Slaying the Kestrel ll
Chapter One.
Briefing and Launch.
Charles Martel Air Base
Somewhere in Erusea
Commander Raphael Claude and his fellow Guillotine Squadron members ran into the briefing room and quickly took their seats. He took a quick look around and noticed that all of the pilots from the four mirage squadrons stationed here were present as well. Forty-Four pilots in total.
A mass briefing. This should be interesting Claude thought as the base commander, Major General Benoit took the podium.
"Attention all Air Force and Marine Nationale pilots. At this very moment, the Oseans have launched another air raid on our capital, Farbanti. More destruction and civilian casualties have been confirmed."
"We should head to our capital and sweep those pompous Oseans from the sky right now," one of the pilots from Impala Squadron said.
"Other fighter squadrons and the Farbanti Air Defense Unit are already engaging the Osean strike fighters. But High Command has tasked you all with the goal of stopping these attacks at their source. Your target for today is the pride of Osean Navy and the first ship of its new Ford-class." General Benoit paused to bring up the image of an aircraft carrier on the screen behind him. "Your target is the Kestrel ll."
Everybody in the room gasped in amazement at their upcoming mission and there were even some comments of eagerness about taking on a carrier strike group. But Claude remained silent because he knew there were more details to come.
"Quiet down, people," Benoit ordered then continued the briefing after the room settled. "As it is the crown jewel of the Osean Navy, the Kestrel ll is currently surrounded by six destroyers and four cruisers, plus multiple combat air patrols. As I speak multiple ground air units are moving into position to launch a saturation attack to deplete their missile defense and knock down their combat air patrols."
"No ships or submarines, sir?" Claude asked.
"I tried to inquire about naval participation in this operation, but High Command only told me what they thought I needed to know and nothing more. Now as for all of you, your role in this mission will be known as Operation Jean Bart. Impala, Cheetah, Jackal, and Chiron Squadrons, your planes will be armed with two Exocet anti-ship missiles and two MICA-IRs in case you encounter any Osean fighters. Your job is to distract the defenses of the Kestrel ll and its escorts with your Exocets. Guillotine Squadron, Erusea has entrusted you with the actual killing of this ship. Each of your Rafales will be armed with three SCALP-EGs along with two MICA-IRs and two Meteors. The Mirage squadrons will be in formation around you to screen your approach. Once you get within twelve miles of the enemy strike group, the Mirages will fire their Exocets first and then you'll launch your SCALPs. Understood?"
Yes, sir," Claude and his pilots replied in unison."
"Twelve miles will put us well inside their SAM envelope when we pop up," Captain Anthony of Chiron Squadron said.
"High Command is well aware of the risk and predicts a seventy percent casualty rate for every pilot in this room. But the Kestrel ll must be sunk at all costs. The longer it is allowed to linger off of our coast, the more the people of Farbanti will suffer. Get to your jets."
After grabbing his gear, Commander Claude ran into his hangar and was greeted by a salute from the maintenance team and he returned it as he blew past them to do a quick walk-around of his Rafale M. Claude went from being around the plane to in the cockpit so fast that his chief mechanic had to wait until he was strapped in to give him his report.
"Your plane is good to go, sir."
"Thank you, Chief," Claude replied then the ground team cleared the hangar as he closed the canopy and started the engines.
By the time the Rafales of Guillotine Squadron rolled out of their hangars The Mirages were already blasting into the air. They were taking off four at a time and heading to the standby point where they were waiting for Claude and his team to join them.
Five minutes later, the last Mirage was away and Guillotine Squadron took their place on the runway.
"All Guillotines report status."
"Guillotine Two ready."
Guillotine Three ready."
Guillotine Four ready."
"Guillotine Five ready."
"Guillotine Six ready.
"Guillotines Seven through Nine at the ready."
Guillotines Ten through Twelve at the ready."
"Guillotine One to control tower, the squadron is green across the board and we're ready for takeoff."
"Roger, Guillotine One. Your squadron is cleared for takeoff."
"Copy. All right Guillotines, let's go make our country proud."
The squadron rolled down the runway, lit their afterburners, and took to the air.
Chapter Two coming soon.
