made multiple pasess, tearing up the NVA with every shot, while the Marines did what Marines do and pushed forward.

 

One funny thing about this fight was an error of mine. I fully intended to let fly with my two CBUs but forgot about the settings and only released one on the initial attack. Setting up for the second pass, i kept being beat to the targets because everyone was so ferocious!

I finally figured "to hell with it" and dropped anywhere over the NVA. As it turns out 1LT Hill just happened to be strafing the area and so the NVA really had their heads in a grinder!

 

Before we knew it, that was it! the NVA were done and we were ordered home. Hell, i only dropped two CBUs and two napalm canisters!

 

So back home we went, climbing back to altitude and flying home.

 

Everyone worked like a pro and delivered 100%. We sure gave those guys on the ground a real show. I wonder if we'll get more calls for these missions?

 

 

During debrief, we got a real surprise. That mass CBU drop? We wiped out an entire NVA platoon with that one. The Marines credited us with a Companies worth of casualties and so now i really got plans for the next CAS!

Edited January 10, 2010 by Lt. James Cater

[Lt. James Cater 62]

26APR66

 

Seems like the VC had been moving a lot of men into the Ia Drang valley recently. A lot of sightings have been coming in from aircraft spottings and Army patrols and so the Higher Ups decided to send us out hunting for Charlie.

 

Lt. Hill and i got the call and trust me, there was nothing we wanted to do less than go out on this mission. The weather was pure garbage. Just horrible beyond words! The rationale in sending us up was that the conditions were so bad that nothing else could manuver around low in the murk better than an A1. Before i could mention anything else, they also noted that the Ia Drang was just south of the base and if the VC set up a base camp in the area, they'll soon bring in heavy weapons and emplace all kinds of heavy AA.

 

What could we do? We resigned ourselves to the flight ahead and got ready. Knowing the terrain in the area, i decided to check the maps really good to get an idea what we were in for. The valley itself wasn't the problem, it was what was between the base and the valley. Pure insanity to go flying, the clouds are right down to the level of the strip!

 

Ok, if we have to do this, we demanded whatever weapons load we wanted. Suprisingly, the Wing Weenies agreed!

 

Off we went into the wild grayish, foggy, rain swept, mountain, hill, and ridge concealing yonder!

 

For the sake of LT Hill, i decided to leave the navigation lights on. As bad as things were he would need all the help he can get. I still couldn't belive it. The damn Air Force actually ordering us to commit suicide.

 

I won't trouble anyone about the flight to the valley but let's just say it was a low level flight of terror.

 

Getting near the valley, we dropped down to just over the trees and began to hunt. It took a few moment but damned if we didn't find Charlie! We got the break of our lives as they were in the middle of the valley and the clouds miraculously were not low over them.

 

I made the first pass, dropping a CBU. Things were still to the point that i really didn't feel comfortable with the approach so i ordered Hill in. LT Hill is really an top ground attack guy and he didn't hesitate. ALL five CBUs were loosed on his pass. Damn that gotta hurt!

 

Once we got a pattern set up it was all over for the VC. Hill had a pair of Minigun pods under his wings and was loaded up with five CBU also as well as eight CBU 25/A dispensers.

 

While Hill made multiple strafing attacks, i alternated between shallow angle CBU deliveries and low, slow, straight and level passes raining frags over the area.

 

After a while we couldn't find any more signs of activity down there so we decided to go home. If anything the flight home was even worse and the runway wasn't even visible until we were virtually on top of it.

Edited January 10, 2010 by Lt. James Cater

[xclusiv8 35]

Sorry for the double post.

 

Good story, xclusiv8!

 

Yes, there were some small mis-spellings, but I wouldn't worry about it. It wasn't anything that a reader couldn't figure out, and the story itself was incredibly entertaining.

 

Good job, and keep it up.

 

Thank you vicar. I got inspired by you :)

[TempestII 262]

I'm probably starting a bit later than some of you, but I've decided to see how the Tornado F.3 fares in NF4+. I've just had to do some practice missions because I don't usually fly on the strict parameters DiD demands (my video card fails so I can't see anything further than a mile away).

 

Still, I'm going to give it a shot:salute:

5 Sqn, Tornado F.3, NF4 (SF2E)

 

Pilot = Pilot Officer Harry "Hunter" Smith.

 

 

 

 

BTW, whats the furthest anyone's got in a DiD campaign so far?

Edited January 12, 2010 by Josh543

[Slartibartfast 153]

I am on my 9th mission 10th by the end of tonight...

[TempestII 262]

I am on my 9th mission 10th by the end of tonight...

 

Oh right. I've just had chance to do 2 missions.

 

Pilot Officer Harry Smith (No. 5 Sqn)

 

1st November 1986

 

Mission = Intercept over Nuremberg

Flight Name = Gopher

Flight Contents = 4 Tornado F.3s

Flight Time = 50mins

Result = Success

 

Kills -

2 Tu-22 Blinder-A (Primary Targets)

1 MiG-21 Fishbed-L

 

5 Sqn MIA, KIA or POW -

0

 

Score = 1100

 

Final Remarks -

Allied S.A.Ms destroyed 2 MiG-23 Floggers who attempted to engage Gopher flight when en-route to target area.

 

Pilot Officer Harry Smith (No. 5 Sqn)

 

3rd November 1986

 

Mission = Escort Tomahawk flight to Preschen Airbase

Flight Name = Viper

Flight Contents = 8 Tornado F.3s

Flight Time = 67mins

Result = Success

 

Kills -

2 MiG-23ML Flogger-G

1 MiG-23M Flogger-B

1 MiG-21MF Fishbed-J

 

4 Fuel Tanks at Preschen Airbase

5 Sqn MIA, KIA or POW -

1 F.3 destroyed by SA-13 with Fg Officer Townsend & his W.S.O killed

 

Tomahawk losses -

2 Tornado I.D.S's destroyed by Soviet A.A/S.A.Ms

 

Score = 1900

 

Final Remarks -

Due to Soviet fighters attempting to engage Viper flight en-route, fuel tanks had to be jettisoned earlier than expected. Unfortunately, this led to a late R.V with Tomahawk flight.

Plt Officer Smith was forced to divert to a closer Allied base on the return journey due to fuel issues.

Plt Officer Beamish's F.3 was damaged by the blast from an SA-13 on the return journey.

 

 

 

(The destroyed Tornado was one of Tomahawk's)

 

BTW, good luck to every DiD pilot still alive.

[xclusiv8 35]

My first DiD campaign was shortlived as you can read in my story further up on this page. Havent started a new one yet.