The three most useless things in aviation are runway behind you, altitude above you, and fuel not in your tanks - Anonymous aviation quote

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It's my umpteenth time to have a Christmas holiday in Tarutung, in my ancestral home below Siatas Barita hill, the site of Cross of Love, a monument built to commemorate a German evangelist who brought Christianity to my people.

This particular night I have a little trouble sleeping, and just in time for my phone rung. It's Evelyn.

"Evy, oh, hello!"

"Good night, Paul. Trouble sleeping?" she asked me.

"Yes. I can see you got the same thing. Am I right?" I replied back.

"Exactly why I'm calling you. Got this damn insomnia for almost a week."

People like me got easily tired from long talk, however, as a good boyfriend I should be a good ear for her.

She's keep talking about different stuff, including how many of us were being hounded for signatures and interviews with local press, until she touched the same subject before our first tour with the 11th.

"Are you really sure about this? Resigning?"

"Yes, remember what I tell you back in Makassar?"

I pondered a little and nodded to her hologram.

"Since our battle in Iraq.. my desire for this is getting more and more pronounced. I can feel that. A want for peace. Not trouble free, but better than spending a lifetime fighting. But I can't, Paul, I can't."

"Go on"

"Our war have to be ended so I can do so."

"Exactly what I want it to be." Somehow my eyes went a little glassy upon looking at the hologram of hers, with expression that is close to tear like me. "And have you tell your parents about this matter?"

"Yes, they give the ball to me now. And I'm scared. But I don't want to make love with you with bombs or gunfire nearby. I believe that Yoel had told this to your sister, am I right? A common desire for tranquility and peace."

"Spot on, Evy. You don't know this, but you gave me more motivation. To end this." My lips curved into a small smile. I saw she frowned a little.

"Just smile more, my commander.. for me. I am a better fighter because of you, and for you."

"You're cute when you're laughing" Her remark only caused me to giggle some more, she replied in kind.

On the third day of Christmas, me and my family went uphill for the Cross.

As my elder brother drove the car, I looked skyward and a train of thinking went on my mind.

"I need to thank God for the military regulations, otherwise I might basically go into a one-man inquisition." I shuddered a little as I am imagining myself with a sixth generation that I will soon fly went into a rampage above Mecca or Medina. It also manifested itself as a nightmare since the squadron was sent back home to Makassar, with equally horrible ending in which I lost Evelyn and then was shot down myself.

"I am the hammer of God used to punish the wicked, a certain civilization which had their cup of wickedness full."

"My hands are full of blood, but what choice I have?"

Just in time for the electric car to enter the gate of the Cross of Love.

As I went down the car I put a deep breath with the fact that even in my ancestral home people are ogling after me!

"Look, it's ace Paulus!" exclaimed a young boy not younger than eleven, standing in front of the statue of the said German, Ingwer Ludwig Nommensen.

"I want to take photos with him" shouted another children.

"Man, I can believe it.. One of our heroes had graced us with his presence."

I shrugged it to stay with my family, as some others tried to keep the peace.

"... It not just him. I mean.. if you want to thank him for his service to this country, remember the others as well.. He's not a sort of doll to be put on a pedestal.. He also deserve peace like us."

I went up with my family through the stairs leading into the monument that also functioned as chapels.

"Let's pray together" my father said to us as we were inside one of it's chapels below the cross.

Content with Him, and with the world, despite the fighting out there, even as the news are increasingly less joyful; with no month passed without any foiled terror plots in the homeland or attempted cyber attacks, a new pink tide in Latin America with Cuba even restored their so called "revolutionary government", or a couple of racially charged and armed clashes in Java and Papua a week after the funeral of our former president stoked by the remnants of Islamists and leftists, the latter in particular Papuan separatists.

As I went out I decided to fulfill people's dream to have a picture with me.

"Fight well out there!"

"Bring us victory!"

"You are God's tool to protect us!"

Their encouraging words keep echoing in my ears as days passed.

...

It was a peaceful time to pray and just be with my family in Christmas and New Year.

"Where are you going, anggi (1)?" Asked my sister in law Paula as I put in my track shoes. She is Dayaknese, but because she married a Bataknese, she was given our own surname, in this case, Hutabarat.

"Things that Air Force pilots do everyday, angkang boru (2)." I answered her.

"PT, honey" added my eldest brother.

"Amang uda (3) never forgot his soldier thing, isn't he?" Ludwig asked at his father, as I slowly leaving the house.

"That's life as a soldier, my bere (4)" I said to him.

I breathed steadily and feel the misty air outside as I began my stretching, then push up, before running through the street near the house passing one of the bridges spanning Aek Sigeaon river flowing below.

However, as I am done with the physical and are about to join together for breakfast my phone vibrated.

"Colonel Jusuf?" I muttered and picked it up. To paraphrase him "You're to report in three days to Makassar immediately. Faster the better."

Soon I told my family about it.

"Everyone.. mum, dad, Petrus, Daniel. Tomorrow I will be back on duty."

"Brother.. but you got six month off."

"New order. The frontline can't wait. If you look at the news, we are getting closer to Riyadh. Suez Canal has fallen, and Cairo is next in line. They need me now. This war could end before the Centennial so we can celebrate it together!"

"Well, follow the orders." My dad replied.

"Don't forget to tell Gloria." My mum said.

"It's done. I've told both her and Yoel. They are to be transferred to Banjarmasin and from there he will be on his third cruise. I'm looking forward to fly with him again. Don't worry with her. She's pretty quick to adapt being Navy wife."

My parents and my brothers, plus my sister in law nodded.

"Oh, I am going to tell Namboru Tarida too, dad." My dad smiled. She's my dad's youngest sister that lived with her husband, a local doctor here in Tarutung.

That afternoon "Tomorrow you'll go to deployment again?" asked Aunt Tarida to me.

"Yes, namboru. Just gotten the new order today.. Frontline can't wait anyway.." I sighed. "And tell my greeting to amang boru (uncle)."

"Of course, Paulus.." she told me. "Be safe out there, and back alive, so we can see you marrying Evelyn."

"I will try, but no promises, my aunt."

...

Inside my family's car I waved at neighbors looking at my departure.

"Everyone.. it's time for me to back to my duty for the Motherland." I said.

"I can only say this.. fight well." one of them, a local shop owner which I called as amang tua in virtue of similar surname and older than my father. "... Show no mercy to those Caliphate people, son.. They should learn not to mess with our people!"

"Me and my plane will ensure it happen, amang tua."

Another one, who worked for a bee farm, and I called as amang boru also gave me his blessing and a salute, reminiscing his days as a police commissioned officer.

"Colonel.. Be safe out there!"

"Will do." I answered the retired policemen.

...

My parents and Daniel will head back for Palangkaraya tomorrow while Petrus will head for Jakarta, but the gloomy atmosphere doesn't help the fact that we are at war.

"Be safe out there, Paulus.. Fight well, but be kind to spare some of your enemies.."

"I will, inang (5)" I answered my mum in a tone that soothes a storm. Then I faced my father face to face, my left hand holding camouflaged deployment bag as well as a rucksack on my back while I am wearing my Class B uniform, then hugged him too.

"Amang (6), let me go, and let me fight!"

"All the best, my son.. Even with who you are, you've found your best use of talent in the sky.. Until we meet again."

Petrus as well as Daniel and his family hugged me as well.

As I left them further and further into the departure hall, I can still hear my niece's word.

"Fly, Uncle. Protect us!"

The Garuda Indonesia flight was a direct, special military flight to Makassar.

Upon landing and reunited with Evy and some other familiar faces of the 11th I organized my stuff. In fact I received info that Captain Kuk Min-jae "Cabbage" has been transferred to the Thunders from Emerald Squadron.

"Attention!"

I lent my full ears as our Wing Commander Air Commodore Erwin Dharma explained that Colonel Jusuf is going to be reassigned.

Who will be the new squadron CO? I asked myself. But the answer was soon clear as crystal as he called me to step forward.

Commodore Erwin showed me the papers showed that I have been promoted to Wellspring's rank as well as his post.

Me, someone who joined the Air Force with waivers, but now a squadron commander?

I felt there is someone better than me, but an order is an order, and with Evelyn smiled at me, with all my heart, I recited the oath of office.

"In the name of God I promise, that I accept the special obligation.. and responsibility of my position as the Commanding Officer of the 11th Air Squadron freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion.. I will uphold every standard for squadron commanding officers under the Five Principles, the 2025 Constitution, Sapta Marga and Warrior's Oath. I will not accept or give any gifts or any other things in any forms from anyone else that are related to my execution of duty in the office of Squadron Commanding Officer. So help me God"

The first task is transition to the IF-36. From East to West. For this purpose the squadron's weapons officer is a transferee from the Supadio AFB-based 1st Squadron "Equatorial Eagles", the first IF-36 squadron named Major Fuad Gunawan, callsign "Digger" and had scored 12 kills all in IF-36.

Still, before we start it.. "Let's have a little farewell party for Colonel Jusuf" I said.

"Our new Colonel knows how to party, isn't he?" said Pandu with a smile. And so, small gifts were exchanged in the base's hall that night, inside our ball where we are safe. Songs were sung, and last but not least, dine and drink.

"For Thunders!"

"Cheers!"

As we ate "Hey Colonel, do you know that a couple of your fans has made poems inspired from you on Wattpad?"

"Oh, really? I need to check it out.." I said at Andik, the one who asked me.

"Well.. let me read one of them.." He opened his phone and went over to me.

"..Everyone can be a hero. Your limitations aren't obstacles. Overcome it! Use your body, use your brain, use your faith, and love your loved ones! A man from Medan had shown us an example.. Can you do that? If you said yes, you are on the path to become one."

Another poem from a different writer. "Flying through the skies.. a pilot called Wise.. Weak in heart but strong in resolve. Proud who he is as God created him for his Glory... In his weakness he fought for our freedom. How you will do your own part for the Motherland?"

" ..Not everyone called to shed blood or die for the Motherland, but everyone have a duty for her... "

I nodded through the poem. Approval is an understatement for my feelings right now.

"I will write those who write this on their Facebook. A little thank you message for them."

"Good for you" Evy smiled.

Another reason for celebration were news that two of the married 11th members had just have their first child; Major Kalla and Captain Gunarto.

"Congratulations"

"You're welcome, Wise." replied Gunarto.

"Thanks for that, Colonel" said Kalla.

Yoel had told me his experience with the IFX-II. But I know Navy and Air Force is something different. One and half week after the ground classes, it's time to bring it outside.

An 80% virtual reality based wearable cockpit with more functions displayed on my HMD compared to the old Flywheel, but still had physical backup for obvious reasons with insistence of both our and the Korean civilian leadership. Voice-activated command interfaces with better response time compared to the earlier 5.5 generation. On the other hand the larger airframe of the IFX-II and the associated higher price tag means a reduced number of aircraft in the squadron, from sixteen in the Su-67 squadron to twelve machines.

"Sky, I'm back" I muttered to myself as I guided her into the runway with three other Gundolo or Gundala, which means Thunder in Javanese. A fitting name for the bird.

"Thunder 1-1, you're clear to take-off" ordered the controller.

This will be hard, but it expand my mind even more. Even with the confined space of the cockpit and virtual views can't replace real ones, happiness is in the air.

Upon completing the transition, we got an invitation directly to the capital. Turned out it was the PM's doing.

...

"What's the background of Lieutenant Colonel Hutapea?" asked PM Latuperissa to the First Deputy Chairman of the National Security Council and National Security Advisor Akbar Maulana.

"A rising star. Best graduate from fighter training, Highest scorer so far, gold medallist in PIKTAR (7) 2029, 100 meters freestyle. Expert pistol marksman. His uncle is Lt. Col. Abraham Sinaga, once a Flanker pilot in the same squadron he's now leading, retired as staff officer in Air Force Operations Command II. Bintang Swa Bhuwana Paksa Utama, Satyalencana Kesetiaan 3rd Category (16 Years), Yudh Seva Medal by the Indians, later for him, the Indians upgraded it to Uttam Yudh Seva; Order of the Rising Sun 5th Class from Japan, Americans gave him Air Force Commendation Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross, Order of Military Merit, Hwarang from Korea, Member of the Most Admirable Order of Tirekgunabhorn from the Thais..."

"..A peculiar fact that since his career's beginning, everywhere he served, the 14th, 42nd, and now 11th Squadron, is always with Major Hardikusumo. On the other hand Colonel Hutapea never personally requested such agreement. But we know well about their relationship, and the fact that both are distinguishing themselves since they began their duty means that it's an asset.. not a liability. They are exception. Mr. Prime Minister, in a good way."

"I can understand. We need every man and woman we can muster for a final victory, even those that are different than the most."

Both men opened the door to the dinner hall, when members of the 11th Squadron are awaiting them along with some other invited pilots.

...

"Everyone" I commanded as the Prime Minister and the NSA entered the hall.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Prime Minister. It's an honor from me to be invited." a courtesy from mine; the rest followed suit to greet the Commander in Chief.

"You're more than welcome, Colonel Hutapea" said Latuperissa.

"Major Gunawan... this is Major Hardikusumo.. and this is Major Kalla..."

As the guests sat down on many round tables in the hall, the President said to me the following. "I have heard much about the bravery and intrepidity of yours, and your wingmen, either here or already in other squadrons over the years. I can only say that I am proud of you all, especially in the light of your uniqueness that you will carry on for life, Colonel. And you, Major Gunawan, your work deserve special attention too as well with the success of the 11th transition program."

"Thank you sir. Colonel Hutapea was helpful too, as well. We are learning from each other." replied Gunawan.

"That's what I like to see. And oh, as your highest possible authority.. after this, I got a new order for the Eleventh, for now, enjoy the dinner."

"Cheers to victory"

"Cheers!"

The PM opened up the envelope contained the said order, made valid by the military letterhead.

"The Thunders are to be deployed and reporting to USS Sumter Mobile Offshore Base in Japan. An American base. From there you will receive your exact order under the aegis of the PPDU."

"You know" I told Major Nana 'Chemist' as we're heading for our staff cars. "My first function with the Head of Government without I bumped to anyone or anything."

"Good to know, Colonel"

Well, when I stepped on the stairs heading for the MoD-owned officer's lodging, I slipped and almost hit the ground face first.

"You're alright, Colonel?" the amused Pandu looked at me, assuming a push-up position at the steps. Near my right feet was my command baton.

"A little tired, I am, Captain." I answered him with a smile. The rest of my squadron chuckled, holding their laugh.

...

"Sumter tower, cleared for visual"

We fly from Makassar for almost 5 hours in several supersonic dashes northward into the said semi submersible rig style base in the Pacific Ocean.

Upon all sixteen of us landed in the base the planes were promptly brought into the base's lift and into the hangar below the flight area while we're ushered into one of the meeting room in a deck below with murmurs and looks from nearby base personnel as we're on our way down.

"We are the first Indonesians to visit this kind of place, Colonel." Evy told me as we're walking.

"I see then.. Entrancing, isn't it?" I asked her back, which smiled.

"I wonder why we got sent here to a Yankee base." said Nana.

"Piece of awesome American engineering. 100%, I heard of, with many small companies and cooperatives involved in it." uttered Pandu in admiration.

"It's good you like this place already" said their American guide, 1st Lt. Jenkins Roberts.

I looked at the surroundings inside the room, full of pilots from various PPDU and NATO nations and decided to get around and make myself and the squadron known. However, a Japanese accented female voice called my name.

"Colonel Paulus.. we finally back again in the same place." the said Japanese politely shook my hand after recognizing my rank.

"Colonel Takayama, nice to meet you again."

Grinning, the woman turned to tell her pilots "Minna-san, meet the 11th Squadron. Those people who fought with us in Iraq!"