Tensions are on the rise between Russia and the United States. The U.S. supports the Ukraine's claim that Russian aircraft are violating Ukrainian sovereignty by flying over the Ukraine. The United States has promised to back Ukrainian sovereignty with their military forces, and the USS Eisenhower group is showing signs of increased flight operations.
Nonetheless, our operation to seize the coastal airbases at Odesa and Kherson have so far gone unhindered. You arrive at the captured airbase at Odesa only hours after it is secured, and find several MiG-27s and a modest cache of the latest AAMs. To everyone's surprise, one hangar is opened to reveal a brand new Su-33 Flanker-D.
While everyone is marveling at the new Flanker, the senior base commander pulls you aside. "Comrade, this plane, you can fly it?"
"Of course, sir," you reply, "I was one of the first test pilots in the Su-33 research program."
"Very good. In that case I want your men to prepare it for use immediately. The MiG-27s were not maintained too well, and the crews will need some time to work on them. We have asked Moscow for additional supplies, and the transports should be arriving soon, along with the MiG-29s your group requires."
"You have reason to believe the Ukrainians or the Americans will attack?" you ask.
"Tensions are high, Comrade. There is no telling what the Americans will do. The Ukrainians I am not so worried about, but I would rather err on the safe side..."
You realize that the commander has not been briefed on last night's incident at Sevastopol, and your own involvement. Nonetheless, you think, he certainly has not underestimated the Americans. "I certainly agree, sir. We will be ready within 20 minutes."
"Good. I want you to stay near the base and keep an eye on the American Carrier Group. If the Eisenhower, or 'Ike' as they like to call it, launches any interceptor aircraft with hostile intentions I want you to give them a warm reception. Maybe we will surprise them with our new toy..."
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YOUR MISSION
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A flight of transports will be coming into Odesa, escort fighters will accompany the flight. Your patrol area is around the Odesa airbase.
Objective: CAP - Make sure the transports arrive at Odesa safely.
Rules of Engagement: The Eisenhower Group is within Ukrainian territorial waters, and is conducting flight operations. This is a clear violation of CIS sovereignty, but to avoid escalating the situation, do not engage unidentified aircraft unless they approach the coastline. Try to discourage any intruders by locking on with your missiles. Do not fire unless they do not change course or unless you or another Russian aircraft is fired upon.
AIR OPPOSITION : possible American F-14s, Ukraine MiG-27s
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C.I.S. Frontal Aviation Fighters
Mission 3:
SUPPLIES, SUPPLIES, SURPRISE
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MISSION SUCCESS
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As you climb out of the Flanker, the base commander strides over triumphantly.
"You did very well, comrade! The supply transports all landed safely thanks to your quick reaction. The audacity of those Americans, to send their Tomcats after our transports!"
"Their blasted Phoenix missiles nearly did us in. And now that they know what we have here, their attack planes will not be long in finding us."
"Ah, but we will be ready for them, now that our MiG-29s have arrived. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to call in my report to Moscow..."
As he walks back towards the tower building, you silently reflect, why is it that men like the CO are left in the dark about important things like the American attack on Sevastopol? If he knew the Americans were so bold, he would definitely have increased air defenses. Fortunately the CO is a prudent man, cautious despite his lack of information. But you decide to mention it in the daily report to Maraklov, and recommend briefing the CO on the Sevastopol incident. Moscow would probably think he didn't have the need to know. Maraklov, on the other hand, would probably agree with you. It was always important to keep an eye on the big picture. Couldn't Moscow see that?
You shake your head and step aside for the crewmen waiting to service the Sukhoi-33.
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C.I.S. Frontal Aviation Fighters
Mission 3:
SUPPLIES, SUPPLIES, SURPRISE
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MISSION FAILED
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arrrgh.
Comrade, your duty was to observe the Americans closely. Surely you did not miss their missile launches? Did you think they were expending their precious million dollar Phoenixes for practice? Or at seagulls, perhaps?
If you see them firing at our transports, you should immediately engage.
