My TGP pod is still slaved to the target area and I can see the building explode on the right MFD.
Nearby a flight of F-22s patrols the east side of the peninsula. I’m sure the enemy perks up quickly when they see an F-22 threat symbol on their threat warning gear.
This DPRK MiG-29 is spoiling for a fight and climbs to engage the AV-8Bs despite being pinned in between an F-16 flight and the F-22s.
Taking a glance at the fuel gauge on the right sub-panel I can see I’m down to 3900 pounds, enough for a remedial pass on the target depot.
After extending about 20 miles south-east of the target to allow for enough time to re-designate the target we turn back inbound and settle the TGP cursors on the large depot building.
I check and double-check all the switches and settings for this second run and in the back of my mind I’m wondering if maybe the lack of a TD “lock” box on the target is preventing the bomb from being released by the fire control computer but try as I might I can’t get a TD box to lock on the target building.
Once again the bomb release cue drops and hits the FPM while I hold the pickle button and nothing happens. In a fraction of a second a light-bulb goes off in my head and I reach forward and slam the space-bar on the keyboard and the bomb releases with a satisfying “thunk”.
