YANKEE AIR PIRATE 17 - Misty 31 Feet Wet - Part Two

680413 Misty 31 Feet Wet

YANKEE AIR PIRATE - AAR

"We re-enter the story. This time strapping on a Marine F-4J as the afternoon wears on."

13th April 1968 - 17:00
F-4J, Hammer.

We heard about these guys in the water, an F-4 driver and his RIO, floating near the coast now for nearly three hours! Aircraft are being diverted to their position. Numerous planes have been flying guard-duty and apparently driven off several concerted attempts by 'Charlie' to reach our men. Now it's our turn, and it's getting dark.

I check our inventory, LAU-61B Rockets, lots of 'em, no gun of course, two-Sparrows, four-Heaters, yeah dream on, I don't think we will see any Migs around here today, Quang Khe Ferry is stretching their range.

I see Misty is back, this is the crew that saw the incident and know the position of the downed pilots. Apparently they have a new ride, as their first one got shot up pretty badly earlier this afternoon. The Fast-FAC is orbiting the rescue site and occasionally swoops in to take a look at something or mark a target.

Me and Hammer-Two are not geared up for a full-on ground assault, we just have the rockets, so we shall stay frosty and primarily, keep the water around our guys clear of bandits.

Arriving at the zone with my nose pressed to the glass and eyes watering with the strain (the responsibilty is fearful), I see the wake of a big old junk-boat, making a beeline for one of our rafts! I dive in on the target and let loose the rockets!

They sure are spectacular! (Unfortunately, the Phantom is a good deal larger and faster than the Scooters I have become used to!) I overshoot and we are damned lucky not to catch a bellyful of tracer as we zoom overhead. Well, he ain't firing back! That's lucky! He is still too close to our guys and therefore must be dissuaded! I order in Hammer-Two and break around for a cross-pass.

Thirty seconds later, as Twos rockets also pass harmlessly above the stern of the determined junk-boat, my remaining rockets slam into it broadside!

That's it! As we drive for DaNang the Jolly passes underneath us, I think they are going to make it!

Oh yeah, one more important note; we land at DaNang without a scratch! Makes a nice change!

Misty told the Marine Phantom pilot to hurry because a sampan had almost reached the downed pilot and was going to capture him. The Marine answered "Not on my watch, he ain't." and the proceeded fire so close that Misty thought he had hit the boat with his airplane. The sampan was vaporized.

They didn't get his name.

Nice job, beautiful screenies.

Thanks.

If I was a better shot I could have done it right, the way it should have happened! There would have been no warning shot!