This is the last chapter of Yoel's deployment in Africa.

...

"You all know what's our motto and mission of the mighty Sea Eagles. And you'll be ready anytime. So now we go out there, find the enemy there in Somalia, and what we're going to do after that?" the Colonel riled us, his right fist pumped up.

"Kita terkam dan kita mangsa!" (Grab 'em and eat 'em in Indonesian). Shouted the entire 120 NAS.

"Move, move, gear up, people!" We exited the briefing room in haste as we are going to launch.

Today we're back in Somalia. During our time in the Sub-Saharan Africa, the Somali Armed Forces, re-formed upon the liberation last year were heavily engaged with various pro-UCC militias, exacerbated by the resurgence of the Islamic Courts Union which sprung up during the liberation as the UCC central authority crumbles by the advance of the Coalition Forces. Furthermore, the country along with neighboring Djibouti has been subjected to incessant drone raids, many of it were smuggled in "humanitarian aids", exacting significant toll on Allied air assets in the area including a couple of fifth-gens, resulted in the region of Puntland and part of Russian-controlled Somaliland to be retaken by the UCC, cutting off our access to the Red Sea once more.

The 117 NAS will be part of a strike force consists of six birds and up to six Cakalang drones against such shipment of drones in the port city of Bosaso, retaken in a surprise Caliphate attack backed by drones, with the 102 NAS providing CAP. while 120 NAS, also in six-ship formation, will support the 102 to provide the closer cover for the strike force. Meanwhile to reinforce our effort, while also added the complication, the Indians are also planning to send a force of Abhayas from the INS Vishal while the Somalian federal government is sending their few F-16G and Typhoons to knock out enemy land forces and clandestine drone factories around the area.

The ground operation to liberate the city will primarily an African Union operation from land and from sea. To support the latter UNC naval forces will once again subjecting Yemen and Oman with bombardments and EW ops, with usual targets; ammo depot, drone launchers, anti-ship missiles, and last but not least, manned aircraft with the help of our new ally, the Southern Transition Council.

Capung and Belalang drones will also be utilized as data-link repeaters, augmenting the satellites, to allow access to other support fires, especially ship based cruise missiles and even long range SAM and tactical laser from Sriwijaya escorts; recently commissioned in 2042 Irian-class missile cruiser KRI Bali (CG-201), two Jenderal Soedirman-class destroyer KRI Sultan Baabullah (DDG-314) and KRI Gajah Mada (DDG-313), three Gatot Subroto-class frigates, KRI Alexander Jacob Patty (FFG-375), KRI I Gusti Ketut Jelantik (FFG-369), and KRI Muhammad Zainuddin Abdul Madjid (FFG-383), and two Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa-class anti-submarine and littoral combat corvettes KRI Frans Seda (FFL-367) and KRI Liem Swie King (FFL-368).

From Kenyan and Ethiopian air bases there will also be various allied squadron with diverse equipments, like Ethiopian Su-57SMs, F-35s from Kenya (the sole African operator of the JSF), Japan, and Australia, along with Chinese J-31, and J-20Cs. We had also told to expect allied sorties from sea, such as mobile offshore base USS Dewey and Diego Garcia as well as American carrier George H.W. Bush and Chinese amphibious assault ship CNS Laoshan with it's complement of J-18 STOVL fighters, a.k.a Sino-F35B.

I also had heard that the Chinese had start the induction process of their indigenous sixth generation fighter the J-25, into service, but I don't saw any of those things in African front so far, while the Russians prefer to deploy their own MiG-41 Foxfire interceptors and Su-77 Fullhouse multirole fighters close to their forces in Syria, Central Asia, and the lesser-extent, North Africa.

In between our time inside the ready room, after we done the route planning;

"Fishnet, when you will propose to Gloria? There are more and more of us going married, you know. Even your friend Bala. A good man, he is."

"Hmmm.. well, she said that she's ready to do it anytime. She's been graduated as a postgraduate, have a good job, and both my parents and her not mind that me and her get in relatively young. You may call it an ideal state, but, what's the point of delaying in this case? So, answering your question, Goalkeeper; immediately after I, no, we get back home, as I know that in some point, we are going to be rotated out."

"Alright, but what about the cost and such?"

"You know me as well as Bala know me, I spent three months thinking about this money affairs and proposing to Gloria after being together for years."

"Well, very true"

"Still, while I believe being a father is a highest honor and responsibility for a man, and I believe that I can do it well, you know sometimes I feel anxious to have kids early." my head went down as I finished the sentence.

"Now listen, Fishnet, a good number of my friend in the civilian world had been blessed with kids pretty young, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26... after marriage I mean. And don't think about what people will say. It's your choice, and I support such choice. You will get over it over time."

"Thanks for that" just as the intercom called us to the deck, to man our birds.

...

"Life support system.. checked, ready." said the AI voice upon I've done with the checklists.

In a typical warm air of the Indian Ocean, I placed my plane on the No #1 catapult, and the wind rushed down the deck, teasing me, and I lifted off once again in a single stroke of the electromagnetic powered apparatus. Ronny will be in the lead position with me as his wingman, along with Juan, the mission leader, and Nicholas, now a captain like me.

"Hello, Sea Eagle, it's an honor for us, especially me, to be in the same sky again."

"Snow" I replied.

"I'll look forward to the time that you be one of my wingman, anytime." replied Major Aris.

"I'm looking for that opportunity. Snow."

We tanked near Allied-controlled Mogadishu from two unmanned Cakalang drone tankers and rendezvoused with the EA-34s which will provide us SEAD and all aspect of EW services; jamming, counter jamming, and support measures or ESM.

Pretty soon I began to divide my attention to the instruction from Juan or Ronny, the AEW, and the AI warnings.

"Sea Eagle and Scalpel lead.. this is Robin lead, we're approaching your IP (initial point) from your three, keep your heads up" A voice with a significant Southern Indian accent declared as our night-vision scope caught the glimpse of the generally blacked out city.

"Roger that, Robin lead, good hunting" replied Aris, the 102 flight leader in this mission.

I looked right upon the EA-34s called for their launch of loitering AGM-90s, just as the missile passed through my cockpit.

"Fishnet, break!" Ronny called. I threw my jet away from the oncoming S-400s to the right and zoomed left in high speed, to ensure that the missile lost track on mine.

"Holy shit, we're facing two batteries of Growlers here!", exclaimed Sea Eagle 106, 1st Lt. Andi "Black Stork" Hasan.

I have to do another round of maneuvering while eschewing any downward moves to avoid being in range by Medina laser systems, AA gun as well as UCC copies of ground-based Umkhontos and SA-22 "Greyhounds" along with chaffs and ECM to evade up to three agile and long-ranged SA-21s.

So far, no sign of enemy UAVs being launched, only our own Belalangs and Capungs which were tracking, jamming, and decoying many of the Caliphate SAM launches.

I and Ronny ended up closer to the city's oil terminal by the time the ground-based radars were going silent. Not an ideal position as me and him saw the tracers of Pantsirs and even Medina laser platform which this time mounted on the similar tracked platform as the former instead of the more armored MBT chassis, vainly trying to reach us. But I saw two explosions nearby, and before I called the AEW, it updated us with the report of the drone shipment are being destroyed by our accompanying Cakalangs and the Indians, but also bandit calls.

"Sea Eagle and Scalpel, this is Sutasoma (1), we got bandits, coming in low and fast at 165, 10 miles, Angels 2. We count four, ID'ed Sofreh Mahi." Our E-23 radioed.

"Roger that Sutasoma." Juan replied, unable to hide his petulance. "Sea Eagle to Robin" he cut in.

"This is Scalpel lead, we will deal with those upcoming drones, as there must be more of those little bastards, Sea Eagle. Press for the city's airport and take out the rest of em, our landing force and Sino-Russian forces from the west are under threat by it's aircraft and drones." replied Major Aris.

"Robin lead calling Sutasoma, we can confirmed four container launchers are down, but we are continuing to look after those things that still on their containers. Wait.. our AWACS just handed us bandits to our east." called the Indian Navy leader from the INAS 301 "The Swallows".

"Confirmed, Sutasoma, Sea Serpent is turning to take over the search." Major Gantari "Lumos" Sutomo, the XO of 117 NAS, cut in.

"Sea Eagle, heads up, you have more bandits, had done their way from Madinah. Heading 358, 50 miles, Angels 3. Just four now, expect more. Identified as TF-1s" The E-23 said, getting things back on track.

The RWR became alerted again as the radars on the Turkish fighters turned towards the Indonesians. Their flight paths were both respectively straight and level as each side ran to get to long-range weapons range.

"Sea Eagle 104, Fox 3!" I called, firing the AIM-122C.

"Fishnet, break now, break now!" Ronny ordered with an edge in his voice.

I then drove one TF-1 down and to the right, daring the protective envelope of AA and laser below before the Turkish fighter made a violent snap upwards; and then the Buzzard that I just fired went upward into the TF-1 and found it's mark as if it were a rocket rising up to the stars.

"Fishnet, we have four trucks rolling into the apron, certainly drone carriers, we should take 'em out"

"Roger, Goalkeeper. I just want to say that to you." I replied as I looked at two explosions below near the perimeter. More LARMs, he guessed; a field day for the Electric Eels. He spotted another movement on the ground itself and found himself a little surprised as they still seemed to be trying to get jets up along with the drones.

"Skipper, we've got an imminent drone launch and TF-1s are being prepared for launch. Is the AAA down?" Ronny radioed.

"Zirconium Lead reports so." Juan reported. "Strafe them all with everything you got."

"Affirmative, Skipper!"

"Watch for AA and if your RWR kicks in, abort!" Juan added.

The main threats on the ground near the base, at this point, were a couple of Pantsirs around the city. Me and Ronny slowed to turn tighter and began the run at the airfield.

"Fox 4!" I called just as the mobile truck-based drone launchers had been fully erected for launch. Crimson red lasers from TLP went straight into the line of trucks, littering the apron with the burning scrap of metal and composites from both trucks and drones inside the containers. Meanwhile Ronny went slightly right and depressed the nose for just a second for his own laser strafing at two TF-1s which are already taxiing.

"Die, you apes" as I'm looking at the devastation below.

"This is Fenghuang lead, we see an enemy tank company... missile away!" Chinese Navy J-18s went through from the northeast of the AO and destroyed the tanks guarding the airport, rendered vulnerable due to the loss of their drone and air defense umbrella.

"Krepost' (fortress in Russian) 1 calling, we're approaching the airport from the west, Air unit, thanks for taking out those defenses up there. We're taking over from here with our support." reported a Russian naval infantry unit below us, advance under cover of their own attack helicopters and Bumerang AFVs.

"Khorosho, Krepost 1. We're counting on you" I piped in.

Before you asked me where I know the word, not from Google, but instead I learned a little bit of Russian phrases from a couple of Air Force Sukhoi drivers in joint exercises.

"This is Chengzong 1, we're approaching from the east side of the airport, we're taking minimum losses thanks to the air support. We're very grateful." called the commander of a reinforced battalion of Chinese State Navy Marines converging towards the airport supported by ZTD-30 amphibious tanks and ZBD-30 IFVs plus air support from their amphibious carrier.

The rest of the IF-34s and Chinese fighters were circling above and overhead, tangling with Saegheh drones and the remaining UCC jets. For now I kept my eyes on the darkened shapes of the TF-1 and JF-20s as they rushed along the floor, probably trying to get us to the range of Umkhontos, Medinas, and Pantsirs. I still have the TLP selected and gave Ronny a heads up before zapping the fighters. Meanwhile, the AWACS confirmed that the first element of Somali federal military had began entering the city from the south, and also the coast area along with the Russian forces.

"Enemy down" I said calmly.

Pretty soon the AI prioritized targets to be engaged, and this time, a formation of four Saegheh drones, flew from the eastern part of the city into the port area before split and I took pursuit on two drones as its flew northward back to the Gulf of Aden. The drones then slowed and turned left. As I had too much momentum I was forced to break right and climb sharply with the help of the thrust vectoring. The two drones went back to the right, but this time I got the good firing solution for the TLP. My first attempt failed due to their evasion, but the second time destroyed one, and I climb up and decided to leave the drone as it might try to lure me into the trap.

I called Ronny as I head back to the city. "Goalkeeper, report your position"

"I'm above Bosaso State House and engaged with Helwans from Saudi, regroup on my position!"

In the meantime the AEW had given us reports of first reinforcements from Ethiopia and Kenya in form of Ethiopian Su-57 and Kenyan F-35s, sweeping the sky for the attack helicopters to roll. I can see a couple of F-35 already engaging with Saegheh drones above the city center that tried to ambush a pair of American AH-3 Boomslangs and in oppposite direction and a pair of Chinese Z-25s firing at Caliphate technicals and a couple of captured Allied/Pact armored vehicles.

On the other hand the HA450s are still a problem.

"Missile, evade!" Nicholas, Sea Eagle 105 warned before we all broke left and right to avoid the barrage of UCC-copied Sidewinders launched from the Helwans.

I managed to evade one Sidewinder, but one still following me, so I threw the Flying Fish back to the right and create a wide roll, while pumping flares, as suggested by the augmented reality system. Then I came out of the loop in a turn towards one Helwan head north towards the gulf.

"Guns, guns!" I let loose a short burst of 25mm round that hits the target but not downed the Helwan.

As I deducted that the plane was damaged and the pilot decided to flee, I looked at my radar scope for another target as I head back towards the State House area.

"More UCAV incoming, 180, 12 miles, angels 2 and heads directly to your position!"

"Line up on me" called Juan, as we shed altitude to 2000 feet and selected the TLP.

"Here they come; choose your targets, hurry"

"Sea Eagle 103, coordinates received, fire Fox 4!"

Our first laser salvo killed three out of eight UAVs, but before we re-engage the formation a group of Rafales called in.

"This is Asifa (Storm) leader, we're entering your AO, check your seven."

"This is Liberty leader, we're in position. Be advised, we're firing our own missile."

"Break, break!" I can saw up to twelve missiles went from our seven and some explosion from the destroyed drones. Soon I catch the full form of gray MiG-35SMs and Rafale F5s entered our area. Then I also saw the newcomer's insignia, black-white-red from the center to the rim and the Egyptian flag in the fin.

"Free Egyptians" I whispered. Along with Hashemite Free Arab Legion, a group of exiled Egyptian officers which are more republican-minded decided to join our effort and formed a Free Egyptian Armed Forces. Despite it's name they also have non Egyptians in their ranks, such as Libyans and Tunisians. Arabian war refugees was their prime source of recruit not unlike the UCC. While mostly NATO-trained they also have Russian and Chinese weaponry in their arsenal.

I then decided to at least gain some altitude and pulled up, making a climb to 10,000 feet. As I regrouped with Ronny and the others I could see the twisting and turning of the furball over the city, while the manned strikers announcing they were starting to roll in, relieving or assisting our drones. So we went higher.

As we began our withdrawal from the area, there are still two HA450s in the area which want a fight to the death; and I decided to take the challenge. I rolled over and made a dive for the city, speeding up at first and slowing just as I inverted the plane. The move brought one Helwan closer than its pilot would've wanted to be without proper preparation. With an advantage in energy I positioned myself for a good lock of the AIM-10. Sensing the impending missile launch, but strangely without any hint of maneuver probably because he's out of energy, the Helwan pilot deployed a couple of flares. Upon the countermeasures were gone I pressed the launch button. An almost simultaneous kill with the launch from the Flying Fish.

Ronny signaled me to turn left and stuck in the north side of the city above the port area and establish a CAP. The place was still a ball of confusion. We caught glimpses of 117 NAS IF-34s and other allied aircraft flying in twos and threes, their passes over the city along with ship-launched cruise missile and artillery were followed by explosions and trails of oily black smoke as flammable objects burned unabated. The Caliphate's holding on Somalia has been effectively broken once more.

...

"Sit down" called Colonel Yanuar just as I entered his office. We've just been debriefed when he called six of our own specifically.

"Now I don't have much time so listen up. I've already told everyone in the 120 that in August 4th, we're to be rotated out back to the homeland and do our turn on shore duty. However, some of you will have a special assignment."

"What is it, Colonel?"