TFA3 3.2 – Close Air Support
In Afghanistan, US Force used B-52 Strategic Bomber as close air support effectively. The bomber would fly in high orbit above Afghanistan, carrying more than 60 smart munitions consisted of JDAMS, Paveway, Maverick, or Longbow Hellfire. In matter of minutes it could reach every corner of Afghanistan and delivered precision close air support to troops in contact.
In the early phase of Enduring Freedom, there was an event when a single B-52 fired 52 various smart ammunition to eliminate opposing armored vehicle, sniper, machine gun nest, mortar station, command post, and troops concentration, and ending the fight two minutes before the asset solely dedicated for CAS arrived at contact location.
Unfortunately, it was impossible for TF Amethyst to acquire B-52 Strategic Bomber. Fortunately, they could modify their fleet of P-8 Poseidon to perform similar role. Of course, the amount of ordnance a single Poseidon could carry would be far fewer compared to B-52, but it’s still huge enough compared to other aerial assets under ACG.
As the second wave of Makai Rider joint the air raid on Penna Hill, two P-8 Poseidon with callsign Sleepy Panda and Smiling Panda also arrived at the ideal distance to deliver precision CAS. Both Poseidon also flew at altitude of 12.500 meter or around 41.000 feet above sea level. It was an altitude far beyond Cloud Hawk’s reach. Therefore, they could carry out the CAS undisturbed.
In this sortie, Smiling Panda would lead the operation. It meant its three crews who handled the aviation warfare and precision ground strike would be responsible for target designation and execution. As for the crew in Sleepy Panda, they would just responsible to launch the ordnance they carried.
Once he and his crewmates decided on their first victim, Sergeant Tullken immediately reported to the superior officer in charge of supervising the cabin operation. “Capt, we are ready to engage.”
“You are clear to engage,” Captain Clavell calmly replied without turning his eyes from the main screen in the cabin.
“Aye Capt, we are clear to engage.”
All he could see in the main screen was thousands of hostile Riders filled the sky above Penna Hill to the brim. They would dove from all direction in turn, and launched deadly attack on any target they had in sight. So, Captain Clavell fully understood the urgency of the CAS that his men had to perform, and decided to launch it as soon as it’s ready.
A moment later the internal bay on both Sleepy Panda and Smiling Panda slowly opened. Then, five GBU-12 Paveway IV leaved each internal bay one by one. It was the version manufactured by Lockheed Martin for US Navy. Overall it was pretty similar with the version manufactured by Raytheon. The only difference was that this version included GPS/INS-guided mode that was combined with high altitude detonation on its guidance system.
With ease each Paveway IV glided straight to the biggest Riders flock that was waiting for their turn to dive to Penna Hill. It flew just a few meters above their head while spreading into a wide formation.
Some Riders had a bad hunch as they looked at the strange things that silently glided above their head, so they tried to express their concern or warned their comrades. Unfortunately, it was too late.
BO-BO-BOOOOOOMMMM!!!
Fire storm engulfed the sky as ten GBU-12 Paveway IV detonated almost simultaneously. Thermobaric ordnance was always super effective when being detonated in open area. The extreme heat and pressure it generated would erase anything in its path and it could reach a huge area.
In short, the explosion killed hundreds of Riders instantly, while hundreds others badly burnt by the high heat and crashed to the ground. However, it’s not the end.
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Other than five weapon stations on the internal bay, Sleepy Panda and Smiling Panda had six external hardpoints and the ordnance crew had attached dispenser rack loaded with four AGM-114 Longbow Hellfire on it. As chaos, shock, and panic descended on Makai Riders, salvo of Longbow Hellfire was being launched on them in rapid interval.
Out of 48 Longbow Hellfire, 47 hit its intended target and killed it while one of it went astray and hit black pine forest in the Penna Hill. It was entirely possible that among guided ammunition with solid lock, you would find a deserter or two with unknowing reason. Even so, Sergeant Tullken’s heart stopped beating when through radio a unit of Ripper Station reported they suffered three fatalities and five wounded from the stray Longbow Hellfire.
“Oh God, what I have done,” Sergeant Tullken muttered as his face turned as pale as corpse.
“Sergeant it’s not your fault,” Captain Calvell firmly said. “I need you to stay solid till the end.”
“Aye Sir,” Sergeant Tullken weakly replied and it was clear he did not recover from his shock yet.
Fortunately, both Sleepy Panda and Smiling Panda had dumped all ordnance they carried and had to return to Woodpecker to rearm and refuel. And in case they had to carry out second sortie, Captain Calvell had decided he would perform the target designation personally.
In a gentle bank, Sleepy Panda and Smiling Panda made a big turn to east and then accelerated at full throttle. At the same time, Winter Flight arrived to deliver their second sortie. Each Super Hornet carried two AIM-9X Sidewinders and three pod of 16-tube Talon laser guided-rocket, and each pilot was very eager to start their second dog-rape.
Then, whether by coincidence or not, Major Gilmore spotted a lone Rider who hovering at west of Penna Hill, at altitude just slightly above the cloud. This lone Rider aroused his interest and he decided to check it.
Wasting no time Major Gilmore radioed his men, “Winter One to All Winters, commence the dog fuck, but don’t go near an active Ripper Station. It’s not in full-autonomous mode anymore, but I’m sure the operators were not in the mood to discriminate between foe and friend right now. They will just shoot down anything that enters their range.
I will join you after saying hello to someone.”
Without delay Major Gilmore then approached the lone Rider, while his men started the hunt. Once they picked their victim, they immediately dove on it with intent to kill. Once their Talon hit their target, they then climbed up to reset their position and went to the next kill.
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Count Wolmak creased his brow as a single giant arrowhead approached his position while lowering its altitude. Previously, he almost got cardiac arrest when thundering explosions suddenly rocked the sky, followed by giant fire storm that killed or badly burnt hundreds of Riders and their Cloud Hawks into crisp.
Throughout a few decades of his carrier as a Rider, he never saw such scary scene. Even so, he managed to maintain his resolved and continued supervising the aerial raid on Penna Hill. His unwavering courage had brought him good fruit. Makai Riders who had chicken out regain their fighting spirit and continued the fight after hearing the mix of his command and swearing.
Therefore, Count Wolmak had no intention to back down even though his instinct had warned him he had to avoid any clash with the incoming giant arrowhead. Right now, his heart and mind was brimming with confidence and fighting spirit. He firmly straightened his back, raising his chin, and threw a mocking gaze on the incoming giant arrowhead.
“Don’t you ever think you can intimidate me to leave the battlefield,” Count Wolmak said as he reached out the war bow on his back, along with an arrow from quiver on the saddle. “Come, come to me so I can nail your head.”
Then, at a distance 800 meter before him the giant arrowhead finally reached a parallel altitude to his position. Wasting no time, Count Wolmak exploited the opportunity that presented itself before him.
“History will remember me as the first Rider who kill a giant arrowhead.” A thin grin bloomed on Count Wolmak’s lips as he took aim at the incoming giant arrowhead.
At the same time, the giant arrowhead launched a fire spear from under its right wing, and in a blink of one eye it hit and penetrated Count Wolmak’s Cloud Hawk in the belly.
Booom!!
The explosion made a huge cavity on the Cloud Hawk’s belly and instantly killed it. As for Count Wolmak, after a rough jolt, the only thing he could felt was a wild spinning, until finally his Cloud Hawk hit the surface of Dovar River. Somehow, he survived both the Talon hit and the crash on Dovar River. He also managed to swim to the shore relatively intact. Today must be his lucky day.
After catching his breath, Count Wolmak immediately got up to his feet and looked up to sky above Penna Hill. Once glance and he could tell the situation was dire. His Riders lost their teamwork while being stalked and killed one by one.
At the same time, some Riders decided to leave the battlefield at highest speed they could muster, and this coward action infected other Riders in rapid pace.
“FUCK!” Count Wolmak cursed as loud as he could, but he could do nothing as he had lost his crystal communicator.
*****