his assigned position. The “loose deuce” formation preferred by American
aviators deployed each pair of F-14s into an “eyeball” and a “shooter.”
Powers would move a mile above and a mile and a half ahead of Coyote’s Tomcat,
where he would act as a spotter during the critical opening moments of the
engagement.
He hoped the kid was up to it. If Powers made another mistake like the
one in the Bear encounter, he could land his wingman in serious trouble. And
Grant still wasn’t sure if Stramaglia, whose Tomcat was now falling behind
201, could be relied on. CAG’s sluggish reactions were worrying him.
“Two-eight miles to the closest bogie,” John-Boy reported. “They’re
still maintaining course and speed. Angels eight now.”
“Launch! Launch! Two-one-one has visual on Flanker launch!” Powers was
shouting. He sounded on the ragged edge of panic.
“Confirmed! Confirm two missiles launched!” Cavanaugh, his RIO, was
calmer. “Two-one-one, two-five miles.”
“Let’s get in there and mix it up, Vipers!” Coyote said. He pushed the
throttles up to Zone-Five afterburner and felt the G-forces pressing him back
into his seat.
The American planes had been loaded out for long-range interception, with
four Phoenix and two Sidewinder missiles apiece. Now that the Phoenixes were
gone, they no longer had a long-range attack option to match the Soviet AA-10
Alamo, a radar-guided missile similar in performance to the U.S. Sparrow.
That meant that the Americans would have to press to close range if they were
to put up any kind of fight at all.
Meanwhile they’d be running the gauntlet.
0936 hours Zulu (0936 hours Zone)
Fulcrum Lead, Escort Mission Svimpyy
Northwest of the Faeroe Islands
“Hold launches! Hold launches!” Terekhov shouted into the radio. “Make
your missiles count, you stupid peasant!”
He hadn’t realized how much on edge he was until the words were out. The
pilot of the lead Su-27 had let loose two long-range radar-guided missiles,
probably without even attempting to get a lock on any of the Americans. Even
among the carrier-based elite of Soviet Naval Aviation there was a tendency to
let sheer volume of fire replace accuracy.
Terekhov wasn’t going to tolerate that today. They would make every shot
count.
“Svirepyy aircraft, spread out and prepare to engage,” he ordered,
keeping tighter control over his voice this time. “Pick your targets and
bring them down For the Rodina!”
He was gratified to hear the answering calls of “The Rodina!” from the
rest of his command. With this force, he would sweep the skies clear of the
American flyers.
0937 hours Zulu (0937 hours Zone)
Tomcat 211
Northwest of the Faeroe Islands
The threat light on his instrument panel blazed, and Powers felt his
blood run cold. “They got lock on me!” he shouted. “Coyote! They’re locking
on!”
It was as if all his training and practice counted for nothing. All he
could do was stare at the threat indicator. He was going to die.
“Missile launch! Missile launch!” Cavanaugh reported from the backseat.
“Multiple launches. Looks like there’s one … two … no, four headed our
way. Better run for it, kid.”
He heard the words, but they didn’t mean anything. Powers tried to focus
on the voice, tried to figure out what the RIO was trying to tell him.
“Come on, kid!” he heard Cavanaugh’s voice, loud and angry, over the
ICS, but it sounded distant, remote. “Damn it, Tyrone, do something! Do
something!”
Powers shook his head, trying to get a grip on himself. All at once he
was able to react again. He pulled back on the stick and rammed the throttles
forward. The sudden acceleration was like a giant fist against his chest.
“Hit the chaff, Ears,” he gasped, but Cavanaugh was silent now. The RIO had
passed out from the G-force.
One sluggish hand groped for the chaff-dispenser switch, found it. The
launcher rattled once, twice as the Tomcat continued its high-speed climb.
Blood pounded in his ears, and a red haze obscured his vision.
0938 hours Zulu (0938 hours Zone)
Tomcat 201
Northwest of the Faeroe Islands
“Hold on, kid,” Coyote grated. “Hold on.”
The panicky voice of the young Tomcat pilot seemed to echo in his ears,