All,
It's 1615 on 26 July 1990 in the country of South Leon. We are with the Cuban Air Force's 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron, deployed to South Leon several months ago. So far there hasn't been much to do, just some routine Combat Air Patrol (CAP) and close air support missions every now and again for the grunts, but no air-to air engagements to date. The squadron, also known as "The Flying Boxcars," is led by Major "Viper" Culero, a former US Navy fighter pilot that earned himself four kills and the Estrella de Bronce (Bronze Star with 'V') during the Cuban War of Liberation. He normally keeps a two-ship CAP up, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but this morning he had bumped it up to four on account of a bunch of chatter about something major going on up North.
What the good Major then found out is that the Communist Army from Federation Socialiste Nationale de Leon (FSNL), South Leon's malignant neighbor to the north, launched an all out invasion of South Leon, and they are rapidly rolling towards that nations capital. Accompanying them is an all out blitz by FSNL's Air Force, and the Flying Boxcars are now involved in some of the most intense aerial action since WWII.
To kick off their offensive, the FSNL Air Force put 6 x MiG-21s in the air on a classic fighter sweep, looking to clear the skies for follow on strike aircraft, while the Cubans answered with four F-4 Phantoms of their own. The results were indecisive, with the Communists losing three MiGs and the Cubans losing two Phantoms.
The enemy returned to base and, several hours later, have launched a strike force with fighter escort. Major Culero sent two flights up to meet them. The Cuban fighter pilots did well, downing three MiG-21s and five Su-22s to only one lost Phantom, but they did allow one enemy bomber through. The Su-22 bombed the SLA HQ in the nation's capital, causing substantial damage (10/30.
This morning saw a helluva fight: Boxcar 12 rang up five victories in this fight, becoming an instant Ace, and bringing his total kill tally to seven (might just have us a future NBK, 7 kills in two fights). The young Cuban pilot was meritoriously promoted to Captain and awarded the Medal of Honor for his exploits. Despite Boxcar 12's, AKA Miguel "Mad Max" Cruces, heroics, the mission can't be called anything but a failure: two out of three Phantoms were shot down, another pilot, and hero, was killed in action, and the FSNL Air Force has nearly destroyed their third target of the campaign. Strictly speaking, it's not that clean cut: the Cubans lost two fighters while the Communists lost three fighters and two bombers.
Now it's the following afternoon, and the bad guys are keeping up the pressure. The Cubans scrambled two more flights to meet the next enemy strike force. Did I say two flights? I meant two fighters…
The Cubans (right) got'em right where they want'em…
"Boxcar 02, this is 03, you ready for this?"
"I kinda gotta real bad feeling about this one."
"Bandits, 12 o'clock low, tally ho!"
Boxcar 02 movin' on up, gettin' some. But let's not sugarcoat it, the fight went about how you'd expect, and Viper's definitely feeling the heat, but help is on the way. To see more pics, please check the blog at:
linkI'm playing and posting more as soon as I can, stay tuned.
V/R,
Jack
