Since I dropped my dead-is-dead here is the 2nd attempt at above failure, now with pictures. smile

Briefing:

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Clearly states there is a SA-6 nearby - my fault for not reading it first time.
Obviously, one has to be an active pilot reading, and understanding, the information given and preferrably edit the steerpoints in given flight plan.
I have to admit I way to often skip these rather important steps.


RAMP start

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Waiting for ALIGN to blink along with Serpent 1 going somewhere with 6xAGM-65D and a handful of British Tornado F2's (none of them in my package)

Have lots of pictures from the ATC releasing us one-flight-by-one but trying to keep this compact you only get to see me leaving "Gioia Del Colle"

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Fence In and arranging all basics I trigger the DLink to see if my Hornets are on time, and they show up just fine in green on the HSD:

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Keeping the speed caret reasonably under control I should keep my Escort well in range should any bad guys approach us.


Getting closer to the coast I check for the avarage situation asking AWACS for a "Requst Picture".

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As expected I get a "Picture Clear" in return.
Clearly we have the sky under control but I would not call it air-superiority yet, far from it as the SAM threat is still significant.


Reaching the coast passing the very airbase my previous mission had as target area chasing the last AAA assets:

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There are 2 blue airmobile units south of the airbase making me keep a strict north of base only targets during that mission and as you can see on my right MFD the HAD still show their search radar and one AAA tracking radar - more job to be done here but I am waiting to see if those two air mobile units are going to eliminate these assets for me or not.


Check that RWR:

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One difficult thing in Balkans is that we have friendly MiG-21's
Makes me very very nervous each time I meet them.
I am calling AWACS but getting that "all is good dude, keep sailing" I just cannot get rid of the feeling they might have missed that 21 despite their big black all-seeing-eye radome.


Anyhow, keep trucking on I get these AAA tracking radars locking me up:

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But just a brief jammer in operating mode usually drops them off and if not so it seems to keep them from shooting, all calm at angels 25. Always something to do while playing the instrument-chess cruising at altitude.


Getting closer to target area you can see that SA-2 I was talking about:

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I guess, should he fire at us it should be good enough to just extend from him for a few miles and should not pose a big problem, right?


Mission main target:

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Locking up that AAA search radar and releasing my wingman on it trying to keep my HARM's available for extra targets.
Just later the AAA tracking radar woke up too and I gave my wingman that target too making him out of 88's and placing him in position for taking on any aerial threats should they show up.


Enter the Arena we have that darn SA-6 again. All red from the very start!

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I mean, really - they used to start off in yellow search before.
within seconds he launched missiles at me like a mad man.

Locking him up and breaking hard left into his position I am trying to
1. disable the autopilot (should have long ago, my mistake)
2. get a view of the missiles and
3. pressing print screen

all at the very same time.



Let me assure you this did not end well, again.


Debrief:

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What you see says all.
Another disaster.

I will fly this one more time with no picture-taking whatsoever and hopfully be able to continue this horrible horrible campaign soon after.

/deadOden
(pun intended)