The waiting is the hardest part. As I told Vasily, “drill the holes in the sky”. Were I flying an F-15, I would have to dance with the KC-10 tanker. I have done air refueling, in the American F-16 when I trained at the Red Flag exercises, after Ethiopia. Our aircraft are not usually fitted for air refueling, other than the Su-27K, which you call Su-33. Alexei’s plane is so fitted, I am sure, as is the Su-27SK that Frontal Aviation flies. I miss the Sukhoi fighters, but my old Su-27P would have to land for fuel as well. However, the Crane has much longer range than my MiG has, and I would feel better if I were flying it today.
I tune to the division tactical channel as I lazily circle over Gudauta field, and I have guessed right; Alexei is on it, talking to someone he calls “Hawk 23” as he presses his attack on the ground targets. I do not hear Dmitri. Strange. Is Alexei alone? This concerns me. From the transmissions, Alexei is trying to extract from the target and cannot defend against the mujahids in the air and escape at the same time. Configured as a bomber, his lone Sukhoi may not have radar missiles to ward off the Mirages, with their Super 530 or MICA! He needs air cover, quickly! I disengage 11-Red’s autopilot, intending to set course for Tkvarcheli, and my main radio crackles, a warning from Captain Scarlet.
“Destiny Angel, snap 130.”
The mujahids? I come alert, my blood runs cold. Alexei must be their target!
I thumb the mike button and reply.
“Ready to copy.”
I will provide the Sheikh’s minions with something more interesting to divert their attention, while Alexei makes good his escape.
“Bandits, bandits, bearing 133 for 92, angels low, hot. Confirm two, repeat, two hostiles. Weapons hot.”
“Roger. Master arm on.”
My SPO-15 begins beeping, ominously. Two air-search radars. In front, and growing in intensity. The two beeps each second tell me that there is no lock, but there are definitely two aircraft. The Mirages, I am sure. As my Commander foretold.
The 9-13 is fitted with the same command-link as the Sukhoi fighters. With it, once the datalink is established, I can see the enemy through the AWACS’ own radar. I am now in DVB mode for beyond-visual combat and I have selected R-27TE. It is best, I have learned, to salvo one IR missile with one radar missile where possible. It doubles one’s chance to strike. The IR missile must fire first, however. Else, it will follow its brother and not the contact. My RP-29 “Zhuk” radar system can send telemetry to both missiles in flight as long as I keep one target locked up. Later MiGs like the 9-15 and 9-17 can salvo on two targets.
I can see the triangle-shaped targets at the top of the MFD now. IFF identified, enemies. My own radar has not acquired. It would be advantageous to switch to EOS so the French-made, efficient RWR cannot see me. I am sure the mujahids are watching my approach even now. It is nearly time for me to turn, and lure them north.
Suddenly, a solid tone! The lead Mirage has locked me!
