Ahh, I figured out what I was doing wrong.
For anyone else who may have this problem, I have found that the easiest way to accomplish this is to open OFP, start the mission editor, put a "player character" on the map you want to use, and save the mission.
Then close OFP...Open the folder to your new mission, and the folder to the "Airstrike Toadlife" mission. Copy
everything from the Airstrike mission into your new mission (allowing it to replace the "mission.sqs")
Lastly...open up your new mission in the editor, and replace the units with the ones you want to use, and relocate them to where you want them.
do all of this before you add any units to your mission, because when you replace the "mission.sqs" you will lose them most of you probably already knew this
but I thought Id post it anyway.