In the mid-80s, two USAF F-15s were flying a routine night patrol to the south of Alaska on Christmas eve. Both pilots noticed a red dot on their radar screens, which is unusual as blips are white. They decided to investigate and followed the red blip down the Canadian coast. In the moonlight, they were able to make out six Tupolev Bear bombers and one cargo aircraft with a triangular dish on top, escorted by eight MiG-25 fighters. As they neared the flight, their radios and radar ceased working so they couldn’t obtain authorization to engage. They each had four missiles and a 20mm cannon. Using light signals, the Eagle jocks made a plan, flew in behind the dished plane and shot it down with short bursts of cannon fire. The MiGs joined in the fray, firing missiles. The F-15s flew through the Bear formation and the Soviet missiles hit four of the Bears. Two were air refuelers and exploded, lighting up the sky. The MiGs turned north and the F-15s pursued, downing all eight with their missiles. With the dished plane destroyed, radar and radios again functioned so they were able to locate and coordinate an attack on the two Bears. Using their cannons, they cut one wing off each Bear, watched them fall into the sea, recorded their location, and returned to base. The US Navy recovered the wrecks and discovered they were carrying nukes and were headed for Seattle, San Francisco, LA, and San Diego. The whole incident was classified, naturally, but the question still remains: who was the red blip, Santa Claus?
May your red blip keep you safe all year.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
