Our last mission, suppressing the Iraqi air defenses around Majnoon oilfield was incredibly effective. The paratroopers were able to take the field. However, the Iraqi’s were quick to respond. Now the field is surrounded by mechanized units, and the commandos are desperate for some CAS. As we are the closest available squadron, we will be performing that duty.



Briefing states that we will be directed by a FAC, Oscar 1. Nevertheless, I have found that good picture of the target area definitely improves my decision making during the mission.

On the map we see there are four Special Forces units on the ground, three to the northwest and on in the southern portion of the field itself. It looks like the majority of threats are clustered around the East-West section of the road.



Mavericks and CBU’s rule the day…



Pre-takeoff checks complete, I wait for the cat to launch.





Entering the channel, heading toward the IP, the flight fences in.



The SA page shows plenty of datalinked activity as Air Force F-15’s provide CAP for the operation.



Approaching the target area, I check in with JSTAR, but he has no targets for me. Weird. Perhaps there is a different radio command for FAC’s? Either way, I don’t spend much time researching this as I have visually acquired the road that runs along the river. It should continue, eventually finding itself just south of the oilfield. Using this landmark, it shouldn’t be much of a problem to pick our targets visually, even without the help of the FAC.



Even with my eyes peeled, the oilfield sneaks up on me. I slap the ordnance switches to CBU’s and pull inverted for a hurried run at the cluster of vehicles just barely visible south of the road.





Somehow I manage to perform a half-way decent drop, and even score a few hits, but I already realize that I am way behind the airplane, it’s time to pull off and re-group.



This time I put my sensors on the area, and in EXP2 mode I can clearly make out the field and the scattering of vehicles south of it. I start designating targets and sending in my flight members.



As I get closer I release my flight to destroy any targets of opportunity, and get busy finding targets a rippling my own mavericks. Calls of “Rifle, Rifle,” sing out over the radio.





Tanks and APC’s explode all over the target area.



But I’m not done yet, more missiles scream off the rails.







And moments later, I’m letting my last CBU’s fly as well.



Smoke and debris cover the area south of the road. Out of ordnance and close to BINGO fuel my flight forms up for the flight home.





On the way out we stop to refresh our thirsty bugs. MMM!! Sweeter than any nectar.



Still buzzing from our performance over the oilfields, I let my approach slide and find myself slightly low of glideslope as I call “Superhornet Ball, 3.2.”



Although I never got a wave-off, or even drifted into the red, I slam into the ramp and everything goes orange red and black. Is this the end of my virtual Navy career?

I've died because of less. Just hit "refly" and scratch it off as a bad dream the night before.

There is no "refly." :p

Sounds like you had a rampstrike bug.

Yeah, after reading all of the discussions about it in the JF18 threads, I should have known it was only a matter of time until this bug would show up. It is quite deflating to have that happen after a long mission though isn't it?

I picked up the "rampstrike be gone" fix from TSH. I'll try to resurrect my pilot the next chance I get. I'll have to call it a "narrow escape after a catostrophic operational failure." or something like that.

There isn't? Aww.

Nice AAR's!!!

Makes me miss Hornet 2.0!

Superb!

Damn shame you had to end that way... really enjoyed these!

We have a bug on a couple of airfields in BOBII that we are trying to chase down, which causes a similarly sour result. You fly and fight, are lucky enough to survive, land and taxi to hangar and wham...you hit the random 'invisible brick wall'. End of campaign.

At least in BOBII you can go back to an earlier game save...