512- Eurofighter Chapter 1: Pavewaying For The Fjords

[Silent Hunter]

(OOC thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4169908). Obligatory Python joke done)

1130 BST, 14 April 2014, RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK

The rain pattered down on the roof of the main aircrew area of 512 Squadron. Flying was somewhat restricted due to the weather, but it would clear soon and 512 was about to conduct a long-distance training mission.

The briefing room was a small room, about the size of a classroom. At the front was a large interactive whiteboard, with a projector at the front. Standing by it was the CO of 512, Wing Commander Ali Hussein.

Hussein, a medium height South Asian man with a small moustache and dark hair was holding a swagger stick. On the screen was a map of covering the area from London up to the Arctic Circle north-south and Manchester to Poland west-east.

Hussein looked at the screen and waited for the others to arrive.

[Voshkod]

Squadron Commander Lucien Guilliam stepped out of the rain. He threw a snappy salute to Hussein. "Good morning, Wing Commander! Looks like a lovely day for flying." He walked up the the front of the room, took a long look at the map. "Ah, training flights. Don't suppose the Bear is doing anything up north these days? Running some long range patrols? Might be good to get some interception practice in on the lads."

[Silent Hunter]

Hussein considered whether to shake his head, but didn't.

"Been six weeks like their last long-range bomber patrol, but the Pyotr Velikiy left Murmansk last night, along with four other ships. Followed out less than an hour later by a Borey class boomer, clearly doing a deterrent patrol".

The Pyotr Velikiy was one of the "Kirov" class cruisers. Nuclear-powered, it was one of the most powerful surface ships in the world, even without nuclear weapons on board. When both it and the SSBN had left nearly together, the Astute-class submarine in the area, stuck on who to follow, came up to periscope depth to get instructions and had to wait two hours for a decision from Whitehall. It went for the boomer and lost it when it dived.

At that point, a young black woman with a small Afro entered the room. She took a seat. Her name was Anna Tyler, but because of her chirpy attitude, she'd become known as "Kaylee".

[Voshkod]

"Well, then, I'll bring along a camera. Haven't had a chance to buzz a Kirov since '04 in the Med. The intell boys would love to have some fresh low-level shots, I'm sure."

[Silent Hunter]

Kaylee pipped in. One of her roles, as well as being the new kid, was being the go-to person on naval vessels.

"Morning, sirs", she said. "That Kirov's apparently got a new radar on board. Definitely worth a look".

She, like the others, were dressed in formal uniform.

She walked over to one side and admired the 14 scale models of the Typhoon they had. Each represented one of the fighters they had available.

[pingcode20]

Paul Redding, Flight Lieutenant, sauntered into the room fashionably punctual, as usual, removing his dripping plastic poncho and hanging it on a convenient hook before producing his beret from a pocket and shaking it out of its crumbled shape.

"Hope I'm not too late." he says, as he dons his beret.

"Morning Hussein, DC, Kaylee."

He takes a seat, and waits for the actual briefing to start.

[Silent Hunter]

Kaylee takes her seat. As the others do so, Hussein walks over to the map, draws out a remote and presses a button.

On the screen appears a diagram showing an aerial strike plan on a target in Norway, just south of the Arctic Circle.

"This is Exercise Norwegian Blue", Hussein said.

He let the groans die out.

"The Norwegians have managed to acquire, via various means, a bunch of wrecked aircraft, drug dealers' cars and a wrecked septic tank.

Deciding that recycling is easier with explosives and wanting to help their NATO allies, they called us up and arranged an air-strike exercise.

This bunch of scrap will be dotted around to become an enemy airbase- and we're going to destroy it.

It's not going to be that easy though. The Norwegians are going to put stuff up against us. I don't know fully what, but I have an idea".

He paused to gain a reaction.

(OOC: Anyone else, bar a certain pair of characters, is either here or late in IC terms)

[Voshkod]

"Very good then, Wing Commander. How many are we taking? Are we flying with any of the air defense boys, or are we rolling in hot? And remember, people, we're are flying in with weapons hot, so keep separation, and don't fly too low. Don't want to get caught in the blast."

[Silent Hunter]

"Ten of us will be going", Hussein replied, "Eight will be involved in the mission itself. All from our squadron, going in hot".

He pressed a button and showed a screen with the breakdown of the aircraft.

"The ten aircraft are in five pairs".

"Pair one will be Redding and Guillam. You have the tough job. Well, they're all tough jobs. Your primary role will be air defence of this mission. You'll be loaded up with 4 Meteors, 4 ASRAAMs and 3 drop tanks".

[pingcode20]

"No sweat, Commander." responds Paul, simply. It was fairly established by now that Paul collected up the map at the end of briefing to study it, and returned it before the mission. It'd be suspicious if he didn't do it.

"So have the vikings let on about any details, or are we just doing straight interdiction?"

So this would be interceptor duty?

[pathfinderAP]

Flight Lieutenant Harper sat quietly and took in all the infomation,

He would have preferred a Dog fight mission (as always)
Ground attack was a different beast, needing a different skill set,

Well under the radar terrain hugging flights were a interesting challenge in itself, he was looking forward to this...

He waited for the Wing Commander to tell him about his role in the up coming mission,

[Voshkod]

Guilliam steps up to the map of the target, converting the two dimensional jumble of contour lines into a three dimensional map in his mind.

Radar here, here and here. Missiles there and there. Radar shadows here, from that mountain, and here. . . .

"Very good, sir. I think a low altitude approach, using expected radar shadows, gets us within two miles of likely radar sites. We hit them, open the western door, then smack the others while they scramble. Then the rest of the flight comes in and plasters the base."

[Silent Hunter]

(For Harper)

More like air cover- you'll be keeping an eye out for fighters.

Hussein continued.

"There aren't actually any fighters on the base itself. They are all attack aircraft being prepped for a mission. There are, however, other fighters out there.

We intend to get everything hitting the base simultaneously, except for anti-radar, which goes first.

What will happen is Ego One, Redding and Guilliam, will act as fighter cover. You'll pop up above the mountains every so often and look for attackers.

Ego Two will take out local defence radars- plus the ones on the coast. The ALARM missiles will be simulated for this. With 12 missiles between them, it should be plenty for five radar sites. Keep two spare, Just In Case.

Ego Three have an important role. They will be equipped with Storm Shadow stand off missiles- two each, aimed at the runway and control tower. Once these are launched, remember they are sub-sonic, they join Ego One in the defensive role.

Ego Four have the tough job. They'll be carrying Paveway LGBs. The closer you get the better, but someone should designate the targets- the hangars and apron, as the other does their attack run.

Kaylee and myself will form Control. We're just observers and for tactical purposes, we're not there. We'll tell you if safety rules are being violated.

I'll get to the likely threats once I allocate roles".

He turned to Harper and his regular wingman. Or rather wingwoman. Caitlin "Sweeney" Todd. Flying Officer Todd was a relatively new member of the squadron. 5 foot 8 and from Belfast, her dark black hair was cut short and she was considered rather a good looking woman. She was a bit of a Goth, but she largely kept the black clothes for off-base.

"Mongoose, Sweeney, you get SEAD duties as Ego Two".

SEAD- Suppression of Enemy Air Defences meant they were taking out the radars.

"6 ALARMS, 4 ASRAAMs. Three drop tanks. No Meteors since there's no space for them".

[pathfinderAP]

Harper glimsped over to Sweeney to check her reaction and see if she had any questions,
"So me and Sweeney sneak in first, nap of the earth, Destroy the five radar sites, then move to a defensive postion to cover the others, right?, what approach to the targets do we take, coastal radar first, or do we come in from land, and behind, take out the other radars first then follow through to the coastals sites?,"

[Silent Hunter]

Sweeney took it calmly. She had no questions.

"You'll be slightly ahead of the others. Because of distance, it's the three on the coast, then the two on the base.

Once you've destroyed the ones on the base, you'll join Ego One and Three in support.

As you can see, we're coming in from the South-West via land and then egressing to the West and heading straight for the sea, which is much closer in that direction".

He allocated the other two roles (OOC: For later sign-ups).

"This is going to be a 2,500 mile trip, since our route is Coningsby, Norway then a longer route round to Lossiemouth".

He indicated the RAF base in Scotland.

"Because of this, we're going to need tanker support. Once we take off at 1530 Zulu, we head at 040 at high level to make rendezvous with two tankers, 200 nautical miles out. They'll have enough for all of us.

This is important- if you can't make a successful refuel, then declare unserviceable and RTB. That is an order.

Once we are 150 miles from the Norwegian coast, we go low-level and will carry on nap of the earth until we reach the target.

30 nm past the tankers is hostile airspace. There will be Norwegian fighters, probably F-16s and quite possibly Eurofighters between there and the coast".

He paused for reaction.

[Silent Hunter]

Over the North Atlantic

The squadron had been informed that it would happen, but not precisely when. The United States Air Force had decided, for training purposes and to give its allies increased power capabilities, to loan a bunch of F-15E fighter-bombers to NATO allies. Each of the carefully chosen squadrons would have one to play with and use- the latter subject to US approval.

512's F-15E was flying towards Iceland.

Piloting it was James "Knife" Kinney. A Lieutenant, the black man had just become the first US pilot to score an air-to-air kill since the Kosovo war, when he'd shot down a MiG-21 that was clearly on a mission from Cuba (rogue or not) to attack the US and had blundered into an anti-shipping exercise.

His back-seater was Sandra "Blondie" Johnson. Notable for her natural blonde hair and light skin, she was a rookie, but a combat-proven one.

They were twenty minutes away from a KC-45 refuelling.

[pathfinderAP]

30 nm past the tankers is hostile airspace. There will be Norwegian fighters, probably F-16s and quite possibly Eurofighters between there and the coast".

He paused for reaction.

Harper Smiled, this exercise just got alot more interesting...

[Voshkod]

"Wing Commander, will we have AWACS support?"

[pingcode20]

Paul just nods, heading over to the map, appraising it casually but meticulously. He was running interceptor duty today, so he mostly needed to backup DC and watch for hostiles.

[Lightning]

James Kinney is tired. He'd just flown from Southwest Asia to the United States, just yesterday. Or he thinks it is yesterday. Then orders to hop the pond to England. Then soon after take off, all hell had broken loose and he had ended up in a dog fight, which was brief but very intense. Then a RTB. He'd dropped his drop tanks after seeing a tanker go down. An single hour break and then airborne again.

There was casual conversation between Trent-43, the tanker, and the F-15E. All the while James was pumping himself up for the long refuel. Maybe he could crash afterwards with the plane on autopilot.

[Silent Hunter]

"Wing Commander, will we have AWACS support?"

"No, we won't", Hussein replied, "Once you're into hostile airspace, it's pretty much just you".

He continued.

"Once you are across the coast, you will weave your way through the mountains, at 100 feet above the ground, heading towards the targets.

Ego One will pop up to 10,000 feet every so often- you decide when- to check for enemy fighters. Do not go active radar unless you have to.

Once Ego Three is 100 nm from the target, it will launch the Storm Shadows and join Ego One.

As you approach the target, there will probably be enemy fighters- and even an AWACs".

[Silent Hunter]

Blondie was participating in the conversation with the tanker and monitoring her radar.

Suddenly, a message flashed onto the plane's Link 16 monitor:


PRIORITY 110414Z CFB NORTH BAY- NORTH WARNING SYSTEM

CONFIRMATION OF TWO BEAR HOTEL AIRCRAFT DEPARTING ENGELS AIRBASE RUSSIA STOP NOT BELIEVED HOSTILE JUST ANNOYING QRA FORCES BEING NOTIFIED STOP DO NOT PANIC DO NOT PANIC

[Voshkod]

"Excellent, sir. Always wanted to try my hand at killing an AWACS. Have some tactical ideas bouncing about to catch them by surprise."

Guilliam returned to his chair and leaned back with a smile. No matter the odds, the opportunity to fly was to be cherished.

[pingcode20]

Paul finished his scrutiny, and returned to his seat, glancing sideways over at Gulliam as he smiled.

"Careful DC, smile too wide and the top of your head's gonna fall off."

And it was time to play the waiting game.

[Silent Hunter]

"I'm interested in hearing them", Hussein replied.

Once Guilliam had explained them, he continued.

"Once you reach the target, Ego Two goes in to destroy the two radar sites- keep two missiles spare.

Ego Three (OOC: LeMalfond and the next person) and Ego One provide air support, along with Ego Two. Save your cannon for aircraft.

Ego Four then do two runs with your four Paveways each- taking turns to designate targets. Destroy- in this order, please, the two big hangars, the open apron- two for that, the ammo dumps and the fuel areas.

There will be SAMs and AAA. Aster 15 SAMs in fact. Best advice for dealing with one launching at you- don't let one launch at you. Ego Two should eliminate their capability.

The AAA is harder to determine, but appears to be a fair bit about. There appears to be Skyshield cannons there.

To avoid these, go below 15,000 feet- they can't detonate below there, but be aware of other weapons and man-launched stuff.

We're due another satellite pass in two hours, so we'll see what else is there.

Like air-to-air fire, ground-to-air will be simulated, as are the ALARM missiles".

He paused.

[pathfinderAP]

Ego Two should eliminate their capability.


Harper nodded that he understood, then got his head down to do his home work of plotting the Nav course, and the battle flight plan, with sweeny

[Lightning]

Oh, joy. Bears. Out to play. Looks like life was getting interesting. Well, at least James Kinney isn't near Russia. Well, yet. But the Bears had long legs. So, he is grateful for the heads up. Now, he just needs sleep at some point. Hopefully, he would land and find a bed. But first, he has to refuel.

[Silent Hunter]

The F-15E approached the tanker, being guided in by its lights and the two radars.

The aircraft made contact and began transferring fuel.

"Any news on those Bears?" Blondie asked.

"Still over Russia, heading North", came the reply.

At that point there was a crack. A joint burst on the boom probe of the tank and some fuel started to spray out- onto the cockpit of the F-15E.

[Lightning]

This is one of those many things you train for and hope you never have to execute. Emergency separation from a tanker. Already alert from the tanking procedure, the spray is a surprise but not a shock for James Kinney. He quickly banks right, putting his jet into a turn and dips down a bit. "Hey, Trent, I think you have something loose. The fuel is supposed to go into the fuel line, not on the wind screen." He wonders how bad this day can get.

[Silent Hunter]

Trent-43 was aware of this and had shut down the fuel pipe as soon as the F-15E had disconnected.

There was some swearing in Spanish.

"Yeah, I've noticed. Looks like this refuel is off. Sorry about that"

Blondie did a quick fuel check.

"Not enough taken on to make it to Scotland, let alone Coningsby. We're going to have to divert to Keflavik"

Although Keflavik no longer had a regular military presence- that had gone in 2006, it remained a divert point for military aircraft crossing the Atlantic, as well as a civilian hub.

[Lightning]

James Kinney gave a nod. "Roger that, -43. Better get that checked. Would hate for you to mess up any more windshields."

He sighed. The world was out to get him today. "Copy that, Blondie. I kinda guessed that would be the case. Always wanted to see Iceland." Well, not really. "Hope I didn't hurt you in the emergency maneuver. Sorry." He had time to react but not much else.

He started punching in data for the change in destination. He'd need to let Iceland know he was coming as well as England, that he'd be late. Again. Someone didn't want him at Coningsby, it seemed.

[Silent Hunter]

The tanker acknowledge him and headed away.

"Tad unexpected, sir, but I've been through worse. No problem about that".

The F-15E headed towards Iceland. A minute later a message flashed onto his Link-16.


PRIORITY 111414Z CFB NORTH BAY- NORTH WARNING SYSTEM

REPORTS THAT TWO PREVIOUSLY NOTED BEAR HOTEL AIRCRAFT HAVE COMPANY STOP SPECIFICALLY TWO TANGO UNIFORM DASH ONE SIX ZERO BLACKJACK BOMBERS STOP ALL ON BEARING ZERO ONE THREE

[Lightning]

James Kinney gives a tight grin, replying to the tanker, "Glad everyone is well. Fly well." Glad they had seen worse and not he.

He frowns at the incoming message, chatting to Blonde, "Tu-95s and -160s? Wonder what the Russians are up to now? Getting ready to take out the West? I really hope we done have to mix it up with this group. Did we miss a training alert message? Did the Russians forget to file one?"

At least, Iceland would be mostly safe, having little military value now. Not like Red Storm Rising.

[Silent Hunter]

Harper nodded that he understood, then got his head down to do his home work of plotting the Nav course, and the battle flight plan, with sweeny

Hussein continued.

"Once the airbase is destroyed, head West for the open sea and keep going. If you have to use military power [OOC: Afterburner], do. I don't know if there are going to be any fighters out there. There may well be surface ships.

There's another tanker waiting for you out there. If you fail to tank, divert is Vagar airport in the Faroe Islands. Tricky to land in, but the weather is expected to be clear for the next 24 hours.

Once you've tanked, land at Lossiemouth.

Right, safety rules. No flying under 250 feet at any point. Don't fly over populated areas. Try not to scare the moose.

We leave at 1500 Zulu- that's 3 and a half hours time.

Any questions?"

[Silent Hunter]

The F-15E reached Keflavik and landed after a few minutes waiting at 1215 Zulu. It taxied to the military area was starting to take on fuel.

Blondie turned to her commander.

"Suggest you get some sleep, sir".

As soon as she'd said this, a military officer walked up to the two of them. He was dressed in USAF formal uniform, with the rank of Colonel and the name tag "SANDERS"

After the salutes had been exchanged, the Colonel started to talk.

"Colonel John Sanders. They call me Kentucky. Congratulations on that MiG. Thought I'd update you on the whole Russia thing before you get some much-needed shut-eye. No, I'm not letting you fly off at the moment.

So, here's the latest. Looks like a big Russian exercise. We've got 10 Bears, 6 Blackjacks and no fewer than thirty Backfires. They appear to be conducting simulated strikes against targets in Siberia.

Supporting them are 5 Midas tankers.

Now here's the odd thing. Four of the tankers are clearly supporting the whole exercise. Midas number 5, which was launched 30 minutes before the Bears, is hanging around in the Barents Sea- doing who-knows-what. It's like its getting ready for a refuel, but there's nothing there..."

[Voshkod]

"No questions here, sir. Let's get these planes in the air."

[Lightning]

Kinney climbed out of the jet and had to chuckle, "What clued you in on that, Johnson? Just because I've to more time zones, going both ways, than anyone should have too? My body has no idea where it is or when it is. Yes, I need sleep." He puts on a grin to let her know he's in a light mood, just tired.

He gives the colonel a smile at the congratulations, wondering how long this will go on. "Thank you, sir. It was mostly training and doing things instinctively. I wish I could say it was a long drawn out fight but he crossed my nose, I got a tone and pulled the trigger. Training did most of the work. And thanks for the offer of the bed. I was just explaining to my back seater that my internal clock is out of wack."

He puzzles about the tankers, "Unless the lone tanker is waiting for something that we haven't spotted yet. Or it's to extend the range of the massive group. I'm sure the west coast and Alaska are on a heightened alert. At least, I'd hope so. The Russians have been acting oddly the last few hours." He shakes his head sadly.

[Silent Hunter]

The Colonel thought about.

"He might be waiting for something else out there, but we don't know. It seems very strange. There's one theory, but... nah, it's silly. Like the Russians have developed a stealth aircraft and we didn't see it coming..."

He paused.

"Get some sleep, Kinney, Blondie. Congratulations again".

He left the hangar. Russian stealth aircraft, he chuckled to himself. This wasn't Firefox...

[Lightning]

James heads off to find a cafeteria or something. He is hungry. But he isn't laughing or chuckling. There have been rumors/reports of the Russians working on stealth for several years. And to underestimate them is dangerous. They are smart people. Looks like he won't be sleeping well, even if it's not his problem.

[Silent Hunter]

It was just after 4pm local time- 3pm Zulu Time. The ten Eurofighters were on the taxi route at RAF Coningsby, just off the edge of the runway. Some aviation enthusiasts were taking pictures.

The first two were Redding and Guillam's Ego One flight. They were loaded up with their simulated air-to-air missiles and the real drop tanks.


Loadout for each:
* 4 Meteors
* 4 AIM-132 ASRAAM
* 3 Drop Tanks


Behind them were Mongoose and Sweeney's SEAD Ego Two flight.


Loadout for each:
6 ALARM
4 ASRAAM
3 Drop Tanks


Third in the line was Ego Three. With St Clair-Erskine was Daniel "Boris" Reid, so named because of his resemblance to a famous Conservative politician.


Loadout:
2 Storm Shadows
2 Meteors
4 ASRAAM
3 Drop Tanks


The Ego Four Paveway flight sat behind.

Right at the back was the Control Flight of Hussein and Kaylee. Hussein was known as "Oswald" due to his knowledge of air combat, after German World War One ace Oswald Boelcke, writer of the first manual of air combat. He was also an OBE for his services to the RAF.

Oswald opened the comm channel.

"DC, if you want to say something inspiring, we're waiting for someone to land first".

After DC had said his piece, a large black propeller aircraft approached the runway and landed. They could see the cannons and the two tails of the old aircraft. It was an Avro Lancaster, a World War Two bomber, part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

To Hussein it reminded him of 633 Squadron. As did their mission.

The tower radioed in.

"Ego One, this is Coningsby Tower. You are clear for take off".

[Chappers]

Andrew idly scratched his neck, he hated waiting,

"You know, I think it would be quite interesting to fly one of those things", he muttered to himself.

[Voshkod]

"Not much to say about this one, boys and girls," DC says as he begins to firewall the engines. "Don't muck it up, don't prang your kite, and lets show those Vikings how we drove them out of England a few hundred years back, right?" He released the brakes and felt the acceleration push him back into the seat like a lover. DC smiled as the Eurofighter screamed into the sky.

[pathfinderAP]

"Roger" was the last word to the Conn,
Then Mongoose hit the afterburner and followed DC, He noticed the extra weigh gave the aircraft a lower center of gravity,

Then gave a quick look to see if Sweeny was airbourne,

[Silent Hunter]

Sweeney rammed the throttle to full military power and roared down the runway, taking off about one second after Mongoose.

She climbed until they reached 30,000 feet and then levelled off. She kept a glance behind her for Saint and Boris.

OOC: Suggest you get into an attack formation.

[Lightning]

Just another day in paradise? For James Kinney, he has no idea of what's up. He grabs a small meal, facilities not being up to full, and then finds a bunk to collapse into. At last, sleep.

[Chappers]

Saint grinned as he saw Ego Two roar down the runway. Moving into position he let out a whoop as he raced, full throttle, down the runway. He still loved his part

His kite quickly climbed into the sky before he looked about to set it into the attack formation behind Sweeny and next to Boris.

[Voshkod]

"Combat formation," DC said over the radio. "Let's play this by the book."

[pathfinderAP]

Harper moved the fighter in to Combat formation, and glanced over to Sweeny's postion off his wing,

[Silent Hunter]

Kinney's Sub-Conscious

Kinney had gotten to sleep, but it was going to be an interesting one.

Kinney found himself sitting inside an aircraft. It was a single-seat fighter, with analogue controls. There appeared to be no missile system, just guns.

Glancing out of the cockpit, he could see several aircraft beside him. They were F-86 Sabre fighters.

Ego Mission

Boris and the Ego Four flight followed. They were soon heading out towards the North Sea and their first tanker rendezvous- about twenty-five minutes away.

The radar warning receivers on the aircraft were programmed to tell the pilot of any radars scanning them. The usual- Air Traffic Control, the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System were filtered out. The active radar systems were off for operational reasons- they didn't want the Norwegians detecting them.

About 10 minutes from their rendezvous with the three tankers, Ego One flight noticed a scan on their radar system. The computer tried to determine what it was, searched its extensive database of radar signatures going back to the Second World War and then concluded "UNKNOWN- RUSSIAN?"

[Lightning]

Kinney's Sub-Conscious

The F-86. Ah, the end of an era. The dedicated gun fighter, even if later variants could carry rockets for ground attack missions. Limited computer assistance. Some wouldn't even consider the gun sight a computer. It was an aide though. No aides to stabilize flight. This was flying, hard flying. Some would say it was "true" flying. Kinney didn't care. He was up in the air with a control stick in his hand. His element.

[Silent Hunter]

Kinney's Sub-Conscious

The F-86. Ah, the end of an era. The dedicated gun fighter, even if later variants could carry rockets for ground attack missions. Limited computer assistance. Some wouldn't even consider the gun sight a computer. It was an aide though. No aides to stabilize flight. This was flying, hard flying. Some would say it was "true" flying. Kinney didn't care. He was up in the air with a control stick in his hand. His element.

A voice came over his radio.

"Fulcrum Flight, this is Fulcrum Leader. We are five minutes from MiG Alley".

[Voshkod]

DC thumped the screen. "Come on, now, lady, you can give me more than that," he muttered. He keyed his radio. "Flight, this is Ego One lead, we're getting painted by an unknown radar source. Ego Six, request permission to go radar active and sweep the area." Someone's out there, playing games?

[Lightning]

MiG Alley. Northwest section of North Korea and a bit into China where the MiG-15s were based. Where the dog fights took place.

James Kinney checks his guns, his air mask and then tightens his grip on the stick. Hopefully a few MiGs will come out to play.

[Silent Hunter]

The North Sea


DC thumped the screen. "Come on, now, lady, you can give me more than that," he muttered. He keyed his radio. "Flight, this is Ego One lead, we're getting painted by an unknown radar source. Ego Six, request permission to go radar active and sweep the area." Someone's out there, playing games?

Hussein glanced at his RWR. This was not in anybody's script.

"Negative, Ego One, we'll do it", he replied. "This is not in the script".

Hussein and Kaylee broke off their Eurofighters off and started to do a radar sweep. They found nothing.

"Estimated range 10 nautical miles and closing. 600 knots speed, 7 o'clock high", Kaylee called out. "He or she could have fired by now. IRST has nothing- hang on, got something!"

She forwarded the data through to their data link. At that point, an aircraft actually showed up on radar.

"Radar contact confirmed. Aircraft".

Kaylee glanced at the aircraft in front of her as she rapidly closed the gap on the contact. Her mouth dropped open. It was like something out of a movie.

The fighter was a very dark grey. It had two angled tail fins and curved wings like the F-4 Phantom. There were two canards on the front and a two-seater cockpit.

As it swept past her and then headed to fly to the left of the four Ego flights, she noticed the red star on the tail.

Then music started coming over their intercoms. For some unknown reason, it was by Santana. "Smooth" to be precise.

She grabbed a disposable camera and started taking photos.

"Er, guys..."

[Silent Hunter]

MiG Alley. Northwest section of North Korea and a bit into China where the MiG-15s were based. Where the dog fights took place.

James Kinney checks his guns, his air mask and then tightens his grip on the stick. Hopefully a few MiGs will come out to play.

The F-86s fly into hostile airspace. Suddenly, they see a glint in the sun.

"Bogies, 2 o'clock high", called the flight leader.

[Chappers]

Saint whistled, when he'd first heard DC's message he had thought that the bosses had decided to come up with something new. Now he wasn't sure.

He flicked on the radio, "Ego one this is Saint, what's happening sir?"

[Chappers]

Saint whistled, when he'd first heard DC's message he had thought that the bosses had decided to come up with something new. Now he wasn't sure.

He flicked on the radio, "Ego one this is Saint, what's happening sir?"

[Voshkod]

"Looks like Ivan has come out to play, folks, and he's brought his shiniest toys. If you've got a camera, take all the pictures you can. I'm going to light him up, see if I can get a missile lock." DC begin warming up the targeting radar.

[Silent Hunter]

The Russian aircraft was now flying about 10 nm ahead of them at 11 o'clock. It slowed down, letting Ego One close up to it.

The radar found the aircraft at a distance of 7 nm, but did not register a lock until under 4 nm.

The IRST did not acquire an ASRAAM fire-able infra-red signature until that same distance.

The Russian aircraft, still broadcasting Santana did a loop and flew past the Eurofighters at 600 knots- with a relative closing speed of 1200 knots. It did another loop and flew next to Saint.

It rolled onto its left side and opened a bomb bay to expose what appeared to an Kh-15/AS-16 cruise missile and two R-73/AA-11 IR missiles. As it and Saint took a picture, it turned sharply to the left.

The wings rolled level and the aircraft accelerated. There was a loud crack as the aircraft exceeded Mach 1.

Kaylee's aircraft was unarmed, but she managed to get an IR signature good enough for a launch as the aircraft reached Mach 1.5.

The music stopped and the Russian aircraft slowed down. It was heading north.

[Chappers]

Saint was excited, and scared. Adrenaline had rushed into his system as he snatched the picture of the aircraft, "****, what the hell was that thing and what was it doing all the way over here. Come to think of it and why didn't we know that some Ruskis were playing around here?"

As he said this he started to prepare for somethjing larger. Probably wouldn't happen but...

[Lightning]

The F-86s fly into hostile airspace. Suddenly, they see a glint in the sun.

"Bogies, 2 o'clock high", called the flight leader.

Actually all of North Korea is hostile airspace. Just some area is more hostile than other. As the leader spotted the unknown aircraft, James pulled the stick back and eased it to the right, giving the jet a bit more power, maintaining the four finger flight formation.

[Silent Hunter]

The aircraft had vanished at this point, figuratively speaking. The radar had gone off and Kaylee had lost all contact with it.

Oswald tried to figure this one out. They had five minutes to the tankers.

"Looked like the aircraft from that old movie... Firefox, I think it was called, but more curved-like", he said, "I don't know how it got out here at all. Might have something to do with that Midas that's hanging around the Barents Sea. We had no indications of Russian naval activity round here. Except an Akula sub, but we deemed that non-relevant".

He opened a communication channel back to Coningsby. The base were aware of the contact, but not the full details. He started his report.

In Ego Three-Two, Boris started to answer in his West Country accent.

"Well, that is what we call a UFO...", he said and laughed nervously, "Seriously, I have no idea what that was. Anyone want to come up with a reporting name? Has to begin with F..."

[Silent Hunter]

Actually all of North Korea is hostile airspace. Just some area is more hostile than other. As the leader spotted the unknown aircraft, James pulled the stick back and eased it to the right, giving the jet a bit more power, maintaining the four finger flight formation.

The flight leader tried to see the aircraft as they closed at a relative speed of over Mach 1. Soon he recognised the aircraft.

"They're MiGs- twenty of them. Pick targets", he said.

[Voshkod]

"FANTASY," DC said quietly into his radio. "MiG FANTASY. I want one." He paused for a moment. "That guy was really showing off. Unless he's naval and there's a carrier nearby, he's got long legs or a tanker of his own out here. Perhaps we should scrap todays visit and hunt the tanker?"

[Silent Hunter]

"FANTASY," DC said quietly into his radio. "MiG FANTASY. I want one." He paused for a moment. "That guy was really showing off. Unless he's naval and there's a carrier nearby, he's got long legs or a tanker of his own out here. Perhaps we should scrap todays visit and hunt the tanker?"

OOC: Not a bad name- I thought that one myself. Don't assume its a MiG, though...

IC: "Negative on that- tanker is all the way in the Barents and we haven't got the full- or live missiles", Oswald replied, "Back to the exercise..."

The tankers were 4 minutes away. The MRTTs started to raise the Eurofighters.

"Ego Flights, this is Petrol Flight of three. I understand you want some gas. What on earth just happened?"

----
The Sukhoi-50 Drakon (Dragon) was flying at Mach 0.9 North, heading on the long route back towards the tanker.

Major of Aviation Viktor Kornilov still couldn't quite believe that this had actually worked. Sure, they'd done tonnes of tests in Russia itself. This, however, was the first "for real" test. He'd managed to get within R-73 range of the Eurofighters before they'd managed to spot him.

They'd had to take some stuff out to make this flight possible. Like the chaff. The flares. And the actual missiles. There had been a full cannon on board, but he'd shown the British dummy missiles, with plastic bodies and no warheads at all.

He'd got enough fuel to make it to the Il-78 tanker, waiting off Norway for him- that and one other thing.

He switched on his search radar, found the passenger ferry he was looking for and turned to Captain of Aviation Anya Kornilova, his backseater.

"Ready for this?" he asked.

"Yes, comrade Major", she replied.

He pitched the Su-50 into a shallow dive.

[Chappers]

"We just got buzzed by some Russian testing out a new and scary toy."

[pathfinderAP]

"FANTASY," DC said quietly into his radio. "MiG FANTASY. I want one." He paused for a moment. "That guy was really showing off. Unless he's naval and there's a carrier nearby, he's got long legs or a tanker of his own out here. Perhaps we should scrap todays visit and hunt the tanker?"


Mongoose kept radio silent, but chuckled off radio "FANTASY" lol
Were we meant to continue the mission after that encounter?
it must have intruded in to someones aerospace at least,

He tried to retain all infomation for the de-briefing that would no doubt be waiting for them,

[Lightning]

The flight leader tried to see the aircraft as they closed at a relative speed of over Mach 1. Soon he recognised the aircraft.

"They're MiGs- twenty of them. Pick targets", he said.

James was leading the second element, helping to sharpen the skill a new transfer in, who was his wingman. He replied to the leader, "We'll take the group on the right." Of course, that meant he had a much longer approach route. He could swing far to the right and try to flank the MiGs or do a head on pass and hope he could turn on the MiGs. Neither option was grand, but he was going with the latter. He added more power, dropped the drop tank and checked his radar gun sight. It was the -86's main edge.

[Silent Hunter]

James was leading the second element, helping to sharpen the skill a new transfer in, who was his wingman. He replied to the leader, "We'll take the group on the right." Of course, that meant he had a much longer approach route. He could swing far to the right and try to flank the MiGs or do a head on pass and hope he could turn on the MiGs. Neither option was grand, but he was going with the latter. He added more power, dropped the drop tank and checked his radar gun sight. It was the -86's main edge.

"Roger", the group leader said, "We'll go in front".

The second element headed towards the MiGs, who went to full power. They were heading for the merge.

[Voshkod]

"Good to see you, Pitstop," DC said to the tankers. "The Russians just threw some mud at our windshields. So, we'll need a fillup with high-test, and can you send someone out to check the oil and clean the windows?"

DC started to line up on the tankers.

[Lightning]

"Roger", the group leader said, "We'll go in front".

The second element headed towards the MiGs, who went to full power. They were heading for the merge.

James Kinney let the lead element gain some some ground. Head on passes were always tricky. No one had a real edge, just lots of skill and luck. He angled up a bit more, letting off the throttle a tad so he could turn. All was set. Now to wait.

[Silent Hunter]

"Good to see you, Pitstop," DC said to the tankers. "The Russians just threw some mud at our windshields. So, we'll need a fillup with high-test, and can you send someone out to check the oil and clean the windows?"

DC started to line up on the tankers.

The tanker man laughed.

"New scary toy?" he asked. He'd heard the conversation, but wanted to hear it for himself.

The tankers were moving into position. They would refuel two at a time.

It was nice flying conditions above the clouds. A little rain down low near their target, though.

[Silent Hunter]

James Kinney let the lead element gain some some ground. Head on passes were always tricky. No one had a real edge, just lots of skill and luck. He angled up a bit more, letting off the throttle a tad so he could turn. All was set. Now to wait.

The two groups were only seconds away. The MiG-15s started firing their cannons.

[Voshkod]

"Beautiful nasty new toy, my friends," DC said, sliding the probe into the drogue. "Fast, stealthy - against radar and IR - and a nice set of jammers. Kind of like my first wife."

[Silent Hunter]

OOC: Groan...

IC: The tanker guy let out a groan at the bad double entendre.

"A Russian stealth plane. Well, I never seen one of those. Guess they must have got some knowledge off that Nighthawk the Serbs downed in '99.

DC, Mystery, you're tanking on Pitstop 1. Mongoose, Sweeney, Pitstop 2. Saint, Boris, Pitstop 3".

They could see the hoses coming out of the Airbus tankers. Each flight would take on fuel at the same time.

[Lightning]

The two groups were only seconds away. The MiG-15s started firing their cannons.

It was coming down to guns. The MiGs have 2 23mm cannons with 80 round each and a 37 mm cannon with 40 round. The -86 has 6 .50 cal (12.7 mm) machine guns with 267 rounds each. Not many, but enough if you used ammunition carefully. The -86's big advantage is a radar ranging gunsight which is a big help. James Kinney jinked to keep the MiG's aim off and waited until the MiG was 1000 yards away before pulling on the trigger.

[Chappers]

Saint shook his head at the Commander's 'joke'. Some people should not be allowed out.

"Thank-you Pitstop"

"Pitstop three this is saint. Moving in."

Saint manouvered his plane and waited for the go ahead from Pitstop three, ready to move up and fill up as soon as it was given.

[Silent Hunter]

It was coming down to guns. The MiGs have 2 23mm cannons with 80 round each and a 37 mm cannon with 40 round. The -86 has 6 .50 cal (12.7 mm) machine guns with 267 rounds each. Not many, but enough if you used ammunition carefully. The -86's big advantage is a radar ranging gunsight which is a big help. James Kinney jinked to keep the MiG's aim off and waited until the MiG was 1000 yards away before pulling on the trigger.

The MiG jinked sharply upwards and started to dive. The pilot didn't want to engage the F-86 until he was into a good position.

[Silent Hunter]

Saint shook his head at the Commander's 'joke'. Some people should not be allowed out.

"Thank-you Pitstop"

"Pitstop three this is saint. Moving in."

Saint manouvered his plane and waited for the go ahead from Pitstop three, ready to move up and fill up as soon as it was given.

"Pitstop Three to Ego Three. You have permission to take on fuel".

Boris moved in to get a hose. It took two attempts, but he did it.

[Chappers]

"Thank-you pitstop three"

Saint moved up and and manouvered to get the hose.

[Lightning]

The MiG jinked sharply upwards and started to dive. The pilot didn't want to engage the F-86 until he was into a good position.

James Kinney mutters a light curse and rolls into a dive, calling out to his wing man, "Follow me." Thankfully, the -86 can out dive a MiG-15. On of it's few strengths against the -15. He does everything to get into a superior position for firing.

[Silent Hunter]

James Kinney mutters a light curse and rolls into a dive, calling out to his wing man, "Follow me." Thankfully, the -86 can out dive a MiG-15. On of it's few strengths against the -15. He does everything to get into a superior position for firing.

His wingman responded.

"Sir".

It was Blondie.

((Of course, this is a dream, not reality))

[Silent Hunter]

"Thank-you pitstop three"

Saint moved up and and manouvered to get the hose.

The hose connected first time and he started to take on fuel.

The tanker commander decided to make conversation.

"This Russian aircraft- any idea of weaponry?" he asked.

A message came onto their Link 16 screens.


Unidentified Russian Aircraft has just buzzed a Newcastle-Stavanger passenger ferry. Captain screaming about it. Suspect this will leak to media very soon. Coningsby

Kaylee sighed. This was borderline humiliating for NATO.

[Voshkod]

"Now can we chase him down," DC said with an edge to his voice. "Or at least go buzz one of their ships?" He had refueled and entered a long orbit over the tankers, watching for any returning Russian planes.

[Chappers]

"The bastard flying the damn thing thought that it would be funny to show me exactly what he was packing. I'm not 100% but I think I saw two AA11 - IRs and one AS16 Cruise. If he was going for us he could have taken out at least two before we'd even got a lock on."

[Silent Hunter]

"Now can we chase him down," DC said with an edge to his voice. "Or at least go buzz one of their ships?" He had refueled and entered a long orbit over the tankers, watching for any returning Russian planes.

"Negative, DC", Hussein replied, "We can't find the guy and there are no Russian ships within range, bar that Akula. The Norwegians are going to send their Eurofighters round to meet with the tanker, as are our lot. We won't be encountering them in the exercise, by the way, too similar".

He heard Saint's response and gave a low whistle.

"AS-16s? They're nuclear capable. They're the Russian SRAMs. Nasty things. The AA-11s are standard on Russian fighters these days".

He moved in to start his refuelling, with Kaylee joining him.

"Once everybody has taken on fuel, the exercise will begin. You will have three minutes until the Norwegians turn on their radars. For the purposes of this exercise, Kaylee and I don't exist".

Another message came through on the radio.

"It's Dodger here, Oswald".

"Dodger" was Wing Commander Mark Twist of 3 Squadron (also at Coningsby), so named for his unconventional, but successful approach to navigation, particularly a mission during the Hawk phase of his training when he managed to evade six 'hostile' examples of the training aircraft, used by the Red Arrows.

"Yes, Dodger", Hussein replied.

"About that Russian stealth fighter. He's just acquired two wingmen. I didn't quite realise there was too of them. One of them's a rather good looking woman".

We'll escort out of our area and pass him onto the Los

[Lightning]

James Kinney continued his dive after the MiG, trying to line up a shot. Soon, he hoped. It was good that Blonde was there, helping to cover him. He casts an occasional glance over his shoulder, looking for pursing MiGs.

[Voshkod]

"Roger that, Ego lead. All right, you all heard the man. Finish gasing up, fall into formation, and lets go blow the horns off some Vikings."

[Silent Hunter]

James Kinney continued his dive after the MiG, trying to line up a shot. Soon, he hoped. It was good that Blonde was there, helping to cover him. He casts an occasional glance over his shoulder, looking for pursing MiGs.

The MiG rolled inverted and started to do a split-S.

[Silent Hunter]

Ego Four finished tanking and moved into formation.

Sweeney, having ALARMs on board, glanced at her radar warning receiver. Nothing yet.

Oswald glanced at his watch.

"Exercise starts in thirty seconds. Good luck".

He started counting down.

[pathfinderAP]

"About time" Haper thought to himself, he couldn't get the image of that Russian aircraft out of his mind, and it seemed odd after such an encounter to continue the training mission, but then these missions still cost a heap to run,

He continued his preparation in readiness to attack the targeted radar sites,
The sureal feeling falling away as he became more focused on the mission to hand,

[Lightning]

James sighed as the MiG maneuvered. While he able to maintain altitude above the other, the F-86 followed and James, concentrating on the MiG, pulled it closer towards him.

Why not? Just a dream.

[Silent Hunter]

The MiG managed to enter Kinney's gunsight. The pilot didn't really know what he was doing.

[Silent Hunter]

((OK, I think we've gotten a bit confused. You're still at 20,000 feet, miles from the Norwegian coast- and the exercise hasn't even started yet...))

[Voshkod]

[Oops. Sorry.]

DC continued to fly in lazy circles over the refueling point, wishing he could go after the Russian.

[Silent Hunter]

[No problem. Might want to edit your earlier post]

"Three, two, good luck, go!"

The exercise had now begun. The eight Eurofighters would have three minutes to get into attack formation and to whatever altitude they deemed best for penetrating Norwegian radar before the Norwegian search radars were switched on.

Kaylee and Oswald climbed their Control aircraft out of the way, keeping an eye on proceedings.

[Voshkod]

"Three minute mark, ladies and gentlemen," DC said calmly. "We're rolling in low, under radar coverage, using shadows. Ego One will screen for fighters. First popup in four minutes, I'll take that one. Form up and let's go."

[Lightning]

James Kinney gives the trigger a short squeeze, ready to bank away from debris.

[Silent Hunter]

James Kinney gives the trigger a short squeeze, ready to bank away from debris.

The shells smacked into the fuselage, setting the engine on fire. The aircraft exploded into two as the pilot ejected.

[Lightning]

The shells smacked into the fuselage, setting the engine on fire. The aircraft exploded into two as the pilot ejected.

James pulls the -86 into a turning climb, looking for the rest of his flight and other MiGs, while checking his 6.

[Chappers]

Saint blipped an acknowledgement to the leader before following down to the correct altitude.

"Saint to Boris. When do you think we should release the cruises."

[Silent Hunter]

James pulls the -86 into a turning climb, looking for the rest of his flight and other MiGs, while checking his 6.

The flight were all with him, bar one guy. He was trying to out turn a MiG.

"Request assistance, I've got a MiG on my tail", he yelled.

[Silent Hunter]

Saint blipped an acknowledgement to the leader before following down to the correct altitude.

"Saint to Boris. When do you think we should release the cruises."

Boris looked at his map. They couldn't launch for a while yet, but there were some nice valleys later on where they could.

"About 90 miles from target", he replied.

[Voshkod]

DC was still in the lead plane, scanning the blue sky above for any distant specks of black that might be an enemy.

[Silent Hunter]

The eight-strong attack force had reached 500 feet above the North Sea and levelled off. Thirty seconds later, the Norwegian radars went on, but were unable to detect them.

A minute passed when DC and Mystery's Radar Warning Receivers lit up with a search radar.

AN/APG-66, the computer said and gave a list of possible aircraft (http://www.harpoondatabases.com/Sensor.aspx?DB=5&ID=890).

What was clear, though, was that the two aircraft were 63 nautical miles out, travelling at 400 knots and were at 16,000 feet.

[Lightning]

The flight were all with him, bar one guy. He was trying to out turn a MiG.

"Request assistance, I've got a MiG on my tail", he yelled.

James sighed as one of the -86s tried to out turn a -15. It wasn't impossible, just improbable. He called out on the radio, "Blonde, you go right, I'll go left." He turned and maneuvered to get into the dogfight.

[Silent Hunter]

James sighed as one of the -86s tried to out turn a -15. It wasn't impossible, just improbable. He called out on the radio, "Blonde, you go right, I'll go left." He turned and maneuvered to get into the dogfight.

She did so.

Suddenly, black puffs appeared in the sky. Anti-aircraft fire had started up.

[Voshkod]

"We have two likely F-16s, presume hostile," he said to the others. Quickly, he tried to calculate closure rate and, more importantly, whether they would intercept, whether courses would cross.

[Silent Hunter]

The unidentified aircraft were off DC's 1 o'clock. At their closure rates, an intercept was almost certain, in about 4 and a half minutes. The strike force would fly under the aircraft, but the radar had a look-down capability.

The Eurofighter radars were still off. The Eurofighter had a somewhat reduced cross-section, but was nowhere near stealthy and would be picked up at some point.

The RWR had gathered a little more information and made a firmer conclusion.


Likely Hawk 200

The Norwegians didn't have Hawks, but that meant nothing in this exercise. They could be RAF ones under Norwegian command for this scenario.

[Voshkod]

DC runs the courses in his head. Is there any way to change course enough to stay out the detection cone of the Hawks?

[Silent Hunter]

DC runs the courses in his head. Is there any way to change course enough to stay out the detection cone of the Hawks?

It would be possible if the flight performed a 30 degree right turn.

((We are now going to F2R rules. Voshkod, I need you to roll a D10 and add 10 in the Dice Rolls Thread for initative))

[Lightning]

She did so.

Suddenly, black puffs appeared in the sky. Anti-aircraft fire had started up.

Oh, joy. AAA, the bane of any pilot's existence. Jinking around to spoil aim, James guided Blonde and third pilot to help pincer the MiG going after Shark.

[Lightning]

She did so.

Suddenly, black puffs appeared in the sky. Anti-aircraft fire had started up.

Oh, joy. AAA, the bane of any pilot's existence. Jinking around to spoil aim, James guided Blonde and third pilot to help pincer the MiG going after Shark.

[Silent Hunter]

Oh, joy. AAA, the bane of any pilot's existence. Jinking around to spoil aim, James guided Blonde and third pilot to help pincer the MiG going after Shark.

Kinney's F-86 was about to get onto the tail of the attacking MiG when an AA shell exploded just next to it. The explosion was sufficient to damage the right wing severely and make the engine shudder.

[Voshkod]

"Flight, break thirty right, stay on my lead."

[14 total]

[Silent Hunter]

((You lost the roll and have to go first. You're just turning 30 degrees right? I miscalcuated the angle, but another turn next round would be sufficient- should be...))

People Still To Go (any order you like, but after the second person, the next Hawk will move)

DC
Mystery
Boris
Sweeney
Saint
Ego Four-One
Ego Four-Two


DC's Eurofighter turned 30 degrees to the right. The computer measured the movement of the two aircraft and stated that another thirty degree turn would be needed.
----
Inside Intercept One sat Wing Commander Daniel "Knight" Hawke, so named due to his resemblance to David Hasselhoff. Considered one of the best pilots in the RAF, he'd been loaned to the Norwegians for this exercise.

He continued flying at the same speed. His radar was picking up nothing as yet. However, he was planning a turn soon...

[Lightning]

Kinney's F-86 was about to get onto the tail of the attacking MiG when an AA shell exploded just next to it. The explosion was sufficient to damage the right wing severely and make the engine shudder.

James lets out a couple of curses as his control goes down the tubes. He pulls the engine back towards to idle to make sure its okay. He also turns the jet south, lowering the nose, praying he can get some glide time to allied held territory. If not, he can also head to the Yellow Sea to ditch and get picked up by the Navy.

[pathfinderAP]

Harper followed DC lead, and glanced to see where Sweeny was,

But as soon as DC gives the orders to break Harper was going to guns of the Hawk,

[Silent Hunter]

Harper followed DC lead, and glanced to see where Sweeny was,

But as soon as DC gives the orders to break Harper was going to guns of the Hawk,

The second Hawk continued on its course.

Sweeney turned her aircraft 30 degrees too. She was assessing the situation and her knowledge of the Hawk aircraft.

"They only have ASRAAMs" she commented. "We could take them".

((OOC: Mongoose and Saint are the two PCs that still need to move)).

[Chappers]

Saint grinned as he followed orders and turned thirty degrees to the right.

This was fun.

[Voshkod]

"We may take them yet, Sweeney, but only if we have too. Two Hawks vanish and the Vikings are going to take notice. Everyone . . . fly casual," DC says with a smirk behind the mask.

[Silent Hunter]

((OOC: Mongoose still needs to go. I'll PM him if he's not posted by Tuesday. DC, can you roll for next turn's initiative. Same thing as last time)).

The two Eurofighters in Ego Four did the turn as well.

[Voshkod]

"Right thirty more. If they light us up, take them down."

[roll0]

[Silent Hunter]

James lets out a couple of curses as his control goes down the tubes. He pulls the engine back towards to idle to make sure its okay. He also turns the jet south, lowering the nose, praying he can get some glide time to allied held territory. If not, he can also head to the Yellow Sea to ditch and get picked up by the Navy.

The F-86's engine went back successfully to idle, but then started making unhealthy noises.

He could glide to allied held territory, but it wasn't 100% certain.

[Silent Hunter]

"Right thirty more. If they light us up, take them down."

[roll0]

OOC: Guess pathfinder's not turning up...

[roll0]

[Silent Hunter]

OOC: I win initiative. That means you're going first. Anyone who wants to take the first movement post can...

[Voshkod]

DC continues to bank outside of the Hawks' detection cone. We're here to hit a ground target, not to get into a shooting match with some Hawks.

[Silent Hunter]

DC continues to bank outside of the Hawks' detection cone. We're here to hit a ground target, not to get into a shooting match with some Hawks.

One of the Hawks suddenly turned 60 degrees to the left.

[Lightning]

The F-86's engine went back successfully to idle, but then started making unhealthy noises.

He could glide to allied held territory, but it wasn't 100% certain.

*sigh* Things are never easy. The Yellow Sea is closer than the S. Korea. James fidgeted with the engine, hoping to calm it down, as he wrestled the plane to a south west heading.

[Silent Hunter]

*sigh* Things are never easy. The Yellow Sea is closer than the S. Korea. James fidgeted with the engine, hoping to calm it down, as he wrestled the plane to a south west heading.

Blondie was following close behind him. Her plane was still undamaged.

She tried to raise him on the radio, but couldn't get through as Kinney's radio was damaged, although he didn't know that- yet.

[Voshkod]

"They're on us. Remainder of flight continue toward target. Harper, close formation. We're going to light them up." DC began to speed up, come around toward the Hawks. "Harper, stay under me. I'll paint them, you stay quiet. They'll focus on me, I'll break, you fire from my data."

[Voshkod]

[Turn 30 left, try for lock on the Hawks.]

[Lightning]

Blondie was following close behind him. Her plane was still undamaged.

She tried to raise him on the radio, but couldn't get through as Kinney's radio was damaged, although he didn't know that- yet.

James isn't sure but things seem to be easing up. He eases the throttle forward a tad to check the engine.

[Silent Hunter]

James isn't sure but things seem to be easing up. He eases the throttle forward a tad to check the engine.

The engines didn't respond. Then something that really wouldn't have been in Korea turned up but this was after all a dream.

Four MiG-21s, directly in front of him.

[Voshkod]

[Accelerate to 15]

[Silent Hunter]

[Accelerate to 15]

(OOC: Thanks.

I should have made it clearer earlier that you weren't in the Hawks' detection cone then either, but your RWR wouldn't necessarily tell you whether they'd got a return off you.

The coastal radars would have picked you up eventually.

Sorry for any inconvenience caused. You can try and disappear if you want by switching off your radar. There are rules for both this and radar detection).

The Eurofighter broke through the sound barrier with a loud thunder-like sonic boom, as the ECR-90 CAPTOR search radar switched on.

It failed to produce a return off the two Hawks, but they clearly knew it was there.

The second Hawk went to afterburner, going to its maximum speed [11 Units] and turning 30 degrees.

(Next RAF person please).

[Silent Hunter]

(I also managed to end up skipping everyone else's Turn 2. Can't change that now, so this is Turn 3 with the Hawks winning the initiative)

[Voshkod]

[OOC: Am I up then?]

[Silent Hunter]

[OOC: Am I up then?]

[OOC: No, you've just been twice, via my mistake. Sorry about that...]

[Lightning]

The engines didn't respond. Then something that really wouldn't have been in Korea turned up but this was after all a dream.

Four MiG-21s, directly in front of him.

It's bad to face MiG-21s in an F-86, but it's worse if the engine isn't working. Not questioning the fact that there are -21s there, James pushes the nose down a bit more, trying to pick up speed and pass beneath them. He also tries to warn the rest of the flight of the danger.

[Silent Hunter]

It's bad to face MiG-21s in an F-86, but it's worse if the engine isn't working. Not questioning the fact that there are -21s there, James pushes the nose down a bit more, trying to pick up speed and pass beneath them. He also tries to warn the rest of the flight of the danger.

After getting no response after 15 seconds, Kinney will realise his radio isn't working- and that his engine has stopped working.

[Lightning]

After getting no response after 15 seconds, Kinney will realise his radio isn't working- and that his engine has stopped working.

James just sighs as things look worse and worse. No engine, no radio, and bad controls. Don't forget MiG-21s. If it could be worse, he doesn't want to fond out how. He waggles his wings to just show that he's okay as he looks about to who's where.

[Silent Hunter]

James just sighs as things look worse and worse. No engine, no radio, and bad controls. Don't forget MiG-21s. If it could be worse, he doesn't want to fond out how. He waggles his wings to just show that he's okay as he looks about to who's where.

There are four other F-86s with him. Not for much longer.

The MiG-21s fire their missiles and two of the aircraft are blown out of the sky.

[Lightning]

There are four other F-86s with him. Not for much longer.

The MiG-21s fire their missiles and two of the aircraft are blown out of the sky.

Well, d'uh. Most F-86 pilots don't know about missiles as MiG-15s don't carry them. But James does recognize the treat posed by missiles. Odd that. He tries to maneuver without tearing his jet apart.

[Silent Hunter]

Well, d'uh. Most F-86 pilots don't know about missiles as MiG-15s don't carry them. But James does recognize the treat posed by missiles. Odd that. He tries to maneuver without tearing his jet apart.

(OOC: I might decide to end this. There's not enough activity to keep it viable ATM. No disrespect to you or Voshkod, you've been great)

At that point, Kinney's F-86 loses its right wing. He starts to go into an uncontrollable roll.

[Lightning]

(OOC: Yeah, hard to do with so few players.)

James utters a series of curses and punches out.

[Silent Hunter]

(OOC: Yeah, hard to do with so few players.)

James utters a series of curses and punches out.

The ejector seat blows him clear of the F-86 and he achieves seat separation. He starts to parachute down and realises he is in the middle of North Korea, 30 miles from friendly lines.

[Voshkod]

[OOC: Do what you need to. I'm enjoying this, but I understand the frustration of losing players.]

[Lightning]

This was bad, very bad. James was lucky to have not been hurt seriously during the ejection. As it is, he has a sore back. He gathers up his survival equipment and makes goals. Primary goal: not get captured. Secondary goal: make it back to allied lines. He heads into the forest, moving south.

[Silent Hunter]

((OOC: I've got two people dropping out and pathfinderAP stating he's still interested, but can't do it for a few months.

With immediate effect, I am dropping the use of Fox Two Reheat! and making this pure free-form.

If I can't get any further interest within two weeks, the game will go on hiatus until further notice)).

A parachute appears above him. It looks like an American one. Someone else is dropping towards Kinney.

[Voshkod]

[OOC: Still here, just not sure when you want me to go.]

[Silent Hunter]

OOC: It's free-form now, you can go anytime with no restrictions, bar common sense.

[Lightning]

A parachute appears above him. It looks like an American one. Someone else is dropping towards Kinney.

Now, that's interesting. Someone else got hit and is bailing?? James Kinney tries to clear an area for the pilot to land in.

[Silent Hunter]

Now, that's interesting. Someone else got hit and is bailing?? James Kinney tries to clear an area for the pilot to land in.

Once Kinney clears the area, the pilot lands and draws a pistol. The pilot recognises Kinney and removes her helmet.

It's Blondie.

[Voshkod]

DC pushed the Eurofighter harder, rushing toward the Hawks, listening for one of two tones - either he had a lock on them, or they had a lock on him. Hopefully, Harper will still flying close.

[Silent Hunter]

DC pushed the Eurofighter harder, rushing toward the Hawks, listening for one of two tones - either he had a lock on them, or they had a lock on him. Hopefully, Harper will still flying close.

The search radar acquired a radar contact. Five seconds later, it turned into a lock. He could now fire Meteor missiles at either or both of the Hawks.

[Voshkod]

"Fox Three, fox three, I am engaging." DC lofted a pair of Meteors, one at each Hawk, and then firewalled his engine at the enemy aircraft to close distance.

[Silent Hunter]

The two Meteors, virtually at least, launched towards the two Hawks and went active half-way to their target.

Had this been real, both would have been blown to bits.

The computer registered two hits and the Hawks turned for their base, deliberately streaming orange smoke to indicate they had been hit.

[Voshkod]

"Sierra Hotel, splash two Hawks. Flight, this is DC, we've pulled out their eyes. Fall in behind me, we're going in low and fast."

[Silent Hunter]

The eight Eurofighters were now only ten miles from the Norwegian coast.

DC and Harper's RWR picked up a radar.

"AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel" the system said.

Harper radioed in.

"Ego One-One, this is Mongoose. That's a MIM-120B NASAMS site there. We need to take it out. Those missiles are AMRAAMs, but ground launched for that extra flavour".

[Lightning]

Once Kinney clears the area, the pilot lands and draws a pistol. The pilot recognises Kinney and removes her helmet.

It's Blondie.
James quirks a grin, "I really hope you aren't planning on using that gun. I'd hate to have cleared an area for you to land in only to have you shoot me."

[Silent Hunter]

James quirks a grin, "I really hope you aren't planning on using that gun. I'd hate to have cleared an area for you to land in only to have you shoot me."

"Not on you anyway. Maybe on the Chinese", Blondie replied.

[Lightning]

"Not on you anyway. Maybe on the Chinese", Blondie replied.

James readies his own side arm, half noting that pistols aren't standard issue till the early '60s. "Those or the North Koreans. Come on, let's get out of here."

[Silent Hunter]

James readies his own side arm, half noting that pistols aren't standard issue till the early '60s. "Those or the North Koreans. Come on, let's get out of here."

"Sir", Blondie replied.

They started to walk towards friendly lines. After half an hour, Blondie noticed something and pointed it out. It looked like the remains of some C Rations (http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-food/c-rations.htm).

[Voshkod]

"Got it, Mongoose. Time to rip up some groundpounders. Recommend we come in low enough to blow the wings of chickens, and use any radar shadows we can find." DC started scanning the ground ahead, looking for mountains and valleys that might mask their approach.

[Lightning]

"Sir", Blondie replied.

They started to walk towards friendly lines. After half an hour, Blondie noticed something and pointed it out. It looked like the remains of some C Rations.

Joy. C rations. The bane of many a military man. Like women, you couldn't live with them and you couldn't live without them. They were best cooked in the tail pipe of a Jeep for a few minutes. James paused as he examined the rations. They really shouldn't be here. Which meant... He tapped Blondie's shoulder, "It's most likely a trap. We should ignore it."

[Silent Hunter]

"Got it, Mongoose. Time to rip up some groundpounders. Recommend we come in low enough to blow the wings of chickens, and use any radar shadows we can find." DC started scanning the ground ahead, looking for mountains and valleys that might mask their approach.

The radar site and its missiles were very near the coast, so they couldn't mask their approach just yet.

The obvious solution was to take out the radar site with Ego Two's anti-radar missiles.

[Silent Hunter]

Joy. C rations. The bane of many a military man. Like women, you couldn't live with them and you couldn't live without them. They were best cooked in the tail pipe of a Jeep for a few minutes. James paused as he examined the rations. They really shouldn't be here. Which meant... He tapped Blondie's shoulder, "It's most likely a trap. We should ignore it."

"Good call, sir".

Suddenly there was a rifle click in the trees.

[Lightning]

"Good call, sir".

Suddenly there was a rifle click in the trees.

"Down!" James Kinney crouched and made for cover opposite from the rifle sound. His pistol was out and ready, but he really wasn't in the mood to go looking for trouble.

[Voshkod]

"Ego 2, this is DC. Light up those ground stations and blow 'em away. Weapons free."

[Silent Hunter]

"Down!" James Kinney crouched and made for cover opposite from the rifle sound. His pistol was out and ready, but he really wasn't in the mood to go looking for trouble.

Blondie joined him inside cover. They could see a North Korean soldier on the other side of the tree. He was carrying a Mosin-Nagant rifle.

[Lightning]

Blondie joined him inside cover. They could see a North Korean soldier on the other side of the tree. He was carrying a Mosin-Nagant rifle.

James Kinney wows silently. He hasn't seen one of those 7.62 rifles since ... ages in the past or future. He pointed south, still holding his pistol at the ready.

[Silent Hunter]

"Ego 2, this is DC. Light up those ground stations and blow 'em away. Weapons free."

The two Eurofighters of Ego Two flew up to minimum launch height and fired two ALARM missiles each at the radars. One radar went off, not that it would stop the missile, but the other kept active...

The radar locked onto Mongoose, the tone going continuous... then...

Two surface-to-air missiles launched virtually at DC's wingman. He tried to shake them off, but one detonated, effectively destroying his aircraft had it been real.

"They got me", Mongoose replied, "That was cheeky".

He streamed orange smoke and flew off to find the nearest airbase. The second radar went off as the computer logged the radars' destruction.

[Voshkod]

"I'll be sure to say a few nice words at the funeral," DC said. "Flight, this is Ego One. The front door is open. Let's make sure Mongoose didn't die in vain."

[Silent Hunter]

James Kinney wows silently. He hasn't seen one of those 7.62 rifles since ... ages in the past or future. He pointed south, still holding his pistol at the ready.

There was a loud cry in Korean. It sounded angry and threatening.

[Lightning]

There was a loud cry in Korean. It sounded angry and threatening.
Joy. Not good. Things keep getting worse somehow. He tapped his wingman on the shoulder, placing finger to lips. He crouched in the underbrush, waiting quietly, watching the area of the N. Korean.

(OOC: I have training this week so may be sparse.)

[Silent Hunter]

(OOC: I've had no further indications of interest. Ergo, effective immediately, this game is placed on hiatus until further notice. It may start up again, it may not. I'll let you know.

Thank you for your time and you are welcome in any other games of mine)

[Lightning]

bugger it.

[Voshkod]

Blast. And just as we were about to smash some Vikings.