Part 6/7:
Aftermath and Escape: A Harrowing Retreat
Explosions cascaded across the airfield as the Rampage missiles wreaked havoc on the infrastructure below. Yet the danger didn't end with the strike; on their return route, the F-15s found themselves in the crosshairs of incoming missiles launched by the SA6 air defense system.
In a feat of remarkable piloting and quick decision-making, the squadron performed evasive maneuvers. The lead pilot pushed the throttle into afterburner, a final surge of acceleration that propelled the F-15s away from impending danger. Guided not by luck, but by protocol and skill, the team managed to evade the incoming missiles which ultimately disoriented themselves and exploded harmlessly in the distance.