First Blood

Missions 1-2 for the Dragon Squadron

Mission 1
Things have been quiet for the squadron since their arrival at the front. Captain Devin Drake, the squadron CO, decides to take one of the rookies for a routine patrol.

They spot a Viper, one of the latest state-of-the-art enemy fighters. Drake signals for the attack. He is unaware of 3 more enemy fighters hiding in and behind the clouds.

Drake and the Viper trade head-on shots. Drake's bullets rip into the Viper and send it down in flames.

Ambush! A Cobra fighter emerges from the clouds and sends a hail of bullets at Drake. He yanks his control stick and manages to elude the shots.

Note: Readers of my previous Aetherian AARs will note that I have renamed the enemy fighter plane.

After some circling, Drake and the rookie, Taylor Hicks, get a bead on a Cobra. Taylor delivers the killing blow, or so he thought.

Badly damaged, the Cobra dives into some clouds and escapes.
Note: To cut down on the kill ratio I now roll if an aircraft is eliminated. There is a chance that it escapes rather than gets shot down. Alas Hicks's victory was spoiled.

The other Viper also escapes and the remaining Cobra tries to flee. Drake pursues and finds himself in a good position. He squeezes the trigger. Miss!

The last enemy gets away.

Still, a good outing. One kill and one damage for no losses.
And a 1-0 record in the campaign!

Mission 2
Howell Green (a veteran) and Ike Peters (a novice) are now up. They have been tasked to escort a bombing mission.

Peters finds himself engaged with a Viper fighter (one of the enemy's best). He calls for help, and Green rushes to his aid. But Peters manages to take out the fighter on his own.

However, Green's "rescue" leaves the bombers open to an attack by 2 Cobras.

Buddy Haroldsen, gunner for the lead bomber, takes matters into his own hands. He knocks down an old Adder fighter plane.

And then he shoots down a Cobra!

Haroldsen's heroics frees the bombers to make a run. Their bombs fall accurately, doing extensive damage to the target. Success!

Notes:

• Other than the initial pass, the Dragon Squadron was notably ineffective. They made a few more firing passes but kept missing. Perhaps some target practice is in store!
• I didn't plan on naming anyone on the bombers, but after one bomber shot down 2 enemy fighters I had to give the gunner credit. Buddy was the star of the mission!
• Nevertheless, Dragon Squadron gets credit for a successful mission. They are now 2-0 in the campaign.