Operation Sierra Nevada ATO 03/08/12

[Eddie]

A few shots I managed to get during last night's ATO.

Markeebo and I (Hawg 8) on the long taxi to runway 31L at Tbilisi


Hawg 82 on the boom


Paveway!


Noodle on final


Touchdown


One of the many pilots who managed to loose their landing gear (whom shall remain nameless)


This might scratch the paint a little


On the ramp at the end of a successful mission


All in all an excellent flight. We lost one airframe, Markeebo was hit by an SA-18 and had to eject despite a valiant effort to stay in the air, but that wasn't bad all things considered. There were a few too many jets landing with battle damage though so still much work to be done when it comes to training, but hopefully weapons school will help there.

As for me, I landed code 1 back a Tbilisi having expended 2 AGM-65G, 2 GBU-12, 2 CBU-103, 7 M151, 1030 rounds of combat mix, 106 flare and 50 chaff. Only the loss of my number 2 putting a black mark on the mission.

[Mako]

Nice pics and good job, fellas!!!

[Joyride]

39 kills for you Eddie...that's a solid days work!

[Snoopy]

THanks for the pics, hopefully I"ll be able to participate in the next one!

[Energy]

Eddie is that me (Hawg41) in the mirror?

PS: You were Tusk8 :P

[Energy]

Had fun! I was a bit disappointed that UZI flight went down so fast and then later on, as I was on the way back, I heard Tusk8-2 lost to manpad.

I will say that for me mission started eventful

At rotation *THUD LOUD BANG* ... oh yea, I know what that means. I report possible damage to my wingman, establish level path and Noodle as a good wingman went around my aircraft to inspect for damage! Thanks! As no visual damage was detected and stat page was showing OK, we proceeded as planned.

After Sierra was cleared and I escorted my wingie back to base as he ran out of time, I pushed to Nevada as I was still loaded with ordnance and Tusk8 had some targets.

I pushed from range at exactly 10:00 as briefed.

As I was last to depart I had runway for wheels up landing to my self

I will say it was the nicest belly landing I ever did. My aircraft remained on center of the runway!
Feels good when you come home with intact airframe and 9 kills!

[Rat.NL]

Uzi flight was also disappointed that the mission end was so fast.