Chapter 104 Sakhalin Island

However, installing an aerial refueling hose is simple, but aerial refueling requires special training. The 513th Regiment has not received any aerial refueling training. The only one who has aerial refueling experience is Andre, and he also relies on his experience in his previous life. Therefore, Andre's first plan is very risky, while the second plan is much safer.

It would be much more convenient to proceed to the airport on Sakhalin Island.

In later generations, there is not much information about the naval base on Sakhalin Island. Generally speaking, due to the terrain of Sakhalin Island, it is difficult to establish a military port on Sakhalin Island. During the Cold War, there were indeed no reports of a naval base on Sakhalin Island.

However, although there is no naval base, it is still easy to build several air force bases. After all, the location of Sakhalin Island is quite important to the Soviet Union. For example, from here across the strait, you can fly to Hokkaido across the strait!

Moreover, during World War II, the islanders had already built more than a dozen front-line airports here. Although at that time a runway of several hundred meters was enough for the take-off and landing of propeller planes, now the runway has been widened and lengthened, so jet fighters can take off and land.

The largest base on Sakhalin Island is Kamene-Iruchii, which is located on the west bank of the Tatar Strait on Sakhalin Island, facing the island nation of Hokkaido. The 568th and 570th Naval Rocket Aviation Regiments stationed there are equipped with large Tu-16 and Tu-142 aircraft. The runway is long enough for MiG-25 to take off. In history, Tu-142 often took off from here, causing trouble for the island nation.

At the same time, there is an air defense interceptor base of the Far Eastern National Air Defense Force on Sakhalin Island, deployed at the Kalyukin base on the west coast of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk. A MiG-23 fighter regiment and a Su-15TM interceptor regiment are stationed here. Their mission is to defend Sakhalin Island and the Kamchatka Peninsula. After all, the Americans are on the opposite side.

And on Sakhalin Island, there are also important strategic missile launch sites of the Soviet Union. If a nuclear war really breaks out, the Soviet strategic missiles will be launched here at the first time to strike the evil United States.

The typical Soviet air defense operation is to divide the air defense area, and each area performs air defense tasks in its own area. For example, the 513th Regiment focuses on the airspace over the Sea of ​​Japan and rarely participates in military operations on Sakhalin Island. Now, Andrei's proposal is also very risky.

But... this plan is too tempting. In the 1970s during the Cold War, the Soviet Union was on the offensive and the United States was on the defensive. Especially now that the Americans had just withdrawn their troops from Vietnam, they were losing confidence in the military. If we could deal a heavy blow to the self-confidence of the Americans now, it would be quite pleasing to the eye!

This plan can only be carried out by the MiG-25. After all, the MiG-25 is currently the most advanced fighter in the entire Far East, and it has not made a single mistake in the confrontation with the United States.

Andre's proposal was affirmed by the commander of the military district, who ordered him to go back and make preparations. The specific military action still needed the approval of his superiors. After all, if one was not careful, an accidental discharge of a gun might lead to a more serious confrontation or even a war.

Andrei, who came back from Vladivostok, was full of confidence. He believed that his proposal would be passed. You know, Ustinov is now the Minister of Defense! This man is an absolute hardliner.

Now, we need to be prepared!

This reconnaissance operation does not require the use of more fighter jets. If dozens of fighter jets were used, a real battle would have broken out. It is just a reconnaissance operation, so two MiG-25PDs and one MiG-25R reconnaissance aircraft are enough.

"Victor, take good care of our fighter planes." After returning to the base, Andre said to the new maintenance captain Victor: "We may be carrying out an important mission, and the fighter planes cannot have any malfunctions!"

"Yes!" Victor said, "Captain, don't worry, our maintenance team is now full of elite soldiers."

The maintenance brigade's previous lazy atmosphere has been swept away. Under Victor's leadership, everyone in the maintenance brigade is vying to master more skills and to carry out the work of maintaining fighter planes. The maintenance that was often delayed in the past is now completed ahead of schedule.

The base has been reformed. The maintenance personnel who are always lagging behind will be cleared out of the maintenance brigade. Advanced individuals will not only receive honors but also a reward at the end of the year. Everyone is eager to get started.

"Andrei, do we have a mission?" Ivanov also looked excited.

"Yes." Andrei said to Ivanov, "It will probably come down in a few days. We have to get familiar with the new route in the next few days. We must not embarrass our 513th Regiment when the time comes."

…

The sea was quite rough, and the bows of smaller frigates could sink into the water and sway left and right while sailing. Even larger warships were uncomfortable.

The Kitty Hawk, which weighed only 80,000 tons, was relatively stable, but it was swaying from side to side by more than five degrees. To be on the safe side, they did not eject the fighter planes.

Although there is no problem with catapult takeoff, if the wind and waves are stronger after takeoff, it will be more dangerous when landing. In this case, it is best to stay put. Otherwise, if you let the Tomcat you are carrying finally land at the Air Force's backup airport, you will be laughed at by those guys in the Air Force.

Inside the bridge, Colonel Steve looked at the nautical chart on the table and said, "We are now sailing towards Kunashir Island. Conducting military exercises here can also put some pressure on the Soviets."

Is this also called stress? After World War II, the Soviets occupied Kunashir Island, which is quite close to Hokkaido. However, there are not many military facilities on the island, no ports, no air force bases, and most of the residents on it are also the original residents.

Just conducting military exercises here to demonstrate to the Soviets? Steve felt very disappointed, but with Lieutenant General Jonard here, he couldn't say anything too harsh.

"Yes, we will conduct the exercise here. If we take off fighter jets from here, we should be able to reach the sky above Sakhalin Island, right?" said Lieutenant General Jonard.

"That's for sure. The combat radius of our Tomcat fighters' air defense interception mission is more than 800 kilometers, and we are less than 600 kilometers away from Sakhalin Island now," said Colonel Ted. After he finished speaking, he suddenly realized something. Could there be another mission?

"Report, the Hokkaido air defense network sent a message that a plane flew from the direction of Sakhalin Island!" At this moment, a staff officer came over to report.