I think two only.
As Jo Mack had been flying out of Alaska his getting back to continental US would simply have been getting back to base and flying south. The rest of the story would have focused on his return to USSR and facing Zamatev in Moscow. It could be padded out by Talia's story getting to US via Hong Kong.
Mind you Beau, (in his Graphic Novel) was going to kill her off. :-(

Les
Every sixty seconds you spend angry, upset or mad, is a full minute of happiness you'll never get back..


:7