In the eyes of the rest of the world, the Ukraine conflict is over. But for you, Captain Lee of the U.S. Army, pilot of an A-10 Warthog, the war goes on.
Military satellite intelligence has discovered a Russian airbase hidden in the Ukraine that has largely remained unscathed during the war.
Apparently the Commander In Chief of the Western Theater is there, and has no intention of peacefully leaving the base despite Russia's withdrawal everywhere else in the Ukraine.
Now that U.S. forces have control of the Odesa airbase, you and your A-10 are stationed there while things settle down.
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MISSION OBJECTIVE
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Odessa Airbase Briefing Room
You walk into the brief room in your flight suit, and the base commander and an Air Force intelligence officer look up from the maps.
"Good morning, Captain Lee, looks like today's the day. Our ground forces are rolling into that airbase. A recon plane photo from last night showed a An-74 Coaler transport getting fueled."
"Our guess is that CINC West got wind of our plans to move in on him today, and he's prepping that plane for a quick getaway."
"Which means that we want to get him before he gets away. That's where you come in. We want you to go in and nail that plane before he gets a chance to run. If he can't get away then our troops'll have him for breakfast."
"You will also be providing CAS for the ground forces moving in. Our tanks will be moving in quick, so help out if you can."
You nod with approval. "What am I up against?"
"Well, we know that there's at least one battery of SA-6 at the base, plus God knows how many hand-held SAMs... Recon showed a couple of MiG-21s and at least one MiG-29 Fulcrum on the ground."
"Then I'm gonna need help on this one, sir."
"Hmmn. Our pilots are kinda stretched thin right now... ok, I can give you one F-15C Eagle for cover."
"Just one? What am I supposed to do, scare away the MiGs with harsh language?"
"Look, that's all we got, ok? He's a good pilot, callsign "Cornflake". A little wet behind the ears, but top of his class and he'll do what you tell him to. Alright?"
"Ok, it'll have to do. We'll see if he's as good as you say."
Half an hour later, you're up in the air in your Warthog and you meet up with "Cornflake", who's been flying CAP over the base.
"Red One, tally ho, forming on your wing." Jesus, he sounds like he's fresh from the academy, can't be much more than 19!
"Red Two... your name 'Cornflake'?"
"Yes sir, it was my favorite cereal at the academy." Oh brother...
"Ok then, stay low and keep your eyes open. If that Coaler takes off we don't want him getting away."
"You got it sir. I'm right with you all the way."
"Ok then, let's get down to business, master arm on. Good light."
"Good light." In unison your two aircraft turn north toward the objective...
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ORDER OF BATTLE
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Force Size : 2
Aircraft: A-10 Thunderbolt II
Recommended weapons : GAU ammo and 12 Mavericks (default)
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THREAT DATA
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GROUND THREATS : SA-6, SA-7, possible AAA
AIR OPPOSITION : MiG-29, MiG-21
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MISSION SUCCESS
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Back at the base, you and Cornflake have made a name for yourselves. The tank guys promise you all the beer you can drink when they get back to Odessa.
did you like this mission? too hard or too easy? send feedback to pmok@aol.com.
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MISSION FAILURE
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Not much left to say, is there? Try it again.
Cornflake is better suited for handling the MiGs than you are, so send him off to attack them while you make the ground runs. Watch out for the 2S6, it's a damn good shot.
If you can't catch the Coaler before it takes off order Cornflake to smoke him.
You can stick around to enjoy the ground battle or help out, but you can bug out for home once the Coaler is gone.
