Chapter 341 July 1
On the other side, Lingshui Airport in Qiong Province is 1,600 kilometers away.
The 12 aircraft participating in the operation landed smoothly on the runway one after another.
What greeted them was naturally a celebration ceremony that had been prepared long ago. However, because it was at night, the scale was not large. They only had a few bouquets of flowers and some ribbons and other decorations.
There were also reporters from the People's Liberation Army Newspaper who came specially from the capital to take photos of the members of the task force.
The background is naturally those fighter planes that have just returned to the tarmac.
Compared with the previous overseas operations, although this time there is a high probability that it will not be made public and high-profile, at least there is no need to hide it even within the military system.
When it is time to report praise, we must report praise, and relevant publicity materials must also be prepared.
The ground staff also surrounded us immediately.
Other aircraft are not in a hurry, but the camera pod hanging on Wang Wei's No. 12 aircraft must be taken down immediately. The film bin inside is the most important result of this mission and needs to be handed over to the General Staff as soon as possible. Intelligence Bureau.
It was only when they were able to completely relax that everyone suddenly remembered that there was an unsung hero who was not directly involved in the entire operation but was equally important.
That aircraft transports 8J.
In addition to attracting firepower and searching for targets in case of need, it should also conduct simulated command of the mission formation.
Although in order to avoid causing interference to other pilots, the commanders in the Y-8J will not enter the radio channel, which is basically equivalent to just playing a single-player game.
But even so, for the Chinese army, air command is a brand new stand-alone game that has never been played before.
Still have to pay attention.
Especially after such a mission that was extremely close to actual combat, everyone had an intuitive understanding of the role of air command.
The two JH-7s were actually responsible for the command during the embankment building operation.
In addition to their traditional electronic jamming, they also used radar signals to trace the target's exact location when surface ships were unable to maintain contact with the enemy's main fleet, and also used passive radar detection functions to advance the target's location. It sensed the two Sea Harriers coming to intercept and commanded the formation to respond promptly.
Even without a data link, just relying on a backseat weapons controller for voice command has already played such a great role.
So what does the full version of the early warning system look like?
"By the way, how is the situation over at Polaris?"
Tang Yiping, who had already packed his equipment, found his chief of staff from the crowd after the celebration ceremony.
After hearing this question, the other party was stunned:
“I don’t know yet, but when Deputy Chief of Staff Kang came back, he said that he would conduct a unified mission summary tomorrow morning, so we should know by then. .”
After saying this, he paused again, and after confirming that there was no one around, he continued in a low voice:
"But after Polaris landed just now, I saw that the faces of the crew members seemed not to be very good. They may have encountered some special circumstances."
"Is there such a thing?"
Tang Yiping glanced at the "Big Nose" patrol plane parked opposite from a distance.
Due to range and mission setting issues, this aircraft returned several hours earlier than their other 12 aircraft. Therefore, it has completed post-flight preparations and was covered with the iconic camouflage rainproof cloth. .
"Yes."
The division chief of staff nodded:
"But ignore them for now. This mission must be a complete success. The celebration wine prepared for you has been arranged. Wait. Let’s go straight there.”
“The political commissar has specially arranged a TV at the scene. You must watch it when the time comes!”
He patted Tang Yiping heavily on the shoulder:
"We have successfully completed the escort work. Although we can't go to the scene, we still have to witness such a big event with our own eyes!"
The celebration banquet this time was only arranged by the division. , so the ostentation is not big.
The highest-level leaders present were the political commissar of the division commander of the 9th HNA Division, and Kang Shijun, deputy chief of staff of the Naval Aviation Department.
But precisely because of this, the atmosphere at the scene was harmonious and natural.
As the person who performed the key flyby mission, Wang Wei naturally became the focus of attention at the scene.
Of course, it is impossible for a pilot on a combat readiness training mission to drink alcohol, but one round after another of beer still made him feel a little full soon.
Fortunately, everyone was quite measured and quickly ended the wine game process.
"Brother Wang, I promise to take your photos."
The weapons control officer from the East China Sea Fleet Aviation handed Wang Wei the photos that had been developed in a hurry after landing.
Even specially enlarged it.
Many comrades who had not been able to participate in the operation immediately gathered around. Since the banquet has been going on, they have only heard some fragmented descriptions so far, and it is not clear what exactly happened this evening.
On the photo, it is the scene where Wang Wei's No. 12 aircraft just flew over the USS Excellence aircraft carrier and dropped the two auxiliary fuel tanks under the wings.
Naturally, everyone cheered and booed.
"If the two auxiliary fuel tanks were replaced with bombs, this aircraft carrier could be sunk..."
Of course it's impossible to say this kind of thing publicly outside, but when it's all our own people, there are no restrictions.
"The auxiliary fuel tank of the J-8 is 760 liters. Even if it is converted into two 500kg bombs, a light aircraft carrier may not be able to carry it..."
Wang Wei quickly waved his hand:
“If it really comes time to take action, it’s definitely not possible to fly over the opponent’s head and bomb like this. This time it’s just a gesture, a gesture...”
“I remember 82 In that year, several British warships were sunk by iron bombs bombed from the air. This time, Brother Wang, I am afraid it will give some people nightmares.”
The weapons control officer in charge of taking pictures also seized the opportunity and joked.
Everyone in the joy did not notice that Tang Yiping also poked his head in from the outside and saw this photo.
"This photo can be developed again, enlarged, and hung in the teacher's honor hall..."
The teacher's voice caused the others to fall into silence for a moment, but it was very short. They soon realized that the other person did not mean to criticize them.
“Besides, when you look at Xiao Wang’s flying height, it looks like he is landing on an aircraft carrier.”
The division chief of staff who was following Tang Yiping also pointed at the photo and said.
“Chief of Staff, don’t tell me, I really had the idea to put down the landing gear and rub it for a while, but there were too many people on the deck and they didn’t give me a chance...”
Wang Wei's answer triggered another burst of cheers...
"Alas...landing on the aircraft carrier..."
Suddenly mentioned this topic, Tang Yiping looked at the photo I can’t help but feel a little sad:
"Speaking of which, in the 1980s, we even considered introducing an Invincible-class aircraft carrier like the Excellence from the United Kingdom."
One sentence temporarily silenced the surrounding noise.
This story is relatively unfamiliar to most of the young people present.
Seeing that many people were interested, Tang Yiping continued:
“It was still the so-called honeymoon period at that time, and many things could be bought, such as flying The engines used in the Leopard, the electronic equipment of the J-7M, and the 051S destroyer, which just missed the mark, were all sourced from the British. The combination of this kind of light aircraft carrier and vertical take-off and landing aircraft was still very attractive. "
"But later on, one was that their price was too high, and the other was that our relationship with the West was not that good, so this matter was never mentioned again."
"Now it seems that this light An aircraft carrier is nothing more than that..."
Someone in the crowd answered.
“You can’t say that.”
Tang Yiping shook his head:
"Although it is definitely not as good as a serious large and medium-sized aircraft carrier, even a vertical short take-off and landing aircraft like the Sea Harrier is much better than a helicopter."
"Take this operation as an example, if it weren't for us The Jianhongdian 7 discovered in time that the Excellence was retrieving the aircraft, and taking advantage of the opponent's weakest moment might not be so smooth. "
"If a navy really wants to go to the ocean, then aircraft carriers will be the best choice. , it is still indispensable, but it is a pity that I will be grounded in two years, and the carrier-based aircraft... I will definitely not be able to catch up, but I am still very optimistic about the opportunities you young people have..."
In the relaxed chat, time flew by minute by minute.
At 11:42 pm, the political commissar turned on the TV on time.
The ceremony officially began...
Everyone fell silent.
"Arise, you who do not want to be slaves..."
I don't know who started it.
Everyone present gathered in a semicircle and watched the five-star red flag and redbud flag rising slowly during the national anthem.
That's what they're fighting for.
(End of this chapter)