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We see the British go to work. As I crest the top of a hill at the Initial Point and bring up the CCIP reticle, I see Strela and Igla missiles rise from the waterfront and the target, along with 23mm tracer from three Shilka vehicles. There is a convoy on the road coming up from Sukhumi airbase. One can guess what it carries. I make a mental note for targeting after the attack run. Guarded with Igla, I will have to do this fast.
Unlike Russian aircraft, the Thunderbolt II has ability to set ripple modes and timing. I set for a six-bomb paired drop at ten ms between pairs, and wish that our Su-25 were so facile. Meanwhile, the British are unleashing the deadly ALARM. It plows into Strela vehicles-our intelligence did not tell us of this, that ALARM can target IR launchers!
Suddenly, my ALR-69 receiver falls silent. Thanks to the British, the way is clear. Col. Martin falls into trail behind me. I’m in the pipe. It is my show, now. I will make it count.
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As my pipper approaches the target, I am at 380 feet altitude and I squeeze. |
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All six PB-250 pop loose and the A-10 jolts as it claws for the sky. |
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The blast is sudden, and lights the sky. If I had been lower, or slower, I might have been caught in it! |
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“One, that’s both factory buildings, repeat, scratch them both.” |
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I am not done. I will show Col. Martin how the Rodina trains its pilots. “Colt 11, in hot on the convoy.” |
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I wheel in and target Rockeyes on the convoy of trucks. The British have been at work here with 20mm cannon, though-most of the enemy lie burning. I pop Rockeyes in a easy dive, and pull up, looking in my rear view. |
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The canisters spray submunitions, it is most satisfying. But the bombs had no effect! The BTR-70 still spits fire at Col. Martin! |
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I reef into a hard left and line up again, as a Tornado flashes down perpendicularly in a strafing run. A GAZ-66 truck explodes as I center the TVM display on a hot target.“Colt 11, Rifle!”The Maverick flies straight and true, blasting the unfortunate BTR into dust. |
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I set up for a run on the Ivanov class transport at the docks… |
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…and expend my remaining Maverick, leaving it in flames. |
“Colt 11 off to the northeast. Colt 12, rejoin.”
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