Chapter 102 Alley-oop

There were six MiG-29 fighter jets following Air Force One.

The AIM-120C air-to-air missile launched by Team Neptune at the first opportunity had a maximum range of 100 kilometers.

But at this distance, the MiG-29 fighter has more time to maneuver and evade.

After the first round of missiles were launched, two MiG-29 fighters were destroyed.

The remaining four MiG-29 fighters, after dodging the missiles, ignored the incoming Neptune squadron.

Three more missiles were fired at Air Force One.

With the cooperation of Luke and Major Cowell, President Marshall narrowly escaped.

Seeing this, the four MiG-29s separated, with three MiG-29s covering one MiG-29, approaching Air Force One and using machine guns to attack the engine of Air Force One.

Even though the Neptune team accelerated at full speed and used AIM-9 and AIM-120 air-to-air missiles, they only shot down one MiG-29 fighter in the next round.

The enemy's strategy worked.

The MiG-29 used its machine gun to damage the rudder of the vertical tail of Air Force One, and one of the right engines was also blown up.

Fortunately, Air Force One's engine was equipped with an automatic fire extinguishing device, which prevented the engine from catching fire and causing greater damage.

When the main attacking MiG-29 circled back and prepared to attack again, the Neptune team had already destroyed the other MiG-29 fighters.

Now there is only this one left, but only one of them, an F15, is closest to Air Force One.

Both sides launched missiles simultaneously.

In the end, the MiG-29 fighter was destroyed.

However, the missile it launched was too close to Air Force One. Even though Luke released an infrared jammer in time, the explosion was too close, causing damage to the horizontal tail fin.

The enemy was destroyed, but Air Force One also suffered irreparable damage.

One engine was damaged, but the plane could still fly with the other three engines.

However, damage to the tail wing would make it impossible for Air Force One to land safely and would also make it difficult to change direction.

Although it escaped disaster, Air Force One is now facing greater challenges.

It is now unable to land at Lajes air base in the Azores.

It is now flying southwestwards into the deep Atlantic Ocean.

Now the White House is at a loss.

And inside Air Force One.

Luke's voice came from President Marshall's communicator.

"Well done, Mr. President."

President Marshall sighed.

"Thank you, but it was badly damaged and we can't land in the Azores."

At this time, the captain of the Neptune team also connected to the communication.

"Sir, you've done a great job. No one could have done a better job. It's an honor to fight alongside you."

President Marshall looked through the cockpit and saw the captain of Team Neptune flying alongside Air Force One.

He was looking into the cockpit and raised his hand in a military salute.

President Marshall also raised his hand and returned the salute.

Luke's voice came through the communicator again.

"Mr. President, the plane is running low on fuel and we need an aerial refueling tanker."

Major Cowell immediately called the White House and reported the situation.

"Sir, according to our calculations, it will take at least three and a half hours for the nearest tanker to catch up with Air Force One."

The Minister of Defense said impatiently:

"Then tell them to hurry up."

"But sir, Air Force One doesn't have enough fuel for two hours."

"what?"

The White House was in chaos again.

Luke also told President Marshall the final results of the calculation.

"Luke, what do you think we should do?"

"Have the Azores send a transport plane to connect with Air Force One and pick them up in the air."

"Will it be too risky?"

“This is the best solution at this point.”

Air Force One is now more than 300 kilometers south of the Azores.

The course was southwest, 207°.

If Air Force One keeps running at its lowest speed now, the Air Force's C-17 transport plane will be able to catch up with it in an hour and a half.

White House.

Just as Vice President Bennett learned of the feasibility of this plan and everyone was relieved, the staff outside ran in in a panic.

"Vice President Bennett, there are reporters surrounding the White House right now, and they are already reporting on the incident on Air Force One."

Vice President Bennett hurriedly asked someone to turn on the TV.

Sure enough, media on various TV stations are now reporting the news of the crash of Air Force One.

Vice President Bennett asked angrily:

"Who leaked the news?"

Everyone was silent and dared not speak.

Doherty rubbed his forehead and said:

"Bennett, now is not the time to worry about this. We must hold a press conference to explain the situation, otherwise there will be chaos."

So a group of bigwigs in the White House began to discuss a convincing explanation and prepared to have Vice President Bennett hold a press conference to explain the situation.

Of course, this news was also known to Luke and others on Air Force One.

So Luke in the cargo hold engine room silently took out his cell phone and dialed.

"Grandpa, I'm sorry to bother you. Please mobilize our family to short Boeing shares."

"Something happened, Luke."

"Air Force One has a major malfunction and cannot land. The Air Force is rescuing the President's family on board Air Force One."

"Is it so serious? Did the White House hold a press conference?"

"It should be getting ready to open. Hurry."

"OK. I understand."

This call was urgent, and Mr. Qin didn't know that Luke was also on Air Force One...

After a long wait, Air Force One finally arrived with the Air Force's C-17 transport plane.

Another fighter squadron also came along to replace the Neptune squadron, as they did not have enough fuel to continue escorting Air Force One.

The voice of the captain of Team Neptune came through President Marshall's communicator.

"Sir, we are low on fuel and will be returning soon. It is an honor to fight alongside you, and I wish you good luck."

"Thank you and good luck to you too."

After the two sides saluted each other again, the Neptune team turned on both sides of Air Force One and flew towards the Azores.

"Mr. President, this is Freedom 24, please maintain an altitude of 1 feet (3000 meters) and a speed of 200 knots (more than 370 kilometers per hour)."

"Roger that. Altitude 1 feet, speed 200 knots."

"We're about to drop off our rescuers."

President Marshall saw the transport plane diagonally above him open its tail door and lower the rescue workers who were held up by steel cables.

The process went smoothly. The special forces opened the plane's door from the inside and successfully received the rescuers.

After Luke set up the autopilot program, he started packing up.

The configuration of many foods on Air Force One is quite high.

Luke gained a lot in the cargo hold.

At this time, the rescuers had arrived at the cockpit.

"Mr. President, please follow me."

Marshall said to the rescuers with a serious face:

"Let my wife and daughter go first."