S3 Series

Orders were to delay til T+10 then hit shipping and port targets at 179 & 181.
Our numbers were a bit light tonight as our group consisted of Gums, Gundoc, Darryl, Milton, Muskyz & myself.
Launched with airstart so our wingmen were right there with us. Bombr & his group (4th) were right there with us and stuck to us all the way there.

We detoured a bit west and did several u-turns to time our arrival behind the AI bombers. Eventually made it to target and had several con calls from our gunners. 4th kept them off us and we hit ships in the harbor as best we could. Across the bay to 181 then reversed back and felt clear enough to dive down to strafe & rocket. not sure who got what but I believe there were only 5 ships left out of 24 or so. Group returned to base staggered and all over the place, some stayed around and hit more targets. I believe we lost 2 or 3 pilots killed (switched to wingmen). Long return flight made 2nd mission doubtful. We changed airfields and returned to the northern most option at f194 and re-upped again to try and get back before T+160. F194 did not have an air start so our wingmen ended up in the water and on the ground. We tried to get them moving which they did some but all of mine ended up sitting on the ground or in the water. Gundoc & I made it about 15 miles from target when T+160 was called, we turned and headed home... both switched to grounded wingmen and exited our planes. Wish we could have gotten a second sortie in but the distances in this terrain make LONG boring flights that don't give you time to even maneuver. We discussed just ditching our planes and using our second lives but felt that was against the spirit of the S3s.

Big thanks to our ever present escort, 4th stuck with us through all our crazy maneuvering etc... Losses we incurred were due to individuals being away from the group for the most part. Thanks also to 23rd & AE for knocking down the numbers before we got into the target area.

Salute!

Good summary, and really great little friend support all night.

My feelings are that the 4th could escort the few human buffs next two frames.

As my old squad motto from another life and war stated it:

When you care enuf to send the very best....

Gums sends...

Good job guys!

Crommm
American Eagles