This is part 3 of the August episode of Freedom Flights. The next part will continue to cover events in early July when various key events occurred in Europe and the USA. As foreshadowed in the last scene of  Episode 24, 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 continue to reach the frontlines 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 25 – Irreversible Path

2024

PART 3 – Immoral Attack

Monday, July 8^th – Chayka Field, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine1

Nawel Leaping Jaguar in the Squadron Command Centre sounded the alarm at 0608 when Aenoheso Little Hawk passed on the alert from Maksym.

“Russians are launching dozens of cruise, aerial ballistic and guided missiles in a combined attack on key cities. Scramble all interceptors safely over time.”

Before any craft took off, the Saab MSHORAD and all the Night Owls scanned the area around the base. Once the skies were clear, the five MiG-29 flights took off at ten-minute intervals, each followed by a Eurocopter Tiger scanning for hostiles.  

“Tell Maksym the remaining four helicopters are on standby with security including K9s and stretchers,” said Kalyna.

For ages, all they heard were brief reports of missiles intercepted. Then the frantic reports of missile hits… strategic infrastructure and unwarranted civilian destruction.

Then Aenoheso Little Hawk sent a coded message from Maksym.

As Nawel Leaping Jaguar decoded it, tears were choking her voice.

“Massive attack on Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital, Kyiv.” She paused briefly, before continuing.  “Staff and children trapped. Send help.”

Kalyna glanced at the details on the waiting helicopters.

“Control, clear Kilo and Hotel for relief flight to Kyiv. We’ll prepare reception.”

She turned to Nawel Leaping Jaguar. “Code to Maksym. K9 searchers and stretchers sent. Expect Kilo and Hotel.”

The four K9 units would arrive by KAI LAH while two paramedic-trained Night Owls would bring five stretchers in the Black Hawk. But how safe would they be?

She studied the table map and noted that Vasy with Green Flight were patrolling near Kyiv.

“Green Leader, protect Kilo and Hotel flying relief to Kyiv.”

*

Aldona Jagoda was pleased her Belgian Malinois, Taika had been calm during the flight from Chayka Field, as had the three other K9s. Before they climbed out of the KAI LAH, Captain Jeong Chae-Yeong reassured them that she’d remain in the park where they landed for as long as necessary.

A volunteer driver was waiting with a truck, and she noted the approaching paramedics from the Black Hawk.

“I’m Olha, there should be room for all six of you and the stretchers. Great you’re here… especially the dogs. We don’t know how many are trapped under the rubble.”

“Our dogs are keen to help,” said Kseniya, Nyx’s handler. Her Doberman rested his head on her knee as the last stretcher was loaded.

As they drove towards the devastation, it was clear the bombing of civilian targets was paramount in this campaign of terror.

Approaching the hospital the Owls saw one section of the building had collapsed burying staff and patients. How many were still alive? Hundreds of people from the surrounding area were removing rubble brick by brick.

Estera Sówka and her sister paramedic, Alicja Dubicka approached a senior medic.

“We’re paramedics from UAF. We have an evacuation helicopter nearby if needed… and stretchers on that truck. But we’ll help where ordered.”

“Evacuation might help with seriously wounded or seriously ill children but leave the stretchers until needed. For now, follow me. We’ve set up an emergency station to treat the innumerable injuries.”

It wasn’t long before Estera and Alicja were using all their medical skill to treat people with injuries from flying glass gashes to fractured limbs on trapped victims pulled from the wreckage.

In an area where floors had collapsed on each other, Aldona and the other K9 handlers had joined two other units to try and detect trapped victims so rescuers could remove debris and free them.

After five minutes, Taika froze at the same time as one of the local dogs crouched.

Aldona and the other handler waved over Leo, their supervisor.

He knew the local handler, Anhelina Tkachuk, so he addressed her.

“Has Quetzal sensed someone?”

She pointed at Taika, “They both have…  and my friend here is the experienced team.”

Leo smiled at Aldona and then radioed for a rescue team but gestured for the other handlers to keep searching for signs of more trapped people.

Anhelina and Aldona knelt midway between their dogs, then called out to the trapped people.

“Can you hear us? Help is coming.”

A muffled male voice replied.

“We worried nobody would find us… in time.” He coughed a choking sound. “I’m Doctor Avenlosky… in haematology. There are three kids here needing help.” Another cough. “One is serious…”

Then silence.

“We’ll be here for them,” said Aldona.

By the time the rescue team arrived, two more groups of survivors had been found by the other local K9  and by Kseniya’s Nyx.

Leo suggested that the noise of the rescue might make it harder to search in the same area, so they should move to another spot.

“As long as we know when those people are saved,” said Anhelina and everyone agreed.

On the way to the new search area, Daniela Stasiuk’s Rihi abruptly sat down.

“More trapped people?” asked Leo.

“I don’t think so,” replied Daniela. “Rihi usually freezes. This could be explosives.”

She marked the spot where Rihi sat, and then they cleared the area while Leo called in a Bomb disposal team.

The team arrived and carefully examined the area. Eventually, they detected what looked like a curved, red metallic object embedded in the earth. Slowly, the lead expert excavated the object and then stood up.

“Now we can be sure the Russians are responsible for this barbaric attack. This is part of one of their Kh-101 cruise missiles. Your dog must have detected traces of explosives on this component. The Security Service of Ukraine will be grateful you both found this.”

Leo’s radio beeped and he passed on an update.

“The doctor and the children have been saved and want to meet the heroic dogs… before the medics take them to another hospital.”

Back at the collapsed building, Doctor Avenlosky and the three kids were on stretchers and being cared for by medics, including Estera and Alicja. All the kids wanted to meet Quetzal and Taika, give them treats and cautiously stroke them.

However, Estera apologised.

“We have to evacuate Stepan here to Lutz for an operation.”

“But we insist on going too,” said the other two kids. “We’ve got to see that he behaves.”

“Nothing to do with flying in a helicopter of course,” said Estera. “I’m staying to help, while Alicja accompanies these youngsters and another two emergencies in the Black Hawk.”

When the patients and some medics had left, Estera and the others waited for the second rescue

Five minutes later, a nurse and a girl in a wheelchair were winched to safety. The paramedics methodically checked them over for injuries. If it wasn’t for the nurse’s comforting presence, the girl might have been traumatized from being trapped in the dark. Again meeting the dogs helped both patients relax.

With the light beginning to fade, Leo was hesitant to continue, but the Night Owls were trained for this.

“Rest for a short while. Make sure your dogs have food and water,” said Estera. ‘Then continue with night gear,” She realized Anhelina probably had none, so said to her, “If you want to continue, you can use mine. I’m going back to the medical station. See you all later.”

Anhelina took the goggles and infra-red torch. “Does this make us part of your awesome team… even if I hardly speak any Polish.” She laughed.

Estera and the others chuckled.

“I think Anhelina Tkachuk and Quetzal proved themselves earlier,” said Aldona. ”Can they be recruited to the Night Owls, please? If they’re okay relocating to our highly secret base up north.”

“You’d be more than welcome to wear our uniform,” said Estera. “And you’ll find Ukrainians, Poles, Canadians, plus other nationalities at the base. All sisters united for freedom.”

Anhelina knelt and whispered to her Siberian Husky., who lifted her red and white head licking her handler.

“She wants in and all I must do is tell Mum… she’s helping here too. But she always wanted us to serve somehow. This is perfect.”

*

Kalyna watched from the blacked-out Control Tower as the squadron returned to Chayka Field at cautiously staggered intervals. Each flight used a different approach and the prepared farm roads as a landing strip. With multiple taxiways, each plane could manoeuvre to its designated concrete pad among the concealing trees.

Between each flight their shadowing Tiger landed and scanned the area for prying enemies like drones. Throughout the evening and into the night, the Saab MSHORAD and the Night Owls also scanned the area.

Finally, when Green Flight returned safely, Kalyna began to relax… until she remembered the helicopters sent to Kyiv.

She rushed down to the Command Centre where she found Vasy receiving a cipher message from Maksym.

“Echo, Kilo, and Hotel are returning late from Kyiv together when the worst of the rubble at the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital has been cleared. They are reluctant to abandon this disaster, but I’ll ensure a flight escorts them home. I’ll remind them about tomorrow’s Irreversible Path exercise.”

Kalyna hoped they returned at a reasonable time and were not exhausted. The whole squadron needed to be involved and that included all the helicopters since they were the most vulnerable if the Russians attacked across the border in multiple places. As yet Lutsk had avoided the heavy fighting the East had suffered.

But in the early days of the war, there had been key incursions from Belarus. Best to be prepared for the worst scenario.

“What’s with this Irreversible Path name,” asked Vasy. “Who decided on that? Does it mean there’s no turning back?”

**

FCA 1,581 words

Slava Ukrayini

This is part 2 of the August episode of Freedom Flights. The next part will continue to cover events in early July when various key events occurred in Europe and the USA. As foreshadowed in the last scene of  Episode 24, 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 continue to reach the frontlines 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 25 – Irreversible Path

2024

PART 2 – Code Talkers

Sunday, July 7^th – Chayka Field, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine

The group for the Chayka inspection tour gathered in the Squadron Command Centre so Kalyna and Vasy could show the group on the map where they needed to inspect. Then they led them down a back corridor and out to a camouflaged Toyota Tacoma truck into which all six piled, with Nadia driving.

“We must show you the earthwork firebreaks the mechanics are building around the standings in the trees, then the farm roads we need to use for fast scrambles… if you can persuade the farmers.”

After inspecting the dispersal sites, they drove the farm roads to confirm that MiG-29s and Gripens could use them. They saw the farmers who agreed to their requirements.

When they drove onto the runway, they heard gunfire and jet engines, yet all they could see were four K9 units training and three horses being exercised.

“A training session with sound effects,” said Andżelika Sówka. “Not that anyone fires guns or flies jets around here… well, that’s what we claim.”

“But if a plane needs to land,” asked Vasy. “What happens?”

As if on cue a klaxon sounded, the horses moved back out of the gallops and the K9 units began patrolling.

Instead of a plane, a mini-bus appeared at the rough western end of the runway.

“Are we expecting anyone?” asked Nadia as she contacted the control tower.

“The mini-bus came down a farm track from the direction of Lutsk,” said control. “Looking for Kapitan Nadia Lysenko.”

“Owls, you’re on full alert until we know more.”

“Agreed,” said Kalyna. “Just don’t reveal all our security assets.” The Sówka sisters climbed out and joined one of their K9 units.

Then she pointed back towards the tower. “Nadia, go back there.  We can observe them from up there.”

“But they asked for me. Shouldn’t I go with security?”

“Not until we know what they want. You’re too valuable to lose in a stupid exchange,”

As they drove to the Control Tower, Vasy was trying to speak while Kalyna talked through every scenario from vengeful smugglers to foreign assassins from Nadia’s time with French special forces.

“Maksym Bondarenko told us—”

“To be careful and expect—”

“You asked for these sisters,” came Andżelika’s radio message.

“I’ve been trying to remind Kalyna they were coming to help Nadia with communications,” said Vasy. “Her daughter Aliona made the original enquiries—”

“For First Nation Code Talkers. Let’s meet by Saab’s Mobile Short-Range Air Defence vehicle. We must hear about that as it may be the second most important advance we discuss today and before we all gather in the canteen.”

“Although,” added Mariyka, “The new Zvenigora has been designed as more than a restaurant which shows films. We needed a comfortable meeting and briefing space for the whole squadron… a multi-functional area.”

*

The contrast between the stark utilitarian Saab’s Mobile Short-Range Air Defence vehicle and the bright clothing and cheery faces of the First Nation and Native American code talkers almost left the MSHORAD at a standstill. But Kalyna found the perfect solution.

“Until vehicles can enter the canteen, I suggest our sister from Saab gives us an overview of her charge out here… I’m presuming some Night Owls have had the thorough demo already.” Andżelika nodded. “Okay, but before we proceed may I ask our North American indigenous sisters for the names they prefer to be known by?”

The oldest and possibly the appointed leader said, “I am Nette Little Feather a Paiute/Navajo medicine woman whose grandfather was a code talker.” She nodded to the woman nearest to her.

“I am Nauja Tall Gull, an Inuit huntress.”

“Mahihkan Wolf Sister of the Cree.”

“Call me Tayanita Brave Beaver of the Cherokee.”

“And I’m Nawel Leaping Jaguar, a proud Mapuche from the Chilean Air Force… but not a pilot. Just a nurse hoping to learn from you, Nette.”

Nette put an arm around Nawel and said, “You’ll learn, but first the last member of this group is with Maksym Bondarenko in Dęblin. She’s Aenoheso Little Hawk of the Cheyenne and will send messages from Maksym when it’s classified. But now who is our Saab sister?”

The svelte spectacled blonde smiled and introduced herself.

“I’m Aslög Hellström and I’m one of Saab’s junior technicians on their Mobile Short-Range Air Defence system, MSHORAD for short. I’ve been tasked with demonstrating the system to you as Saab believes the Night Witches are Ukraine’s chief advocates of our Gripen jets and all that entails.”

She paused to brush a loose lock back under her cap and to wipe her glasses.

“My apologies if my spiel sounds learnt… it was the best way to ensure I remembered everything. Anyway, the system’s mobility, especially at short range, is everything if we are to defeat weapons and weapon systems, such as drones or attack helicopters, that are attacking the ground units requiring protection.”

As she ran through the features, she pointed them out to the group.

“The Mobile Firing Unit is based upon the successful RBS 70 NG Sight mounted on Saab’s mature Trackfire servo platform, the Mobile Radar Unit uses the proven Giraffe 1X radar, with command and control capability provided by Saab’s BM4CI. Giraffe 1X covers the entire search volume every second and will detect any air threat, including small, slow, high and low targets.” 

“It’s possible to remove the RBS 70 NG Sight from the vehicle and deploy it in a man-portable air defence (MANPAD) configuration to provide additional technical capabilities as the operation requires.”

“The system is truly flexible. If you wanted to hide the vehicle, and deploy the MANPAD, or if RBS 70 NG Sight was needed on top of your control tower for some reason, then it’s adaptable for such differing scenarios.”

“This vehicle offers ballistic protection increasing the survivability of the operation and the crew. Later, I can demonstrate more of the capabilities as required and I will need to train some adaptable technical personnel as Saab couldn’t spare my partn…assistant.”

Aslög leant against the vehicle, seemingly exhausted. However, Estera picked up on her insecurity, so put a comforting arm around her.

“If you want to talk girl to girl later, I’m often in the canteen, or call me.” And she handed her a walkie-talkie.

Kalyna and Vasy thanked Aslög and told her to join them later. They then led everyone else inside.

*

“How will this code talking work?” asked Griffon pilot Captain Xenia Ahlberg. “In both World Wars weren’t the Code Talkers from the same tribes?”

“Yes,” said Nette Little Feather. “My Navajo grandfather said all his code talker brothers were Navajo, but there were groups from other tribes. But they created codes using their distinct language. The Navajo developed the most complex code, with over 600 terms, yet other tribe members back home didn’t know what this coded vocabulary meant.”

“But you are all different tribes with distinct languages,” said Xenia.

“Which is why we created a unique code,” said Nette. “While we were gathering secretly in Dęblin, we used words from our diverse languages to create a 125-term code which the University’s language school helped us learn along with enough Ukrainian to make ourselves understood.”

“We are already a diverse mix of nationalities and all learning,” said Nadia. “I’m originally Québécois and Canadian Ukrainian, then French but now Ukrainian. So, you’re very welcome here sisters.”

“Good to know I’m not the only one caught between cultures,” said Nawel Leaping Jaguar. “Born Mapuche, encouraged to speak Spanish to survive and then serve Chile. Now learning English and Ukrainian. Can I ask, Does this election in France mean anything now you’re here?”

Nadia went quiet and closed her eyes.

“When I think about my friends especially those I served alongside in the French Air and Space Force and the special forces units, then I worry… especially when Macron talks about French boots on the ground here.” She paused and then continued. “But now the initial results point to weeks of political chaos. I just pray the support for Ukraine continues and we win without their boots.”

“Sorry to ask this,” said Nette. “During Saturday’s exercise can we test our code then, Kalyna… Vasy?”

“We will definitely need you. Tomorrow, we’ll do our preparations… the whole squadron. Tonight, after you are shown your quarters, you’re all invited to a gathering around the fire for a bit of overdue storytelling.”

Once they had made the arrangements, the senior officers and the key Night Owls met in the Squadron Command Centre.

“Although the only unwelcome visitors to our campfire gathering might be mosquitos, we need to be sure there is none of the drone variety,” said Kalyna.

“Although Saab’s MSHORAD can deal with drones,” replied Andżelika, “we have more cost-effective methods. Mariyka’s engineering group has developed a successful drone interceptor, which not only neutralizes the threat—”

“But also makes the captured drone available to turn against the enemy,” added Estera. “Extremely useful if we’re marked by an ORLAN 10, which allows the enemy to target us.”

“Aren’t these the Russian-made drones allowing their artillery to do so much devastation at the front,” asked Aleks. “How many interceptors have we got?”

“Five or six,” replied Estera. “Double that by Saturday. But I’ll ensure Aslög is ready with her Saab trickery.”

“My main concern now is masking heat signatures,” said Kalyna. “Janina Patriksson said something about stealth paint and directing cool air over exhausts. I’ll check on her progress tonight or tomorrow. Guess she’s working late, or she’d be here.”

*

Lieutenant Katia Antonov looked at the bonfire and hoped any suspicious observers realised this was merely a celebration. Burning buildings must be the norm in Ukraine.

Most of the squadron were seated around the campfire to learn about the nose art that had become their emblem.

Vasy stood and raised her hands, palms down to settle them.

“In 1944 my grandmother Vasy, then twelve, told her partisan comrades about Zharptica, the Firebird’s origin. It’s our emblem and you will discover why tonight. First grandmother Vasy’s tale.”

She smiled. “According to folklore, the Firebird is very rare, with plumage blazing red, orange, and yellow like the flames of a flickering fire. When removed, the feathers continue to glow. That is why some people try catching Zharptica.”

She paused and studied her spellbound audience.

“Once upon a time, thousands of years ago, a meek and gentle orphan girl named Maryushka lived in a small village. People came from everywhere to buy her needlecraft. Many merchants asked her to move and work for them.”

Vasy changed her voice to sound like her heroine and held out her hands. “‘I will sell my embroidery to anyone who finds my work beautiful, but I will never leave this village where I was born.”

“One day, the evil sorcerer Kaschei the Immortal heard of Maryushka’s beautiful needlework. He turned himself into a handsome young man and visited her. Upon seeing her skill, he became angry. A mere mortal could not produce finer work than he owned.”

She switched her voice again, making it sound deeper and darker. “‘I will make you Queen of this realm if you will embroider for me alone.’”

“‘I’m grateful and humbled by your offer. But I must decline. I never want to leave this village. I am sorry.’”

“This wound to Kaschei’s pride sparked his magic.”

Vasy drew invisible threads in the air.

“The evil sorcerer turned Maryushka into a flaming bird. Zharptica. He became a great black Falcon and picked her up in his claws.”

Vasy flapped her arms like a bird as her words flew across the gathering.

“He stole Firebird Maryushka away from her village. To leave a memory of herself with her people forever, she shed her feathers onto the land below. As the last feather fell, she died in the falcon’s talons.”

Vasy’s head dropped onto her chest. Silent and still as the crowd gasped. Then, she raised her head and continued.

“To this day, the glowing feathers are magic and remain bright. However, they show their rainbow colours only to those who love beauty and seek to make beauty for others. Together we can create the Firebird’s world.”

She paused.

“However, my grandmother was unaware that her sister, Kalyna… yes my cousin’s grandmother, one of the original Night Witches, had painted the Zharptica on her Polikarpov U-2 biplane. I’ll let Kalyna finish our family story.”

Her cousin hesitated and then stood.

“The war brought the sisters together and fate placed them in Kalyna’s Zharptica on a night raid during which they were hit. They survived and flew to Estonia, where they met a Swedish intelligence officer. Evading capture by the Nazis, they helped him back to Sweden, and he promised to help them. First, he ensured they settled in Canada. Second, he had their precious Zharptica sent to Canada, and today their Polikarpov U-2 hangs in the main hanger of Chayka Air. Last Christmas, Kapitan Maryna Sobol and Lieutenant Katia Antonov saw the nose art and asked us if it could be our squadron emblem as well as art on all of Sabre Flight—”

“That’s not all,” said a tall Nordic blonde standing behind the cousins. “My mother is Överste Alfhild Falkborg, the Colonel in the Swedish Air Force who assists with your Gripen requirements and your dealings with SAAB. And all through their grandmothers helping Alfhild’s grandfather escape the Nazis.”

The cousins turned to face their god-daughter.

“How did you get here Carita?” asked Kalyna. “The last time Vasy and I saw you we had left you on the Dęblin runway with your mother and Maksym… no doubt after your next article for Swedish Aero-News.”

“Exactly and I came here with them. Your code-talkers are fascinating. And before you tell me the story can’t be used until their task is finished—”

“More likely when we win this war.”

“I hope the other scribblers here know that… and how secret this base is.”

“They signed non-disclosure agreements,” said Vasy. “Just as you will.”

Everybody gradually dispersed, most to eat then sleep, some of the Night Owls to run their nightly security details and one flight of MiG-29s went on patrol under the watchful protection of Delta and Echo Tigers.

In the Control Tower Warrant Officer Kang Eun-Ji was on duty watching for any incoming traffic, though none was expected until Saturday.

Maksym checked in from Dęblin using the secure chat from Aenoheso Little Hawk to her Code Talking sister Nawel Leaping Jaguar who confirmed the night patrol was out but if there was more to report someone would be in touch.

“It makes a change not to be hearing of attacks all over Ukraine,” said Estera from the doorway, “But I fear when the Russians give us a quieter night, somewhere pays a terrible price next time. To be sure I’m going to check out our Saab system.”

She hurried downstairs and slipped through the shadows to the MSHORAD vehicle. She tapped lightly on the door, hoping Aslög would guess it was her.

The door opened and she was swept in.

“I wondered if you were ever going to come. Watching the skies gets boring hour upon hour… although I can put the auto-alert on if you want to…”

“Switch it on, please.”

Estera waited while Aslög set everything to auto, locked the door and dimmed the main light.

“I sense this is serious,” said Estera and removed her jacket. “That’s just for starters. Your move.”

Aslög embraced her and their kiss was the next move.

**

 FCA 2,593 words

Slava Ukrayini