The Double D's

[Lt. James Cater 62]

25NOV66

 

Hit the Jackpot!

 

LT Curtis and i were sent on a Recce mission over what seemed to be a safe area so we decided to carry some extra ordnance and take a look at an area south of the Arrowhead were groundfire had been reported on numerous occasions. We figured that there has to be something there worth protecting on the enemies' part.

 

The weather wasn't so bad considering what were were going to do, so we took off, climbed to 10,500 and headed towards Hue.

 

At Hue we went down and flew low and slow along the coast until we made our turn towards Dong Hoi. As far as we could see, there was nothing but friendly troops and bases all over the area. So after satisfying mission requirements, we climbed a bit to 1,500ft and headed north. It wasn't long before we found something good.

 

We knew that the North Vietnamese had some base facilities in the area, but figured that they probaly had been bombed to rubble by now. Well, we saw some structures off a ways at about 10 o'clock and so veered in the direction in anticipation of flying over yet another friendly base. As we got closer though, we noticed some AAA emplacements on the hill behind the base and so manuvered to engaged the guns.

 

As we set up for our attack i began wondering when all hell would break loose. This obviously was a sizable place and yet it seemed rather lacking in defenses. We didn't hesitate though, CBUs went down and we blew the guns away. What was really strange was that the defenses were 2 100mm guns and yet, not a shot was fired at us. Very strange!

 

Wishing like hell that we had some HE bombs, i swung back around and decided to strafe the fuel tanks on the base and continue with our previous plans. In the process of strafing i looked out the side and saw a lot of vehicles just parked there. On a second pass i also noticed three SAMs on their trailers.

 

It looks like Christmas came a bit early this year!

 

It was almost like some sort of range exercise. After shooting up two more fuel tanks i went to work on the vehicles. After a few passes the smoke got so thick that i resorted to taking a SWAG and to my satisfaction i was doing alright.

 

In the meantime, Curtis wandered off a bit to the northeast and found something. Whatit turned out to be was some PT boats docked near a river mouth and down he went. However, the groundfire was pretty intense and his aircraft took some serious damage. Smoking heavily, he climbed slowly and headed back south towards safety.

 

I continued firing into the smoke until i was pretty certain nothing was still in one piece. Then i got really low and took a good look at the base from a few more directions. sure enough, there were a few more trucks parked around and so i shot them up as well. The 20mms soon ran out of ammo but luckily i decided to carry gun pods for the first time.

 

The strafing finally came to an end when the miniguns finally ran out of ammo.

 

The final score came out to 19 trucks, 3 SAMs and their transporters (makes you wonder if they planned on a site somewhere in the vicinity), 3 fuel tanks and 2 100mm antiaircraft guns destroyed as well as as numerous building shot up as well.

 

I really hope we can get a mission near here soon so we can come back and level the place.

Edited January 21, 2010 by Lt. James Cater

[MaverickMike 10]

I beleive that is the first MOH we have had in these campaigns. Congrats LT

Edited January 21, 2010 by MaverickMike

[Lt. James Cater 62]

 

27NOV66

 

Talk about getting lucky!

 

Where do they decide to send us? Right back to a dream target.

 

Took off with LT Hill and slowly made our way north. It was a very nice day. Some clouds but no big deal. It was a nice day to be flying.

 

At our cruising altitude we eased off the throttle and flew serenly on, The only thing that did give me some worry was wondering about what kind of defenses the North Vietnamese might have moved into the area. After our last adventure over there you might figure that they would put some guns around since we would surely be back. Thankfully, we had a pair of F-4s out of Da Nang tasked for flak suppression and so my main concern was not to get over the target before they did.

 

Soon enough, west of Da Nang we made our turn towards the target and things did not feel right. I had the feeling that Dodge flight (the F-4s) would be late and so i had to begin thinks of alternatives to our plan.

 

We were just under 30 miles from the target when Dodge checked in. Making some quick calculations, Hill and i figured that there was no possible way that Dodge would be over the target before us so we decided to circle at a distance from the area and kill time.

 

So that's what we did. 10 miles out from the target we circled and waited for the fast movers. Only when they called that they were five minutes out did we line up and get ready for our attack. When Dodge overflew the target and kept going further north i knew we had it good.

 

LT Hill had the honors of going after the primary and down he went. I waited above just in case he(highly unlikely)missed and double checked my switches to make sure everything was just right.

 

Bruce did a textbook approach and blew the primary target away as well as a few other buildings. Then it was time for me to go to work. Seeing as he did his part well and there was no threat in the area, i sent him home.

 

It was truely a fine time!

 

Pass after pass. Bombs, rockets, guns a blazing. Tore the hell out of the place but there is more that can be hit on another mission.

 

 

While i was doing all this, Dodge was busy at the Arrowhead. Guess that after we finish this place, that's where we will hunt next.

Edited January 21, 2010 by Lt. James Cater

[Lt. James Cater 62]

I beleive that is the first MOH we have had in these campaigns. Congrats LT

 

Thanks Mike,

 

after a very rough start i seem to have this down with the SPAD. It'll be interesting to see where this goes considering that i'm now used to a plane that can be considered fast moving when it is at 200kts!

 

Also, i found out the hard way not to go into certain places ahead of the other flights like you can do sometimes in the stock setup. WOV Gold has changed everything and it all had to be relearned from scratch.

[Slartibartfast 153]

Pilot Officer Mark "Pirate" Graham is now Flying Officer Mark "Pirate" Graham...

 

4 Tornado's

Skyflash and Winders with Tanks

Full gun

 

Well it was another early start for us... but I was only pencilled in for one sortie... CAP over a Red airbase. Take off was a bit bleary eyed not enough coffee in the system though my nav Flt LT Tony "Getsome" Reid was happy and was whistling some damn stupid tune. Anyway after gear up we headed East to prepare for the cap plan was for one pair high one pair low... Well that was the plan and as we all know no plan survives first contact with the enemy for us it began as we entered Red Airspace when an SA-10 and an 11 decided on popping a few missiles our way not fun at all dragged the flight low and we survived will have to tell Intel about that area. 50 miles later we had just started capping over the correct Airfield when a swarm of Mig-21's & 23's came storming in we broke and dealt with the jets as they came thankfully a bunch of Germans turned up in their F-4's as it was looking like a 4 vs 20+. I popped the first Skyflash off and nailed a Mig-21 at 3 miles followed by a winder kill on his wingman whilst this was going on Wing 3 & 4 where knocking a bunch of Mig-23's about quite successfully. Then it all went quiet far too quiet for my liking when up popped a flight of 4 Su-27's now life got interesting popped a Skyflash off at the same time as the 27 I was targetting fired a Radar Alamo at me screamed down to the deck and dodged the missile mine had gone stupid in the meantime. Turned back in and at 4 miles popped a sidewinder into him my first Flanker kill my second wasn't so easy this one didn't want to die and we ended up dogfighting like hell so close I could have thrown my boots at him... eventually got him out in front and he flew level long enough for a burst from the 27mm mauser took his wing clean off. The other 2 I don't know what happened to them as they where no longer around. Then the airfield we where capping launched a flight of Mig-21's up to us with which we despatched a lot easier I nailed 3 of them with a mixture of sidewinders & skyflash. To say the sweat was dripping of me was an understatement at this point we formed up and headed home. This is when we found out that my number 2 was missing not sure what hit him but we recieved a report that he took an Alamo in the shorts... For my flying skills in nabbing 7 red jets and 2 of those Flankers the boss lady decided on a field promotion... to Flying Officer... And then I spent the rest of the day talking to Intel about those flaming Flankers...

[UnknownPilot 33]

June '65

 

Another escort mission. Should be basic enough.

 

Once again I loaded up with 2 outboard tanks and a center-line gun, it proved too handy before. The night before, playing cards, there were bets on my making ace the next day. As we mounted up, I heard a mixture of cheers and jeers on that feat. Couldn't help but smile.

 

The initial part of the patrol was quiet. We ran ahead of the strike package so as to intercept and occupy any MiGs that might be in the area. As we approached the IP, the flak started looking for our range and Red Crown directed us to some bandits. I told Flight 2 (3 and 4) to split off so we could sepate, locate, and engage these MiGs. Then we started hearing calls from other flights under combined flak and enemy fighter fire.

 

I called out to Red Crown for a heads up, got pointed in a direction where there were only bandits, Duke found a target and locked it up, I let loose a Sparrow and waited it out. It went dud. I was glad to have that gun-pod, if this start to things was any indication.

 

Things became a bit of a blur. Bandits were all around. Radio calls from all manner of flights about location, flak, and dogfighting were non-stop. In a whirlwind of MiG-17s I really lost track of it all, focusing just on what was around me, while also trying to not think about the constant thunder and cloud-bursts of flak.

 

Ultimately I wound up with 1 successful Sparrow shot, and 1 gun kill. Things quieted down a bit as strike packages made their way out of enemy air space and we cleared the air of MiGs. A few stragglers were hanging around and the flak had all but stopped. I saw another MiG apparently on a long landing approach. I heard Hammer flight was heading home, so I sent my flight home, 2 radioed back, but 3 and 4 had gone silent, but at the time I don't think I noticed, as I was busy lining up my shot.

 

A quick burst sent him to the ground a bit faster than he had in mind, and a quick check showed no enemy air activity near-by, however, the lull suddenly looked more like a trap. I followed the last 2 MiGs pretty far north, and had long since blow both my tanks and was getting down to around 6000lbs of fuel, a lot less than I would like, that deep in enemy territory. The flak started picking back up a little, but not too bad. I decided to head for the clouds, obscure us from their sights, and cruise back home more efficiently. Then I heard "SAM Launch!". Without and way of knowing where the site was, and not seeing the plume or hearing a direction, I did the only thing I could do, rolled it over, pulled hard, and dove for the deck.

 

Unfortunately, the calls kept coming! One after another, "SAM Launch!" "SAM Launch".... it was like we were in a bee hive of SAMs and they were all pissed off that we were there. Even being 1000 ft AGL or less didn't help!

 

I was jinking and pulling heavy Gs with the burners lit, just going in random directions hoping to avoid those damned SAMs. As soon as that seemed to calm down a bit, the flak had turned the sky an even darker shade of grey and was going off like we were standing inside the intake valley of a big block. And they were getting close too. Bursts were popping just off to the sides in front, and many were right off our nose. I was sweatin' bullets.

 

Keeping one eye slightly on the way-point indicator, I nosed it down as much as I could, and with full burner accelerated up past the mach.

 

I was screaming just over their heads at about 700+ knots true at less than 600ft AGL. They were still too close for comfort. I couldn't risk turning too much or end up going the wrong way, I just didn't have the fuel for it. Slowing down just did not seem an option with as many gunners as there seemed to be down there and as good as they apparently were. Going up wasn't an option either as they had us pinned to the deck with SAMs.

 

Up ahead I saw a hill, and I made for it, climbing just enough to crest it, I rolled inverted and dove down the backside and around to the right, hoping to split the flak, by blocking out much of what was already behind us, it seemed to work, but I heard an "oh s**t!" from the back. Duke later told me I gave him a heart attack with that move, he thought for sure I would hook the tail on the hill top and swing us down into the dirt. It was definitely close. But we still weren't out of it yet. Soon, as we got away from the hill, the flak started picking up again. If we could just maked it to the ocean.....!

 

I had to ease back on the throttle, but we maintained .9 mach and were hauling ass. I kept changing course randomly to throw off the gunners, and soon we did manage to make it out to shore. As the gunfire started to fade off into the distance, I eased it up into a climb and slowly cut back on the throttle.

 

Still over a hundred miles to go, 3000 lbs.... this was looking hairy.

 

Fortunately with a little altitude, the lower drag allowed for reduced throttle settings and we could more-or-less coast back to the carrier. We caught up with #2 who was in the pattern, once we made it back. But we were down to less than 500lbs of fuel. I was worried that we could not afford a trip around the pattern, and that we would catch 2 before he could be cleared. I hit the brakes, cut throttle, and pulled up, then closed the brakes and eased the nose back down and cracked the throttle to keep us in the air, but still behind #2.

 

Radioing ahead, I informed the air boss that the deck crews would have to get them out of the way in a hurry. I was nearly dry, but had no intention of ditching a perfectly good Phantom if I could possibly manage to avoid it.

 

Fortunately I was able to delay just long enough, and they work just fast enough, that we could avoid any circling or excessive S turning, and I eased it down and trapped a 3 wire!

 

Pulled our asses out of the fire, survived by the skin of our teeth, saved a perfectly good jet, successfully escorted Hammer flight (who successfully nailed their target), AND got 3 kills, returning as Aces in just our second mission!

 

 

 

But the celebration was cut abruptly by news that 3 and 4 never made it back. Nobody knows what got them or where, or when. But Marines on the ground said they saw them both going down in pieces with no chutes in the air. So they are presumed dead.

 

And those bastards almost managed to get us too with their apparent little trap of sacrificing some of their own fighters to lure us deeper in then unleash unholy hell.

 

 

[UnknownPilot 33]

Well, I had a couple more missions I was going to post about, but there is no point now.

 

On my 7th mission, we went DEEP into red territory, and the RWR was going off constantly, even with ECM. The SAM launch calls kept coming, and I was seeing the plumes. Even seeing the ones that were heading my way.

 

I managed to evade them, somehow, and got engaged with smoe MiG 21s down around 4,000 or less. Tough bastards. They'd either turn to the point that I would have to climb or extend, climbing put me up into SAM-space, extending put them on my tail. They also would hit the brakes and pitch up, hard, almost like a Cobra maneuver. I tried to go high and keep position, but one of them cut back on my unexpectedly, but it was a brilliant move, and it put him right on my tail, as I was stalling out near the top. My attempt to cut back and get hte nose down only slowed me and I was really sweating. I managed to extend though as no amount of E maneuvers would work on this guy. Once I got separation he lost interest and I was able to come back around on him. Popped him with a Sparrow that I thought went stupid because it was barrel rolling.

 

Then I checked with Red Crown, but another one much closer auto-targeted, so I went after him, very much like the previous fight, this time though I was able to keep speed up better and he was either damaged, inexperienced, or just not as determined. I actually got some gun shots, but they missed. Then, trying to line up a gun-shot, thr growlers went hot, and he turned and showed me his exhaust, right up close, I let fly, and it nailed him.

 

At that point I decided to have everyon bug out. I hit the deck and ran for Way Point 8. I was seriously worried about my fuel state, 106 miles (plus another 20 or so for WP9 and then landing), with about 1500 lbs left. I needed to get out to sea and go high for fuel economy, but had to stay low while in-land. On my way out I saw a gun emplacement. I lined up (it was directly in my path), and fired, but the 20mm Mk4 Mod 0 pod jammed! (again), so the target was just barely intact (a few more rounds and I would have popped it), I broke right to try to avoid running right down it's barrel (was still moving at 560kts IAS at 600ft). But then the master caution light went on and I seemed to lose control. All I could do was right it and pitch up a bit and eject.

 

Captured. F#*^*! POW.

 

 

y'know.... getting shot down sucks, but it's not nearly as bad as going through hell, surviving, and then getting popped at the end of a huge ordeal, just when you think you'll make it out alive. THAT sucks balls.

 

I had made it to my 7th mission (tieing my old campaign length record), got a purple heart, and an air medal, and 10 kills. It was April '66.

 

I'm considering resurrecting him in current state in Linebacker - say he escaped or was liberated by some special forces or something. Truthfully I wish I could set up another Rolling Thunder with VF-84 in mid '67 (an earlier escape or something). ::: sigh :::

[+Cliff7600 1,148]

4^th mission

 

2Lt Henry Golfaurla

 

No. 350 Squadron, Wittmundhafen – F-104G Starfighter

 

08/25/68

 

Take off : 09.22

 

Target : Gütersloh, Intercept

 

1 Il-28 Beagle

 

Zebra 11 : 2Lt Henry Golfaurla

 

Zebra 12 : 2Lt Victor Depreez

 

Zebra 13 : 1Lt Bruno Werbrouck

 

Zebra 14 : 1Lt Hans Detal

 

Report :

 

Scramble alert today. We took off and went to Gütersloh to intercept an enemy’s raid.

 

I feel much more confident since some veterans operating the Starfighter provided us some very useful advices. A quick flight in a TF-104G without telling anyone and this was it.

 

My wingmen were efficient today and they formed up without delay. We reached Gütersloh right on time and Tactical Control guided us to our target, a Beagle bombers flight, 12 o'clock, 1 mile.

 

I was in a perfect position and tried and frontal pass. It was too fast and I missed the leader. I did a wide 180° turn and the Beagles flight broke up as if they were performing an air show. “Zebras, Zebra one, each his own”. Mine was in a vulnerable position although he was low (1500ft). Too close to fire a Sidewinder, I kept the Vulcan but I didn’t manage to aim properly. I did a roll then another and he was right in front of me. I shot, he exploded. But… fire alarms lit on the board, I turned off the engine and then I saw flames in the mirrors, and I ejected.

 

I landed without problem and was assisted by local people who drove me to Hopsten AB (kindly, they didn't forget to give me some beer cans and some sausages). There, I was told to go to Brüggen AB and wait there for further instructions.

[Lt. James Cater 62]

Ok,

 

looks like i've reached some kind of quota and so i can't post the screenshot of the debrief.

 

27May67

 

Went on a mission to take out a tent at a NVA camp up near the NV/Laos border. With me i had LT Hill, Cpt Croker and LT Titus.

 

The target was taken out before we got there so we went looking for something to brop our bombs on. We flew around and took out some guns and a radar site but lost Croker and Titus. Croker flew low into a rocky cloud and Titus was shot down by AAA when we made the mistake of flying near a well defended NVA base area.

Edited January 24, 2010 by Lt. James Cater

[UnknownPilot 33]

James, I worried about that too, so I looked for an alternative. Check out http://tinypic.com

 

 

 

Cliff, sounds like you got a better handle on it at least, and you survived, and that's what matters. :)

 

 

Edited January 24, 2010 by UnknownPilot

[+Cliff7600 1,148]

UnknowPilot, yes I survive but I break Starfighters one after the other!

 

 

5^th mission

 

2Lt Henry Golfaurla

 

No. 350 Squadron, Brüggen – F-104G Starfighter

 

08/26/68

 

Take off : 09.38

 

Target : Twenthe, Intercept

 

Anvil 11 : 2Lt Henry Golfaurla

 

Anvil 12 : 2Lt Jan Peeters

 

Report :

 

In fact, the No.350 Squadron was relocated to Brüggen AB.

 

I welcomed my mates when they arrived but Major Jottard told me I was assigned to “two minutes alert” with my friend Jan Peeters, who was in good shape. The crew chief selected for me the Starfighter of 1Lt Crombez and Jan stayed in his plane.

 

09.38, we took off to intercept a raid against Twenthe. Now they go to the Netherlands! We did a great take off and flew to Twenthe. We intercepted the bombers but they broke up when we engaged them. The same fight than yesterday but I didn’t shot down anyone before my plane caught fire. Two in a row. I evacuate the F-104 just above Enschede and the plane crashed in a building. Local authorities recovered me and sent me back to Brüggen without a smile.

 

Major Jottard asked me to bring back the planes or I will be banned from flying. And the doctor warned me about my back : “You won’t last long at this rate, I recommend a suspension of flight, or you will be killed, and that will preserve the aircrafts”.

 

This was my fifth mission and I ejected three times, damaged one plane on landing, and only made one flight without breaking anything. No good at all…

[UnknownPilot 33]

Well, it was said that the cheapest way to aquire a 104 was to purchase a piece of land and simply wait. lol

 

It sounds to me like in the previous one, you were either too close and caught the blast, or that the gunner got you.

 

If it was the gunner, then it's not the 104's fragility that is the problem, it would be just as bad in a Phantom. That will take time trying to get the gunnery eye in and the speeds and angles necessary to get the kills without being hit.

 

If it was the former, then you need to work on hitting from further out and improving your aim as necessary. It is a fragile plane, and if you get caught in the blast it won't be happy about it. (heck, I took pretty heavy damage from shooting an unarmored man pushing a pedal bike with an F-100 (they explode for some odd reason and I was just too low) ).

 

Also, they are held to a 7G limit (well, the C is anyway), so becareful about hauling back on the stick while at speed. You can cross that pretty easily and damage it that way too.

 

The trick is to be fast, high (at least higher than the enemy when possible), and smooth (even gentle). Arc the plane around the sky gracefully, work with it's thrust and gravity by guiding where you want them to take you, rather than controlling them (meaning, more of a suggestion than a man-handling, if that makes sense).

 

Well, that and don't get hit. lol

[Lt. James Cater 62]

31May67

 

Why we give the enemy time to recover with a "bombing halt" i'll never know. Me and Bruce Hill went up up at the Ben Thuy Thermal Power Plant and boy it was rather lively.

 

We didn't have that bed a time but there was flak going off everywhere while a short time ago, you could have flown a Piper Cub around Ben Thuy and probaly wouldn't have drawn any fire. the Arrowhead is also back in action. some Navy guys were in the area and lost a plane to some heavy ground fire.

 

Thankfully, the Garden is still our sanctuary.

 

looks the someone high up must like our job results because the gave me the Air Force distinguished Service Medal and a promotion to Major.

 

5June1967

 

Did an Armed Recce flight with Capt Haeffner southwest of the DMZ. It was pretty hairy there for a while because once we got over an NVA camp where we were going to begin our low level hunt, a suprising amount of AAA came up at us. I violated one of my rules concerning going after guns because there appeared to be a number of trucks in the area.

 

It was tough but we silenced the guns. Haeffner's aircraft seemed to have suffered some damage (from his own ordnance i suspect) and so couldn't assist when we finally found something really important, a large group hauling supplies on bikes.

 

I made passes with CBUs, rockets and guns until i was winchester. In the meanwhile, i sent the Captain home since i decided to have a quick look over the DMZ.

 

Heading east until i was over the lowlands, i turned north and flew over the Friendlies until i got near the Chanh Hoa barracks. Everything was still busted up from when we last visited and it looks like the North Vietnamese have pretty much conceded much of the area south of the Ca River.

 

I did see a couple of guns, but they didn't seem to be protecting anything of value. So over the coast, turned south and went home.

Edited January 25, 2010 by Lt. James Cater

[+Cliff7600 1,148]

6^th mission

 

2Lt Henry Golfaurla

 

No. 350 Squadron, Brüggen – F-104G Starfighter

 

08/27/68

 

Take off : 09.51 – Landing : 10.37

 

Target : Dortmund, CAP

 

1 MiG-19

 

Tuna 11 : 2Lt Henry Golfaurla

 

Tuna 12 : 2Lt Victor Depreez

 

Report :

 

This morning, I went to the briefing as if nothing had happened before. I listened to major Jottard and was hiding in the back of the room. What a surprise when he said “This patrol will be led by 2Lt Golfaurla and his number two will be 2Lt Depreez”. I went to the major and asked “Am I flying today?” – “Of course you are! And this is your last chance. Land the plane in one piece or this will be your last flight in a jet fighter”.

 

Victor was smiling “Don’t worry Gogo, I’ll take care of you”.

 

We took off and followed the flight plan and flew in the clouds (11400ft, as scheduled). I didn’t want to make a mistake. As we were turning WP3, We heard Anvil flight which was outnumbered by MiG-21. I decided not to f… up with the mission and kept the initial course. We reached the Patrol Area, and Tactical Control tasked us to engage bandits over Dortmund. I saw their tracers right in my direction before I could see them!

 

As I was turning to place me in a good position, I heard Tuna 12 “I’m taking damage!” and when I completed my turn I saw Victor’s Starfighter burning in the sky. Man…

 

I engaged a MiG-19 and fired two AIM-9, and one hit him! But the Farmer was still flying.

 

I tried to follow him but I wasn’t able to turn as tight as he was, and I realized that I was outnumbered myself. So I decided to run away, full burner. It wasn’t difficult, the F-104 is a real rocket. I was still very low (1000 ft) and was still able to see my opponent. A MiG-19 tried to engage me but he soon turned back to the East. So I turned to his 6 and began a pursuit, still full burner. I thought “watch for fuel…” but I caught him up and he saw me. But he was still flying straight. I launched my two remaining AIM-9, the first exploded before hitting the ground and I almost caught up the second! Weird…

 

I followed the Farmer as he was dodging and ducking. I almost overtook him but I finally shot him down when he tried to turn “you’re doomed”.

 

A quick glance on the map, I was still over West Germany. I headed back to Brüggen, flying high to save fuel. I made a very good approach, very safe, but when the Zipper touched the runway he bounced! “No way! You won’t do that to me! You can’t! I won’t let you do that!” and I push the stick to avoid the tail strike. The nose wheel bounced twice but the plane was Ok.

 

Victor was safe and has been rescued.

 

With great concerns, we were told that we were losing battles and the enemy was closing. Major Jottard told me “You stay! I need pilot and you’re an ace. I don’t care about your backache as long as you fly my planes.”

[Slartibartfast 153]

Well the entry to the diary this morning simply said "Bugger"

 

Escort duty for a bunch of F-4's.

 

4 Tornado's

Armed with

 

4 Skyflash and 4 Sidewinders Full gun Drop tanks.

 

Picked up Dodge flight shortly after takeoff and proceeded merrily on the way to target with Flt LT Tony "Getsome" Reid in the back whistling as per usual. Be okay if he could hold a tune but he holds a tune about as well as a screeching cat after someone's trod on its tail. Anyway at least I know when life is going to get interesting he shuts up...

 

After a boring flight to the F-4's playground we where advised that a pair of 23's where coming to have a play and they where right damn closure of nearly 1400knots punched of the tanks and popped a Skyflash off when whistling gerty in the back advised me we had lock. Missile went stupid halfway out serves me right for firing at 20miles fired another at 5 miles and was rewarded with a bright explosion in the mist. My wingman nailed the other with a winder. Anyway Tactical advised us a pair of Mig-21's where coming up to play and we hurtled off after those but a pair of F-15's stole our thunder. So we went back to watch the Phantom's dropping bombs when holy hell broke loose the Reds had put in a pair of SA-10's Pucker factor went through the roof as these guys didn't muck about they splashed the 2 F-4G's providing cover I picked out one of the sites and dropped in low and picked out the Radar and strafed the living hell out of it no more Radar for that site as I was coming off what looked like an SA-9 was lining me up and I was inperfect position to splash that one as well. All I could do under the circumstances but it did allow our charges to escape after rearranging the brickwork they where commisioned to deal with. Tac then advised that another pair of Mig-21's where headed our way so off I went and dealt with those guys as I was turning for home a zip gun nailed me... Powered the engines right down and coasted back to good guy land helped that I was supersonic at the time damn these Tornado's are fast low down... had to pop the hood and get out as we came over the lines as we had practically lost all control... Hit the ground and rolled into a rock dislocating my shoulder and bruising my ribs... We where both picked up rather rapidly by a Lynx which was scouting nearby and off to hospital we went. The boss lady is happy that we survived. Should be back flying soon as the shoulder isnt too bad...

[Lt. James Cater 62]

Once you get to the point where landing a Starfighter is second nature, you should be tearing through the enemy!

 

BTW-I've completed 22 missions!

[UnknownPilot 33]

Once you get to the point where landing a Starfighter is second nature, you should be tearing through the enemy!

 

BTW-I've completed 22 missions!

 

 

Cool. I have too...... if you add up all the pilots/campaigns.

 

[Slartibartfast 153]

I think most of the frequent posters on here have gone past 22 missions Unknown...

[UnknownPilot 33]

Dirk Halcyon

 

....wounded. Lying here in a hospital. This sucks. Since I have nothing better to do, as the war grinds on without me, I guess I might as well write.

 

 

 

Well, carrier qualification went easily enough. This Phantom is a beast, but it flies well enough. I just don't think it'll do well in a knife fight, I guess that's why it's configured as a missile wagon.

 

After a brief ceremony and getting our wings, they released us for the night and we had a big going away party that was a blast, if somewhat bitter sweet.

 

I had also learned that my request to be assigned to one of the vacancies of the Jolly Rogers was approved. Things were looking good so far.

 

Arriving at Yankee Station, it was definitely not what I expected, except for the heat, that was there (almost a nice change from Mid Atlantic winters though). There was no hazing, and only just a short welcome. Everyone was in action mode and there was a lot going on.

 

The first time out, it was decided that I would have another Ensign (who DID have a few missions under his belt) fly on my wing, while a couple of Lieutenants flew 3 and 4 to keep an eye on the whole show.

 

The planes were painted a plain white, and config'd with the standard Navy loadout, 4 heaters, 4 Sparrows, and a center-line drop tank. We launched into rather moody weather on a short flight, and it wasn't long before the bandit calls were going out.

 

We were out front, so I was able to tell that the blip on my RADAR was not a friendly, whatever it was, and info from Red Crown confirmed it (based on distance and closure rate). Once I got a reasonable way inside Sparrow range, I let fly. It hit! These things actually work!

 

The rest of the flight was a blur after that, but our escort charge was unmolested, and I was credited with 3 kills, 2 Sparrows (for 4 fired) and 1 Sidewinder that was the result of a rather long chase, but all indications were that he was alone and we ended up plenty close to the carrier and the shore.

 

 

There was a lot going on after that, and it took some time before I came back up in the rotation. It was about July or something like that. The heat is unreal here at that time of year.

 

They sent us on a strike mission to take out a warehouse. Seemed rather odd to me. Isn't that what we have Skyhawks, Intruders and Corsairs for? Or the USAF Thuds for that matter... But whatever. They loaded me up with 6 250lb iron bombs in addition to the standard loadout.

 

We went north of the target and skirted the river deltas and airfields and major towns. It seemed to work, we came in relatively un-noticed by flak. 3 and 4 peeled off and started hunting targets of opportunity, while 2 and I went in on the target. I manually rippled off 3 on my first pass, nailed the target and a handful of other buildings, I had 2 go after a AAA battery, and I dropped 2 more on another one. Up ahead was a fuel truck, but it was in a large base-type area, so as I got closer I got nervous, and sure enough, AAA opened up on us, I lobbed the bomb in, but over-shot.

 

After that I called off the ground strike and we went Air to Air. I only ended up with 1 kill that day, but it did win me the silver star.

 

When we got back, we got word that we were upgrading to a revised F-4B. The crew said it had a RADAR Warning Reciever in it, but it was audio only. I wasn't sure if this was a good thing or not. On the one hand, it's good, but on the other hand, if you can't do anything about it, it might almost be better NOT knowing the enemy is painting you.

 

They also said that we'd finally be getting our 'colors' painted on too.

 

 

And as good as things were looking, they went bad...

 

The new Phantoms looked awesome. Big white skull and cross bones on black on the tail and a black on yellow angled stripe in the middle with the carrer name on the sides. Couldn't wait to bring the pain in something as high profile as this.

 

Was another escort duty, and things started off well enough. The day was once again moody, but after my first flight, I wasn't too concerned about that. Not long after we were airborne, Red Crown alerted us that there was enemy air traffic out there, but it was beyond our reach and scanning range. We stayed up around the solid overcast so that we could be out of the gunner's easy range, yet not blind to enemy activity around our charge.

 

They sent some good ones up that day. 3 and 4 went off hunting, and I grabbed a lock in the basic direction Red Crown pointed me in, and listened to all the radio chatter. I just knew that friendlies were out ahead of me and I couldn't risk a shot until I had visual ID. As I drove in on my lock, my RIO spotted a bandit and I broke off, called for Bore Sight and went after him. It was a hell of a fight. 2 Sparrows gone with no effect, and the growler finally got a lock and I was able to send it up his tail pipe from in close. That was number 5! We were aces!

 

Another bandit was called out and I tried to track and maneuver on him, but this guy was determined. He was hiding in the clouds, and I couldnt' go up into the overcase or I'd lose him, there was too much overall traffic around (including #2) that I couldn't risk a blind shot, and this pig did not want to hold it's speed or pull very hard, so there were some pucker inducing moments around ground level. Meanwhile the RWR would periodically go off, and even with ECM the only thing I could do was dive for the deck. This made it the most difficult flying task I've had yet, to try to get this guy in front of me. I ended up losing sight of him, called Red Crown for a hint, locked on to the target she pointed out, let a Sparrow go, and saw the target blow up before my missile ever reached it, though it did successfully slam into the burning wreck, sending a shower of small shrapnel down on the fields below.

 

Then I think I found that previous bandit again, and we went through the whole dance all over again. Eventually, on a low recovery from a split s, I saw green tracers come up and the fire light came on. I cut throttle and tried to coast as close to the shore as possible, but we had to bale rather quickly.

 

It took us months to get out of that hell hole, but we did eventually make it and got picked up. We both got injured not long before rescue, and have been here in the hospital for weeks on end.

 

It's already Februrary. But at least we are about to get cleared for return to duty. I'm looking forward to charging those bastards for our time, our injuries, and our awesome plane - I'll take payment in MiGs and valuable ground targets...

 

 

 

 

 

 

::: BTW, no screen shots because I can only get briefing and medal screenies via the paste from clip-board method, and on the one briefing mission screen I did think to take (#2), I was doing some skin editing and accidentally hit Crtl-C before I pasted that debrief into paint, and it was gone. Then #3 was late at night, so I just went to bed. lol

 

 

[Lt. James Cater 62]

12Jun67

 

Did a lot more than i thought on this mission.

 

Went with LT Wiggins right on the heels of a B-52 strike and got more than our primary target. Had a pair of A-4s doing flak suppression but the gunners were somewhat tough and so we spent some time pounding them before we could continue feeling comfortable. There was a lot of trucks there and so i got low and slow until it was time to go home.

 

14Jun67

 

What a horrible night!

 

Lost LT Bruce Hill on a low level night attack. This mission was a mistake from the planning to execution. Went the usual route via Hue-Yankee Station-The Garden. Everything felt tenuous since Mamba flight (Some Marine A6s) and Dallas flight (Navy A-4 flak suppression)reported heavy fire in the target area and boy were they right! Since the last bombing halt the North Vietnamese have really stocked up places with guns and we just happend to run into a particularly dense concentration. I was forced into evasive actions no fewer than three times and was forced to drop ordnance from an unplanned altitude and so made an incorrect drop.

 

LT Hill got shot down just as he reached the weapons release point. He bailed out but didn't stand a chance of making a run for it considering the area.

Edited January 28, 2010 by Lt. James Cater

[Lt. James Cater 62]

18Jun67

 

Went out with LT Webb on a recce flight. Saw some trucks down below but only got one due to the lousy weather and Webb going Tard when ordered to hit a target i assigned him.

 

Got ticked, went home.

 

Number 24 complete.

[UnknownPilot 33]

Injured again! Are you kidding me?! I'm going to miss out on this whole damned tour rotting in this hospital.

 

The guys are giving me crap about just wanting to spend time with the nurses here.... the nurses certainly are cute though. hehe

 

So it was another escort on my first hop back with the unit. We were up in the goo, but it was a short trip, just to the shore. The bandits didn't want to play at first, but their running away made them perfect BVR targets. Red Crown called 'em, the RIO spotted and locked 'em and we knew nobody was ahead of us, plus the alt, direction, distance, and closure was right too.

 

Unfortunately, ALL of my Sparrows went dud on me, and only 1 heater managed to connect (with 2 more very close calls though). If I had had a gun I could have gotten more. Plus it's hard to explain the awful feeling of seeing a MiG all over one of your own, while you sit there in trail, hoping for him to hold still long enough for the growler to wake up, lock, and then, hopefully, hit, when if only you had a cannon you could charge in there and nail that bandit.

 

Thankfully someone else got a good shot and took him out, I think it was my wingman too, and the Phantom in trouble made it out alive.

 

Then I went Winchester and there as another bandit just ripe for the taking. I kept calling people in to take him out. Took 3 'winders to do it before he finally went down, I stayed and monitored the whole situation to help guide people in, though fuel was getting low.

 

After that, I circled everyone up and headed for home.

 

I barely snagged a 4 wire because I was in lead and didn't feel like having to circle. But when I got out I saw people looking at me, and I wondered what was going on. Turns out I had blood on my jumpsuit. I still don't know when or how it happened, or even what happened. Only that they say I'll be back to active duty by September.

 

I won an Air Medal though, for some reason. Looks good bookending my Purple Heart with the Silver Star though.

 

 

[UnknownPilot 33]

"What the heck just happened?" is what we have been asking ourselves.

 

We were sent on another strike mission, but this one more southern and close. We didn't expect heavy flak and we weren't surprised.

 

It was one of those days where just nothing went right. All of us in Dagger flight were the highest scoring A2G of the unit, so it should have been a cake-walk, just go in, take out the power plant, and bug out.

 

Ens Ulrich and I went after the target while Lt Eaton and Ens Elliot went after ground targets of opportunity. Pretty standard protocol.

 

I lined up on this big, juicy building of a power plant, had everything 'right' (or at least I thought), dropped 3 manually..... and missed. So I called in Ulrich to hit it for me while I looped around for a second run. Took him forever to get there, I dropped 2 more and missed with them too, but finally he came in and got it. So I dropped 2 CBUs on a AAA emplacement, and tossed my last iron at a building group.

 

After that I told everybody to go A2A as there was company in the area. I called Red Crown for a bearing and we started looking.

 

Found one, let a Sparrow go from close to it's min range, it missed, then everything degenerated into a swirling gaggle. I swear, at one point I even said over the radio "this isn't a damned air-show you guys!". It would have been hilarious if it was in a movie. The worst part is, it turned out to be just one bandit. Missiles were flying and nothing was hitting. The worst damn part of it is that there were 3 aces up there - myself, Lt Eaton, and Ens Elliot. Plus several more, and nobody could hit this guy!

 

He must've been an ace himself. He had to be. I'd really hate to think that so many of us were made fools of by a rook. I couldn't extend and get a good distance Sparrow shot on him because there were too many friendlies around. Whenever I let a heater go, he'd turn hard and shake it. And I couldn't just run in and kill him because I had no cannon.

 

So there we were, at least 6 friendlies, tripping over ourselves trying to kill a lone MiG, out in the middle of nowhere, with no flak to pester us, and we looked like the damned keystone cops. Talk about embarrassing.

 

Eventually, as friendlies were clearing out, and as I was down all my SARHs and to 3 remaining 'winders, I got a good shot lined up, and must have just caught his blind spot, because his move was too late and it took it right up the pipe.

 

After that, Red Crown called all clear, and nobody else could see anything, and the radio had gone quiet, so I sent everyone home.

 

The good news is that I managed to remain injury free! haha

 

Afterward I was awarded the Flying Cross and a promotion, though I'm not entirely sure why. And I have to admit it felt a little like a slap in the face, but I know the Navy doesn't give out sarcasm promotions, so I guess somebody upstairs is pleased.

 

So far we are kicking ass and taking names though. We have a collective ground target score of somewhere around 30, and 3 aces, working on 5. Only 2 downed, one MIA one POW. It's hard to think of anyone being POW as a releif, but at least they aren't KIA and it's only 2, and not more.

 

 

Looks like we have a couple of weeks off before we are back to it....

 

 

[Lt. James Cater 62]

2 missions, only a single screenshot.

 

20Jun67

 

Was sent on a Recce mission over southern Laos. Didn't see a single thing. With the exception of being taken under fire by AA twice it was a milk run. Damn it if Charlie hasn't been resupplied with ammo. Gotta hunt down those guns soon.

 

 

22Jun67

 

Now this is more like it! A great mission all the way.

 

Had LT Wiggins with me heading up North and so in light of the target and the weather we went with an unusual loadout to ensure we did the job. Armed with 5 MK117 High Drag each, we were sure to get at least one on the target.

 

The takeoff and climb was routine and the route was the usual one. That the Big Chiefs were taking this seriously was signaled by the amount of flights heading to the target area. Can you imagine having THREE flak suppression flights?

 

We were slightly behind but no big deal until Wiggins went Tard near the Garden. The only thing i could do was send him after the target and hope for the best. It turned out to be better than i thought. We made a classic hi-low attack and nailed it. Wiggins got in a little ahead of me and blew the primary away so i changed my aim point and went after the plant buildings. My aim and timing was just right and so i got a good release and turned hard to get out of there. Wiggins drew some fire up above as he broke out of the clouds, but i only had a single gun (est. 12 or 14.5mm) fire at me heading in and out.

 

Back out to the Garden at top speed, climb to altitude, and went home.

 

Got to love these kinds of days!

[Lt. James Cater 62]

23DEC67.

 

Don't know why we put the brakes on our activities so much. Do they think the enemy is going to pause too?

 

Took LT Pardo on this mission to see what he could do. What a wimp he turned out to be. Missed the target and then was scared away by light AAA when he tried to strafe. Had to go in myself and got royally shot up in the process. This is yet another example of the A1 taking damage which would down any other plane in the inventory.

 

Pardo got sent home and i flew up to Chanh hoa to take a look. Found out two things quickly. One-the north Vietnamese are restoring the base, two-the flak has been reinforced as well and they are really trigger happy.