I see what you mean DeCore, and thank you for being so constructive! I'll try to implement your suggestions. The reason why I had made Irina and everyone else so shocked was because, in reality, Dusya was not only one of the most respected pilots in the squadron, but also one of the most experienced of the squadron. She was also one of the first of the many female pilots that were KIA during the war. Therefore, many of the girls had not seen bullet wounds up close before this, at least not on their friends. The shock of combat death had just started falling on them.
About Irina, however, the night she came home with Dusya dead in the cockpit, she was given the night off. But the next day, she was back on combat duty just as any regular soldier would be. There was no special leave. I believe she too was KIA a few weeks later as well. Thank you for your comments! Every little bit helps! If you find anything else that could help me Russian-ize this briefing, I'd truly love to hear it!