Terrific detailed report from AP describing combat operations by USS Kitty Hawk F/A-18 and F-14 pilots above the battlefield.
About 60 miles out from the Kitty Hawk, the two pilots rendezvoused with a Viking and began a delicate dance to lock their Hornets' extendable fuel probes into a "basket'' just 1 1/2 feet across and trailing from the refueling plane's wing. In 10 minutes, both were refueled for their race north. Minutes later, they rendezvoused with an F-14 Tomcat from the Kitty Hawk. Although older than Hornets, the twin-seat Tomcats have better reconnaissance and communications gear, and can take orders from the ground, watch for threats and direct Hornets to their targets.
Flying at 25,000 feet over Iraq, Pugsley saw flashes on the ground; perhaps U.S. troops were in action. Over their radios, they could hear dozens of U.S. pilots checking in with controllers as they awaited target assignments. In the first few days, Dawson and Pugsley had so long that they ran low on fuel before being given targets and had to return to the Kitty Hawk.
This time, there would be no waiting.
Posted by Alan at March 26, 2003 09:12 PM