Story 6
Lesson Learnt
by Danny
During an Extraction of a SEAL team mission, we were ordered to escort a Super Stallion. Everything started out pretty well. We were told that enemy opposition would be high so I was expecting a lot, but when we got to the extraction point there were about 8 APC and 2 or 3 AAA and SAM sites. My wingman and I made quick work of them and covered the extraction.
On the way out we noticed that there was another large force at the next waypoint. I started to intercept and just as I was about to launch rockets, an AAA unit started firing at me from behind a hill to my side. I knew it was too late cause I had only just noticed him on my ASE Threat display when he opened up on me and took out my left engine.
I started to jink to try to get away but he had too much of a bead on me. I managed to get into position before I went down but he got the Stallion. I killed him with my cannon and quickly went down. Both engines were fried and my wingman was right over me, I ordered him back to base so we wouldn't lose another Longbow.
After the mission I got a purple heart.
Even though the mission failed it was valuable - I learnt my lesson about looking what's behind a hill before you fly past them.
(Editor's Note: This is where TADS comes in handy while cruising - it has a 220
° field of view, instead of the FCR's 90° , allowing you to acquire targets not directly in your line of flight. The fact that it is coupled with the laser range finder also means that should you find yourself surprised by an enemy helicopter or AAA site you can put down accurate heavy cannon fire instantly.)
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