DCS: F-15C - First blood - Training flight gone wrong.

This mission was similar to our last mission.  We had planned on practicing formation flying and brevity, etc.  However, this time we decided to patrol very close to the border.


Our flight (Enigma as flight lead, myself as #2) took off and climbed to 20,000 feet while trying to keep a speed of 350knots.

 We performed some more formation practice.  Everything was going pretty normal at this point.  We eventually made a turn that put us parallel with the Georgian/Russian border.

 Over the radio, we heard a friendly F-16C in a fight for it's life.  Our RWR showed it as a MiG-29 or Su-27.  We decided to turn north, head up to 35,000 feet, and see if we could assist our fellow fighter.  As you can see on the radar picture below, the friendly F-16C is on the left side, while the enemy is jamming our radar so we didn't know what it was yet.  Over on the right side, there was a slow moving bogey at 6k feet.

 For a moment it looked the the F-16C was taking care of business.

 However, the F-16C decided to get the hell out of dodge.  Maybe it was out of weapons, or just needed to get to safety.

 As we continued toward the engagement area, my radar suddently picked up the Su-27 at 34,000 feet.  I wasn't expecting it that high.  I looked very hard in the distance and did finally notice the contrails.  The Su-27 was only 20nmi away!  Immediately I had missile inbound warning.  I'm not sure if Enigma had him locked or not at this point, so I had to make a quick decision to fire back or turn immediatly to avoid the enemy missile.

 Su-27 firing at my F-15C.

 I decided to lock him up and fire.  This was going to be close.  At this point flight lead had him locked as well, and shortly after fired at the Su-27.

 As I made my turn to evade the missile, I glanced over and saw my flight leads Eagle getting ready to launch a AIM-7 Sparrow missile.

 The enemy Su-27 did a quick turn and dive to avoid our fire.  You can see our contrails in the distance.  My contrail is on the right side, and you can see I've already made 90 degree turn and getting the hell out of dodge!

 With the missile still incoming, I started pumping out flares and chaff.  This will be very close!

 A moment later, my F-15C was struck by the enemies missile.  Shit!  No chance to eject, as the missile fragments must have breached the cockpit and killed me.  Ouch.

 Another view of my F-15C after getting hit by a missile.

Unfortunately, our missiles missed the Su-27.  But they did send him running away fast and hard.   Enigma gave chase, but could only go so far without any support from friendlies.  Once he was safe we called it a day.  It's too bad I died, but that will not stop me from making my next patrol.  That's the wonderful thing about being a virtual pilot!