Flight Command chose you to fly the top secret Blue Lightning combat jet on its first flight. You finished last at flight school so they have nothing to lose.

Trails of smoke warn of oncoming enemy missiles. A few quick barrel rolls and you avoid the missiles. Now here come the jets! With guns blazing you fly into the thick of the enemy formation.

If you can somehow complete nine crucial missions which combine the explosive action of combat with the quiet stealth of night flight, you'll be a hearo. If you fail, no one will even remember your name. 

from the manuals

ON THE WINGS OF LIGHTNING

The top secret Blue Lightning combat jet has never been tested. The
jet was still in the early stages of development when this war broke
out. Now the allies are losing and the Pentagon is desperate.

The President ordered the Air Force to prepare Blue Lightning for
action. Flight Command chose you to man the first combat flight. You
weren't chosen because you are the best pilot in the Air Force. You
were chosen because you are the class clown and frankly, you're expendable.

You look around you as you approach enemy territory. A trail of smoke
warns you of an oncoming missile. You make a quick barrel roll and the
missile misses your plane by inches. Now here come the jets! Hundreds
of them. With guns blazing you fly into the thick of the enemy formation.

Can you penetrate enemy territory and successfully complete nine crucial
missions? If you can, the Allies will win the war and you'll be a hero.
If you fail, the enemy will win and no one will ever remember your name.