Operations Control Room, FOC South 860.

As soon as Vex received intel regarding the symbol '505' on the Villa Hagel, he immediately dispatched an STA Unit to carry out intel gathering and confirm the whereabouts of the hostages.

The location of Villa Hagel was straight to the west of FOC South 860 at a distance of 354 km, or the southwest of Fort Cambia at a distance of 281 km. This means, either from FOC South 860 or from Fort Cambia, Vila Hagel was outside the combat radius of OH-58N Kiowa Warrior, AH-1Z Viper, or UH-1Y Venom which was around 240 km.

ACG assets that could be used to deliver STA Units were only CH-47 Chinooks, C-130J Hercules, or V-22 Osprey. Hercules was immediately excluded from selection as it could not provide fire support if versus contact broke out at insertion point.

While the Osprey structure did not allow the platform to be fitted with weapons to the windows on either side. The weapon placement on the Osprey was only at the ramp door, under the nose, or the belly.

In addition to the M2HB 12.7 mm positioned at the rear door, each ACG's Osprey was able to be equipped with a 40 mm belly-gun automatic grenade launcher that was remotely controlled and manually reloaded from the cabin. However, because the weapon system took up space and reduced Osprey's capacity and range, ACG only installed it when there were special missions.

Unfortunately, Vex did not expect the location of the target in this operation to be outside the combat radius of ACG's attack helicopters. So he only ordered the installation of the belly-gun after receiving intelligence regarding the possible location of hostages at Villa Hagel.

The Osprey with the belly-gun would be the main means of transportation in the hostage rescue operation. Meanwhile, the STA personnel who would collect the intel would be sent using Chinooks that have been converted into attack helicopters by installing various weapons on the windows on both sides.

The problem was, when the Chinooks, which sent STA personnel already leaving half-way, Vex received a notification that STA personnel decided to launch a direct action because the hostage's life was in danger.

Without hesitation, Vex ordered the two Chinooks that were returning to FOC South 860 to receive air refueling from two KC-130Js standing by in the air to support the operations, then immediately turned back to provide close fire support for STA personnel.

At the same time, Vex dispatched two Vipers from Fort Cambia. While from FOC South 860, three Chinooks were sent carrying 36 CQB Company personnel along with two Chinook carrying fuel-bladder fully loaded.

Even so, it didn't mean that Vex's heart wasn't filled with anxiety.

Apart from qualifying as advanced shooters, STA personnel were also required to hold CQB qualifications. Because based on research in urban warfare, the ideal shooting position was sometimes laid in a hostile location, and in the process of getting to a final firing position or returning to friendly territory, shooters have to deal with ambushes or other close combat.

However, STA personnel were never specifically prepared for Hostage Rescue Operation. Their CQB training menu focuses on eliminating opponents as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, it was estimated that there were more than 50 hostiles in the targeted villa, and all of them were experienced combatants who were not afraid to die.

In addition, from the interrogations with Liqua Guard's officials, IDG obtained information about the deployment of a 900-men Cavalry Squadron to a border post located 8 km west of the villa.

Officially, the deployment was part of the border security operation. However, for IDG personnel, this deployment was not an ordinary deployment considering the captain of the unit and all of its members were loyal followers of Baron Eslei.

The war horse had an average speed of 60 km/hour. So to arrive at the villa, the Cavalry Squadron only needed eight minutes from the time they received the alarm signal.

To destroy a 900-men hostile Cavalry Unit, a mid-scale precision airstrike was required. The problem was, Harley Quinn and the targeted villa were 870 km apart. If the mission was to secure airspace, Super Hornet armed with 2 AIM-9 and 4 AIM-120 could be flown immediately.

However, to carry out mid-scale precision airstrikes, Super Hornet's combat radius was only in the range of 722 km. The combat radius could be increased by installing a CFT (Conformal Fuel Tank) on the fighter's back, but a time-consuming preparation still needs to be done.

Without any calculations at length, Vex knew that Viper from Fort Cambia would arrive at the location before Super Hornet from Harley Quinn ready to take off.

Another asset that can be used to carry out medium-scale precision airstrikes is Poseidon or Reaper. However,

Poseidon and Reaper which fly around the villa were not equipped with weapons.

It is at times like these that Vex was looking forward to the presence of AV-8B Harrier II, which could launch precision close air support in day, night and in all weather, from a base with minimal facilities such as FOC South 860.

"Looks like I have to come up with a new protocol so that when patrolling, P-8 Poseidon always carries Maverick or Paveway II in the internal bay."

Vex muttered before turning to the officer in charge of close air support management.

"How long before the belly-gun is completely installed on the Osprey?"

"About 45 minutes."

Vex instantly massages his forehead, because he realized that the process of removing the components that had been half-installed would take longer. In the end, he could only let out a long sigh.

"Get them to work faster."

"Sir!"

The officer in charge of air support management answered steadily, then grabbed his radio.

*****