This is Part One of Episode 30 of Freedom Flights. This episode sets up the rescue mission to Kursk in Part Two but deals with injuries that need to be addressed.

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 in preparing for the just peace.

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

Episode 30 – Perilous Pursuits

2024

Thursday, August 29th – Chayka Field, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine

As dusk settled over Chayka Field, a flight of four unexpected jets approached the base. The controller, new to the squadron, challenged them.

“Unknown flight, please identify, this a training establishment. Over.”

“This is Kapitan Adriana Pavlenko previously of Blue Flight. We left our MiG-29s in Dęblin for repairs and are returning with Gripen Cs. Our call sign is now Ruby Flight; sorry for the confusion. Over.”

“Apologies for the oversight. Permission granted. Please land on Dispersed runway A. Over and out.”

Adriana led this first flight of Gripens back from Dęblin after sixteen gruelling hours of combat training. Major Ottillia Elmersson and Kapten Pernilla Eklund were keen to increase the time the four pilots got in the air, especially in the two Gripen Es. However, they had to rotate until they had four of this latest variant.

“I pray Alfhild is successful,” said Adriana on the radio to her first wing sister, Master Sergeant Oksana Shevchenko.

“She gives me confidence, and our trainers believe in her.’

Colonel Alfhild Falkborg returned to Sweden on Wednesday determined to obtain at least two more Gripen Es. She intended to talk to all her government, Swedish Air Force, and Saab contacts until she had equipped the Night Witches as the first Ukrainian Gripen squadron with as many Es as possible. Representatives of the Swedish Defence Industry were already in negotiations with Ukrainian businesses.

In the meantime, a select team of six mechanics had trained in Sweden on both Gripen variants, logistics, and the custom-made Saab smart support solution for maintenance. The six maintainers with the Saab-suppled equipment were waiting for the four Gripen Cs and directed the jets into their revetments for refuelling and overhaul.

Adriana turned to Senior Master Sergeant Anhelina Janda, who headed the Saab-trained team.

“You must be pleased to see Gripens in Ukraine finally?”

“It’s been a long wait. Worthwhile if we get to see them used in combat. We will train all the mechanics now that the whole squadron’s transitioning to Gripens.”

Adriana pointed to where excavations were almost finished.

“Are those going to be the new hardened aircraft shelters?”

“Reinforced underground hangers,” said Anhelina. “Eventually, for the whole squadron it seems.  See you later in the canteen.”

Adriana led her three companions into the main building, where they changed out of their flying gear in the locker room before heading into the canteen.

“Usual drinks?” asked Master Sergeant Polina Melynk, who had been promoted at the same time as Oksana.

They all nodded and found a table.

Kapitan Maryna Sobol and Lieutenant Katia Antonov joined them.

“The new elite returns,” said Maryna, smiling. “We knew our Polina had been selected to fly Gripen Es, but not Zlata. We feel left out.” She nudged Katia.

“Major Kalyna is the fourth, not me,” said Private Zlata Kovalchuk. “I’m still flying the two-seater, not solo, as I need more hours… like most of us. I went to Dęblin to bring a Gripen C back.”

“And the training,” said Adriana. “It could be you, Maryna, next time… if you buy a round.”

*

  At another table, Doctor Sacha Proulx and medic First Lieutenant Estera Sówka sat with Lieutenant Olha Tkachuk and Lieutenant Polina Moroz, discussing prosthetics with Olha’s vital family support, Anhelina Tkachuk and her husky Quetzal.

“I’ve examined you both thoroughly,” said Sacha. ‘you’re both 100% ready for your new prostheses. Estera has done everything your residual limb needed, Olha, and you are making all the right mental adjustments.”

“Having a friend like Polina who knows exactly what I’m dealing with is an enormous advantage,” said Olha. Quetzal put her head on Olha’s knee. “Not forgetting my cousin Anhelina and Quetzal, by my side whenever a shoulder… or furry paw is needed.”

As they all laughed, Adriana Pavlenko came over. “Who’s going to Superhumans tomorrow? Another road trip, I presume.”

“We were offered a helicopter,” said Estera. “But we all felt military needs came first.”

“Although, ensuring pilots recover is a military necessity,” said Sacha. “I have patients here, Ruslan and Albina, but the medics can cope for a day while I discover what the prosthetists recommend for their patients.”

  Adriana smiled. “I guess a sixth would be a squeeze with five and a dog in the Toyota already.” She let them agree before adding, “Anyway, I’ve got another Gripen training session arranged for tomorrow with Maryna, Tamila, and Anzhela.”

“Don’t forget to ask about our access to a Gripen Mission Trainer simulator,” asked Olha. “I need to learn to fly a Gripen E.”

“I will,” said Adriana. “If they installed one at Dęblin, Poland might choose more Gripens over American-built jets.”

“The simulator would be safer in Poland than here,” said Polina. “Even if we’re a long way from the front, Russia targets all of Ukraine, so nowhere is safe yet.”

“We need to keep fighting.” Adriana stood up. “Good luck at Superhumans tomorrow. We need both of you ace pilots.”

“Every pilot is valuable now,” said Sacha. “It was a tragedy when Colonel Oleksiy “Moonfish” Mes, one of Ukraine’s best pilots, was lost on Monday defending us all. He was a hero who must never be forgotten. We must remember we are all mortal.”

“Slava Ukrayini,” resounded across the canteen.

**

Saturday, August 31^st – Zvenigora Restaurant, Chayka Field, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine

Aleks, Aline and Dasha peered into the cavernous restaurant, wondering where Tamila and her brother were sitting.

“Who are you joining tonight?” asked Sergei. “Another good turnout for movie night. I hope we’ve chosen a good film.”

“You always do,” said Aleks. “We’re joining Tamila and Ruslan Medved’s group.”

“They’re with our other brave patients, Olha Tkachuk and Polina Moroz.”

“Don’t forget Albina then,” said Aline. “We hope she’ll be out of her wheelchair soon with Doctor Sacha’s help.”

Sergei directed them to a long table ideally positioned for the ceiling-mounted screen.

Seats had been saved in the centre of the group, which also included Estera, Adriana, Anhelina, and Quetzal, who was hiding under the table.

  “She’ll emerge for any forbidden scraps,” said Anhelina. “And if she approves of the movie.”

“Does she bark her approval?” asked Dasha.

Almost everyone laughed.

“They remember her howling when the other K9s barked at the end of ‘Megan Leavey’, last month’s movie,” said Estera. “The movie did demonstrate the value of K9s.”

“Are these showings a regular event?” asked Albina. “It could be seen as a luxury.”

“Some of our guys were here for the last one and wondered the same thing,” replied Ruslan. “Yes, they are regular, but they help bond this sisterhood, giving them the strength to suffer casualties and losses but keep flying into danger.”

“It’s why some are planning to fly back to Kursk,” said Vasy, who was standing behind Aline. “The plan might be risky, but the authorities have approved it… with conditions. If those of you involved come to the Squadron Command Centre after the movie, Kalyna and I will update you.”

Vasy tapped Adriana on the shoulder.

“Please attend the meeting with Polina. We need your input.”

Nobody noticed when Vasy sat down with Henrika Visser and her Black Hawk crew for the meal.

When everyone moved onto the coffee stage, Mariyka Shevchuk introduced the evening’s film from under the screen.

“This evening’s movie is ‘Amelia’, the 2009 biographical film about the legendary aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart. The film stars Hilary Swank as Earhart and co-stars Richard Gere, Ewan McGregor, Christopher Eccleston and Joe Anderson. The film was directed by Mira Nair and based on The Sound of Wings by Mary S. Lovell. The film had mixed reviews, yet for a squadron of women pilots, Amelia Earhart inspired thousands of women aviators, perhaps even some of the original Night Witches. I hope you are all inspired.”

The lights dimmed, and the movie rolled.

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amelia_(film) ]

Applause at the end of the film changed into numerous discussions.

“Amelia Earhart was certainly the most famous woman pilot of her time,” said Aline. “There are so many theories about her disappearance from capture by the Japanese to alien abduction. She also turned up in a Star Trek Voyager episode with her Lockheed Electra.”

“Fun but unlikely since her plane might have been discovered,” said Aleks. “In January, Deep Sea Vision, an ocean exploration company based in South Carolina, announced it captured compelling sonar images of what could be Earhart’s Electra at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.”

“How compelling?” asked Aline. “Someone will attempt to disprove it. However, we must get to our crucial exploration meeting.”

*

Squadron Command Centre, Chayka Field, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine

When Adriana and Polina sat at the table in the Centre, people were still drifting in.

“Any idea why we’re invited to this meeting,” asked Adriana. “All Vasy said was that she and Kalyna needed our input. Seems others are providing that too.”

“I had mentioned that my leg made me an unlikely spy. But that was before Dasha appeared… a real operative.”

“That reminds me, how are you and Olha adapting to your new prosthetics?”

“They’re both doing amazingly,” said Sacha as he sat beside Polina. “Our pilot here seems to have found she has more control of her helicopter. Olha has more dexterity and is looking forward to using the Gripen simulator when it arrives at Dęblin.”

“I’m hoping Alfhild can weave her magic,” said Adriana as her Senior Master Sergeant, Anhelina Janda, joined her.

“Any idea why I’m here?” asked Anhelina Janda. “Our  Gripens?”

“Likely… but don’t ask why?”

The room had filled up in the meantime, and Vasy closed the door.

Kalyna switched on a projection of the map Dasha had produced.

“As you all have registered who is at this mission update, you must realise the rescue of Kapitan Nadia Lysenko has become far more complex. Colonel Maksym Bondarenko has appealed to his superiors that Nadia is a key member of the squadron’s helicopter brigade, essential to our covert operations. Zoo Sécurité has also interceded on Nadia’s behalf. We can fly Dasha Isakova into Kursk, but there are conditions.”

Whispers and animated gestures rippled around the room.

“However, Vasy and I believe we can meet those conditions using this squadron’s unique resources. I’ll let her explain.”

Vasy projected a photo of their NH90 Caïman, codenamed Sierra, beside the map.

“When Aline and Cecilija brought Sierra back from Kursk, they brought 20 wounded out to receive medical attention, although an NH90 Caïman is only designed for 12 medevac stretchers. This time, we are being asked to repeat the feat with two paramedics and equipment as were used on the trip from Sumy to Poltava.”

There were murmurs and cries of ‘impossible’.

Cecilija stood up and shook her head.

“We only had eighteen patients and had discarded our miniguns by then. I’m not abandoning anyone else in Russia.”

“We’re not doing that,” said Vasy. “Captain Henrika Visser.”

Henrika nodded and spoke, “My crew and I agree with Cecilija. As one of our chiefs, she’s proved an experienced loadmaster. To medevac twenty wounded with paramedics and equipment safely, let’s use the NH90 Caïman and our Black Hawk.”

Everyone agreed although Kalyna raised another condition.

“Command doesn’t want the wrong impression to be made. The emphasis must be medical, nor must any other military unit be involved.”

“Like Special Forces?” asked Ruslan. “Except as wounded, of course.”

“Exactly,” said Vasy. “However, if our vulnerable helicopters are flying into a volatile war zone without assistance, we must supply our own fighter escort this time. Kapitan Adriana Pavlenko, how viable is Ruby Flight?”

Polina whispered to Adriana, and they stood up together.  

“Only three of the Gripen flight are combat ready, and Senior Master Sergeant Anhelina Janda will agree four are flight ready.” Anhelina smiled and then nodded.

Polina added, “I believe, as Nadia proved, that a Tiger is a dependable attack aircraft as well… if the majors agree.”

Kalyna and Vasy quietly conferred in a corner.

Then Kalyna said, “We believe you have created a near-perfect plan, which we all can iron out for command to agree on.”

**

MPA 2,021 words

[Amelia Earhart’s long-lost plane possibly spotted in the Pacific by exploration team: https://www.npr.org/2024/01/29/1227574179/amelia-earharts-lost-plane-howland-island]

[Star Trek Voyager – Th 37s: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_37%27s]