Defending Old Glory

Year 2011

US led NATO and Russia-China axis SCO relations have reached a new low. SCO Navy intervened in a border dispute between the Kingdom of Bonga and Republic of Piconesia. Taking the side of the Piconesians a powerful naval force consisting of Russian Kuznetsov class carrier Admiral Ushakoff and an Atlant class cruiser Marshall Zhukov attempt to bombard Port Eden, the capital of Jonga. Captain Priam has been asked by Washington to strike the Russian task force with his hodge podge force of 28 World War II era aircaft. The high tech stealth aircraft and other expensive jets are committed elsewhere as this backwater is only defended by seasoned oldtimers.

The main bomb squadron 3 X B-29 and 1 X EB-29 are the main strike force. The B-29 airfarme is equipped with a powerful search and track radar and is armed with modified AGM-86 Tactical Anti-ship Missiles (TASMs), a version of ship launched Tomahawk. The EB-29 is a powerful jamming platform equipped to mask the strikers in case they are detected or intercepted by enemy aviation or sea surveillance. However, satellite surveillance remains a threat. Engineers have retrofitted these old bombers into a launch platform each able to carry four of the cruise missiles. Further ECM support is provided by a refurbished flight of EP-38 each equipped with one ALQ-161 Airborne Self protection Jammer (ASPJ) pod and a new powerful IR jammer pod developed by an undisclosed UK aerospace firm. These systems can jam powerful long range Russian radars and theoretically also able to mask the strike force from enemy attempts to intercept with carrier based interceptors. However, a severe risk exists if the MiG-29Ks or Su-33s attempt an close range gun/IR missile attack. No plan survives contact with the enemy, said Murphy.

Captain Priam devises a layered attack plan. In case his bombers fail or are destroyed by Fulcrums or Flankers, a second tier raid will be launched by Major Lander's transport flight of 4 X C-47. The old Gooneybird has been rigged with Mk48 ADCAP naval torpedoes, two each in the four attacking aircraft. Major Lander operates from Black Raven, a separate C-47 platform equipped with powerful jamming and Electronic Support Measure (ESM) sets. In case this task force fails, a backup strike force of 3 X SBD Dauntless force equipped with Mk50 Barracuda torpedoes will be asked to conduct a near fatal strike. This third task unit is actually meant for anti-submarine warfare.

As news reaches Washington of heavy casualties among Bongan natives, the Congress urges President Van Windberg to immediately relieve the US protectorate. Admiral Manston, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff authorizes a secret unheard unit of the Air National Guard to prick this blatant aggression in the Pacific.

"Do something, Peter, I am bogged down in Europe and the Middle East".

Secretary Blackwell shuttles to Europe trying to persuade the Europeans to form a joint pressure group to force Russian leader Zhinonevsky from using force against our backyard.

"Sir I doubt this freak will kowtow to us," said a hardnosed Admiral Manston. A tall but trim figure. Manston was a veteran of the Persian Gulf War logistics effort to save Kuwait but was inexperienced. Maston picks up a black briefcase equipped with dark brown switches. He orders CINCPAC to initiate engagement.

'A risky gamble,' he murmurs to himself. What if the North Koreans join this adventure, he pondered. He quickly dials 3 coded text.

"Gen. Framm, please ask your men to be under extreme caution. Coordinate with Speccom once for LRS insertion at short notice.

Meanwhile in San Diego, Captain Priam basks in his private pool with his wife Georgine. "Honey, when will this be all over?"

"I dunno. But I will be back, I guarantee," said a slightly relaxed Captain as he smiokes a fresh scented tobacco from his father's Carvi pipe. The same evening on 8pm he drives to local airport and flies to Honolulu on a UA flight. He then boards a C-2A Greyhound in Oahu and flies to Wake.

At Wake, CINCPAC and his staffers have arranged a meeting at Westing's Cafe. As there was massive monitoring by Glonass and other camera equipped satellites, the officers had to change to civvies, T-shirts and Shorts to mingle with civilians. They began riding ordinary cars to their rendesvous points. As per the plan, Captain Priam's task force will launch a three tier strike.

As the bombers takeoff from Wake, the heavy overcast prevents an orderly flight but provides an excellent cover just in case. Major Trevor leads his bomb group straight toward the Russian task force. And froma standoff range of 190 kilometeters, he lets go a volley of 12 TASMs. The Russians quickly scramble a flight of four Su-33s to intercept. A pair of patrolling Flankers shadow the attacking American squadron from a distance. They refuse to switch on their firecontrol radars relying instead relying on Glonass surveillance datalink for fear of detection. Their mission is to reconnaissance and Admiral Markov wants to use them only just in case.

(to be continued...)

Note:-Pri(t)am's pulp fiction is entirely his own creation. Knowledge credit goes to the British publication Jane's which provided me rights to use their material with proper citation.