Meanwhile an ROK F-5 takes advantage of the high-cover to dart toward his target and drop his bombs.
And another unidentified plane wanders around without any A2A missiles, probably not a good idea!
Things are now VERY busy over the target area, with converging flights all intent on accomplishing their assigned tasks. CAP flights from both sides mix it up while strike aircraft try desperately to slip by long enough to deliver their munitions.
Let me take a second to say that the opening moves of the campaigns in F4 are very intense and heavy with air activity. Eventually the new-comer will learn situational awareness and the proper use of your onboard sensors and AWACS to grasp the big picture. That said, the beginning of the campaign can be extremely daunting to the new F4 flier. Take heart that as the campaign progresses attrition and runway denial missions will eventually take their toll and the air threats become much more manageable. Patterns will evolve and soon you will recognize situations that will help you become successful in the prosecution of your campaign. Just don’t be discouraged by the volume of activity in the opening hours of the war.
With less than 15 miles to go to the target, I put my trust in the CAP flights and ignore the air battle raging ahead as I select the A2G radar mode. The cursors are set to the strike steerpoint so merely hitting the designate button on my HOTAS should point the targeting pod toward the depot and make the targeting pod the sensor of interest (SOI).
The TGP image clearly shows the depot complex with several dozen vehicles either parked or moving through the area. I quickly slew the cursors over the smaller building and attempt to lock the TGP image on the building. After multiple attempts to get a target designator (TD) box to lock on the building my only guess is that there is a new technique for designating in FF3 and that target lock is not necessary, only aiming the TGP crosshairs onto the desired impact point (this is a RTFM moment if ever there was one!). With the TGP crosshair on the smaller building I order my wingman to attack that target.
With my wingman on the case I slew the cursors up slightly and settle them on the center of the larger depot building for my bomb.
