SimHQ.com - Air Combat Zone - Feature: Kiss Me, Kislovodsk

"Da, I know what you mean, I experienced this against the mujhadeen son, they are tenacious, these Arabs. I flew many missions in the Gratch to know they do not love us."

I merely nodded. "The aircraft is doing very well too."

He nodded too. "Yes, that is one reason I had stopped here. I came to inquire about the other one, what is the problem again?"

Must be jet lag.

"Dimitri's aircraft right engine is non-functional. It merely needs to be replaced."

My father was also about business, and he was also the "project manager" of the 503rd as well. He would do the family matters later on. When you are around business, that is what he talked about. When you were at home, he talked about family business. I am only too used to this.

"I see, and your aircraft, it has been busy I see."

He looked over the aircraft. It was never clean, and only the wheel wells were spotless. They must be, or you cannot tell if they are leaking fluids. That is necessary, or you will not land properly, and that means your aircraft too is non-functional. With the scant resources of the VVS, even the 503rd must maintain it's aircraft to peak performance. Unlike the United States, which has it's own budget for "secret" fighters, we scrape and borrow as we go along. Hence me painting missiles to subdue them. Paint is cheap, but the weapons were not. The funding only extended to two Su-33s, and the capability to give them some precision guided missile capability. In effect, we were field testing these aircraft. The software modification is not hard, nor is the mounting of weapons. However, you must also modify the avionics, so it is not cheap in the long run. But we have proven to the brass that they are efficient in the right hands. Major Grachev also evaluates the capabilities, he is the "manager" of us. Other than that, we do not report to anybody, even Commander Arbatov does not directly control us. We merely find missions to perform, or accept missions that do need to be taken care of. That is how we operate, and do not complain. I surely did not enjoy my time in the 115th Guards Regiment!

"So, do you like the Su-33M2 Pavel?"

He eyed the aircraft some more, merely looking at it.

"Yes father, it is a very capable aircraft."

I was very proud of this aircraft, I have poured every ounce of sweat into it. I would not look at another fighter again. Well, that is not to say I do not find other aircraft beautiful, but this one, is how you say, "hot". I heard my father grunt in agreement, or maybe the slight humidity was getting to him. He never was too happy with heat. I guess from his Afghanistan days.

"Father, do you still smoke?"

I did need a break though, and this was a perfect opportunity, besides, even I get tired of this aircraft. Working on it yes, flying it no.

"Da, we shall go and smoke one then."

My father lifted himself off of the chair, with my assistance, and we walked outside. There was a slight breeze out, which was refreshing to my body. I pulled out my pack of cigarettes, beat up from the work, but I saw they were not broken. I offered one to my father, who took one. Doubtless he had his own, but generosity, even from your own son, cannot be turned down. Besides, we smoke the same kind. We both stood there for a few minutes, in silence, watching the activity on the flightline, smoking our lives away. We watched as a pair of F-15Cs lined up, then took off for yet another combat air patrol along the border.

Eagles take-off

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