Post by sfscriv on Jul 21, 2008 11:57:11 GMT 1
Enemy air supremacy on the Wake Island was proven late in a long duration match. As a PRC AT solider running up on an outlying objective, the flag turned friendly to neutral and was raising the U.S. flag.
Where was the enemy soldier causing the flag change? First scan across the flag area resulted in negative detection. Continuing to run closer, movement was detected. My first thought was a AH-1 Cobra was flag capping in a hover. There was some kind of aircraft hovering behind one of the cottages. No, looking closer it was not a helicopter. Oh, damn! It was an F-35 hovering for a flag capture. I hadn’t seen that before.
Although clearly possible, F-35s generally are not in the business of capping flags. They are usually concerned about the air-to-air fight or conducting strafing runs. This was truly a clear indication of the enemy’s confidence with the overall battle and their lack of concern of a PRC air attack. It just so happens most, if not all, the aircraft were being flow by the U.S. side. An unfortunate situation to be in if you intend to win the overall match.
Fortune at this moment was with me for I was properly equipped to accomplish the task. I quickly transitioned from submachine gun to my AT weapon. The F-35 was still hovering behind the cottage with just pieces exposed for engagement. I stopped, aimed, and fired. It was a one shot kill. The pilot likely did not even see it coming. So, it turns out it was two firsts in one package. Observing an F-35 capping a flag and shooting down an F-35 with a handheld AT weapon.
Where was the enemy soldier causing the flag change? First scan across the flag area resulted in negative detection. Continuing to run closer, movement was detected. My first thought was a AH-1 Cobra was flag capping in a hover. There was some kind of aircraft hovering behind one of the cottages. No, looking closer it was not a helicopter. Oh, damn! It was an F-35 hovering for a flag capture. I hadn’t seen that before.
Although clearly possible, F-35s generally are not in the business of capping flags. They are usually concerned about the air-to-air fight or conducting strafing runs. This was truly a clear indication of the enemy’s confidence with the overall battle and their lack of concern of a PRC air attack. It just so happens most, if not all, the aircraft were being flow by the U.S. side. An unfortunate situation to be in if you intend to win the overall match.
Fortune at this moment was with me for I was properly equipped to accomplish the task. I quickly transitioned from submachine gun to my AT weapon. The F-35 was still hovering behind the cottage with just pieces exposed for engagement. I stopped, aimed, and fired. It was a one shot kill. The pilot likely did not even see it coming. So, it turns out it was two firsts in one package. Observing an F-35 capping a flag and shooting down an F-35 with a handheld AT weapon.
