This chapter is prior to Paulus' reassignment to the 11th Squadron and focused on Sahel campaign.

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"Pilots, please be seated"

It has been two weeks since the suicide attack greeted our arrival in the Gulf of Guinea; and along with warding off those planes along with exploding drones our main duty is ground support to the Allied forces, with air threats along with the suicide Inghimasi MiGs, were primarily attack drones and a number of 4.5th generation fighters flown by the mix of Fedayeen and regular UCC Air Force, mostly MiG-35s and JF-17 Thunders. However, in a not so few occasions of patrol we also encountered JF-20 and HA450s from the Sudan.

Up north, along with NATO effort to break through Libya and into Egypt in tandem of the planned amphibious landing somewhere in Egypt and concurrent Chinese-led Pact effort to establish itself in places like Somaliland, Syria, part of Sub-Saharan Africa with friendly countries such as Angola and Namibia, and to NATO's concern, Algeria, since February the PPDU had dispatched to Tunisia an initial force of a battle group sized armored force, PPDU Battlegroup 22, which was sent by heavy lift aircraft from both PPDU and US Air Force units stationed in Australia, with it's core two Indonesian tank companies and one Indian mechanized infantry company backed with two flights of Japanese AH-67J attack helicopters, as the vanguard of the recently raised PPDU Expeditionary Force in the Mediterranean, in line with a secret clause from the United Nations Coordinating Conference, also known as Athens Conference, last January, which in light of the Liberation of Iran, had called the PPDU to began contributing it's own forces to the Mediterranean and African Theater.

Meanwhile, we also know that in Yemen, resurgent Shia Houthis are intensifying their guerrilla warfare against the Sunni-majority Caliphate, supported by Hezbollah and Revolutionary Army of Iran, politically and sometimes militarily. Furthermore in the Gaza Strip and former Palestinian Authority administered West Bank reoccupied by Israel, had seen fighting between IDF and other Allied forces present in the Levant and the newly formed Palestinian United Front, or PUF, a broad alliance of left wing/secular nationalist militias like SSNP, PFLP, DFLP, and the resurgent Al-Aqsa Martyr's Brigade, and Shiite-Islamist groups mentioned above.

"We're proud to tell you that yesterday, at 1900 hours, African Union, China, and NATO had liberated the city of Ouagadougou, this will weaken the Caliphate presence in the area of Burkina Faso and Mali even further after a week ago the French retook Bamako."

Furthermore, in the south, as Nigerian and allied forces including the Chinese are steadily advancing northwards, we are to augment their effort by assisting the French led NATO forces, African Union, and partner forces, details will be explained later, which will march to liberate the country of Chad, here, southwest of Cameroon. The country was heavily fortified by the UCC and NATO will definitely be accepting extra hand from us. We also will have our planes be sent in support of the liberation of Niger, as well, still lead by the French."

Just another briefing from the CAG. He also later told that the 120 will took part in the Chad front.

"Major Sri, Captain Ronny, Captain Angsana, and Lieutenant Arif, your mission tomorrow will be interdiction of enemy reinforcements from the Sudanese border. There are only one highway and NATO had knocked out the railway, and with their assets were redeployed, it's mainly our duty now to make enemy convoy lives miserable here as they try to reinforce their troops in Chad." told the recently promoted Lt. Colonel Yanuar Dharma in our squadron level briefing. He replaced Lt. Colonel Alan as the Squadron CO; the latter was reassigned in a shore duty with the Joint Air Base HAS Hananjoeddin in Tanjung Pandan, Bangka Belitung Province.

"...Threats are air defense vehicles in the convoy, as well as fighters and drones from the Sudan and lesser extent, Libya, and Egypt, as NATO has air superiority in Chad over the past week and knocked out oil facilities in this area, which some of us had also took part. The French had permitted us to use Garoua Airport, in Garoua, Cameroon, and had American ordnances ready for us to rearm, as well as refuel, and diversion in case of mechanical problems. Furthermore, Abuja, in Nigeria, and Douala were also available for diversion at all times."

"Are there any drones in the area?"

"We'll launch our Capung escort/attack drones as well as Cakalang tankers for gas, which will be orbiting 30 miles west of the city of Douala, in Cameroon. After refueling, you will go through Yaounde, than entering Chad airspace through Garoua by passing through the main highway from Yaounde, and from Garoua, we will go though N'Djamena before we lower our altitude to enter the highway into the border of Sudan, here."

"Our primary targets are their armored vehicles and supply trucks while we'll attack from southwest. Any questions?"

"What about our AWACS?"

"Your AWACS will be under callsign 'Sianok'. Speaking of support and allied assets, NATO fighters are present in the area, mostly in the vicinity of N'Djamena conducting CAP, so expect their presence from these following units; French Air Force Rafale F5s from the Escadron de Chasse (Fighter Squadron) 2/3 Champagne, Brazilian Air Force 1/14 Squadron Pampa with JAS-41 Drakkars (Drakkar means Dragon in Swedish), and USMC F-35Cs from the VMFA-314 Black Knights from the Forrestal... The Chinese also have J-20s from the 32nd Fighter Regiment, and expect more."

"Any questions?"

"No sir!"

"Happy hunting, that what I can say..."

"Any recent intel about the targets, Major?" I asked Sri as we geared up.

"The air defense supporting the convoy will definitely includes Medina tank mounted AA, so be very careful" he replied.

"Got it, Major"

Arif asked me, afterwards. "Anyway, did you know that the French have penal squadron like us?"

"Oh really?"

"Come on everyone, it's an open secret that major countries in this war have such unit, even the Americans, just like our own who are wreaking stuff in the ITO."

"Sounds interesting, Lieutenant, but I believe they will have the same protocol as dealing with our own squadron" answered Sri.

Without much hassle we walked through the deck into our parked fighters.

"Merdeka, sir" the ground crew saluted us as we are looking at our jet for the last time before takeoff. A habit that was the standard procedure. After a smooth catapult shot, as the Colonel said, we rendezvoused with our tanker west of the Cameroon city of Douala along with the AWACS, which the call sign was taken from a canyon in the city of Bukittinggi, West Sumatera, and from there we followed the pre-plotted course, with the AI helped us suggesting corrections if necessary because of the heavy military air traffic in the region.

"This is Sianok, we are having an emergency transmission; allied aircraft are currently unavailable, they were engaged in a dogfight with UCC fighters and drones above N'Djamena; they are counterattacking Allied ground forces engaging in the city." Soon the AEW showed us the new vector, passing two major cities called Koumra and Al-Timan, in a full ECM power and drones armed and ready to take a hit, avoiding the hot zone, as our strike mission is the main priority.

"Roger"

We dropped altitude as well and not long we reached the highway.

"This is Sianok to all allied flight, enemy convoy is in sight, commence attack, I say again, commence attack!"

"This is Maison (prison in French)" We then listened to an allied AEW which had just arrived in the AO with a grumpy tone ordered the same thing in a French accented English. I checked the radar and found up to eight unmarked Rafales were approaching the convoy from the west, while we are from the southwest. I decided to become the first bomb dropper by dropping two CBU-105s in the front of the convoy.

"Break" The AI called for that immediate action seconds before one Medina laser system caught me on it's sight and began firing. In the process it allows the submunitions to get through the convoy.

"Good shooting!" praised my wingmen, which proceeded to hit another part of the convoy before breaking, plus with flares deployed as infra red missiles had been launched towards him.

"Excellent work!"

"Burn baby burn!" replied Arif. Soon, the French penal squadron took over and along with our drones also proceed to bomb the rest of the convoy.

"Firing" The Major and his wingman then conducted their pass. With the French taking over the second wave of convoys, we were ordered to cover them.

"Target destroyed" We can hear that French voice again.

After we expended our entire air to ground ordnance on the third wave of the enemy's convoy, the French called again.

"Be advised, we got a grave news; we've detected a sandstorm is forming from the northeast of the country and is expected to reach the AO in 20 minutes.."

"Oh great" I can hear Arif moaned.

"Heads up, multiple incoming enemy aircraft, bearing 195, angels 15, 25 klicks, take them out"

While the French keeping the convoy busy, we are taking out a few J-10s and JF-20 trying to penetrate our CAP barrier before heading back to Cameroon, ostentatiously to rearming with extra anti-air load in Garoua. However, command have an other plan.

"Head back to the carrier immediately. The sandstorm had formed and heading southwest towards N'Djamena. All aircraft and drones are to head back to base.."

In the subsequent debriefing, I thought that we are lucky enough to hit a good number of the convoy followed by the French penal squadron, which had a less luck to be caught with the storm along with have two Rafales lost by laser AA apparently due to disobeying orders.

Dust storms are bad for us!

---

The next day, as the weather improves, launch sorties were intensified, The 102 NAS with their new IF-37s are the first to go for a deep raid mission inside heavily defended Sudan as a part of a strike package with four of our own from the 120, the 117 into Mali, and I am going to Niamey, in Niger, as another UCC raid is threatening the French and South African controlled city.

"Time to dance" called my flight lead, Major Akbar, while I am his wingman in this mission.

"This is Battery 'Guepard' (Cheetah), we are engaging enemies from the ground, mostly Inghimasi suicide MiGs, any assistance will be much welcome. Keep enemy forces off Kennedy Bridge (1) at all times!" reported a battery of French Army SAMP/T-II with the latest Aster 45 SAM system.

"This is Intrepide, roger, you have reinforcements, callsign Sea Eagle, from Indonesian aircraft carrier Sriwijaya, and we are vectoring some Chinese J-20Cs, Brazilian Drakkars, and American -35Cs into your position"

Remember, the enemy of our enemy is your friend sometimes. I muttered to myself upon hearing the Chinese are being sent to the AO along with the NATO JSFs.

Akbar answered the French A350 AEW with the callsign Intrepide. "Understood", as he and me catch two oncoming MiG-21s that are trying to crash themselves into the city center and downed both with gunfire.

Another French then called us, from his Dassault Esprit based in Cameroon, "This is Rouge 1, welcome to Niamey, Sea Eagle, let's repel the enemy from this area!"

"This is Oryx flight, glad to know that you'll come!" The South African flight patrolling the city with their Japanese-supplied F-3 Shinshins reported their presence as well.

"Acknowledged, Rouge and Oryx flight"

Enemy were soon detected with our radars.

"Acquiring bandits up close" We catch a conversation from a South African nearby. "Fox two!"

"Splash one" said the same pilot.

"Intrepide to all units, everyone stay sharp, do what you need to do."

Akbar ordered us to stay in formation and only split into pairs to engage if necessary.

"Slash" As I rolled and turned right I caught another suicide MiGs, which was promptly dispatched with the PLS, it's wreckage barely avoid hitting the city's main shopping area, Niamey Grand Market.

"Nice!" Patricia, Sea Eagle 103, praised me.

"Be advised, this is Serval, we detect movements on the ground from Route Nationale (national route) 24, enemy technicals and light armored vehicles approaching, certainly have VBIEDs among them, requesting air support"

"This is Intrepide, we are having drones ready to bomb the enemy troop formation, but we need cover; all nearby aircraft, cover the drones as they are conducting their attack run."

"Understood Intrepide, they won't get past us! Sea Eagles, rally on me"

I caught two Mi-35s that were covering the UCC ground force and designated it for the second element to take it out, as Akbar focused on attack planes or suicide ones.

"103 splash two Hinds" Meanwhile four other Hinds are being dealt with by two South African Shinshins.

Meanwhile I armed my AIM-122s, just as the radar caught four F-16s on formation, just as they are turning towards the RN 24.

"We're going to take them out, 102" Akbar piped.

"Sure"

We gained lock, and they broke as four AIM-122 have been launched from outer external pods, directly towards them.

"Splash one"

"Splash one"

The other two Falcons, probably ex-Egypt, managed to escape. We switched to our bombs, as the second wave of UCC forces with mostly technicals and light tactical vehicles are on their way to Niamey. We connected some attack drones to our planes and started the attack run.

"Bombs away" Four JDAM went from me and Akbar's plane, followed by PARS 4/AC 4G tactical missiles and cluster from the French Taranis drones that we are connected with, decimating the convoy.

Pretty soon we had expended all of our ground attack ordnance, just in time.

"This is Intrepide.. all targets have been engaged and most are destroyed; well done so far..."

Then our HMD flashed red.

"We have new set of targets, multiple fast moving contacts with smaller ones, sixteen JF-20 with Saeghehs on tow, initial vector 170, bearing 212, angels 14.... we also detected Fullbacks flying low, angels 10.. same bearing, prioritize them as they might carry cruise missiles.."

"All units, report." commanded the CO of the Caliphate 17th Squadron, itself named after an Umayyad Caliphate era military commander who conquered Spain in early 6th century. Major Ali bin Nusair, callsign "Spear". The Squadron mostly operated in North Africa and the Western part of Sahel and had killed up to 120 NATO and Pact aircraft, with Ali himself had 29 kills since the start of the war, and as the UCC are losing North Africa they began operating from occupied South Sudan and Chad.

"We have to retake Niamey or we lost Niger. The enemy are confident, sir, but we are ready to do what has to be done." reported his second in command, Major Abdoulaye Ibrahim, callsign "Gazelle"

"Excellent, Gazelle.. all pilots, break formation and engage those infidels, let's send them to Hell where they belong!"

An intercepted message from the JF-20s went through our mikes.

"Why are you fight for those usurers?"

"What he is talking about?" Nicholas, Sea Eagle 104 asked.

"To be honest their economic related grievances are legit, such as usury, but unfortunately they laced it with Jewish conspiracy bullcrap." Akbar answered him. "So in the process, they want all of us dead, 104.. Sea Eagles, engage."

"Roger"

"Affirmative, Lead"

"104, roger that"

"Rouge, engaging"

"Oryx, moving to support Rouge"

"This is Lan Di (Blue Tiger) flight, we're in position and engaging the supporting drones and Su-34s.."

The enemy ace squadron is threatened from both the city and their right flank now with the arrival of the Chinese.

Two JF-20s found me and fired two PL-13s, which I evaded, I turned against them and downed one with PLS, only to be locked by the other Chukar I chased. Rear firing missiles. Without hesitation I maneuvered in order to him to be behind me instead, then I called my leader, already splashed two JF-20 to cover me.

Not long I saw flashes of blue light and then orange.

"Excellent shot, Lead"

"Anytime, 102"

We regrouped and caught sight of two Rafales that accompanied the elite JF-20 squadron, just as they turned to engage us. As they are in range of the Diamondbacks me and Akbar fired one each. I downed my target but Akbar's intended prey evaded it with a J turn, which in return left it vulnerable; which was exploited by the Major himself with a burst of 25mm, downing it. We U-turned to find the remaining JF-20s, now fully engaged with the French and the South Africans along with a pair of Chinese Finflashes. Not including our own drones who are duking it out with the Saeghehs.

Meanwhile, the AWACS updated us with the report about the destruction of Caliphate Su-34 strike fighters and it's supporting drone formations by the Chinese.

"Tariq 3-1 and 3-2 is down!"

Akbar led me to regroup with the other pair, had just splashed two other JF-20s each.

"This is Tariq lead, proceed to the city"

"What they re going to do?" Nicholas asked.

Soon their intention is clear, as two UCC-copied Storm Shadows were launched above the outskirts of the city.

"Intrepide to all units, enemy is launching cruise missiles aimed towards the Kennedy Bridge, they want to cut off our forces in the south of the river, engage and destroy!"

"Guepard 1, we are running out of munitions but we will try. Target acquired, firing missiles."

"Shit" I cursed, and decided to engage the closest Storm Shadow. Luckily our avionics are doing it's job to create a good solution for the PLS, which I reserved for this kind of situation sometimes.

"Slash"

Two large explosions rocked the air.

"Did you see that?" said one of the French SAM operator.

"Thank God for our pilots, that was our last missile... Otherwise, we are screwed." said another one. One Storm Shadow was hit by the SAM battery, while I downed the second.

"Tariq 1-3 to Lead, How come they intercept it?"

"This is Intrepide, continue engaging the enemy"

As I saw a pair of JF-20 northeast of my relative position, engaging a single South African, his wingman's Shinshin was on fire and plumetting towards the Niger River. I can see the doomed Mitsubishi-made fighter had no canopy, signalling the pilot had ejected successfully and already landed somewhere in the city.

I think that Chukar is the leader. Akbar and me then shed altitude to meet the said pair of Chukars, which immediately changed their course to engage us, with the lone South African F-3, had smoke on his left engine went south to bug out.

The enemy pair are the first to fire at us with the PL-13; and one detonated close to my aircraft despite the flares.