Flight of the Old Dog
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| Flight of the Old Dog | |
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| Author | Dale Brown |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject(s) | Air Combat, Espionage |
| Publisher | Dutton Adult (hardcover)/Berkley Books (paperback) |
| Publication date | June 23,1987 |
| Media type | Hardcovers, paperback |
| ISBN | 1556110340, 978-1556110344 |
| Followed by | Hammerheads |
Flight of the Old Dog is a 1987 thriller novel written by Dale Brown. The novel's descriptions of B-52 controls and operations are based on Brown's knowledge of the systems as a USAF navigator.
[edit] Plot
Set in November to December 1987 (December 1988 in Night of the Hawk), Flight of the Old Dog is the story of a secret B-52 bomber that went into Russia on an impromptu strike mission.
The book begins with a B-52 crew during a military exercise in Idaho. Not long after, the Americans discover the existence of a Soviet ground-based laser in the Kamchatka Peninsula. Although Moscow insists that the system does not violate existing strategic accords such as the ABM Treaty, their frequent use of the laser in striking vital US assets challenges Washington's patience before the UN.
Meanwhile, Gen. Bradley Elliott, commander of the High Technology Weapons Center (HAWC; also known as Dreamland), tests a unique B-52 bomber with the help of several young crewmembers. Called the EB-52 Megafortress (often labelled as the Old Dog), the plane is being eyed as a new strategic escort for SAC forces. The technology tested in the plane is later adapted into two B-1 bombers that are sent to attack the Soviet laser after it destroys an American space defense satellite.
The B-1 mission is intercepted by the Soviets, but are not shot down. At the same time, terrorists attack HAWC, forcing Elliott and the Old Dog crew to launch immediately. The crew push ahead with the B-1s' mission after they realise that they are the only remaining hope for destroying the laser.
After faking a crash outside Seattle and forcing a KC-10 crew in Shemya to refuel them, the Old Dog enters Soviet airspace and engages PVO fighters before and after destroying the laser.
With more crew members injured, their aircraft damaged and leaking fuel, the crew realise that they no longer have enough fuel to return safely to the United States. They set down at Anadyr, a little-used Russian airfield in order to steal enough fuel for their journey home. Surprised in the act of refueling by Soviet forces, one of the crew sacrifices himself to allow the plane to take off. Despite considerable damage to both crew and aircraft and a final attack by a Soviet fighter, the Old Dog is able to make it home safely.
