Robert Maxwell
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Brigadier General Robert Clark ("Reaper") Maxwell (born November 24, 1952) is a retired brigadier General in the Royal Axiomian Air Force and a fighter ace credited with 21.5 victories, 18.5 against North Axiomian and Iraqi jets, making Maxwell the ace of aces of supersonic fighter jets and of the Royal Axiomian Air Force. Maxwell was an active RXAF pilot from 1974 until 2008, when he retired at age 56. He later became a consultant for Avalon Aerospace on the F-31 Scimitar project.
Robert Clark Maxwell | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | 'Reaper' |
| Born | 24 November 1952 Kotir, Rolagil, Federation of South Axiom |
| Allegiance | Federation of South Axiom |
| Service/ | Royal Axiomian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1974–2008 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Unit | No. 3 Squadron (1977~1981) No. 11 Squadron (1981~1992) No. 9 Wing (1992~1995) RXAF Advanced Air Combat School (1995~1999) CENTFOR Air Command (1999~2002, 2005~2008) NATO JFC Kotir (2002~2005) |
| Commands held | No. 11 Squadron (1988~1992) No. 9 Wing (1992~1995) RXAF Advanced Air Combat School (1995~1999) CENTFOR Air Operations Vice Chief (1999~2002) NATO Allied Air Command Chief of Staff (2002~2005) CENTFOR Air Commander (2005~2008) |
| Battles/wars | Third Axiom War Operation Northern Vigilance Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm) 1999 NATO Bombing of Yugoslavia |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross Legion of Merit Order of Avalon (2nd class) Distinguished Service Medal Air Medal Silver Cross |
| Other work | Consultant for Avalon Aerospace |
Early Career
Maxwell was commissioned in the RXAF in 1974, graduating from the Royal Axiomian Air Force Academy as a second lieutenant. His first operational assignment was at RXAF Cronas Hill in 1976, flying the F-4E Phantom II with No. 3 Squadron RXAF (No. 6 Wing). Showing great skill in air-to-air combat exercises, he was promoted to first lieutenant in 1976 and captain in 1978. Along with his promotion to captain he was transferred to the elite No. 11 Squadron RXAF (No. 9 Wing) at RXAF Darlinghurst, to fly one of the newly introduced F-15C Eagles. He was assigned Eagle AD 008, which would become one of the most famous jet fighters in aviation history. A third promotion in 1982 to major placed him in command of the four-plane Gunslinger Flight.
Third Axiom War
After the Third Axiom War began in May 1984, Maxwell would fly 131 sorties until the end of the war in August. He shot down 13 aircraft during the war, including 4 MiG-21 Fishbeds, 2 MiG-23 Floggers, 1 MiG-25 Foxbat, 1 MiG-29 Fulcrum, 2 Su-22 Fitters, 1 Tu-16 Badger and 2 Mi-24 Hinds.
On May 22, he intercepted a MiG-21 with a AIM-7 Sparrow. Then, on May 29, he downed 2 Su-22 Fitters who were attacking RXA troops with an Sparrow and AIM-9 Sidewinder. This was followed by a MiG-23, shot down with another Sparrow on June 15. On an escort mission on July 9 he downed a second Fishbed with a Sparrow, and a second Flogger with his M61 20 mm cannon in a dogfight. This engagement made him a flying ace. Three days later he shot down a Mi-24 helicopter with a Sidewinder. On July 24 he shot down a MiG-25 interceptor with a Sparrow while escorting a strike package of F-4's and F-16's. In a dogfight on August 5 he shot down a MiG-29 with his M61 cannon. He shot down another Mi-24 Hind on August 16 with a Sidewinder.
On August 27, the day of the Axiomian nuclear exchange, he shot down a Tu-16 Badger armed with nuclear standoff missiles and two escorting MiG-21s with Sparrows and his 20 mm cannon. This action helped prevent an additional nuclear attack on South Axiomian forces and facilities, earning him the Silver Cross.
During the war, he earned the call-sign 'Reaper' due to his prowess in air combat. He was also designated Gunslinger One, reflecting his command of Gunslinger Flight (No. 11 Squadron). During the war its four pilots scored 26 kills total, with Gunslinger Two and Three also becoming aces during the three and a half months. All four survived the war.
Aftermath: Operation Noble Vigilance
After the Third Axiom War ended in a South Axiomian and NATO victory, the PRX collapsed and experienced a three year civil war. Due to the infighting, which involved the remnants of the PRXAF fighting for various factions, elements of the PRXAF often ventured into South Axiomian airspace. To defend against this threat the RXAF and RXN carried out Operation Noble Vigilance, intercepting any hostile aircraft crossing the northern border.
Maxwell conducted 134 combat sorties during this period, shooting down another 5.5 aircraft. He shot down a MiG-23 and Mi-24 in 1985, a MiG-29 and one MiG-25 in 1986, and another Mi-24 in 1987. He was also jointly credited a MiG-29 kill along with his wingman Gunslinger Two.
Due to his exceptional service in the Third Axiom War and Operation Noble Vigilance, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1988, assuming command of No. 11 Squadron (No. 9 Wing).