miles.
I concur. How do you think CINCLANT will respond? the admiral asked.
Order us to fire a warning shot. Shoot a missile in front of the lead bomber at fifty nautical miles, and, if they don't break off by thirty, to blow their asses out of the sky, Linnemeyer responded in a dry, matter-of-fact statement, void of any emotion.
I hope so. We simply can not, should not, knuckle under to those arrogant bastards. Alert CIC, the admiral directed as he reached for the phone to send an instant Flash Message to his superiors.
The Russian Tu-26 Backfire bombers continued to turn into the carrier slowly, a degree at a time. The tension was beginning to have an impact in the cockpits of Gunfighter One and Two.
If the Soviet bombers, or their escort fighters, made any overt move, the Fox-Fourteen jockeys had no recourse. They had to wait for confirmation to destroy the invading aircraft, and, as the pilots knew, the order to kill could arrive too late.
This was not a routine, unescorted, flyover by a lone Bear bomber.
This was an entirely new approach. A potential disaster in need of revised rules.
Gunfighter One was experiencing difficulty maintaining position on the Russian bombers. The flight of eight aircraft, bouncing around in turbulent air, had descended through a dense cloud cover. The weather conditions made formation flying difficult.
Let's spread out a little, Karns radioed.
Two, replied Hershberger, as he drifted back another twenty yards behind the Migs.
They're closing on our landing platform, Karns said to his RIO, and I don't like it.
I read you, responded Bonicelli. That water looks colder every time I think about this gaggle.
The backseater looked closely at the Russian bomber. Let's move in a little closer and I'll 'moon' the bastards.
Right, Karns replied with a laugh. Why don't you snap a few photos for our State Department people. This should be a real icebreaker on the cocktail circuit.
Karns gently banked his Tomcat into the Soviet aircraft as Bonicelli shot a dozen pictures of the menacing warplanes approaching the American battle group.
Mckenna turned to the Ike's skipper. Greg, who is the pilot in Gunfighter One?
Lieutenant Commander Doug Karns, sir. One of our best pilots and very experienced. He is the XO of One-forty-two and a fighter weapons grad, replied Linnemeyer.
Very good, Admiral Mckenna responded. A Top Gun alumnus from the Ghost riders.
We may have to place him in an awkward position, Greg, the admiral continued as he glanced down at the activity on the busy flight deck.
' Comrade Colonel, now is the time to execute our penetration of the American fleet, Major Vladyka urged from the cramped seat behind the command pilot.
Yes, I agree, Fulvio Fedorovich, Colonel Torgovnik replied tentatively. We are inside one hundred kilometers from the carrier battle group. We must commit if this operation is to be successful.
Torgovnik tried to sound and appear very much the party man and professional soldier to the political officer seated next to his ear, but the command pilot was confused about the sudden change in Soviet military doctrine. Kremlin policy, under glasnost and perestroika, asserted that military posture would be defensive in character.
Force levels had been maintained at a reasonable sufficiency.
Why, Torgovnik thought, after the shocking change in party leadership, were they probing the Americans? Was it simply pokazuka, confronting U.S. forces for show?
The Soviet bomber pilot looked at his solemn copilot, then keyed his microphone. Prepare to alter course.
As Karns concentrated on maintaining position on the Soviet bombers.
Animals One and Two, the Ready Two CAP, joined on Hershberger's F14D:
Gunfighter lead. Animal Flight is aboard and the Texaco is airborne, two-three-zero for one-ten, angels two-six. We have a full bag. Looks like you have 'em cornered, Capt.
Vince Cangemi, United States Marine Corps, checked in with Karns .
Cangemi, an exchange pilot, was
I concur. How do you think CINCLANT will respond? the admiral asked.
Order us to fire a warning shot. Shoot a missile in front of the lead bomber at fifty nautical miles, and, if they don't break off by thirty, to blow their asses out of the sky, Linnemeyer responded in a dry, matter-of-fact statement, void of any emotion.
I hope so. We simply can not, should not, knuckle under to those arrogant bastards. Alert CIC, the admiral directed as he reached for the phone to send an instant Flash Message to his superiors.
The Russian Tu-26 Backfire bombers continued to turn into the carrier slowly, a degree at a time. The tension was beginning to have an impact in the cockpits of Gunfighter One and Two.
If the Soviet bombers, or their escort fighters, made any overt move, the Fox-Fourteen jockeys had no recourse. They had to wait for confirmation to destroy the invading aircraft, and, as the pilots knew, the order to kill could arrive too late.
This was not a routine, unescorted, flyover by a lone Bear bomber.
This was an entirely new approach. A potential disaster in need of revised rules.
Gunfighter One was experiencing difficulty maintaining position on the Russian bombers. The flight of eight aircraft, bouncing around in turbulent air, had descended through a dense cloud cover. The weather conditions made formation flying difficult.
Let's spread out a little, Karns radioed.
Two, replied Hershberger, as he drifted back another twenty yards behind the Migs.
They're closing on our landing platform, Karns said to his RIO, and I don't like it.
I read you, responded Bonicelli. That water looks colder every time I think about this gaggle.
The backseater looked closely at the Russian bomber. Let's move in a little closer and I'll 'moon' the bastards.
Right, Karns replied with a laugh. Why don't you snap a few photos for our State Department people. This should be a real icebreaker on the cocktail circuit.
Karns gently banked his Tomcat into the Soviet aircraft as Bonicelli shot a dozen pictures of the menacing warplanes approaching the American battle group.
Mckenna turned to the Ike's skipper. Greg, who is the pilot in Gunfighter One?
Lieutenant Commander Doug Karns, sir. One of our best pilots and very experienced. He is the XO of One-forty-two and a fighter weapons grad, replied Linnemeyer.
Very good, Admiral Mckenna responded. A Top Gun alumnus from the Ghost riders.
We may have to place him in an awkward position, Greg, the admiral continued as he glanced down at the activity on the busy flight deck.
' Comrade Colonel, now is the time to execute our penetration of the American fleet, Major Vladyka urged from the cramped seat behind the command pilot.
Yes, I agree, Fulvio Fedorovich, Colonel Torgovnik replied tentatively. We are inside one hundred kilometers from the carrier battle group. We must commit if this operation is to be successful.
Torgovnik tried to sound and appear very much the party man and professional soldier to the political officer seated next to his ear, but the command pilot was confused about the sudden change in Soviet military doctrine. Kremlin policy, under glasnost and perestroika, asserted that military posture would be defensive in character.
Force levels had been maintained at a reasonable sufficiency.
Why, Torgovnik thought, after the shocking change in party leadership, were they probing the Americans? Was it simply pokazuka, confronting U.S. forces for show?
The Soviet bomber pilot looked at his solemn copilot, then keyed his microphone. Prepare to alter course.
As Karns concentrated on maintaining position on the Soviet bombers.
Animals One and Two, the Ready Two CAP, joined on Hershberger's F14D:
Gunfighter lead. Animal Flight is aboard and the Texaco is airborne, two-three-zero for one-ten, angels two-six. We have a full bag. Looks like you have 'em cornered, Capt.
Vince Cangemi, United States Marine Corps, checked in with Karns .
Cangemi, an exchange pilot, was
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