Fighter pilots train, study, and practice for that unlikely time when
they will confront a hostile enemy.
A few of us had the heart-thumping opportunity to intercept one
or more Russian aircraft. We and the Russians had a healthy
respect for the consequences of engaging in hostile behavior.
Third world countries and their military are not as circumspect,
and certainly have relatively little respect for the superiority of
Western aircraft and pilots.
And so it was in the 1980s. Muammar Gaddafi had declared a 62 mile
territorial limit (dramatically in excess of the 12 mile limit generally
recognized in international law), and called the 62 mile limit a line
of death to any ship or aircraft which dared to cross the line.
The U.S. Navy had been penetrating the "line of death" on a regular
basis, and our government had made it clear that we will not
recognize a 62 mile territorial limit. There were encounters in the
1980's, but they mostly amounted to Navy fighters intercepting and
escorting Libyan aircraft away from our Navy.
The first Gulf of Sidra incident occurred August 19, 1981, when two
MIG-22 "Fitters" were shot down by two US Navy F-14 "Tomcats".
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Sidra_incident_(1981)On other occasions, two Russian-supplied missiles were fired from
Libyan ground bases – but did not have the range to reach their target.
Two others encountered superior US Navy countermeasures, and also
fell harmlessly into the Mediterranean.
On January 4, 1989, perhaps frustrated by their previous ineffectiveness,
the Libyan government ordered four MIG-23 "Floggers" to intercept and
shoot down Navy F-14 "Tomcats", flying cover for Naval Carrier, USS
John F. Kennedy.
The link below is to the recently declassified camera footage (with
sound) from one of the Navy F-14s, as they tried to avoid engagement
with the first two MIGs, and finally had to take action to defend them-
selves and their battle group.
In case you're not familiar with the military jargon, "Angels 3" means
3,000 feet (etc.). "Come Starboard about 40" means turn right about
40 degrees. "Bearing 180" means "they're due south of you" (180°).
A "jink" is a quick turn. Speeds are given in knots, so 430 knots equals
495 mph. A "bogie" is an unidentified radar target (usually an aircraft).
"Warning yellow, weapons hold" means try to avoid engagement, but
you are cleared to fire if engaged, or if there is clear hostile intent. At
20 miles separation, lead commands "Master Arm ON" meaning turn
on the master armament switch (weapons won't work if it's OFF).
"Good light" means the weapons are armed. "Centered the dot" means
the target (dot) is in the center of the aiming circle (exactly where an
enemy does NOT want to be).
After the first MIG is shot down, the lead (Fox 1) says shoot him Fox 2,
and gets the response "I can't ... I don't have a f...ing tone". Sidewinder
missiles use infrared heat-seeking guidance, and when the missile is
locked on to a target, the infrared signal in the crew member's headset
is a growl. Shortly after he says that, you'll hear the growl, and the
missile is launched. "Splash" means target destroyed.
Your screen is ok, it'll be black for the first few minutes. When the
time countdown reaches 1:51, the camera will come on. Don't
expect to see much, because the camera looks straight ahead,
and enemy pilots rarely fly directly in front of an armed opponent.
Read the narrative first!!
Click:
www.thedrive.com/article/718?sr_source=lift_outbrainNothing is heard about the second flight of two MIGs. They probably
decided to go home and fight another day. Emoji
Got this from Col. MRoss Shulmister
?? He looked the same 20 years later..... The Old Sarge
