Chapter 3: First Land-based missions
Part 1: Base Attack
May 16, 2029
The Eagles were getting ready for their latest mission: attack an enemy army base where enemy tanks are planning an assault on friendly forces in the fortress that was captured on the 3rd. The Firestorms, also at the airfield, already carried out a SEAD mission to make it easier for the airstrike team. Each plane was armed with two Sidewinders, four AMRAAMs, four GBU-32 JDAM 1,000lb GPS-guided bombs, two Mk-84 2,000lb low-drag bombs, and an Mk-20 cluster bomb on the centerline weapons station. Robert and Flyboy led the attack, with the others behind them on standby. Robert and Flyboy got ready for takeoff, carrying out their pre-flight checks before climbing into the cockpits of their aircraft. They both started up their F414-400 turbofan engines as they closed their canopies. They lowered their flaps to takeoff position and turned on the displays and instruments. "Tower, Eagle 1 and 2 to taxi." Flyboy said to the control tower. "Eagles' cleared to taxi, check altimeter, hold short of runway." the air traffic controller (ATC) responded. "Eagle, cleared to taxi." Flyboy replied as he and Robert began to taxi to the runway. After a minute, they got to the edge of the runway. "Tower, Eagle 1 and 2 for takeoff." Flyboy said as they stopped at the edge of the runway. "Eagle, cleared for sierra-hotel departure, altitude restrictions cancelled, switch departure 297.6, good luck." the ATC responded. Flyboy and Robert throttled up to full power and roared down the runway. After fifteen seconds, the F/A-18Es lifted off of the runway and into the sky.
The pilots raised their landing gear and flaps as they climbed to 10,000ft for the attack. Robert and Flyboy armed their weapons and switched to their JDAMs as they set the radar to air-to-ground scanning mode. A few minutes later, they found their target: the army base. Robert locked onto a tank hangar and brought his nose to bear. "Eagle 2, one away!" Robert called out as he pressed the bomb release button on the stick, dropping a JDAM. "Eagle 1, one away!" Flyboy called out as he dropped his cluster bomb on a group of T-72 and M60A3 tanks next to the command center. Robert's JDAM hit the hanger and blew it to pieces. The cluster bomb devastated the tanks and damaged the command center. Robert turned around and targeted the base's command center. "Eagle 2, one away!" Robert called out as he dropped another JDAM. Thirty seconds later, the JDAM hit, destroying the command center completely. Just then, Robert spotted a group of vehicles coming out of a vehicle hangar. It didn't take long for Robert to identify them as ZSU-23 23mm AA gun units! Robert switched to his cluster bomb and lined up for his attack run. "Eagle 2, one away!" Robert called out as he pressed the release button and dropped the cluster bomb. The bomb burst open and thousands of submunitions scattered all around the base, destroying the AA gun units. Flyboy dropped two JDAMs on a pair of barracks facilities while Robert dropped his third JDAM on a helicopter hangar. He then switched to his aircraft's M61A2 Vulcan 20mm cannon and strafed a group of Mi-24 Hind and SH-3D Sea King helicopters. Robert finished the attack with a JDAM on an ammo dump. After the ammo dump was destroyed, the two planes flew back to the base. "Tower, Eagle to land." Knuckle said as they got close. "Eagle, cleared to land." the ATC replied. Flyboy and Robert lowered their gear and flaps as they made a good approach.
After a minute, they made a great landing and taxied to the flightline to parking.
Part 2, Pilot Down
June 5, 2029
Robert was getting ready for a solo reconnaissance mission behind enemy lines. Robert climbed into the cockpit and closed the canopy and started up the engines. As the turbines spooled up, Robert checked the control surfaces and turned on the displays and instruments. "Tower, Eagle 2 to taxi." Robert said on the radio as the engines reached idle speed. "Eagle 2, cleared to taxi, check altimeter, hold short of runway." the ATC replied. Robert released the parking brake and eased the throttles slightly forward to taxiing speed. He got onto the taxiway and began to make his way to the runway. Robert lowered the flaps to takeoff position as he got close to the runway. "Tower, Eagle 2 for takeoff." Robert said on the radio. "Eagle 2, cleared for sierra-hotel departure, climb and maintain angels 3, switch departure 297.6, good luck." The ATC replied. Robert turned onto the runway and applied full thrust. The F/A-18E roared down the runway, picking up speed quickly. Seconds later, Robert gently pulled back on the stick to raise the nose. The aircraft lifted off of the runway and Robert pushed the stick until he was in a gentle climb. He raised the landing gear and the flaps and reduced the throttles to 50% thrust. Just then, a call came in from AWACS Starburst: "Execute the mission and be mindful of any antiaircraft units and enemy aircraft in the area. This ends all radio communications for now, good luck, that is all." Robert turned off his radio and checked his navigation system, making sure he was on course.
As he approached the target, he activated his aircraft's IDEM camera and went into full afterburner and began his photo run. As he carried out his run, he checked his display, making sure he was out of the range of enemy AA units or aircraft. Twenty seconds later, his photo run was complete. Robert turned off the camera and began his flight back to base. Suddenly, his RWR beeped, indicating that he was being tracked by the enemy. The system identified the troublemaker as an SA-13 Gopher heat-seeking SAM, located at his 9o'clock. Robert plugged in full 'burner to escape, but it was too late, the missile launched and streaked straight towards Robert! Robert spotted the missile on his display and released a burst of decoy flares as he pulled away. The missile detonated really close to Robert's plane. After the jolt subsided, Robert checked the warning lights in the cockpit and noticed that the MASTER CAUTION and the left FIRE light were lit, indicating that the left engine was damaged and on fire. He shut down the left engine and continued on course. Suddenly, the missile alert alarm sounded again, but the radar showed no location of the launcher. Robert knew that this indicated that the missile was shoulder-launched. Robert dropped chaff and jinked, but the missile ended up striking the left wing, blowing it off.
Robert instantly pulled the ejection handle and braced as the canopy blew off. A split-second later, the ejection seat fired, propelling Robert out of the damaged plane and out of harm's way. Robert pulled the manual parachute deployment handle and his body jolted as the parachute opened. Robert looked around and watched as the seat dropped into a clearing below him, and saw the remains of his plane slam into the ground nearby and explode. Robert slowly drifted to a safe landing in the clearing near the seat. After detaching the chute, Robert went to the seat and opened up the container that held the IDEM digital photo storage unit with his pocketknife. He then grabbed the hard drive and put it into his pocket and got out his radio. He turned it on and attempted to establish contact with the base from which he took off. "Alpha Whiskey, this is Talisman, do you read me?" Robert asked. Within thirty seconds, there was a response, "This is Alpha Whiskey, go ahead, Talisman." Robert replied, "Eagle 2 is down, I say again, Eagle 2 is down and I am on the run." "Roger, Talisman, what is your count?" The base controller asked. "One, I say again, one." Robert replied. "Roger, we're going to send up a rescue, but your current location is unsuitable for pickup. There is a safe zone located two miles from your location bearing 270 that is suitable." the controller said. "Roger, that is confirmed; I'm on my way there now; over and out." Robert replied as he turned his radio off and got up.
Suddenly, the distinct sound of rotors began to build up in the area. Robert drew his Beretta 9mm handgun and looked around. He saw a house nearby and rushed carefully towards it. As he ran, he looked and saw an Mi-17 Hip helicopter approaching the area. When he got inside, he saw a cache of weapons, including AK-47s, RPG-7s and even FIM-92 Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Acting on instinct, Robert holstered his pistol and grabbed one of the Stingers and activated the targeting system. He then carefully got outside and aimed the launcher at the enemy helicopter. He followed the chopper with the sight and waited until the lock-on tone sounded before pulling the trigger to fire the missile. Robert then dropped the now-useless Stinger launcher and watched as the missile slammed into the helicopter at full speed and detonated. "Yeah, you fuckers just got PWNED!!!" Robert said in triumph as he walked back into the house and grabbed an AK-47 and five extra 30-round magazines. He then started heading west to the safe zone. As he walked, suddenly, shots rang out in front of him. "Shit!" Robert exclaimed as he took cover behind a sand dune. When the shots stopped, Robert readied his rifle and slowly moved upwards to try to assess the situation. He saw at least twenty enemy soldiers with AK-74s and RPDs coming towards him.
"This doesn't look good." Robert whispered to himself as he figured out a plan. He looked up again and saw that most of the soldiers took cover behind another sand dune. Robert took aim and fired four shots at the two that were still exposed. When the enemy soldiers fell dead, the others got up and started firing again. Robert instantly ducked down to avoid the shower of bullets heading at him. When the firing stopped, Robert got up and rushed to the nearest high dune in front him. He aimed and fired more shots at the soldiers. Three of them fell dead and two were wounded. Suddenly, Robert saw a round object fall towards him and land next to him. Robert knew that it was a grenade and instantly picked it up and tossed it back at the enemy. Robert heard yelling that could have been swearing just before the grenade detonated, killing most of the enemy soldiers. "Wow, just like the game." Robert said as he got up and killed the five remaining enemy soldiers with his AK-47. After the fight, he reloaded his rifle and continued towards the point where he would be picked up by a rescue helicopter.
An hour later, a now-exhausted Robert arrived at the safe zone, IDEM hard drive in a pocket on his flight suit. Seconds after he sat down to rest, he saw the distinct silhouettes of an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter, escorted by a group of AH-64 gunships. Robert got up and lit a signal flare to help the friendly pilots confirm his position. After nearly five minutes, The Seahawk landed near his position and Robert rushed on board. The Seahawk then lifted off as a crew member closed the door. "Glad to see you in one piece, man." One of the crew members said as the helicopter flew off towards the base. After five minutes, the Seahawk landed at the base. Robert got to the pilots' lounge and practically fell onto his bunk. "That was rough!" he said before he fell asleep.
Part 3: Bomber Intercept
June 13, 2029
Robert and the other pilots were relaxing in the pilots' lounge when suddenly, an alarm started to sound. Suddenly, the intercom gave an announcement: "All pilots prepare to take off, enemy aircraft detected on radar, all available pilots prepare for air-to-air combat." "This'll get good." Robert said as he and Flyboy rushed to the flightline. Robert and Flyboy's planes were armed with ten AIM-120D AMRAAMs and four AIM-9X Sidewinders each. Robert and Flyboy took off from the base and climbed to 3,000 feet. "We have multiple bandits, bearing 330 and 150 miles at angels 10, multiple Tomcats, Fulcrums and at least ten Bear and fifteen Backfire bombers. These guys mean business, be careful." was the message from AWACS. "Roger, Eagle Flight engaging the enemy." Flyboy replied as he and Robert plugged in their afterburners and climbed to 11,000 feet to engage. Robert armed his weapons and switched to his AMRAAMs. "Go get 'em, Talisman." Flyboy said as he split off to engage the bandits. Robert locked onto one of the enemy F-14s and closed in. Within thirty seconds, the SHOOT indicator appeared on the HUD.
"Eagle 2, fox three!" Robert called out as he pulled the trigger, causing an AMRAAM to fly off of its launch rail. "Eagle 1, fox three!" Flyboy called out as he fired an AMRAAM at a Tu-95 Bear. Robert targeted a Tu-22 Backfire bomber and locked on. When the SHOOT indicator appeared, Robert squeezed the trigger. "Eagle 2, fox three!" he called out as the missile shot off of the launch rail. Just then, Robert's RWR began beeping, indicating that he was being tracked. "Eagle 2, radar spiked!" Robert called out as Flyboy rushed to his aid. "Eagle 1, fox three!" Flyboy called out as he launched an AMRAAM at the Tomcat that was targeting Robert. At that moment, the missiles that Robert fired hit their marks. "Eagle 2, splash one!" Robert called out as he continued the fight. The missile that Flyboy fired hit the Bear. "Eagle 1, good kill!" The Hawkeye announced as Robert targeted another Bear.
The bomber, as well as the rest of the enemy aircraft, passed the two Super Hornets, which turned around to reengage. Robert kept his distance as he switched to his heat-seekers, knowing that the Tu-95's tail-mounted machine guns posed a threat. The distinct growl began to sound in Robert's headphones as the seeker head detected the bomber's heat signature. When the tone changed to indicate a lock-on, Robert almost unconsciously pressed the trigger. "Eagle 2, fox two!" he called out as the AIM-9X rolled off of the wingtip rail and into the bomber, which exploded. "Eagle 2, splash one!" Robert called out as he engaged a Tomcat. The variable-sweep winged fighter tried to avoid Robert's attempts at getting a lock, but Robert managed to get into a good firing position in just seconds. Robert uncaged the Sidewinder's seeker head and used his helmet-mounted sight (HMS) to get the lock as the Tomcat tried to turn away. "Eagle 2, fox two!" Robert called out as he launched his missile. The Tomcat tried to dodge the missile, but the Sidewinder's vectored-thrust rocket nozzle made this tactic useless. The missile hit the right wing, which was blown off. Robert watched as the enemy pilots ejected from the burning Tomcat. "Eagle 2, splash one!" Robert called out as he formed up next to Flyboy's plane. Robert got behind another Backfire and got in position for a Sidewinder shot. When the growling tone changed, Robert pulled the trigger. "Eagle 2, fox two!" he called out as a heat-seeker rolled off of the left wingtip rail. The missile hit the bomber and blew its tail off. "Eagle 2, splash one." Robert called out as he engaged the rest of the enemy formation.
Suddenly, the missile alert tone of the RWR sounded, indicating that an enemy missile was launched at Robert's plane. "Eagle 2, missile launch, 3o'clock, break right!" Flyboy called out. Robert rolled hard right as he released decoy flares. The missile turned out to be an R-73 Archer heat-seeker fired from a MiG-29. Robert uncaged the seeker heads of the Sidewinders and locked onto the MiG with the HMS. "Eagle 2, fox two!" Robert called out as the missile rolled off of the launch rail on the starboard outboard wing pylon. The missile struck the MiG's fuselage, just behind the cockpit. "Eagle 2, splash one!" Robert called out as he watched the MiG pilot eject. Robert switched to his eight remaining AMRAAMs and turned to engage onto the remaining eight Backfire bombers. Robert closed in and locked onto one of the bombers. "Eagle 2, fox three!" he called out as he pulled the trigger to fire an AMRAAM missile. Just then, Robert looked at his radar and spotted a MiG-29 at his 9o'clock. He turned left and locked onto the MiG. Just then, the missile that Robert fired hit the bomber. "Eagle 2, splash one!" he called out as he got ready to fire an AMRAAM. "Eagle 2, fox three!" Robert called out as he pulled the trigger and the AMRAAM shot away at the MiG-29.
Robert turned right to get the remaining bombers. Thirty seconds later, the missile hit and destroyed the MiG. "Eagle 2, good kill." AWACS called out. Robert locked onto a bomber and got ready to fire. "Eagle 2, fox three!" he called out as he pulled the trigger and the missile shot away. He quickly switched to another bomber and fired another AMRAAM. He repeated the process four more times with his remaining missiles. Each missile that was fired hit its target. "Eagle 2, splash one!" Robert called out as his last missile hit its mark. There was only one more bomber left, but Flyboy was already in position to engage. "Eagle 1, fox two!" he called out as he fired a Sidewinder at the bomber, just as its bomb bay doors were opening up. The missile slammed into the center of the Backfire's fuselage, splitting the aircraft in two. "Eagle 1, splash one!" Flyboy called out as the remains of the bomber fell to the ground. "Eagle flight, clean sweep, no bandits remaining. Mission accomplished, return to base immediately." AWACS said. "Roger, Eagle flight returning to base." Flyboy said as the two planes turned towards the base. The pilots flipped their master arm switches to SAFE and switched their displays as necessary.
When they got near the base, Robert went into the pattern while Flyboy got ready to land. "Eagle 1, cleared to land, winds light and variable." The ATC said as Flyboy made his approach. "Tower, Eagle 1 copies all." Flyboy said as he continued his approach. Robert watched as Flyboy performed a flawless landing. Robert got into the approach corridor and reduced his airspeed to less than 300 knots. "Tower, Eagle 2 to land." Robert said over the radio as he turned on his aircraft's ILS and the antiskid. "Eagle 2, cleared to land, wind light and variable." The ATC responded. Robert lowered half flaps and the landing gear as he lined the plane up with the runway. "Tower, Eagle 2 copies all." Robert replied as he continued his approach. He lowered full flaps and reduced his airspeed to 150 knots. Thirty seconds later, the plane touched down on the runway. "Eagle 2, cleared taxi to parking." the ground controller said as Robert applied the brakes to slow down to taxiing speed. Once his speed was down to 15 knots, Robert turned onto the taxiway and made his way to the flightline. After parking in the designated area, Robert shut the engines and systems down and opened the canopy. He walked on the flightline and back to the pilots' lounge, a happy pilot.