“Viper 711, clear to take off. Good luck, Sacha!”
I acknowledge, and firewall the throttles. This is not normal procedure for Russian pilots; this is somewhat showy and wasteful of fuel. However, our target is close, I am carrying an external tank, and it is good to fly again!
Vasily is right behind me, his shark-mouthed 12 Red clawing for the sky.
He falls into formation on my right wing. It is just like old times!
“At least we won’t be bouncing around that valley like pinballs. I remember too many trips to Suhumi where we did just that.” Vasily’s voice was sour.
He was right. The sky was clear and turbulence, nonexistent, just like Kolya had promised. I check in with GCI, so that they may register us friendly, and we set course for target.
