Vasily bore in on his target while I frantically evaded the incoming missile. “Rockets away!”
“Cobra 412. I see the launcher. In hot!” The Su-25 rolled in, grimly seeking the launcher as I extracted from the target area. There was no need, in my mind, to endanger our forces further, and I pressed the mic button to call them off. Before I could give the order, though, a second missile was launched! My order to retreat became a command to evade; I snapped “Cobra 412, break right!”
The Su-25 popped flares, dodging.
But the missile was too close, and it impacted. The explosion started fires in both engines! Over the radio, I could hear the alarms in the cockpit as the pilot wrestled with his controls. Seizing the moment, I ordered him to abandon his aircraft!
“Cobra 412, eject, eject, eject!”