On to the second mission for the harrier campaign! Things are getting a little harrierier...sorry.
Today's target are some fuel tanks at Hejef Airbase.
Generally in this game I know what the fuel tanks look like, however these were a bit different since it’s a mod. Man alive, I'd love some recon photos, however none are available. Ooooohhh goody. That is a loooong flight for a harrier. I may have to divert, but we’ll see what we can do with some 300 gallon fuel tanks on the wings.
We’ll be taking some snakeyes with us. Two bombs. Seems a bit of a stretch to send two harriers way out for a strike mission with just 2 bombs each, but I don’t question the orders.
RIP Donald Hitbrunner, you remind me of that soldier in Black Hawk Down. You barely had your chance to shine. Let’s see if my next wingman has better luck.
CHEVY Lead, ready for departure.
(So the trick to keep your wingman from diving into the ocean for unknown reasons is to hurry up and take off before him. If you take too long then he just takes off through your airplane, flies up and the nose dives in the ocean. Fun times.) Egressing to waypoint 2.
Coming up to feet dry with a wingman closing up on formation.
Looks like somebody is taking things seriously. This flight is headed to the same target I believe to wreck some things.
On the way I’m told to stay low (under 2000 ft) as my route takes me over hostile cities. My wingman and I are soon over a very hostile city and flak is shot up immediately. While at full speed bobbing and weaving, I failed to notice that my wingman broke off and never returned to my wing. That was the last I saw of him.
(After checking the logs it seemed he engaged the flak that was shooting at us. While he was able to actually kill one of the flak units, he later was hit himself and ended up KIA. It looks like I’m 0 for 2 wingman returning home alive. Not a good reputation to have.) While on route, I got word that enemy fighters were heading towards my position. Armed only with sidewinders, I was hoping that the eagles nearby would have my back.
Amazingly enough, they did! It was close though. The enemy fighters fired one missile at me that I just outran, but other than that it was smooth sailing to the target.
Inbound to target!
Very close to target. Dropping tanks.
Target in sight. Sadly, at first glance, I have no idea where the fuel tanks are. After the first pass I spot them, however this is an enemy airfield. The last thing I want to do is to make more than one pass. The mission is the fuel tanks, so I pull up and bank left to give me a good line up to drop my bombs.
I line it up and drop the bombs. Direct hit!
Target hit, mission accomplished. I took some hits from AAA in the wing, but my bird is still flying alright. Booking it out of there.
Heading home. At this point I’m debating diverting to another airfield or attempting to make it back to the assault ship.
I choose to head back to the assault ship.
(I would kill for some air to air refueling) Coming in for a landing. I literally only have one chance at this as my fuel is that low. At this point I think I’m at around 400 pounds of fuel. That is dangerously low.
After a VERY nerve racking approach and landing, I put it down center line nice and easy.
(Notice the damage to the left wing. Yay damage model!) 240 pounds left!!! Don’t try this at home kids!
In the end, mission accomplished!! However, I’m turning out to be an unlucky flight lead to be with as I lost another wingman due to him being distracted with AAA on the way to target.