This is Part 3 of Freedom Flights Episode 18 Steadfast Phoenix, which I eventually posted in three parts on consecutive days. The link for Part 1 is at https://rolandclarke.com/2024/03/27/freedom-flights-episode-18-steadfast-phoenix/, Part 2 at https://rolandclarke.com/2024/03/28/freedom-flights-episode-18-steadfast-phoenix-part-2/, and all the previous episodes of Freedom Flights can be found at https://rolandclarke.com/freedom-flights/.

Although I have a few thoughts about April’s episode, what I write and whether I do depend on what happens in the war and on your comments. For instance, am I posting too often? Should I spend more time writing post-1944/pre-2022 episodes? What film should the Zvenigora Restaurant show next? Has anyone realized where Zoo Sécurité first appeared?

Freedom Flights Episode 18. Steadfast Phoenix

Part 3

2024

Tuesday, March 12^th – Białowieża Forest, Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland

As the late afternoon sun began to drop towards the treetops, Nadia and Aleks began their final sweep in the Eurocopter Tiger at a safe distance from the hostile Belarussian border security.

The Tiger’s specialist equipment allowed them to surveil more territory in the area where the suspicious convoy had been spotted. Yet, their five days overflying a large area along the border had yielded nothing, despite rumours that a run was imminent.

 “How reliable are your sources?” asked Aleks.

“As accurate as they were on February 28^th. But we haven’t been able to watch 24/7. That’s where all the sophisticated stealth and surveillance features fail.”

“But not today. Isn’t that a convoy of four vehicles the Tiger’s sensors have detected? Locked on and tracking,” said Aleks, as the helicopter’s mast-mounted Osiris system continued monitoring the targets.

As she followed, flying at a distance, Nadia used her helmet-mounted display to view all the flight data.

“Their behavior is suspicious. They came out of the forest from Belarus. It’s almost evening, making ground pursuit in the dark harder. Switch to night-vision.”

The Tiger had a nose-mounted forward-looking infrared sensor so Nadia could follow the convoy wherever they were going. Meanwhile, Aleks could monitor the vehicles and transmit every detail back to their colleagues at Dęblin, who would liaise with all the relevant Polish authorities, including the Special Troops Command.

“They aren’t aware of their aerial tail,” said Nadia. “Let’s pray they lead us to a smuggling hub.”

For over two hours they tailed the convoy, hoping they weren’t about to exceed the Tiger’s 800-kilometre range. Fortunately, the route was south-west towards Dęblin.

On the outskirts of Siedlce, the vehicles turned into a run-down factory and drove into a warehouse. The metal doors slid shut.

Hovering where distance and night noises would mask the sound of the helicopter’s rotors, Nadia watched and waited, while Aleks sent the latest data and the location of the warehouse to the Special Troops Command.

“From here on, Nadia, this becomes a Polish operation. Sorry, we can only observe the GROM special forces unit close out our mission.”

“Fortunately, I’ve seen a few such units in action… but these smugglers won’t have. Our Polish colleagues are prepared for more than just hardened criminals. Aren’t GROM considered to be the most elite unit in the Polish Armed Forces? Isn’t this overkill?”

Aleks chuckled. “No more than using an attack helicopter for surveillance.” She paused to let Nadia laugh. “Although, we were close to a belligerent and unpredictable neighbour, a few hours ago.”

Both went silent as three four-person night-camouflaged teams approached the warehouse from different directions. Their entry was swift and silent. Within a few minutes, the doors slid open, and nine shaking smugglers were led out and towards a Humvee.

 A voice in Ukrainian came over the Tiger’s comm system.

“GROM unit reporting. Thanks for the training exercise. Those smugglers will talk. You will hear from someone. Safe flight home to Dęblin.”

Aleks thanked them in Polish, just before she was given the primary flight controls by Nadia.

“After five days, you’ve almost adapted from the older copters to flying the Tiger. But hold off the full loops for now.”

“Under your expert guidance, that might be soon, Nadia.”

**

Thursday, March 14^th – Zvenigora Restaurant, Dęblin, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland

News of the monthly movie night had spread in Dęblin, so the rearranged restaurant was already filling up 80 minutes before the screening. Even a film in English didn’t deter patrons, although most of the Witches and many of the University cadets understood the language well enough to enjoy a film.

However, Nadia was more concerned about French President Emmanuel Macron reiterating his position on French television that sending Western troops into Ukraine shouldn’t be ruled out.

She told her inquiring friends, he had said, ‘Today’s situation doesn’t require it, but all these options are possible.’

“I agree though, if the West shows any signs of weakness to Russia, Putin will believe Ukraine is being abandoned. Yet, Macron is the one some are calling a ‘warmonger’ who could cause World War III, although he’s rather sounding the alarm bell.”

The other Witches nodded.

“If the aid from the West dries up,” said Anzhela, “the next few months will be a bloody struggle. And even if the arms flow continues, the illegal diversion your team is trying to stop, Nadia, could make that a trickle to us.”

“With GROM’s help, we closed one smuggling route, but there are others we must eliminate. My contacts suggest there may be one or more high-level officials working with the Russians. Hopefully, counter-intelligence can expose them.”

“Some politicians are showing pro-Russian sentiments,” said Kalyna. “Let’s pray the US eventually gets their aid bill through Congress, not just the stop-gap measures.”

“The war is at a dangerous crossroads,” added Vasy. “Especially when Pope Francis talks about us having the courage to negotiate an end to this war with Russia, when it’s Putin who needs to show good faith by withdrawing his troops.”

“Peace on Russia’s terms means surrender,” said Larisa. “As a Russian, I feel safer here and fighting alongside my wife to keep Ukraine free.”

“As do I”, said her cousin, Sergei. “Although tonight, I’m sorry to remind you our film starts once the blinds are drawn and the lights go out.”

“However, after it’s over,” added his partner, Mariyka. “You can stay, order food, and discuss whatever. First, though, this movie was selected by my engineering team…” Loud cheering engulfed the cadets, “…as central to the plot is rebuilding a crashed aircraft. I hope you enjoy the 1965 original film ‘The Flight of the Phoenix’ based on the book of the same name.”

*

Aleks noticed her friend, Nadia’s troubled face.

“Did the film bother you? You aren’t thinking your… alter-ego has been—”

“Exposed, no. Just a coincidence. It was the nomadic raiders in the film reminding me of those smugglers somehow… and the danger I’ve exposed you all to.”

“More dangerous than evading missiles? It’s a job we’re trained for. And I’ve got a suggestion to help the squadron.”

“Tougher than tracking smugglers?”

Aleks winked.

“Harder … as we’ll need permission from someone. But it’ll be popular with our sisters. Every time a flight changes bases, its core ground crew must make a long road trip. It would make more sense to fly them in our Puszczyk. It carries 4 passengers and a pilot, so that’s workable, although a few might have to take their break in the nearest city… unless they had essential work on the base.”

“Agreed, and with the new flight rotation, you’d be full going both ways. Plus, the monthly film could be shown later at Kalyniv, which would also be popular with the squadron.”

Nadia turned and waved the majors over.

“You worried about the title of the film?” asked Vasy quietly.

Nadia shook her head. “Instead, a suggestion we just agreed on.”

Once Aleks explained the ground crew idea, there was only one comment.

“As long as the Polish farmers don’t object,” said Kalyna. “They’ve hassled our crews every trip. Although you won’t be evading their blockade, just flying over it.”

The two helicopter pilots chuckled but then went silent as Vasy mentioned the real problem.

“As long as Russia denies Ukraine even air superiority, we risk attempts to fly any significant cargo in by being shot down by them.”

“A concern even when we fly our jets across the border,” said Kalyna. “Except, we’re away from the front line, though that hasn’t saved Western Ukraine from suffering destructive aerial attacks.”

“Which reminds me, as does the film, of what Kalyna’s grandfather, did evading the Soviet blockade during the Berlin Airlift by ferrying supplies for West Berliners…”

“But Vasy, granddad flew a Handley Page Halton not a Fairchild Packet, as used in the movie, although the USAF flew a few of those. However, he served in Korea, flying the successor of the Phoenix craft, the Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar.”

“Which they used for the disappointing 2004 remake. And that did have ruthless gunrunners,” said Nadia. “However, maybe we need to consider how best to run Putin’s blockade.”

1,350 words

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Flight_of_the_Phoenix_(1965_film)