It's now for the Navy again. Fasten your seatbelt as they go deep into enemy territory in support of friendly forces.

By the way, I never played Ace Combat but their soundtracks are very cool!

---

"Did you hear that?" Evelyn asked me as we have done the routine checking of my plane, as the CO had unable to secure authorization for a rescue mission.

"Yes, I can hear a helicopter is coming." I said flatly before went out from the hangar, into the tarmac with Evy.

Soon I recognized the outline of the Russian Mi-50 tiltrotorcraft along with its double headed eagle insignia as it went visible and proceed to land on the tarmac.

"Why's a Russian tiltrotor lands here in a sudden?" I asked myself.

The answer were soon clear as a figure we recognize went down from the VTOL still in his flight suit, and the Russian crew members saluted him, before two military policemen and two paramedics went towards him.

"Kevin!" Evelyn is the first to exclaim as the said pilot were finally rescued, just one day after Major Rita was retrieved from Herat by French forces.

With his escorts, Kevin went in front of me and Evy, and snapped into salute.

I returned his salute appropriately before I told him. "At ease, Senator. I can only say 'Glad you're make it alive'. Now, what you need now is, get checked, a bath, hearty meal, and rest, and I believe the Colonel wants the same for you. Dismissed."

"Yes sir." He then proceeded, with the MP and medical escort, into the base's hospital.

I sighed in relief and then went to my quarter. A slight smile on my face.

---

"Here are the current situations on the both Indian Ocean and Mediterranean theater. First, our brothers and sisters from the Air Force had successfully repulsed a massive UCC attack aimed to retake Afghanistan." said Lt. Colonel Alan as he briefed the entire squadron.

"In the Mediterranean theater the Russians announced that they had captured the city of Latakia, used to be in Syria and their only naval base in the Middle East, and they're now controlling the supply line into Northern Syria. Second, the Caliphate Wilayat Lebanon have lost control of the important city of Beirut after a three week bloody battle with Israeli and US-led NATO forces. Furthermore, they're also confirmed the liberation of two more Turkish regions, Southern Anatolia and Mediterranean. Which means, the Allies and Pact had obtained two good supply lines to friendly forces like the Kurdish Peshmerga, Russian-aligned Free Forces of Syria and Iraq, and pro-Hashemite Arab Legion along with good springboards to eventually reclaim the Suez Canal, which will further reduce threats for the upcoming invasion on the Gulf..."

While the 2nd Marine Amphibious Force were continuing their training for the upcoming invasion of the Arabian Peninsula, we fought to open the way for the amphibious force and reduce any visible threats especially from their flanks.

Today, we are going deeper into Iraq.

"...And the PPDU is going to capitalize their success by showing our presence in the Western Asia as well. Here, Erbil. Once capital of the Iraqi Kurdistan. The Peshmerga had requested backup from both us and NATO to recapture this city, fresh from their victories in Northern Syria and southern Turkey."

He then proceeded to give us the detailed ingress route, passing through the Persian Gulf with tanker drone and decoy support before go deep into the Iraqi territory.

"...Your objective is close air support to enable Kurdish troops on the ground to recapture the city. Expect allies to be there too, so keep checking your IFF..."

"...Alright, people, get yourself ready, we're launching at 2300 hours!"

---

"This is AWACS Pasai to all units; Operation Heat Wave is go, repeat, Operation Heat Wave is go." called our AEW, an E-2 Advanced Hawkeye which will lead us into Iraq.

We know that the UCC air defenses in the Persian Gulf coast are being jammed and hacked along with being spoofed by expendable decoys and drones, some launched by surface ships, still, flying below their radar increased chance for survival.

"If only you are in my squadron, I like to have you as a wingman. Fishnet." The unmistakable voice of Major Aris Muljono "Snow" went into my headset. Along with the 120 under the command of Major Yanuar, the 109 NAS "Dolphins" had sent a flight commanded by Snow. He is also our mission commander today. Our fighters have also been equipped with stealthy conformal fuel tanks installed on the fuselage to increase range.

"It's an honor, Snow" I replied.

"Let's see which one of us can destroy 25 enemy aircraft, shall we?" He challenged me as we're entering the Persian Gulf.

I want to answer back but the AEW soon called. "Radio traffic restriction is now in effect, proceed into the tanker, Pasai out" Soon the Cakalang tanker drone was visible, with delicate precision to avoid detection by UCC radar, we proceeded to refuel before switching to our CFT and head deep into the territory that once the country of Iraq.

After a treacherous flight passing through Al-Faw peninsula and skirting through border with Iran, we head west, still undetected, with ECM in full power.

"Sea Eagle Lead, we got bogies, bearing 195, angels 15." I can hear Yanuar's wingman, Capt. Sri "Romo" Mahawangsa.

"God damn" Our leader cursed. But just before he divided our flight, a new call went in our radio.

"Sea Eagle 103 reporting more contacts; hold on, friendly, bearing 330. ID'ed as F-15Xs." I called.

"This is Hisada (reaper in Arabic) lead to Sea Eagle, we're your escort, and we are going to keep enemy fighter off you!"

"Expect allies at all times." I remembered the Colonel's word.

The Hasada squadron, officially the No. 1 Squadron, is a former Royal Jordanian Air Force squadron that refused to support the UCC and instead remain loyal to the deposed Hashemites in exile in Britain.

"This is Pasai to all Sea Eagle and Dolphin flight, proceed to the target immediately as the Peshmerga has began their assault. Out."

"Understood, Pasai, we're on our way, double time." replied Snow.

"Expect a NATO AWACS on station, callsign Matterhorn (a mountain in the Alps). His order takes precedence in the AO."

"Affirmative and noted, Pasai." Snow replied again.

---

We switched into the NATO frequency given to us during briefing on Sriwijaya and called the said AWACS.

"Matterhorn, this is Dolphin and Sea Eagle flight. Indonesian Navy..."

"This is AWACS Matterhorn to Dolphin and Sea Eagle flight, glad to see reinforcements from the Pan Pacific Defense Union here." called a NATO-marked E-12 Constellation from the Flying Squadron 1. Just like its predecessor, the E-3 Sentry, all NATO E-12 force were registered in Luxembourg.

"We hear you, Matterhorn. It's an honor to fly with you." replied Snow. "What's in store?"

Then the radio switched into a request for CAS.

"This is Qertel (Kurdish for Eagle) 1-1, we have enemy tanks on our position, requesting air support in this following coordinates..." called a Kurdish fighter on the radio, before he gave us a set of coordinates for the strike.

"Coordinates received" Yanuar called.

"Activate TLP" We are doing a gun run, or to be more accurate, laser run.

"Missile incoming, deploying towed decoy" said my wingman, 1st Lt. Arif.

"Sea Eagle 102 here. Decoy has been hit"

"Target is in sight, firing solution ready. Firing laser". The Sea Eagle flight went first to strafe the enemy armor and vehicle formation with our center mounted high-energy laser pods.

"Good hit, good hit, that's a kill." called Aris. He then led his flight to mop up the surviving vehicles especially anti-aircraft vehicles.

Not long, the Kurdish forces called for another air support, as another force of theirs had approached the Erbil International Airport.

"Suppress enemy defenses on the vicinity of the Erbil International Airport so transport aircraft carrying both military and humanitarian supplies can land." called AWACS Matterhorn.

"This is Zelen (green) flight, heading for the target." responded a flight of four Bulgarian Air Force F-35As.

"Dolphin and Sea Eagle flight, head into the position of Zelen." Snow ordered.

"Roger"

"Watch out for laser AA." called Sri.

Just as the Bulgarians approached the airport they were forced to break off for a while thanks to the mobile laser AA surrounding it.

"Sea Eagle 103, ECM full power, lasing, drop!" I called before dropping a Paveway upon a mobile AA turret that is busy engaging the Bulgarian JSFs. Meanwhile my wingman dropped low and fired another laser shot that vaporized a squad worth of armored vehicles and tanks, before climbing at high speed to avoid the beams aimed at him.

"Target down" I called as I banked right to avoid anti-aircraft gun fire nearby.

"One laser turret has been taken out!" called a Bulgarian. Soon they also requesting drone support, too. Furthermore, we maneuvered extensively in speed above 650 mph in order to make the operators inside the vehicles struggling to keep up.

"Those infidels are too fast!" complained a laser cannon operator to his superior. "We have trouble targeting them all!"

"Contact, enemy fighters two o'clock!" called another Bulgarian. His word is more than true as my radar had detected multiple airborne contacts; six Su-35s, four Typhoons, and four JF-20s.

We're now engaging the enemy fighters. Only four survived our first barrage of radar-guided AIM-122s; two Flankers, and two Typhoons. Arif soon ordered his flight to focus in engaging the remaining fighters along with the JF-20s while Sea Eagle is to continue pounding ground targets.

"This is Qertel 3-1, we are under heavy artillery fire from the airport, request support..."

"Understood" I replied. The AEW soon pinpointed the position of the artillery battery near the runway. Destroying two mobile SAMs on the way, we then lined up for another laser strafing run. Despite the nighttime I can feel the dread of the enemy artillery crew members when beams started to fall on their guns. Screams of men burned from the laser hit; others lost their body parts; others have the part of their ruined gun impaling their body. Real mess.

"Sea Eagle to Qertel 3-1, enemy artillery is offline."

"Thank you Sea Eagle, we're resuming our advance!"

We soon running low on Paveways as more enemy vehicles in the airport's vicinity fell victim to our attacks. In the meantime the radio traffic gave us report about the fate of enemy fighters rose to challenge us; all were shot down, with the Bulgarians bagged two Chukars in particular.

---------

As fighting in the air continued, the Peshmerga force assisted by a battalion-sized NATO airborne battlegroup equipped with airborne IFV and mine-resistant vehicles continued to advance steadily with the help of spontaneous uprising from the city's inhabitants just moments before the attack, and the fact that the vast majority of the Kurdish military leadership and citizens had ample experience from war against the Islamic State, also known with it's Arabic acronym Daesh, almost three decades before.

"Qertel 3-1 to headquarters, we are entering the airport perimeter and is now disembarking to secure the building."

"Excellent, make sure that drones are the first to go. Who knows how many booby traps inside." replied the Kurdish HQ.

Then "Be advised, we have intercepted the UCC message that said that their HQ had sent more aircraft to the area.. Wait a minute. Multiple contact, bearing 190..."

...............

--

"Now the Indonesians had joined the fray... this is going to be interesting. However, their time ends here! All Fajr callsign, assume formations" called Col. Rajab Al-Mostafa, the squadron's CO, a Jordanian.

"Roger, Boss!"

"Are you understand why we fight?" asked the Colonel again.

"For God, For his Prophet, and for the Ummah!" replied his pilots in unison, inside their F-16 Block 65, also known as Advanced Desert Falcon.

"Careful, they might just flying F-16s, but the Israelis, of all people, had regarded Fajr Squadron as a tough and skilled adversary, with total 15 of their aircraft were shot down so far during this war by those guys." Aris called on the mike as we lined up to engage the oncoming Falcons.

Their planes are less maneuverable than our KF-X based design, but their radars were capable to offset our stealth feature.

"Matterhorn to all units, be advised, we have transport aircraft already on their way from Athens and Akrotiri (an air base in Cyprus under British control) with ordnance and humanitarian supplies, They have escorts, but you can make their job easier by clear the sky before they enter the AO."

"Roger" responded various NATO flight leader and us.

"Fox three!" We gain lock first and fired a barrage of Buzzards; downed three, the rest evaded; Then. "Incoming missile, break, break!" Both Yanuar's call and the AI's warning helped us to evade the volley of AMRAAMs from the Falcons. Smart guess that they got EW assets which further helped them to guide it. Chaffs and ECM kicked in, and the missile were all missed; but some of the ours were hit by a few 20mm in the process as they merged on us. Furthermore we were scattered and out of position with each other.

The enemy squadron than resorted to a "bait and trap" tactic, which one acted as bait, and one will strike the pursuer from behind with heat-seeking missiles and cannon fire. I myself almost get locked by one F-16 behind me as I am chasing the other but the one in front of me was already caught in my missile lock and I fired, just as the other F-16 behind me fired his gun, which I evaded by doing a Cobra.

I think I can hear the enemy cursing us "Those people are evading our missiles every time!"

"They definitely got AI to help them. Something that our plane doesn't have." said Fajr 2-1 dryly before Sri bounced him with a single AIM-10.

"Zelen 2-3, Fox two!" The Bulgarians were still on station and soon joined the engagement.

"Splash one"

Undeterred, the Fajr pilots retaliated. In fact I can saw one of the F-35 from the VVS, which is the Bulgarian name for the said country's air force, getting hit by one of the F-16's missile, with one of its tail disintegrated as it spun out of control. Luckily I can see a chute from the poor Bulgarian.

"Goddamnit" I cursed at the enemy as I evade another heat-seeker, before I went into Kulbit. In seconds I switched to gun, then a short burst of 25mm ends the fight for the F-16 in front of me.

"Sea Eagle 084, I'm hit, control is a bit slower, but still combat capable" reported Arif.

"Understood, I'll cover you." I said. Together me and Arif then shot down three more F-16s. One turned to be the leader, as the AWACS caught the radio chatter from the enemy squadron.

"... We lost the Colonel.. confirm our chain of command.."

Soon we lined up for another barrage of radar guided, helped by AWACS Matterhorn, and after losing five, the enemy finally broke ranks and retreat.

"This is Mozart 901...

"...we see the runway... ready for final approach..."

"This is Lion lead, we are the escort for the transports and we are ready to reinforce allied flight in the area and we have missile carriers on tow." called the commander of a squadron of French-made Dassault Esprit escorting the NATO transports.

"Lion, this is Dolphin, request permission to connect our datalink to you." requested Maj. Aris.

"Permission granted."

The Dolphins proceeded to connect their datalink to the French fighter, which in turn gave us access to the information from the latter and vice versa.

"Keep covering the transport aircrafts until they all ... wait, More bandits, they are heading for the airport, all available aircraft, engage!" called AWACS Matterhorn.

The new group of bandits are a motley collection of MiG-35s, JF-17s, F-15Gs, and Su-25SMs.

"All Dolphin and Sea Eagle flight, check your fuel status" called Snow.

"Running low on fuel, almost into reserves." I answered Aris.

"Alright, we're giving those French their target.." he then ordered us to designate targeting coordinates for the incoming bandits and relayed it to the newly arrived French.

"Target received, Fox three!"

The French ripple-fired Meteor-II radar-guided missiles which went straight into the enemy formation, almost within the maximum range. Missile warnings on the Caliphate plane's cockpit raises the alarm, but not before the Meteors claimed the good number of the newly arrived Caliphate formation.

The chaos upon the enemy ranks than used to further NATO advantage, as my radar detected a new group of sixth gen Eurofighter Hailstorms and fifth gen F-35s closed in for within-visual range engagement with the remaining bandits.

"Mozart 901, opening the ramp door..." It turns out not all the transports landed on the airport, but instead parachuting soldiers along with ordnance or humanitarian/medical supplies. The larger one landed to unload heavy vehicles like main battle tanks and medium range SAM/Laser AA systems.

"This is Qertel 1-1 to headquarters, we have reclaimed Erbil. Now is time to reclaim the rest of our land. Kurdistan!" shouted the Kurdish commander as the Peshmerga force finally in full control of the capital.

However, our work aren't done yet. Command has ordered us to not return to the carrier and instead land on Erbil International Airport. We're about to refuel and rearm before conducting sorties inside the area under NATO command until further orders. It helped us greatly that the airport's runway remained intact during the entire duration of hostilities.

---

What awaited the Dolphin and Sea Eagle flight in the next phase of the operation? Stay tuned!