Very interesting MrMudd.  Thanks for all your lengthy replys of late.  coming from a WWII combat sim background I need all the info i can get. 
  
As for the KAmenka SAM mission... after getting a serious butt-kicking ive finally und a way, although probably not ideal, to complete the mission successfully.  Heres briefly what i do: 
  
After take-off climb to around 15000ft. From this height you can safely boom, let off a Maverick and zoom climb back up so that you are outside the engagement zone of the SAMs.    Next, from this height  its pretty easy to take out the Helo's with relative impunity  Once the SAM's Helo's are taken out its just like a normal Kamenka mission. 
  
I'd prefer to come in low and do a suprise attack but i havent had too much sucess with this attack yet. The above method will work in the meantime.