349th Air Refueling Squadron
FL 314, Northern Philippines
The KC-46 “Pegasus” was a new aircraft. Based on the successful Boeing 767, it was easy to fly and had a smooth ride. It was also the newest tanker in the US Air Force. This flight of eight amounted to a significant portion of the KC-46 fleet currently in service. Looking around, Captain Lane, the flight commander for the tanker wing could make out a few of the F-15E’s he had just gassed up as they re-grouped and prepared to attack the Chinese airfield that was not visible from this distance. While Lane had always wanted to command a combat flight squadron, this wasn’t what he had in mind when he had applied originally to the Air Force Academy. Like all young aspiring pilots, he had wanted to fly fighter jets. It had a huge relief to his mother when he had been “relegated” to flying cargo planes and tankers. On the other hand, he didn’t think that his mother would approve of his current assignment.
“OK Tennison, transponders off. Let’s make this look good.”
“Yes sir, transponder off. Question sir?”
“Yes?” Lane liked Lieutenant Tennison. He was young and green as hell but he was sharp and asked the right questions. Lane was wondering what this question would be.
“Well sir, if I have this right the whole point of the mission is for the Chinese to see us, right? What did the Colonel call it? Trailing our Coats?”
“Yes, exactly. However, there is no point in doing this if they realize we are trying to draw them out. We have to work with the strike package to make this look good. Just like a real raid.”
“Yes sir, I understand. My question is, what happens if they don’t see us? Or if they do see us and they don’t react?”
“Then we go to Plan B.”
“Plan B?
“Just like the briefing says. The strike package goes in, takes out the landing strip.”
“And what about us?”
“That’s what the Raptors are for, you can’t set a trap without a little bait.”
Now that the four squadrons of F-15E’s were fully tanked, their job was largely done. Or at least their apparent job was done. They would loiter just outside SAM range and then re-tank the returning fighters. Of course, this would place them just barely into reasonable attack range of the land-based fighters on the Chinese airstrip. This was a danger, but necessary to ensure the strike package had enough fuel to attack and return with a safety margin in case of a dogfight. Lane was tired from the near constant operations over the last few weeks, but the thought of taking a Chinese missile up his backside was keeping him awake nicely.
“You think the Raptors can keep the Chinese from getting a good shot at us?”
“I hope so, son. I hope so.”