Are we still alive?
Being bombed and being shelled are completely different experiences, let alone being saturated with fire. Paul was completely stunned.
"Of course, RPGs can't break through our defenses."
Xia Yu comforted her friend.
The only troublesome situation is when the rockets run out and the anti-tank missiles fire another round. Without the entire convoy sharing the damage, a single vehicle crew is doomed.
The good news is that anti-tank teams carrying missiles pose a higher threat level than RPG shooters, and all air units will prioritize eliminating them to protect ground forces.
"It's because of technological advancements that tank crews from all sides during World War II were filled with awe for Panzerfaust and Bazooka. Several tanks in my collection have penetration holes left by their metal jets."
Paul was filled with awe for rocket launchers, after all, his collection of T-34s and Shermans actually had spirit rings.
"You're right, tank crews back in World War II didn't have it as easy as they do now."
Xia Yu agreed with Paul's statement that tanks of that era, even Tiger and Panther tanks, were merely high-cost consumables, and even elite crews would be wiped out by concentrated fire.
"So no matter how much I like these things, if I could travel back to World War II, I would join the US Navy like my father, but of course, it would be best if I wasn't assigned to the Pacific Fleet before 1942."
Paul was prone to daydreaming, but even if he was unlucky, being assigned to the Pacific Fleet wasn't a big deal.
As long as it can serve on an aircraft carrier, it can escape the Pearl Harbor attack. As for aircraft carriers like Lexington, Yorktown, and Hornet, that would be extremely unlucky.
"If I could go back to World War II, I might learn Japanese and become a secret agent!"
Xia Yu also broadened her thinking and talked about career choices.
There was no other way; he had read eight hundred novels about "Bright Sword" on Dianping (a Chinese online forum), and he wanted to make a name for himself in the spy genre, since there was much to be done in the underground battlefield.
"Yes, you have a racial advantage in this respect. We can pretend to be Germans, but I can't imagine what it would be like for a native German."
The two men chatted idly inside the tank while continuing to test the other performance aspects of the red T-80U until they returned to the depot near dusk.
"This tank's overall performance is better than our T-64B1M. I plan to import another batch of these tanks, and once we've sold most of them, I'll retire this meritorious tank."
Xia Yu, who was satisfied with the performance of the red T-80U, expressed his idea of retiring the T-64B1M.
Let alone a new main battle aircraft costing four or five million dollars, only a minority in Afica can afford a used T-80U.
Only the T-72 series can be shipped in large quantities to such lower-tier markets.
Of course, there's also the T-64 series, which originated in Xia Yu. With a slight upgrade in configuration, it can easily outperform the standard T-72 and has gained widespread praise.
Based on a comprehensive analysis of various data, he estimated that Afica could still absorb 50 to 100 T-64B1Ms, which would roughly represent the number of vehicles he would purchase during his trip to Oslo in the second half of the year.
Pickups are pretty good, but Xia Yu has a dream: to make tanks affordable for all his Black friends.
"Although I don't understand the specifics of command and combat, standardized equipment is more logistically efficient. Your current insistence on using this T-64 variant is for marketing and sales purposes."
Paul asked uncertainly.
"In contrast, many countries in Afica cannot afford either the Leclerc or the T-80 series."
"Buddy, you really understand me. But besides selling cars, this modified version is the highest-spec version of the high-spec. It can easily last for another two or three years of heavy use. And by then, I'll have sold out of my stock."
Because of similar thinking, it's no surprise that Paul understands Charlotte, as businessmen are the ones who understand businessmen best.
But all good things must come to an end, and he finally had to return to the United States, and this parting might very well be forever.
Goodbye Liv, goodbye little Shad.
After saying goodbye to the two men at the parking spot, Paul turned and boarded his Gulfstream G650.
"Buzz"
Taxiing onto the runway, the business jet soared into the sky, flying alone westward toward North America on the other side of the Atlantic.
Just as it flew out of the international airspace, two red fighter jets, each carrying live ammunition, appeared on either side of the aircraft.
"Hey buddy, I'm here!"
Xia Yu's voice came through the radio.
Looking out the porthole at the pilot in the front seat of the two-seater F-16 giving him a thumbs-up, Paul was instantly moved to tears.
Even the president of the United States wouldn't receive such treatment.
Not to mention piloting fighter jets, and his friends were the ones protecting him.
"I saw it, thank you, Sherlock!"
Paul waved to Charlotte as he replied over the radio.
"There are so many things I should thank. Although we come from different industries, we share the same interests and hobbies."
At this moment, only the song "See You Again" can describe Xia Yu's feelings.
After a brief exchange, the radio fell silent, but high in the sky, two hearts less than 50 meters apart were connected.
More than three hours later, the fuel in the internal fuel tanks, conformal fuel tanks, and auxiliary fuel tanks of the two F-16s was almost exhausted, and they had already traveled 3,000 kilometers away from Afika.
"Paul, there's a Chinese saying that goes, 'Even if you send someone off for a thousand miles, you must eventually part ways.' I have to say goodbye to you now."
Time really flies, Xia Yu said goodbye to Paul over the radio.
"Goodbye, my friend, I will miss you and little Xiad."
After Paul finished speaking, he watched the two F-16s disappear into the distance and remained silent for a long time.
Next, they will face their own lives.
"Beep beep beep"
Fuel low alarms sounded simultaneously in the cockpits of both red Fighting Falcons. The last bit of fuel they had left was only enough for them to fly a few hundred kilometers more, which would definitely not be enough to get them back to Kongluga.
Fortunately, Jihuo Defense has its own aerial refueling aircraft. The crew of the C-135FR took off and were able to catch up with the refueling when the two fighter jets returned.
The upgrade at the home base didn't change the hard-pipe refueling system on these two F-16s, but rather the familiar aircraft that had refueled dozens of F-15s. It expertly deployed the tail boom.
The semi-rigid refueling probe was precisely inserted into the refueling port on the back of Xia Yu's F-16, and a large amount of aviation fuel was injected into the fighter jet's internal fuel tank, external fuel tank, and conformal fuel tank at a faster speed than the hose.
The red warfighting falcon, which was on the verge of dying of thirst, was instantly revived. A second one followed, and their range was increased to 3,000 km+.
"boom"
With fuel at their disposal, Xia Yu broke the sound barrier by engaging afterburner and conducted flight drills with another F-16.
Both Barbabian pilots had very long names, so it was simpler to just use their code names.
He even helped come up with code names for them: one was called Tube-nosed Bat, and the other was Horseshoe Bat.
There aren't many types of flying mammals, but there are quite a few, specifically 962 species belonging to 185 genera and 16 families within the order Chiroptera.
No matter how much the concentrated fire defense develops in the future, it seems difficult to use up all 900-plus code names.
"Boss, it's hard to believe this is your second time flying an F-16."
After burning through the fuel in both auxiliary fuel tanks during supersonic flight, Xia Yu jettisoned the fuel and began performing various high-difficulty maneuvers, prompting the tube-nosed bat in the back seat to exclaim in admiration.
"I have flown many types of fighter jets, and with the experience I gained from simulators, I didn't find it difficult to modify them."
“Talent is so important. Horseshoe Bat is younger than me, but he can fly four types of fighter jets, unlike me who can only fly three.”
These two pilots who went abroad to work were one steady and the other ruthless.
The older tube-nosed bat is the more stable one, while the more talented horseshoe bat is the more ruthless one. The two, who are in their prime, only signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Xia Yu.
After making this quick buck and accumulating more practical experience, they'll still go back to take the civil service exam.
"There are four types of fighter jets, so you can fly the Mirage-2000 (Horseshoe Bat)."
Xia Yu inquired over the radio.
"Yes, boss, I've only flown for 100 hours."
As a professional substitute pilot, Horseshoe Bat has extensive experience working abroad, but he mainly flies F-16s, accumulating over 1000 flight hours.
"So, if I offered you $500,000, would you be willing to pilot a target drone into battle?"
Xia Yu asked the other party.
The drone's movements were too stiff and its counterattacks too weak, which initially seemed novel to the wealthy.
But after a few tries, it gets boring. That's when museums need to step in and offer value-added services like live-action shooting simulators.
Of course, it's not a real-life battle royale mode, because that would change the nature of the game. In that case, the pilots of the target drones would eject and escape the moment the wealthy people launch their missiles.
Multiple helicopters responsible for the rescue will respond immediately in the nearby airspace to locate the pilot as quickly as possible and ensure his safety.
"I'm willing, of course I'm willing."
Horseshoe bats didn't hesitate at all, fearing that Xia Yu would withdraw such generous terms.
$500,000 at a time—even pilots from the United States couldn't resist that, let alone pilots from Barbadian sheep.
"Boss, I'm also willing. I can fly an F-16 as a target drone."
The tube-nosed bat also volunteered.
Who wouldn't want to earn 500,000?
You should know that Xia Yu only offered them an annual salary of $240,000, which was enough for two years' worth of work in one job.
"Shooting down an F-16 with an F-14 doesn't seem like a bad idea. After all, several thousand Fighting Falcons have been sold worldwide. Let me think about it some more. Call the Cow crew to prepare for another resupply!"
After confirming the two's intentions, Xia Yu changed the subject and prepared for the second in-flight refueling.
Refueling wealthy clients is expensive, but refueling himself only costs the fuel and the pump. Naturally, he wouldn't hesitate to refuel multiple times, prioritizing training above all else.
"Yes, boss!"
The C-135FR that had been trailing behind accelerated toward them. After refueling, the three aircraft continued flying for two hours before landing at Pointe-Noire Airport.
After handing the plane over to the maintenance team, Xia Yu returned to Boge Village with the two pilots to host a welcome dinner.
He had inquired about their dietary restrictions beforehand and knew they didn't eat pork, but they could eat big-eared sheep and short-nosed elephants, so he specially asked Lao Yu to prepare a more lavish meal.
There were no flight plans for tomorrow, and they were served wheat juice brewed by Kuhn, with the instructors keeping them company and getting them drunk.
The company has strict rules and a relaxed atmosphere, so elite employees integrate quickly.
In the following days, Xia Yu would fly his F-16 whenever he had free time, and when he didn't, he would be busy with trivial matters at the aircraft carrier museum and preparing various supplies for the second deployment in the Sahel region.
The T-80U, which was battered and bruised from testing, was completely restored. However, before the crew could even visit, he sent it to Niriliya along with a batch of supplies.
This deployment will not go through Gineya. All supplies will first be sent to Nirilya for transit, and finally pass through Nirier to head straight to another direction in Marie.
"Well then, my dear, Mommy, Daddy, Little Yuzu, and I are leaving!"
At Pointe-Noire Airport, in front of the gangway of the USS Fisher, Liv, holding her son, said goodbye to Xia Yu.
"Bye-bye, video chat with me more often when you get home."
Xia Yu waved to his wife and children.
As the mother and daughter boarded the plane, Lin Shuqin, who was holding a two-month-old Malinois puppy that Daniel had already deemed unsuitable, and Lao Xia also came over.
If he's not suited to be a handsome military dog, then he can only be a watchdog.
To make it look nice, no security bars were installed, so the security level had to be raised. This Belgian Malinois puppy, which is half a month older than Xiaoyouzi, is the firstborn of Dahuang's second litter.
Its older siblings have undergone a year of training and have begun their internships, while its younger siblings will undergo the same process and receive formal positions in the concentrated fire defense force.
"Xiaoyu, your dad and I are leaving now. We'll take care of Liv and the baby. You can focus on your work here and take care of yourself."
Lin Shuqin petted the dog while talking to her son.
"Okay, Mom. I'm 30 now. You just need to take good care of our grandson. Also, this dog needs to be trained. I've found a good person back home to teach it. Make sure you treat them well."
Even though he's 30 and has a wife and son, Xia Yu is still a child in his mother's eyes.
If Lin Shuqin knew the main business her son was involved in outside of the museum, she would probably be shocked.
"Alright, alright, we're leaving now. You go ahead and do your thing!"
After watching my parents board the plane and the cabin door close, the Fisher taxied toward the runway.
"Buzz"
The Airbus A319 took off, made a turn in mid-air, and flew eastward.
After seeing off her family, Xia Yu returned to her busy life, until the second cargo ship carrying supplies arrived at Pointe-Noire Port just before the Spring Festival.
"It's finally here. I've been waiting for so long."
Xia Yu opened the cargo hold cover and saw the Longbow Cross Deer with its main rotor blades removed.
Large quantities of spare parts and specialized ammunition filled two containers, while other containers filled with daily necessities were piled up in the empty space behind them.
However, when Wu arrived, the crew members had not yet arrived. The two pilots, who had been training until the helicopter was loaded onto the ship, returned to their hometown to spend their last Spring Festival with their families before going abroad to work.
Compared to the newcomers in ground sports, they signed contracts for a full two years.
Therefore, experiencing real combat is secondary; the real purpose is to test the equipment in actual combat.
After all, these are all new gadgets, and no matter how impressive the data is on the test field, it can't compare to their actual performance on the battlefield.
In addition to participating in each combat mission, these two pilots had to record various data and write specialized reports, which was a very demanding task.
Xia Yu hopes they can adapt quickly. He won't be operating the Longbow Cross Deer, since he doesn't need to write that stuff anyway.
Personnel were arranged to gradually transfer the aircraft and containers ashore, and the new year was fast approaching.
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