Thunder Strikes Back

Chapter 8 Ministry of Defense

When Captain Goya woke up, a small DO228 liaison aircraft from the Air Force Headquarters Special Service Squadron (AHQCS) had landed at Bareilly.He and his partner Jaafar dressed up and took the plane to New Delhi.This day has been 11 days since the terrorist attack in Mumbai, and the Indian government needs to show some achievements to explain to the furious people.

The Bareilly base is very close to New Delhi, just an hour away by plane.As the plane lowered to land at the Ministry of Defense's military airfield near Canton Gate, Delhi, the lieutenant could see an old Spitfire and Vampire on the tarmac at the nearby Air Force Museum, next to Delhi Airport , In addition, there are some MiG 23s that have been eliminated in recent years. He still remembers that when he was in middle school, he came here for the first time. He was immediately inspired by the deeds of air combat heroes and decided to join the Air Force. Air combat records are somewhat exaggerated. In general, in previous India-Pakistan conflicts, the total number of fighter jets lost by the Indian side is much higher.

After they got off the plane, a special car sent by the Ministry of National Defense took them directly to the reception room on the first floor of the Ministry of National Defense. After waiting for about 5 minutes, a tall man wearing a Sikh turban came over.

The visitor introduced himself as Lujad Nahan, who is the office manager of Minister of Defense Singh, looking serious and unsmiling.Then he took the initiative to talk about yesterday's battle, mainly in terms of the second battle result. Lieutenant Goya told him that he could not confirm it, but the squadron received information that the plane did not fly back to the airport where he took off; this answer made the supervisor cringe frown.

"Lieutenant, there is one thing you don't know. Just last night, the 7th Wing lost two Jaguars. Congress doesn't know about this...but it will know,"

"Did the F5 of No. 16 Squadron do it?" Jaafar asked.

"Hear me out first, Lieutenant. It doesn't matter which squadron of the enemy did it, what matters is that the politicians and the people are expecting some heroes so much that they will continue to trust and rely on the Ministry of Defense to Resolve this conflict."

The supervisor paused for a while after he finished speaking, but neither of the two pilots could accurately understand what he meant.

"The thing is very simple. Congress has no patience to understand the complexity of air combat. If you and Lieutenant Goya are unwilling to take on such responsibilities, I don't think it will do any good to the future of the two of you." The director of the office said very bluntly Made it clear to Goya and Jaafar that he needed an ace pilot who shot down 2 enemy planes to show the public that big defense budgets pay off.

"If members of the lower house of the Lok Sabha hear that we are behind 1-2 in this debate, they will wonder if the investment over the years is worth it. You should be able to understand that all fools are using money subtraction. But military funding depends on the scrutiny of these laymen."

"I think... I... we understand what you mean, Mr. Director," Goya said.

"Mr. Singh will meet with you later, I don't think he will ask about it, but this afternoon, if the Prime Minister asks about it, you can tell him that you clearly saw the second enemy plane It crashed in the mountains of northwest Kashmir."

"We know." Goya and Jaafar replied softly together.The master nodded with satisfaction.

"One more thing, His Excellency the Minister is very interested in the 'shot down' second plane because he heard it was a new 'Thunder' fighter jet and Pakistan is about to deploy a large number of Thunder fighter jets."

"Mr. Director, I think this is a very, very difficult opponent, especially in the pursuit of low and medium altitudes. I think it is necessary for Air Force pilots to be wary of this new opponent." Goya said, this answer Again not very happy with the supervisor.

"Lieutenant, I have a piece of advice. You can say these words to your wing captain or the chief of staff of the air force, but not to the minister. The minister is planning a counterattack, so he doesn't like this kind of negative views. It must be emphasized Our absolute advantage in technology."

"I totally understand." Goya and Jaafar replied at the same time. They suddenly became enlightened, and suddenly understood all the essentials that the executive wanted to convey in the prior conversation.

"Oh, by the way, Minister Singh asked me to tell you two that each of you will receive a warrior wheel medal for this victory; the rank of captain, of course, will be promoted a few days later. Then, you can choose to continue Stay in 24 Squadron and be a top pilot, or go to TACDE (Air Combat School) as an instructor, or..." Lujadnahan paused, deliberately putting off.Jaafar and Goya didn't dare to speculate, and they all waited for him to speak.

"Everyone, the reorganized 43rd Squadron lacks a deputy squadron leader. This new squadron will be equipped with our country's latest 'Glory' (LCA) fighter, which is a really difficult fighter, not a cheap 'Thunderbolt' 'Fighter. I'm sure if there is an air combat hero who will go, he will be promoted to major soon."

Lujad Nahan's words made Jaafar's heart pound. He knew that Goya would not choose to leave Bareilly, but this was a great opportunity for himself. In the tradition of the Air Force, the weapon operator in the recoil Chances of advancement tend to be lower than pilots.

"I think both of you are smart people. You should have understood the main point of what I said. Get ready and the minister will come soon."

Lujadnahan walked out of the reception room and came to an ordinary office on the second floor.Defense Minister, Rushman Singh was looking at the Capitol in the distance with his back to the gate.

"They all get what I mean?" Singer asked.

"They are wise men, Your Excellency," replied Lujadnahan.

"I think that's what Prime Minister Kahan wants too."

"Your Excellency, this afternoon's special defense budget will definitely be passed." Lujadnahan said with a look on his face.

"Huh, this is just the first step. You are my most trusted subordinate. You should know that I have been working on one thing these years, which is to solve the Pakistani problem once and for all; ordinary politicians only know how to pursue their own self-interest and can never Understand the painstaking efforts of Prime Minister Kahan and myself, India must end this unfavorable geographical situation as soon as possible.”

"Your Excellency, I know what you mean, India cannot let what happened in 1962 happen again."

"Only by solving the secondary enemy first can we concentrate our forces against the stronger one. War depends on determination. If the enemy makes up his mind before us, we will be dragged down by them in both directions." Xin Grid turned and said, pale but full of confidence.

"But your lord, the Army Staff may be another nuisance. All the schemes are always made in a small way. They are afraid that an all-out war against Pakistan will weaken our defense against the Chinese direction."

"Yes, I know Admiral Pasade very well. He is always weaker than the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but at critical times, I can find someone to replace him as the Chief of Staff of the Army."

"By the way, speaking of the Foreign Ministry, Your Excellency, they told me that the United Nations may send a special envoy to mediate our border conflict with Pakistan within 2 days. The candidate is likely to be a former president of the Democratic Party of the United States. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs seems I really want to settle the conflict."

"Don't worry, the Prime Minister cannot accept such a humiliating ending. The Prime Minister said that our country is the victim of terrorism. It is not the Americans' turn to sideline. What we did is no different from what they did in Afghanistan. .”

"However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes that Mumbai, where the terrorist attack occurred, is 1700 kilometers away from the Kashmir conflict area. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes that convincing the international community is a headache."

"No surprise, the Foreign Office always does."

"In addition, Your Excellency, the Pakistani side said this morning that some planes practicing nuclear attacks crossed their borders. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is very afraid that they may mislead international public opinion."

"Hmph, it's nonsense. They think that there is one permanent member of the United Nations that can support us, and we have four others. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should make full use of our country's diplomatic resources. I really don't know what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is afraid of?"

"That's right, Chandra's secretary called and asked where the two American planes crashed. I told them that the investigation is still underway and one pilot is missing." Lujadnahan replied truthfully.

"It is indeed a tricky matter. If the pilots fall into their hands, there will indeed be some troubles. We have to be careful before the official battle." Singer said.

"I think I have to report something new about this matter," said the supervisor.Singer nodded for him to continue.

"The 7th Wing reported in the morning that one of the Jaguar aircraft had indeed been modified to mount nuclear weapons. If the self-destruct device did not work, the latest attack route information could be found in the computer system in the cockpit. Some of them were The preset route for dropping the nuclear bomb; this will work for their propaganda. In addition, there are some information such as the front-line airport and the identification friend or foe device. If they fall into their hands, it will also cause great trouble to the front-line air force .”

"Is it possible that the pilot is still alive?"

"Your Excellency, it's April now. If it fell there overnight, it might have froze to death." Lujadnahan said carefully.

"Well, don't take it lightly. You go and call the Northern Military Region and ask them to send a small team to look for it and at least destroy the wreckage of the plane. Well, now is the time to meet those two young men gone."

When the Minister of Defense opened the door and entered the reception room, two pilots in neat uniforms immediately stood up from the sofa and stood at attention. They almost held their breath and waited for 15 minutes, and now the moment has come.

"Guys, that's great, tell me how does it feel to take down the enemy?" Rushman Singh asked with a smile. The supervisor stood behind him with a blank face. Goya thought this was a no-go wrong time.

"Like a ball of fire in the air, Mr Minister."

"Well, good analogy, it reminds me of 1971 when I was a tank gunner in the 19th Armored Division and I hit the turret of an M48 and watched it burn, it was this spectacular sight .”

"We will shoot down all invading enemy planes," Jaafar said, puffing out his chest.

"Very well, that's it. Let's talk about that new enemy plane. The Pakistani side has been boasting about this new type of plane for a long time. How about it?"

Jaafar turned quietly to Goya, hoping he would answer the question.

"A lackluster light fighter is completely vulnerable to air combat whether it is within the visual range or outside the visual range." Goya replied calmly. For some reason, the moment he spoke, it was that aircraft The scene of the light blue plane turning above him was so clear that he could see the two missiles on the wingtips, as if he could see it more clearly than in actual combat.

"Time is running out, boys, get ready. We have to go to Parliament in the afternoon. The Prime Minister needs you. I hope your heroic achievements will enlighten the elm heads of those left-wingers in the House of Commons."

(End of this chapter)