This is an extra June episode of Freedom Flights. The next episode will be set about a month later in early July when various key events occur in Europe and the USA. As foreshadowed in the final scene of this episode, the monthly movie night will happen.

Until a just peace for Ukraine is reached, I will continue to write more episodes, never forgetting the brave people fighting for freedom. Let’s pray Western aid and weapons like F-16s reach the frontlines any day soon and in time to change their fortunes.

Links to the previous episodes can be found on my Freedom Flights page on the left-hand sidebar.

Episode 24 – Security Details

2024

Sunday, June 9^th – Airfield Krupa, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine

Kapitan Nadia Lysenko lay camouflaged among the grasses on the roof of the control tower scanning the airfield with her tinted field glasses. In the dawn light, there was little activity across the abandoned buildings. Even the supposed cargo facility at the eastern edge of the base seemed deserted.

Beside her, Kapitan Aleks Górski, her co-pilot noted the two groups of four Night Owls including a dog handler as they patrolled the tight perimeter of their overnight encampment.

“Lieutenant Estera Sówka implied eight more Owls with a second K9 handler were flying in first thing this morning in the Griffon.”

“We need them to secure a large enough area to accommodate at least a functioning percentage of the squadron. The majors and ACW must work out how many flights and helicopters we need here to make it an operational base. Plus, the power supply and freshwater requirements.”

A voice shouted from the control room below.

“G for Golf requesting permission to land from the senior officer. Guess that’s you Kapitan Lysenko.”

“Granted… especially if the Griffon has more Night Owls plus basic supplies.”

Today’s controller, Lieutenant Beitris Berengar, directed the Griffon to where the temporary ground crew marshalled the craft down to the ground, before moving it into makeshift cover. 

As Nadia started to climb down the exterior ladder from the roof, Aleks pointed to where eight Night Owls were sneaking stealthily towards the buildings, using the undergrowth.

“Clever,” said Nadia. “They are only noticeable from up here. I suspect they jumped from the Griffon during its approach. Is this a security test for us or the other Owls protecting us? To be one ahead, I’ve taken some photos on my phone. Let’s see how this plays out.”

Rather than climb to the ground, the Alfa crew sneaked back into the control tower where one Owl was with the Controller Beitris. Neither had seen the second group of Night Owls exit the Griffon as it came close to the ground. They promised to give them a surprise welcome if they came upstairs.

Nadia and Aleks slipped out again into the main buildings to their Tiger whose sensors they activated. Then they set up an open line with the Tower.

As they waited, they watched Lieutenant Andżelika Sówka divide her Night Owls, sending three up into the control tower. She then led her four Owls including the dog unit to where the Black Hawk was parked perhaps believing this might be where the other Owls might operate from.

Nadia’s intercom beeped.

“Owl One to Alfa, we also noted the intruders you spotted. We are tracking them. What is the current situation inside? Over.”

“Owl Two with a K9 are in Hotel. We are in Alfa listening to chatter. Can do more, over.”

“Watch. Report. Out.”

Lieutenant Estera Sówka like the intruders, sent three Owls up the Control Tower to close the trap.

“Owl One to Alfa. Can you lure Owl Two by calling for help? Over.”

“Alfa will do in 5. Deploy trap, over.”

“5 is perfect, deploying. Out.”

Nadia knew what to do but wished she could talk in unbreakable code.

“Aleks, we need to broadcast as if we’re unaware of the Black Hawk’s abilities like ours. Can you ensure we are heard, please?”

“OK, proceed.”

On the 5-minute mark, Nadia began calling.

“Alfa emergency. Unidentified intruders attempting access into Tiger. Unwilling to use force until identified. Also, too close to other helicopters. Over.”  

“Alfa No.2. Fire extinguishers activated under craft where fire detected. Please evacuate the area.”

On the Osiris system’s cameras, they watched figures in blue uniforms scurry out of the temporary hangar as Aleks released smoke canisters to simulate the fire suppression. The K9 unit hung back, the dog growling.

After some minutes, the smoke cleared revealing one group of Night Owls guarding another.

“Owl One to Alfa. Your intruders have been apprehended. What do you want done with them? Over.”

“Alfa to Owl One. Escort them and their collaborators to the canteen, where we can interrogate them over coffee and whatever supplies they have brought. Over and out.”

Loud cheers greeted the harsh decision of the duly elected base officer-in-charge.

*

The canteen had been the first space allocated in the basement due to its modern kitchen, clearly designed to service rushing passengers.

“I hope the space selected for the new Zvenigora Restaurant is even fancier,” said Aleks. “It’s the Night Witches’ home-from-home.”

“Definitely,” said Andżelika. “Our primary night haunt on the ground has to be special, classy, and safe.”

Nadia glanced at all her sisters. Despite their war game’s tensions, they quickly relaxed and gelled back into one unit.

But they couldn’t relax… mistakes had been made.

“What have we learned about our new home… and our ability to defend it, today?”

“As defenders, we were not all prepared,” said Estera. “Fortunately, Nadia and Aleks spotted the intruders as did my Night Owl unit, so the element of surprise switched to us.”

“True,” said Andżelika. “However, when we occupied the Black Hawk, I was aware of radio chat. I should have tried to intercept or block it. That might have avoided the false fire alert.”

Nadia nodded in agreement.

“I’ve worried for months about the ease at which our transmissions can be hacked. We need a way to encrypt our communications.”

“It’s a shame none of us speaks an obscure language,” said Captain Xenia Ahlberg. “However, when Iryna and I graduated through the RCAF, we knew First Nation graduates who spoke their distinct indigenous languages. Would those prove as useful as the languages of the Native American Code Talkers in World War II?”

“Could be,” replied Nadia. “I’ll ask the majors as they have the contacts to follow the idea up. First, let’s ensure our Owl patrols cover all the key areas.”

“And that includes having watchers on the highest buildings as you proved,” added Andżelika. “We also need to retain undergrowth as cover and to disguise this as an active base.”

‘We also need to keep all our craft further apart,” said Estera. “Keep them dispersed and reduce the fire hazard as well.”

A radio message came via the Control Tower to expect visitors in an hour.

“Perfect,” said Nadia. “This is an opportunity to test our ability to conceal our presence. They know we are here, but can they find us? So, secure the weak spots Owls, and move two helicopters elsewhere. Which ones are easiest? Tiger and Griffon? And use what means we must to mask any comms. Let’s try… but greet them control.”

*

“Papa to Krupa Control. Permission to land with four visitors.”

“Control to Papa, permission granted. Park on the pad below the tower. Over and out.”

Vasy scanned the buildings for signs of activity.

“There should be three of our helicopters here, but I don’t see one.”

“Cadet Kalniņa, can you detect anything?” asked Maksym Bondarenko.

“I can’t detect the Night Owls anywhere,” said Geralt. “They may be playing us, so be prepared for anything… they’re here. I sense them.”

“We’re being scanned,” said Odrija Kalniņa. “But I can’t tell where from or who by.”

As Vasy dropped onto the ground and crouched, she said, “I’d guess Alfa Tiger. I’m going to see if anyone will welcome or arrest us.”

Maksym and Geralt followed as she made a weaving dash for the Control Tower, keeping low to the ground.

Odrija turned to her last passenger.

“Should I leave the Puszczyk here or do you have another idea, Mariyka?”

“As we approached this pad, I glimpsed something in that denser undergrowth over there by the cleared taxiway. Let’s buzz the area and see if we flush someone… not so low we scalp them.”

Odrija took off and headed over the perfect cover for two skulking Night Owls.

“Great move, Papa,” said Geralt over the Tower’s intercom “There’s a few more camouflaged places worth sweeping. Then join us inside where we found another one. Over and out.”

A couple more Owls surrendered their hiding places.

“Twelve more to find,” said Geralt when they met him and Maksym outside the Control Tower. “These large rusty doors make this main complex look abandoned from the air or even the runway.”

“Perfect disguise,” added Maksym. “Yet on close inspection, these doors have been opened and closed a few times. Plus, they’re almost hangar doors so, I guess we’ll find a helicopter behind them.”

The door slid open with ease revealing a Black Hawk… and four armed guards including a K9 unit.

The next door revealed a Griffon and another four guards with another dog.

Geralt’s radio beeped – Andżelika.

“Now where’s the Tiger? When you find it, the rest of us might be there… and ready for dinner. Happy hunting.”

*

Finding a Tiger on a lower level would have been a surprise even with a tarpaulined hole in the roof. Vasy pointed up at the ceiling.

“I’m not sure if a Tiger would fit through there or whether it would be practical. My guess is under camouflage netting outside and behind this structure.”

Maksym stood at a window with a rear view of more abandoned buildings and tangled undergrowth. He scanned the area with his binoculars looking for thermal signatures, human or man-made, and then gestured towards a clump of trees.

“There’s a well-hidden object there, generating something that shouldn’t be detectable with the Tiger’s infrared and acoustic signatures… unless they want to be found.”

“I’ll contact Andżelika,” said Geralt. “If that’s the Tiger, we’ve earned not just dinner but also an explanation.”

*

Half an hour later, almost all of them were gathered in the canteen eating and discussing how Airfield Krupa was turning out.

“Approaching the base,” said Maksym, “It looked abandoned, and the derelict illusion was maintained until we reached those rusty doors that had been recently moved. To continue fooling the Russians and Belarusians into believing this is just a minor cargo strip we must continue being cautious.”

“Starting with our suspicious neighbors,” said Estera. “Ever since Nadia and Aleks ran into them, their planes haven’t moved… even at night. They only use a truck. We’ve been too busy securing this area, but it’s time we discovered who they are. First thing tomorrow?”

Maksym nodded. “Official visit as I represent Air Command West and Vasy is here as the 2022 Night Witches Squadron Commander—”

“Unless they report to Belarus,” added Geralt. “So, a visit from the Night Owls might be the ‘cautious’ approach. We can ensure our equipment lets you observe remotely.”

Once a time and plan had been agreed upon, they finished eating.  They then left their volunteer clean-up crew.

Nadia led everyone else along underground passages into a basement room set up as an office.

“This is in a secure enough location to act as a shelter as well as a squadron command centre. Sorry, there’s no view. Murals anyone?”

On one wall was a corkboard with the detailed map of the airbase that the Owls had found. Photographs taken around the base were pinned around the map with arrows indicating their locations.

“Aleks and I,” continued Nadia, “explored some of these extensive access roads. We may have found the dispersed site we’ve been searching for over the last few weeks. The roads will need to be repaired and widened in places.”

“Were you considering revetments?” asked Mariyka. “It might be hard to build and disguise many.”

Vasy and Maksym studied the map, pointing at specific areas.

“We agree,” said Vasy. “Over time we will need some for planes we can’t disperse, like our twelve CF-18A Hornets—”

“Which won’t see action until other squadrons are flying F-16s in combat,” added Maksym. “So, initially the MiG-29s, and then the Gripens will have to be dispersed. How many dispersal sites did you and Aleks identify, Nadia?”

They placed 4 blue and 4 gold pins on the map to indicate potentially the best locations.

“There are at least four more,” said Aleks. “Those will depend on factors like spacing, other requirements… and our neighbours, including farmers.”

“And I’m sure you noted Alfa Tiger’s camouflaged pad was intentionally positioned nearby,” added Nadia. “The four other Tigers and the KAI LAH will have to use the ground floor passenger areas on either side of the rust-disguised doors… once we’ve installed more ‘rusted’ hangar doors and blast-proof dividing walls.”

“That’s a lot of engineering work plus material,” said Mariyka. “Are we getting any assistance on this?”

“ACW might stretch to some,” said Maksym. “But I fear it won’t be enough with demands from too many quarters.”

“Kalyna and I might raise help through Chayka Air,” said Vasy. “This squadron has become a key project for many Canadian Ukrainians. However, we’ll continue routing everything through Dęblin… and investigate local resources.”

“Without risking the enemy discovering this is a military base,” added Maksym. “We’ll need a cover story.”

Estera and the Night Owls whispered quickly, pointing at their two K9 units.

“Meet Taika the Belgian Malinois and Rihi the Dutch Shepherd from our dog training service. We’re a security service anxious to help people. Chayka Retreat is devoted to helping all working animals from dogs to horses.”

“Does this mean the Owls could pose as a paramilitary unit if threatened?” asked Geralt. “Or only to neighbours who don’t like dog training. Work on that neat cover while on Night details.”

**

Monday, June 10^th – Airfield Krupa, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine

Estera and Andżelika led four of their Night Owls with Glock sidearms and the two K9 units equipped with mikes and cameras towards the eastern end of the base. The other six Owls, armed with Grot assault rifles had positioned themselves nearby overnight.

Maksym, Vasy, and Geralt were surveilling the operation from the squadron command centre, with Alfa Tiger on standby in the unlikely event of an ambush the Owls couldn’t handle.

The lead Owls were met by just two men armed with old assault rifles.

“Can we help you? Are you lost?”

In her earpiece, Estera heard Vasy say, “Beware, Nadia & Aleks encountered four armed men and a traffic controller.”

“Please can we talk to the owner of this business or the manager?”

They directed them into the hangar in the far corner, which was filled with boxes that set the dogs barking. A large heavy-set man came out of an office armed and demanding they shut the dogs up.

The handlers whistled and they obeyed.

“This is the manager, so tell us why you are trespassing.”

“We are your new neighbours—”

“From the Armed Forces of Ukraine… except you look more paramilitary. What’s your business with us?”

“To ensure we aren’t operating a security business next to an illegal operation as our K9s suspect.”

The first men they met, dragged a box over and pried its side off revealing used cooking equipment.

“Have your dogs search,” said Geralt in Andżelika’s ear. “There’s something suspicious here. I’m calling your backup to move closer.”

Andżelika inspected the cooking equipment and shook her head.

“Reminds me of appliances the Russians stole for electronic components. I think the K9s need to search more.”

As the handlers set the dogs working, the men levelled their guns at the Owls as they drew their sidearms.

Before anyone could attack, six Owls in the hangar doorway fired their Grots into the air.

“If you want us to call the military we can,” said Estera. “Otherwise let the dogs have their training run.”

Each of the K9s froze beside boxes near the back and their handlers investigated before rewarding them.

“Drugs,” said both handlers.

“Just marijuana,” said the manager. “Nothing harmful… just recreational.”

“What about the cocaine and opioids hidden further underneath,” said Taika’s handler as both dogs found and sat by another box.

“Arrest them. This box contains explosives. We need to check everything,” said Rihi’s handler as she cautiously waved over another Owl. “You’re more of an explosives expert, Zofia. Do we need the military? Rihi and I will check the other boxes… sorry.”

 As the smugglers were being rounded up, Geralt messaged Andżelika, “We’re contacting the local authorities to protect the cover story.”

When a local intelligence officer turned up with enough police to detain the gang, he took Andżelika and Estera to one side.

“I know who you Night Owls are – air force security – but the police lieutenant doesn’t so give him the cover story for this place, which is all your squadron’s now. Good hunting sisters.”

The lieutenant eventually came over.

“Many thanks for exposing these guys, we suspected something was happening like this in our area, but not where. How did you stumble on them?”

“The Air Force just gave us this abandoned base. It’s too small for them or something. We’re a security training service anxious to help people. We’re renaming this Chayka Retreat which will be devoted to helping all working animals from dogs to horses.” The K9s and their handlers joined them. “Meet Taika and Rihi from our dog training service, with their handlers, Aldona Jagoda and Daniela Stasiuk. They are the ones who found the boxes during a training exercise. Hopefully, we get sent other dogs to train.”

“Congratulations, all four of you. If we ever need your services, may we contact you?”

“Of course,” said Andżelika. “We’re all pleased to serve Ukraine.”

*

“That was an excellent result,” said Maksym, once all the officers were together in the command centre. “Now we even have the whole base.”

Nadia and Aleks were updating the map adding 4 black, 4 red, and 4 green pins.

“You believe there’s now space to disperse all five flights?” asked Vasy. “So, the revetments can wait until we need the Hornets. Dispersal stage one.”

“Both over time,” said Nadia. “First, we will need to build camouflaged hard standings for each jet but there should be the space.”

“We just need to source the material,” added Aleks. “Plus, ensure that our flight and ground crews have accommodation.”

“Do you envisage flights on standby camping out?” asked Maksym. “It would make for faster response times.”

“It’s how the original Night Witches operated, moving from forest glade to woodland clearing,” said Vasy. “Though I’d hope there’s enough space in the main buildings to sleep the whole squadron.”

“I sense a challenging month ahead,” said Mariyka. “During that time my engineering team will have a few interesting challenges. Plus, Zvenigora will be taking on a new catering assignment.”

Vasy slipped a movie poster across the table. “I don’t know who produced this, probably our K9 heroines. It suggests Zvenigora’s first movie night here will be ‘Megan Leavey’ about a US Marine K9 unit.” She paused and glanced at everyone. “If there’s nothing urgent you all know what to do.”

“There’s one thing,” said Nadia. “Some of us have been discussing a communications idea. Maybe I can run it past you, Maksym and Geralt first, and then Kalyna as there’s a Canadian angle.”

**

Slava Ukrayini

FCA 3,180 words