On Time On Target

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Sergeant Gennedy was playing cards with Private Boris Molenko, a stout man who was adept at loading weapons on the aircraft. Him and Sgt. Gennedy were laughing at a joke, and Sgt. Gennedy nodded to Molenko, who promptly started to leave. I waved him to stay seated. I have to appreciate the helpers as well.

"Tonight, I will win your vodka."

A large laughter echoed through the hangar, followed by coughing inspired by drink and cigarettes.

"Surely sir you are drunk!"

"No, I will win tonight!"

"No, I will keep my bottle, I assume you have weapons for me to load?"

"Two Kh-31ps, two Kh-29Ls, and twelve RBK-250s on six point ejector racks on the wings, plus two R-77s, and two AIM-120s"

"Three hours."

"I see you three hours! Private Molenko, you are the sole witness. I am to start timing, nyet?"

"Let me get the crew, and then you start timing"

"I will be in my office, location is Tkvarchelli."

With that I left.

The aircraft had a full 100% fuel load, so it would be interesting how he would accomplish this task within three hours. But Sgt. Gennedy knew how to manage that fully. He has had enough drills to do that. Ten minutes later Sgt. Gennedy had knocked on the door.

"Start timing comrade Lietenant."

I did. After twenty minutes, I went to report to Major Grachev.

"Sgt. Gennedy has... two hours and 40 minutes until the aircraft is ready for flight."

Major Grachev chuckled.

"So I see, what is your weapons loadout then?"

"Two Kh-31ps, two Kh-29Ls, twelve RBK-250s, and four air-to-air missiles, plus he must reconfigure the fuel to allow me to takeoff."

"Good, profile?"

"Lo-hi-lo sir. Additionally, a possible divert to Gudauta"

"There is a low MANPAD threat for sure, but the Mutqedah has thrown in some surprises as well comrade."

"I will handle it Major."

"Good, I accept, anything else?"

"Da, I wish to have Dimitri as my reserve pilot, he is not to be wasting away at the CQ desk."

"I will consider this. Dismissed."

After meeting with Major Grachev, I walked to the cafeteria, hoping to find some snacks for tomorrow's mission. While low level flight is the most demanding of them all, you must realize, you only need one hand. You see comrades, to effect a low level strike means that you must pay constant attention to the world outside of your canopy, not the throttle. Understand now? Good, because it is also nerve-wracking, so you must eat while flying. I will not eat during an air-to-air combat mission however!

As I mingled through the snacks, I noticed somebody staring at me. I turned slightly, and it was Vasily. I simply nodded and walked out of the cafeteria. Nyet, I do not understand his annoyance with me. Perhaps he is jealous? Of what? I must concentrate on the mission!

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