Sadly during the last couple campaign mission attempts JF18 has been giving me terrible framerates. So much so that even launching off the carrier was next to impossible, for the sim moved at a slideshow pace. As a result of trying to fix that problem (turns out I left anti-aliasing on in Catalyst Control Center) I lost missions five and six. Apparently the campaign system does not allow a second chance at the mission if you exit early. Nevertheless, I have the graphical mis-calibration under control and I will continue with Mission 7. Hope you enjoy.

~Wingman1387

Recently the airstrip at Basrah has come under scrutiny by the boys higher up the ladder. They have decided that it is time to put an end to the Iraqi sorties flown from this base. My squadron has been tasked with eliminating this threat by putting the airport out of commission.




I load both my wingman and my airframes with mK 84R bombs and a FLIR pod for pinpoint identification at a longer range. The threat of SAMs and AAA is very real so I load 2 HARMS for each of us as well. The rest of the section (3 and 4) get HARMS and CBU’s and will be tasked with SEAD, while the division (5 – 8) will be pulling secondary SEAD and providing protection against air borne threats with their load out of Slammers and HARMs. This is the first mission that I have really attempted to carefully equip all of my flight with weapons that I can use strategically for different jobs. We shall see how well this planning actually pays off.




Soon we are on our way, climbing out over the Persian Gulf. The radio is already alive with calls of missile shots and defensive maneuvering.










As we near the coastline, I catch a glimpse of a Tomcat return from a CAP. He appears to be alone…no wingman….does that spell trouble for us?




Sure enough as we close on the IP, I find three suspicious returns on radar, and moments later receive hits on the RWR from what looks to be MiG 23’s.



I release the division to sanitize the airspace. As soon as I give the weapons free call, 5 and 6 call missiles off the rails.




The MiG’s distracted for the moment, I switch to the main objective, the airbase. I command 3 and 4 to go SEAD, while I concentrate on finding the runway. With just a touch of a slew on the FLIR pod it jumps into view.




I had already thought ahead enough to have programmed two alternate bomb release programs into the computer. I select the first, all four bombs rippled at 600 ft intervals, retarded, allowing a fast run down the deck. The amount of flak coming up proves that this option ideal.




As I near the runway, I duck, dodge, dip, and fly all manner of erratically, hoping that the golden BB doesn’t find me today. About a mile to go I settle, wings level, and double check I'm at mil power.




Somehow I make it down the chute unscathed, mash the pickle button and pull off as tremendous explosions throw chunks of concrete and dust into the air behind me.




It’s at this moment that I realize that I forgot to utilize number 2. He has dutifully followed me through the curtains of flak, and even stuck to my side as I flew my pass down the runway! Oops… should have told him to attack, or at least hold out of the way. Somehow though, we both make it through the gauntlet.

The extra set of eyes surely came in handy though, as during the pull off target, 2 started calling threats at close range. I wait only a microsecond, and then flip my radar to Auto Acquisition and search for a target. I know that no friendlies should be this low, and certainly not this close to the runway. I sent the division after the first group of bandits, and the section should still be busy handling the anti-aircraft threats. I have a solid tone on the sidewinder. I press the button and it streaks toward my target. I can’t tell if it’s tracking, so I launch a second as well.




2 calls out a good hit, but I’m too busy searching for other bandits to revel in my achievement. I command 2 to engage and watch my
back.

I catch a glimpse of an object streaking across my nose and roll hard to follow it.




Focusing on the nearer of the two bandits, I close the distance to gun range as the knife fight progresses into a vertical scissors. I’m close enough to see the elevator slamming back and forth as the MiG pilot yanks and banks all over the sky.




I finally manage to settle the piper, and squeeze off a half second burst. Pieces of metal fly every direction while black smoke pours out of the engine.




As I break away, I’m happy to hear 2 calling fox two on the MiG leader, the one I lost track of while attempting to place rounds on the trailing MiG.

My tunnel vision clears and it’s only when I look over my shoulder at the two burning aircraft wrecks do I realize that I am still over the runway. It is a miracle that the AAA hasn’t hit my aircraft. Although in this case the miracle may well be my well-trained section leader watching my reckless and target-fixated back.




I recall the troops and egress the area. We stop to tank up before heading for home.






Nearing the Lincoln, I allow myself to take priority and settle into the grove, number 1 to land.







Safe at home.




After action analysis of the gun camera footage reveals that I bagged two MiG 23’s bringing my total kills to 7. I am also credited with the destruction of the runway. Furthermore 2 claimed a kill, as did 6 and 7. 3 stole the SEAD show with 3 SAMS and 3 AAA guns. Needless to say, 5 air to air kills and the complete disruption of the Basrah airbase with no losses is a very worthy accomplishment. I truly believe that the careful prior planning and successful utilization of my flight was the key to this success. I’m almost starting to believe that I deserve the title of flight leader. Almost. I still made some bad decisions, like pursuing those MiG’s back over the airbase. If the section had not done such a great job of clearing the air defenses, I could have easily joined those two MiG’s as a smoking hole in the ground.

Great AAR. Never played Jane's FA-18, but did spend some time in their earlier F-15. Brings back memories.

It’s been determined that Iraq’s vast oil fields are vitally important to the eventual re-building of the country and the ongoing cost of further operations in the area. It is suspected that as the Iraqi troops retreat they will attempt to light fire to the wells. Our mission today will be to cover the drop of a group of British commandos. They will be parachuting into the Majnoon oilfield, attempting to secure it.

We will be flying SEAD for the drop. Our job is to see the C5’s safely to the DZ, and out of the area. HQ has designated all the AAA sites, and SA-13 units as primary targets.



I spend some time perusing the planning map, and mark the potential SA-13 sites. They are at the bottom left and right in this picture, southeast of the oil field. I plan to take them out first in our initial pass; then we will return to mop up any AA guns we find.



Loadouts for today consist of 2 HARM’s for the SAM’s, FLIR and Mavericks to perform pinpoint attacks, and MK20 CBU’s to clean up whatever is left.



Finally in the cockpit, all systems green, brakes released, I signal the CAT officer and prepare for launch.



And away we go!



The flight forms up as the sun dips lower on the horizon, painting the sky in pinks and purples.



As we head toward the coast, and our objectives, I take a moment to set up my weapon systems and bombing programs.



As we near our rendezvous with the tanker, I spot two smudges at 12 o’clock level. They resolve into two behemoths, C5’s. There’s our package. I can’t ever get over how big these monsters are.





They continue on while we stop to pick up some go-juice.



After filling up we fence in, and begin cuing up our targeting systems as we make the turn toward the oil fields.



Approximately 35 nm, 12 o’clock, I pick up radar returns that must be the field.



I give the order for the flight to engage the pre-briefed SA-13’s, while I start searching for AA guns with my FLIR. I find a few suspicious contacts but cannot quite identify them at this range.



My concentration is interrupted by several beeps from the RWR. An SA-13 has come online. I waste no time switching to HARMS and launching. MAGNUM, MAGNUM!!





Two tiny explosions appear at 10 o’clock low, and seconds later the sky is ripped apart by green tracers. I guess that got their attention.



I don’t need the FLIR anymore to find the guns. I clear the entire flight to engage targets of opportunity while I switch to CBU’s and roll in on the nearest group of AAA.





CBU’s gone I clear the area and look back at the storm of enemy flak.



Back in standoff range, I slowly pick off each remaining gun with FLIR and Mavericks. I order my flight to do the same.





About a minute later, several members of the flight call Winchester. Looking at the field I see one lonely gun continuing to defiantly spread lead across the sky.



With an air of finality, I lock him with the FLIR and send my last Maverick on its way. RIFLE.







The oilfields fall quiet, and not a moment too soon. Right, 2 o’clock I spot our British friends.



They perform a successful drop and exit the area.



After seeing them safely out of harm’s way, we do the same.





Finally it’s back to the ship for some late evening traps.





Mission accomplished. The commandos are safe on the ground!



Post mission analysis shows that we cleaned up every anti-air defense in the area with no losses or damage.



This was one of the first missions where I felt that I was part of a much bigger plan, especially after reading this post-mission
debriefing… I was actually somewhat elated that I did my part to move the war closer to an end.