If you dont know area good and if your RWR is silent you need to fly high(3000-3500m),in that way you will be save from AAA and IC SAMs below you...Open four eyes ,use max zoom while you searching ground.And take your time, if you are in hurry you can get an arrow easy. If you spot something, don't try to kill it wright away , remember ground configuration and location of units,take some distance and try again...
P.S.
If this does not help then turn on labels and kick their but...:)