Chapter 8: Third Deployment

Part 1: Preemptive Strike

June 26, 2030

The squadron was deployed at a front-line base 30 miles west of the capital city of Tehran. At 12:00, the pilots received a message over the PA system: "All VFA-115 pilots report to the briefing room at this time, repeat all VFA-115 pilots report to the briefing room at this time."

"Showtime, let's go." Jill said as she and the others got up to go to the briefing room. Once in the briefing room, they sat down and waited for the officer. "Attention!" the officer said as he entered the room. The pilots instantly stood at attention as the officer took his place at the podium. "As you were." the officer said as the pilots took their seats again. "OK, Intel just got the location of an enemy ICBM base located 15 miles south of the capital. We need to take out this base before it has a chance to launch its missiles.

An ABL aircraft will be on station to destroy any missiles that launch, but hopefully, they shouldn't need to. A Delta Force team will be deploying at the base to open up the missile silos so that you can drop your bombs and destroy the missiles. The missiles may automatically launch once the silos are open, so you need to act fast once those hatches open up. Your aircrafts' navigation computers are already programmed with the target coordinates. Any questions?" the officer said. The pilots looked at him as they responded, "No, sir!".

"Good, let's kick the tires and light the fires; dismissed." The officer said as the pilots got up. They went to put on their flight gear and headed out to their planes. Robert tested his aircraft's systems as the turbines began spooling up. He closed the canopy and strapped himself in as the turbines reached idle power. "Tower, Eagle Flight to taxi." Flyboy said as the other planes finished starting up.

"Eagle Flight, cleared to taxi, check altimeter, hold short of runway." The ATC responded. The pilots released their planes' parking brakes and began rolling down the taxiway towards the runway. The pilots lowered the flaps to takeoff position and switched the data shown on their primary displays.

"Tower, Eagle Flight for takeoff." Flyboy said as the planes reached the runway. "Eagle Flight, cleared for takeoff, altitude restrictions canceled, good luck." The ATC responded as the planes paired up and went into full afterburner for the takeoff run. The planes pulled up off of the runway as they reached takeoff speed.

The pilots raised their landing gear and followed the data on their navigation displays to the target area. They armed their weapons systems and closed in for the attack. Just then, a voice came on the radio, "This is Bravo 51, we've reached the silo control room, is the strike package here yet?" the voice said. That must be the Delta Force team! Good to know they made it in one piece! Robert thought as the squadron arrived at the missile base.

"Affirmative, the strike package has arrived, the operation has the green light, you got that, Eagle Flight?" AWACS replied.

"Eagle copies, beginning our run now." Flyboy replied. The pilots went into a hard climb and armed their JDAMs as the silos began to open up. "The silos are opening, hurry up and drop those bombs!" Bravo 51 said as the planes began their attack dive. "Eagle 1, one away!" Flyboy called out as he released his JDAM.

"Eagle 2, one away!" Robert called out as he dropped his bomb. "Eagle 3, one away!" Jesse called out as she dropped her JDAM. "Eagle 4, one away!" William called out as his JDAM dropped away. "Eagle 5, one away!" Rick called out as he dropped his bomb.

"Eagle 6, one away!" Jill called out as she dropped her JDAM. The pilots pulled out of their dive and watched as their bombs went into the silos, striking the missiles inside. "We have good hits, I say again, we have good hits!" Flyboy said as he watched the columns of fire shoot out of the silos.

"Roger, we're heading out now!" Bravo 51's lead said as they began to evacuate the missile base. A few minutes later, the pilots saw the Delta Force squad coming out of the base facility. "OK, friendlies are out, destroy the facilities!" AWACS ordered.

"Roger, committing against the targets now!" Flyboy replied as the planes began their attack run on the base facilities. "Eagle 1, one away!" Flyboy called out as he dropped a JDAM on the base's barracks. "Eagle 2, one away!" Robert called out as he dropped a JDAM on the base's fire control facility. Both bombs hit their marks, reducing their targets to rubble.

"All targets destroyed, good work, Eagle Flight!" AWACS said. The planes formed up and circled around as an MV-22 Osprey arrived to pick up the Delta Force team. "Eagles, your new orders are to escort the Osprey as it takes the squad home." AWACS said as the Osprey lifted off and began to transition to forward flight.

"Roger, we'll make sure they get home in one piece." Flyboy replied. The squadron formed up by the Osprey and got ready to intercept any incoming bandits at a moment's notice. "Eagles, we have contacts, bearing 300, 75 miles at angels 5, Tomcats, targets are hostile." AWACS said five minutes later.

"Roger, we'll handle the bandits, stand by and take out any that get through!" Flyboy ordered as he, Robert and Jesse split off to engage the enemy. They switched to their AMRAAMs and closed in. A minute later, they spotted six enemy Tomcats on their radar and locked on. "Eagle 1, fox three!" Flyboy called out as he fired a missile. "Eagle 2, fox three!" Robert called out as he fired two missiles.

"Eagle 3, fox three!" Jesse called out as she fired two of her missiles. The missiles hit the Tomcats, destroying them. "Eagle 1, splash one!" Flyboy called out as he confirmed his kill. "Eagle 2, splash one!" Robert called out as he watched the burning Tomcats go down. "Eagle 3, splash one!" Jesse called out as she watched the fireballs dissipate. The one remaining Tomcat fired an AIM-7 Sparrow missile at Robert's plane!

"Eagle 2, fox three!" he called out as he fired an AMRAAM and began evasive action. The much faster AMRAAM hit the Tomcat, causing the Sparrow to break its lock on Robert's plane. "Eagle 2, splash one!" Robert called out as he confirmed his kill. The planes went back into formation by the Osprey.

"Airspace sanitized, good work, return to base." AWACS ordered. The planes split off as another squadron formed up by the Osprey. Robert watched as Flyboy made a safe landing at the base. Robert circled around as watched Eagle 1 clear the runway. Robert later 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.

Part 2: Last Stand

September 15, 2030

American forces are massing for the final assault on the capital city of Tehran. According to intelligence reports, Iran's military leaders have supposedly hidden a nuclear warhead somewhere in the city. The objective of the assault was to locate the nuke and disarm it to prevent it from being detonated. The Eagles were tasked with providing air cover for the ground forces.

The planes were armed with ten AIM-120D AMRAAMs and 4 AIM-9X Sidewinders. The pilots got to their planes and carried out their pre-flight checks. The flightline echoed with the roar of jet engines as the F/A-18s' turbines spooled up. The planes paired up as they taxied to the runway for takeoff. "Tower, Eagle Flight for takeoff." Flyboy said over the radio to the control tower.

"Eagle Flight, cleared for takeoff, altitude restrictions cancelled, good luck on the mission." The controller replied as the planes lined up on the runway. The pilots applied full throttle and the planes roared down the runway as they picked up speed. The planes lifted off and turned towards the battle zone. The pilots raised the landing gear and armed the weapons. "Your orders are to destroy any aerial threats to the assault force. That nuke must NOT be set off, I say again, that nuke must NOT be set off." AWACS said as the squadron got close to the city.

Meanwhile, the assault force, which consisted of a huge group of Marine and Army M1A3 Abrams tanks, M1126 Stryker light armored assault vehicles, M2A2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, Humvees and self-propelled artillery units, was moving in on the city, stopping at nothing to insure that the nuclear device does not detonate.

A squad of Navy SEALs were deployed by helicopter to locate the nuke. Once located, a three Nuclear Emergency Search Teams (NEST) squads will be sent to carry out the disarmament of the device. The assault force was tasked with drawing off enemy fire so that the SEALs and the NEST teams can carry out their mission. In addition to the Eagles, the Jolly Rogers (VFA-103) will be providing air cover. Four companies of AH-64D Longbow Apache attack helicopters, and a squadron of F-35B Lightning II VSTOL fighters will take care of all ground threats.

The Eagles arrived in the battle zone five minutes later, just before the Jolly Rogers. The helicopters were approaching the city at low level, the F-35s coming up behind them. A mission commander was on hand to relay orders to the forces in the area. "All callsigns, this is Overlord, report in." the mission commander said.

"This is Motherbird 25, with SEAL Team 4, reporting in." The pilot of a MV-22 Osprey that carried the SEALs replied. "This is Eagle Flight, reporting in." Flyboy replied. "This is Pirate Flight, reporting in." The F-35 squadron's lead pilot responded. "This is Cutlass, reporting in." one of the tank commanders replied. The rest of the units reported in as they continued their advance.

There were plenty of BMP-2s and T-72 entering the area, along with groups of Mi-28 Havoc and Mi-17 Hip helicopters filled with enemy troops. As the fighters entered the area, Robert, now a junior-grade lieutenant, could see the characteristic smoke trail of FIM-92 Stinger MPADS missiles shooting into the sky at the enemy helicopters. The pilots armed their weapons and got ready for the assault.

Some of the enemy choppers were hit by the Stingers, and some more were hit by machine-gun fire from tanks and fixed emplacements, crashing into the streets below. "All flights, this is Guard Dog, no new picture at this time, conditions are as fragged," AWACS said as the planes overflew the area. "Let's get to it!" Flyboy ordered as the squadron split off to cover the skies.

"This is Motherbird 25, we're deploying the SEALs now." The Osprey pilot reported after landing in a local clearing. The SEALs team got out and began their search as other Ospreys deployed squads of Marines and Delta Force personnel. The M1A3s engaged the enemy BMP-2s with ease, and the Longbow Apaches began engaging enemy bunkers and turret positions. Five minutes into the battle, the fighter pilots received an alert. "All flights, we have multiple MiGs approaching the airspace, bearing 090, 60 miles at angels 5, recommend immediate intercept." AWACS reported.

The Eagles turned to the east to engage the bandits. Suddenly, the planes' RWRs began beeping as a barrage of missiles were fired at the Super Hornets. "MISSILES INBOUND, ALL UNITS EVADE!" Flyboy ordered as the planes began evasive action. Suddenly, Robert watched in horror as Flyboy's plane was hit by an R-27 Alamo air-to-air missile. Robert looked, but couldn't see any sign of a parachute. All he saw was the fireball that developed as the burning plane hit the ground.

Robert armed his weapons and prepared for battle. "Eagle 1 is down, I say again, Eagle 1 is down!" he said as he locked onto a MiG-35 that was approaching the airspace. There's no way he could have survived that blast! There's no denying it, he's KIA, just like Caleb! Looks like I'm going to have to take command! Robert thought as he got ready to take the shot. "Eagle 2, fox three!" he called out as he fired an AMRAAM. "Eagle 3, fox three!" Jesse called out as she fired her missile.

"Eagle 4, fox three!" William called out as his AMRAAM rolled off of its launch rail. "Eagle 5, fox three!" Rick called out as he fired two missiles. The missiles streaked ahead at mach 4 and the MiG-35s were unable to defend themselves in time. They were blown out of the sky, one by one. "Eagle 2, splash one!" Robert called out as he confirmed his latest kill. "Eagle 3, splash one!" Jesse called out as she watched her latest victim fall to the ground in flames. "Eagle 4, splash one!" William called out as his missile hit its target. "Eagle 5, splash one!" Rick called out as both his missiles hit their marks.

"All bandits down, good work Eagle Flight." AWACS said as the squad formed up on Robert's wing. "All callsigns, we have a situation." Overlord said five minutes later. "Roger, what is going on?" Robert asked. "SEAL team 4 has located a possible nuclear device at the capitol building, NEST teams are on their way to the location now. Until the warhead is confirmed to be safe, all forces are to fall back to the south." Overlord replied.

Suddenly, an Sa-7 Grail came up at an Apache, striking its tail rotor. "I'm hit, I'm hit, the tail rotor's out!" the pilot said. "Mayday, mayday, mayday, this is Delta 43, I'm going down!" the pilot continued as the Apache spiraled to the ground, crashing in a nearby street. A squad of Marines saw the crash and secured the area. "We have an Apache down, I say again, we have an Apache down!" the squad leader reported.

"This is Motherbird 25, we have a visual on the crash site. I see the pilots climbing out, request permission for a search and rescue." The Osprey pilot said. "Copy Motherbird 25, be advised you will NOT be at a safe distance in the event that warhead detonates, do you understand?" Overlord replied. "Roger that, we know the risk of being here." The pilot replied. "OK, Motherbird, it's your call, rescue those pilots of you can." Overlord replied.

Meanwhile, the Eagles, along with the other units, were heading south to the safe zone. All of the ground forces were also moving south to the pre-designated rally points in the estimated safe zone. The Eagles were scanning the area with their radar, but their screens came up blank. The enemy must be planning something big if they cleared out of their own airspace! Jill thought as they got to the area.

Meanwhile, the Osprey landed in a clearing near the wreckage of the downed Apache and a squad of Marines came out to escort the pilots from the crash site. They reached the wreckage and pulled the unconscious pilots out. They carried the pilots back to the Osprey, some of the Marines laying down suppression fire as they got on board. "Motherbird 25, this is command; we have a probable nuclear threat in the area, proceed to the rally point in the minimum safe distance until the NEST team gives the all clear.

The Marines got on board the Osprey, which lifted off and turned south towards the rally point. "Hang on everyone, we're getting out of here!" the Osprey pilot said. "All US forces be advised, we have a confirmed nuclear threat in the city; NEST teams are on site and beginning the disarmament process now, I say again, we have a confirm-" the message was cut off as a flash bright enough to blind a person instantly lit up the city. The last thing the Osprey crew saw was the developing mushroom cloud of the explosion before the shock wave hit, causing the Osprey to spiral out of control towards the ground.

Meanwhile, the Eagles pilots saw the explosion from the rally point. Oh no, there really was a nuke! Why would they destroy their own capital city? Robert thought as he watched the mushroom cloud grow in the distance. "We have confirmation that the nuclear device in the city has been detonated. As a result, some of the units in the assault forces were lost, and the capital has been destroyed. This operation is over, all units return to base." AWACS ordered as the planes returned to their bases.

The pilots rested in the pilots' lounge while thinking about the events of the last mission. "I can't believe that James is dead." Jesse said, referring to Flyboy. "Well…he was a natural-born pilot and a brilliant leader. We have survived many battles thanks to him, and now, it looks like the torch has been passed to you." Jill said to Robert. "Yeah…Looks that way." Robert replied. "Are you nervous about this?" William asked. "No, this won't be my first time, in the North Korea conflict, I led the squadron I flew with from the moment the war started; if I did it once then, I can do it again now." Robert replied, his confidence restored.

Meanwhile, Irma and Cornelia were watching TV at Irma and Robert's house when a breaking news segment came on. "We have breaking news from the front lines in Iran. Chaos has broken out after the Iranian government detonated what was later confirmed to be a nuclear device in the capital city of Tehran. Many Marines and soldiers were killed in the blast, and two Navy pilots went down, both confirmed dead." the report said.

The girls sat wide-eyed as they watched the news report. Please tell me that Robert isn't one of those pilots that were killed! Irma thought as the news report concluded. Tears welled up in Irma's eyes as she thought about the possibilities. "Irma…are you OK?" Cornelia asked. "Cornelia…they just said that two Navy pilots died. One of them could be Robert. I…I'm worried about him!" Irma replied as she burst into tears on Cornelia's shoulder.

"Hey, he's fine. He probably got out before the blast hit." Cornelia said as Irma cried on her shoulder. "I…I hope so, I would be nothing without him!" Irma replied. Twenty minutes later, Irma wiped away her tears and sat up. "It's getting late, I should get going." Cornelia said as she got up to go home. "Wait, don't go. I need someone to keep me company until I confirm that Robert is alive." Irma said. "You're right, I can't just leave you hanging." Cornelia replied as she turned around. Cornelia slept in the living room that night to keep Irma company.

Part 3: Final Homecoming

December 2, 2030

It was another typical day at the frontline base of operations of VFA-115 Eagles, of which Lieutenant Robert was the new flight lead. The pilots were relaxing in the pilots' lounge when they heard an announcement on the PA: "Attention all flight crew members, as of now the USS Ronald Reagan is preparing to set course for San Diego. All combat squadron crews stationed on the carrier prepare for departure." "OK, guys, let's go home." William said as they got up to get ready.

"Our wives are going to be happy about this." Robert said to Rick. "Yeah, they are." Rick replied. The pilots got into their flight gear and went to the flightline. Once they got to the flightline they made their way to their planes and began the pre-flight checks.

Robert climbed in and closed the canopy and fastened his harness before beginning the system checks. His comrades were climbing into their aircraft by the time Robert hit the starter switch. He finished the system checks while the twin F414-400 afterburning turbofans spooled up. When one engine was running, Robert got clearance to taxi and began to make his way to the runway.

By the time that the second engine was running, Robert had already lowered the flaps to takeoff position. "Tower, Eagle flight for takeoff." Robert said as they got to the runway. "Eagles, cleared for takeoff." The ATC said as Robert got onto the runway. Robert shoved the throttles forward and was pressed against the back of his seat as the aircraft began to accelerate.

After reaching 165 knots, Robert pulled back on the stick to raise the nose. The plane lifted off and Robert raised the landing gear and flaps before turning south to join up with the rest of the squadron. The planes flew over the ocean following the given coordinates and later reached the USS Ronald Reagan battle group.

Nearly a half-hour later, Robert turned into the approach corridor. He activated the ILS and lowered the flaps halfway, as well as the tail hook and the landing gear. "Strike, Eagle 1 to land." Robert said on the radio. "Eagle 1, this is Strike, cleared to land, descend and maintain angels 2, slow and maintain 150 knots, final bearing 280, switch Marshall." "Strike, Eagle 1 copies all." Robert responded. "Eagle 1, this is Marshall, mother is case 1, expect CV-1 approach." came the next message from the landing signal officer (LSO).

Robert reduced his airspeed to 150 knots by using his airbrakes. "Eagle 1, on course, on glideslope." came the update from the LSO. Robert made his approach, while keeping his rate of descent lower than 700 feet per minute. "Eagle 1, you're at three-quarters of a mile, call the ball." came the message from the LSO. "Eagle 1, roger ball." Robert responded. Robert braced for the jolt of the landing.

Twenty seconds later, the plane touched down on the deck and Robert felt the distinct jolt that indicated that the hook snagged a wire. "Trap, 3 wire, red deck." came the message from the LSO as the plane came to a stop. Robert raised the flaps and the tail hook and folded in the wings as he taxied to the parking area, following the directions of the handlers on the flight deck. The others landed on the deck over the next half-hour.

While on his next downtime, Robert walked out onto the flight deck to watch as the ships set off on course for home. I wonder if Irma heard about the nuke in Tehran? I hope she doesn't think that I got killed out there. he thought. He watched as the deck pitched and rolled in the heavy seas. Later that night, Robert went to sleep smiling; knowing that he would see his family in over a week.