Senior Lieutenant Kim accelerated his aircraft at full takeoff power off the runway just as a huge explosion erupted at the northern end. The blast lifted his Mirage V and caused it to pitch upward, nearly causing a stall. Kim fought for control, bringing the sleek aircraft back down toward the surface of the sea as he headed north. He turned and looked up and saw Lieutenant Choi’s Mirage behind him, twenty meters higher. “Get down, Choi,” he barked. “Get lower; the Americans will find you easily so high above the sea return.”

“Leader,” said Choi’s voice, trembling in Kim’s ear. “You are right on the waves!”

Kim had never flown with Choi before, except in the parade formations that so delighted Colonel Baruni. It was likely Choi had never had the rigorous and frightening training needed to skim along in the bumpy ground effect made by the choppy swells. “Be calm, Choi. What does your radar show?”

“Many large and small contacts, out some fifty kilometers. Very large, diffuse contact dead ahead, two kilometers, Leader.”

“Take a major contact to the left of the distant formation, Choi; break off. I will go right. Look for an American carrier!”

“Yes, Leader. Look, in front of you!”

Kim barely had time to climb and pivot his Mirage as the huge battleship underneath him belched an enormous gush of flame. The aircraft rocked and shook him to his teeth. Kim checked his controls as the Mirage settled once more toward the sea. “Break off, Choi! No sense both of us being caught in one net! Good luck!”

“Good luck to you, Leader. Two out.” Choi’s voice sounded final and sad.