April 16th, 1987, Squadron Leader Badar

Rather more details are available on No. 14's success in the air combat arena, source material including HUD film and personal interviews with some of the individuals involved. The distinction of opening No. 14's account was claimed by Squadron leader Badar who destroyed one Su-22 on April 16th, 1987. There are reports that this Su-22had been active strafing villages in Pakistan before it was shot down. the following is based on HUD film and voice transmissionsbetween GCI )Ground Control Intercept), Badar and his wingman, but it is not known whether this was a standing CAP or a 'hot' scramble mission.

The encounter opens with Badar, who is lead, cruising at about 450 kt at an altitude of 11,000 ft on a heading of 240 degrees. he is advised by the GCI that a border violation has occured and that there are multiple targets almost directly ahead.Badar maintains altitude and heading and is reminded by his wingman of the need to undertake arming procedures. Badar completes the necessary drill and acknowledges that he has done so to his wingman. Moments later GCI informs him that there are four enemy aircraft at a 22-mile range.

Badar is initially unable to make radar contact but hiswingman very quickly reports contact with two 'bogies' at a height of 32,000 ft and a range of 23 miles. At this point, the pair of F-16s take up a heading of 270 degrees and Badar then succeeds in obtaining a radar lock on a contact at 21 miles. Within seconds, the contact (possibly a pair) disengages, turns and heads for sanctuary in Afghanistan, leaving Badar unable to pursue without himself violating the border. Moments later, GCI reports that another enemy aircraft is still inside Pakistani airspace, so Badar rejects the original lock at a range of 16 miles. He changes to a new course of 260 degrees in order to engage the second pair, which is soon confirmed as being 4 miles inside the border. Badar is now at 16,000 ft and informs GCI that he has four contacts, with a lock-on at 15 miles. Two of the contacts are high and might be Mig-23s flying 'top cover'. The other two are lower, so Badar opts to pursue these, accelerating to 550 kt as he continues to close.

At a range of 6 miles, the growling tone of an AIM-9 becomes audible. Dynamic Launch Zone (DLZ) parameters are not satisfied so Badar continues to close , until at a range of 4 miles, the DLZ parameters are achieved. Visual evidence of this provided by a flashing circle on the HUD. At 3.4 miles from the target, while flying at an altitude of 21,500 ft on a heading 0f 280 degrees, Badar fires his first missile. This appears to come from the port wingtiprail and is almost certainly an AIM-9L. He continues to close and lets go a second missile at 2.9 miles on the same heading but now at 23,000 ft. This comes from the starboard side and is probably an AIM-9P from the underwing stores station. The second missile has only been in flight for a few moments when a hit is observed at a range of 2.5 miles, with the target quite clearlyflaming and entering a rapid left-hand spiraling descent. Badar watches for a moment or two, before breaking away at 2.1 miles and initiating a sharp left-hand descending turn as he dives for cover and heads for home. By then, the surviving 'bogie' is at 4 miles range and running almost as fast in the opposite direction as it hurries to get back across the border.