Recluse, you're right! That was major problem way back in the old days of this mission design ...don't you remember?
From my memory: The Red Russians fly into Kirkenes with the 707 under MiG escort to snatch the "big boy". I also had some tanks and helos in the intial attack on Kirkenes. They attack the base, snatch the "big boy" and, at just the right time, they fly out towards a Russia base.
The other problem is keeping my OWN wingmen(and other good guys!) from blasting the 707! I've done that (I think?) by getting between them and the 707 ... i.e., ONLY I can "divert" the 707, the wingmen blast him out of the sky!
I'm not sure, but I recall that I had to eliminate all FENCES in order for the Red Russian 707 and escorts to land at Kirkenes in the first place. I don't recall messing with the ROE settings(??).
The TIMING issue becomes pretty important in that if I can't divert the 707(Alt Path) at the right time, I'm met by incoming MiGs ... and I die a horrible death 'cause I'm all alone. Chuck Norris I ain't!
This mission is/was also an exercise in commanding my wingmen to attack the "correct" bandit. If you just say "Attack Bandits" they go towards the nearest bandit. In this mission, I had to actually "lead/point them" on the right course prior to giving the attack order. Then and only then, could I veer off to divert the 707. Yes! Complex mission, but fun when it works.
