April 8th, 1983, 2:07 AM (EST)
A United States Navy flight enters Soviet airspace over the Kuril Islands, a disputed territory between the USSR and Japan.
2:10 AM
Senior Radar operators on the island chain report previously unidentified aircraft have entered Soviet airspace, MiG-25 pilots race out of their rest stations to aircraft.
2:24 AM
The USN flight realizes their position and doubles back towards the ocean after receiving multiple unheard requests from carrier to return.
2:28 AM
The MiG-25 flight reaches wingtip of the F-4 Phantom flight. The Phantoms do not resist.
2:29 AM
An F-4 Phantom piloted by Captain James R. Shepherd suffers an uncontrolled wing failure and slams into a MiG-25 that is shadowing it's position, killing the aircrews of both aircraft as they tumble towards the ground.
The Phantom flight immediately engages full afterburner to escape. The MiG flight, in the confusion, arms their weapons as a dogfight begins over the cold sea.
2:31 AM
Distress signals from the Phantom flight are picked up by the USS Midway. Her fresh flight of F-4 Phantoms are immediately readied and will be off the deck soon.
2:41 AM
The MiG-25s disengage as ground operators inform of incoming fast movers and return to their airbases.
2:47 AM
Of the six Phantom's that were in the sky nearly an hour ago, one remains, battle damaged and limping to the carrier. The Radar Intercept Officer is lying comatose, blood covering the panels. The pilot touches down on the Midway amidst rescue personnel.
2:50 AM
The fresh Phantoms turn back towards the carriers.
2:51 AM
General Secretary Andropov is alerted. Strategic Rocket Forces, Soviet units in Germany, and the Far East Military District are alerted.
2:55 AM
Word reaches US diplomatic staff of an aerial engagement over the Soviet Union. The Joint Chiefs of Staff and President Reagan are told to be awaken immediately.
3:01 AM
"This better be damn important-" are the first words that slip out of Reagan's mouth before he is alerted of the engagement. The President throws on a suit and immediately is rushed to the situation room.
3:07 AM
The President and Joint Chiefs of Staff immediately raise alertness status from DEFCON 4 to DEFCON 2 for PACOM theater units. In Europe, units are set to DEFCON 3, and American nuclear units stationed in Germany begin undergoing test procedures. Prime Minister Thatcher is sent a communique, along with other NATO heads of state.
This is my first try, be gentle
A United States Navy flight enters Soviet airspace over the Kuril Islands, a disputed territory between the USSR and Japan.
2:10 AM
Senior Radar operators on the island chain report previously unidentified aircraft have entered Soviet airspace, MiG-25 pilots race out of their rest stations to aircraft.
2:24 AM
The USN flight realizes their position and doubles back towards the ocean after receiving multiple unheard requests from carrier to return.
2:28 AM
The MiG-25 flight reaches wingtip of the F-4 Phantom flight. The Phantoms do not resist.
2:29 AM
An F-4 Phantom piloted by Captain James R. Shepherd suffers an uncontrolled wing failure and slams into a MiG-25 that is shadowing it's position, killing the aircrews of both aircraft as they tumble towards the ground.
The Phantom flight immediately engages full afterburner to escape. The MiG flight, in the confusion, arms their weapons as a dogfight begins over the cold sea.
2:31 AM
Distress signals from the Phantom flight are picked up by the USS Midway. Her fresh flight of F-4 Phantoms are immediately readied and will be off the deck soon.
2:41 AM
The MiG-25s disengage as ground operators inform of incoming fast movers and return to their airbases.
2:47 AM
Of the six Phantom's that were in the sky nearly an hour ago, one remains, battle damaged and limping to the carrier. The Radar Intercept Officer is lying comatose, blood covering the panels. The pilot touches down on the Midway amidst rescue personnel.
2:50 AM
The fresh Phantoms turn back towards the carriers.
2:51 AM
General Secretary Andropov is alerted. Strategic Rocket Forces, Soviet units in Germany, and the Far East Military District are alerted.
2:55 AM
Word reaches US diplomatic staff of an aerial engagement over the Soviet Union. The Joint Chiefs of Staff and President Reagan are told to be awaken immediately.
3:01 AM
"This better be damn important-" are the first words that slip out of Reagan's mouth before he is alerted of the engagement. The President throws on a suit and immediately is rushed to the situation room.
3:07 AM
The President and Joint Chiefs of Staff immediately raise alertness status from DEFCON 4 to DEFCON 2 for PACOM theater units. In Europe, units are set to DEFCON 3, and American nuclear units stationed in Germany begin undergoing test procedures. Prime Minister Thatcher is sent a communique, along with other NATO heads of state.
This is my first try, be gentle
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