This Episode of my ongoing fictional Ukrainian story ‘Freedom Flights’ is dedicated to Juanita’s and my friend and exceptional carer, Samantha Pieper, who died yesterday, aged only 25. One of the ongoing characters in the story, Sergeant Marusya Dudziarz, was inspired by her. A GoFundMe page has been started “to help cover the unexpected costs of her funeral and memorial services”.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/easing-the-burden-samantha-piepers-funeral
Episode 36 of Freedom Flights concludes the medical issues arising from the Kursk escape to Ukraine. The Poland scenes in this episode will continue next time… in a few days.
I will continue trying to foreshadow future incidents without making my characters react as if they know what will happen in 2025.
Until a just and lasting peace for Ukraine is reached, I will continue to write more episodes, never forgetting the brave people fighting for freedom, with too many losing their lives. Let’s pray Western aid and weapons continue to reach the country, despite what some leaders threaten. Plus, that assistance must arrive on time to change their fortunes and prepare for the genuine peace that must come soon.
Links to the previous episodes can be found on my Freedom Flights page via the left-hand sidebar.
Episode 36 – Never Fade Away
2024
Friday, September 27th – Squadron Command Centre, Chayka Field, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine
On the main Command Centre screen, Kalyna and Vasy Chayka reviewed how the Night Witches had changed in over two years of war.
“Although we now have more helicopter flight crew here than fixed wing pilots,” said Vasy. “The new pilots at Dęblin should increase our effective contribution to Ukraine’s victory.”
“We haven’t suffered the same casualties as other units, although seven killed is still tragic,” added Kalyna, pointing to the new Roll of Honour on the wall.
She continued, “Mainly because we haven’t been used near the frontlines… except for the two Kursk missions. Fortunately, Nadia Lysenko was rescued from Russia, and just poor Polina Melynk was wounded on that mission.”
“How is Nadia?” asked Vasy.
“She needs time to recover, according to the doctor at Myrhorod. She’s due to see Doctor Sacha Proulx today, after seeing us shortly. Maybe she might tell us more.”
Kalyna glanced at the digital clock above the screen.
“I hope we have time to discuss more than whether there are any new recruits for the Tigress helicopter Brigade, Nadia leads. Her opinion on the situation in Dęblin could be useful before the UAF’s official report.”
“She has served with some of the French pilots,” added Vasy. “She and Aline persuaded their contacts to bring Mirage 2000-5Fs to assist Ukraine.”
There was a knock at the door, and Kapitan Nadia Lysenko entered with a short-haired female French lieutenant.
“May I present Lieutenant Cateline Ivanova, an experienced helicopter pilot who served in the French Army Light Aviation’s 1st Combat Helicopter Regiment with Capitaine Aline Bonheur.”
“You wish to volunteer to fly helicopters with us?” asked Vasy. “Why?”
“To fight for Ukraine’s freedom like my maternal great-grandfather,” replied Cateline. “I heard superb things about the Night Witches from Aline and hoped I would qualify.”
“So, you’ve flown an NH90 Caïman?” asked Kalyna. “Anything else?”
“In the academy, I was taught on smaller craft, but in combat, just Caïmans and Eurocopter Tigers. You have both, I hear.”
“I told her we had both,” said Nadia. “Although I also mentioned Alfa Tiger was short one pilot… two if Doctor Sacha grounds me.”
“Unlikely,” said Vasy. “Unless your wounds impair your ability to fly the Tiger. Are you concerned, Nadia?”
The Tigress leader hesitated, glancing from major to major, as if unsure what they expected.
“I was worried when I collapsed on the escape flight. Was it just a lack of sleep? I’m hoping Sacha can reassure me. But first we must discuss Dęblin.”
The cousins nodded, and Kalyna pointed at the list of new pilots on the screen.
“Are these all jet pilots? Or would any of them join your Brigade?”
Nadia studied the list and then looked at Cateline.
“We talked with some of them before we were flown here. Two Québécois pilots had the right experience. Did anyone else say anything about helicopters that seemed useful, Cateline?”
“I didn’t realise Kapitan Aleks Górski was your Tiger co-pilot,” said Cateline. “Apologies if this is sensitive. How did she end up co-piloting the NH90 Caïman with Aline?”
Nadia hesitated, so Kalyna answered.
“When Kapitan Lysenko went MIA in Kursk, her co-pilot, Aleks Górski, volunteered for the rescue mission. She’s stayed as part of the crew ever since.”
“However, if Nadia is deemed fit to fly Alfa Tiger again and Aleks wants to join her, that is fine by us,” said Vasy. “Aline will need a new co-pilot, and you, Cateline, are the perfect candidate.”
“If I’m not airworthy,” said Nadia with a forced grin. “Aleks can choose the best Québécois recruit as her co-pilot. As for the other recruits, they’re learning to fly Mirage 2000-5Fs while perfecting their skills in the CF-18A Hornets. There are also more than enough to ensure the squadron could have five active flights when our wounded pilots recover. That’s excluding the combat-ready French Mirage flight.”
“So, six flights come January,” said Kalyna. “By then, we should be allowed to use our best jets in combat… Gripens, Mirages, and Hornets, with our MiG-29s as valuable back-ups.”
*
Medical Centre, Chayka Field, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine
Once Doctor Sacha Proulx had studied the readouts from the monitors attached to Nadia, she continued asking questions.
“My initial physical examination suggested that some visible wounds were healing. But instruments detected internal damage responsible for your ongoing health issues. So, I must ask how long the Russians tortured you for?”
Nadia winced as the memories flooded back.
“When I was captured on August 12th, I was dragged to a farm building by soldiers… stripped naked and beaten “ She paused and closed her eyes, fighting off her fears. “They were about to rape me, but Dimitri, the officer who betrayed me, argued I was too valuable a prisoner.”
She stopped, and Sacha held onto her shaking body. Eventually, Nadia continued.
“I was taken, imprisoned, and tortured in Malaya Loknya Women’s Prison. Some Ukrainian women soldiers had been there for over a year, abused day after day. I was also beaten and abused, but luckily only for ten days, until August 23rd when our forces stormed the prison.”
“And our soldiers rescued you all?’ asked Sacha.
Nadia shook her head. “Not everyone. Some guards fled, dragging some of us away as hostages… but I escaped with a few others after three more days of Russian brutality. Most risked reaching Ukrainian lines… but I felt my Zoo colleagues would try to rescue me.”
“Learnt with French special forces, who never abandon a comrade. As I experienced in Côte d’Ivoire.” Sacha glanced at the monitors before continuing. “Now I understand my observations. You’ve had almost a month for the external signs, such as bruising, to disappear, although I detected a couple of deeper bruises, or hematomas, which have almost vanished. However, other internal injuries require observation and more time to heal.”
“Yet, I feel fit and ready to fly again… well, helicopters. Surely that’s acceptable?”
Sacha shook her head and rested a hand on Nadia’s, checking her pulse.
“Like my counterpart at Myrhorod, I recommend caution… after your blackout returning from Kursk, and your tremors recalling your harrowing experiences in prison. Have there been other traumatic episodes?”
Nadia closed her eyes and bit her lower lip. “I want to say no. Except I must admit nightmares and inability to sleep. Even abrupt noises make me anxious. Is it PTSD?”
“Not the worst case of PTSD I’ve seen. It may not be PTSD, but acute concussion if the guards beat you on the head repeatedly.”
Nadia nodded and asked, “If I were flying, fainting could be fatal for me and my co-pilot. Can concussion mask PTSD?”
“That’s a likely diagnosis as well. It would explain the mix of symptoms. I’d recommend not flying or, at the very least, letting someone else pilot. You must avoid combat. Finally, keep me informed, especially if you have more episodes.”
**
Sunday, September 29th – Dęblin Military Air Base, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland
The NH90 Caïman landed at Dęblin to collect the UAF officers desperate to return to Lviv after Saturday’s Russian attacks across Ukraine.
The most despicable incident was in Sumy, the third in six weeks involving medical facilities in the city. This time, Saint Panteleimon Clinical Hospital was struck twice within a 45-minute period. Most fatalities occurred from the second strike as rescuers attempted to evacuate 113 patients. With the death toll and injuries rising, medical units had been alerted countrywide.
However, the Night Witches’ medevacs had been dispatched to other attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine. Capitaine Aline Bonheur had returned to Chayka Field so Lieutenant Cateline Ivanova could replace Kapitan Aleks Górski as co-pilot, replicating their French deployment in Africa’s Sahel region. After responding to an incident in Kyiv, Aline flew the Caïman back to Dęblin.
While Lieutenant Cecilija Lusk supervised Sierra’s refuelling, Aline and Cateline went to find their passengers. As they walked towards the briefing room, they noticed Alfa Tiger and the PZL SW-4 Puszczyk.
“Has there been a change of plan?” asked Cateline. “Isn’t that Puszczyk used for passenger flights?”
“Usually, but perhaps someone needed to come here like the Majors and using their jets wasn’t fuel-efficient.”
Inside the mystery was partly solved when they noticed two code talkers, Aenoheso Little Hawk and Mahihkan Wolf Sister, with the two UAF officers whom the Caïman crew were collecting. However, Colonel Maksym Bondarenko looked up and came over.
“I’m glad you returned safely, but I must apologise. Major-General Natan Isaiev and I are going to Lviv in the Puszczyk. Sergeant Marusya Dudziarz kindly brought my code talker here with her Cree colleague. Marusya offered to fly Natan, Aenoheso and me to Ukraine… if you don’t mind.”
Aline noticed Group Captain Callum McNeilly smile and wink at her.
“We’d appreciate the rest after our trip to Kyiv and back. Many thanks, Colonel.” She noted Cateline nodding in agreement, so added, “This is Lieutenant Cateline Ivanova, our latest recruit, whom I served with in the French 1st Combat Helicopter Regiment.”
“Welcome to the 2022 Night Witches,” said Maksym. “And our thanks for fighting for Ukraine.”
“I’m proud to serve my maternal great-grandfather’s motherland,” Cateline replied, saluting before adding, “Slava Ukraini.”
Maksym returned the salute and replied, “Heroiam slava!”. Everyone repeated the cry.
Kapitan Nadia Lysenko joined them with Kapitan Aleks Górski.
“Although I miss Sierra,” said Aleks, “It’s great to be back in Alfa Tiger with Nadia.”
“Likewise, with a Caïman and Aline,” said Cateline. “What brings you here?”
Nadia smiled and replied, “We needed to discuss the training schedule, which is why Mahihkan came… then we can contact Kalyna and Vasy securely.”
“And when I’m back in Lviv,” said Maksym, “Aenoheso will allow me to talk securely. Colonel Alfhild Falkborg and colleagues will be arriving later, so they can inspect the Sukhoi Su-30SM and discuss our Gripen programme.”
He waved to the figures deep in conversation at the rear of the room.
Capitaine Dasha Isakova was telling Natan about how she had infiltrated Khalino Airbase.
“Zoo Sécurité, the Interpol-approved agency which sent me to find Nadia, created a new identity that convinced the Russian officers I approached that my credentials made me worth employing. Our sympathisers in Kursk also helped and ensured their drone attacks coincided with Kyiv’s.”
“Will you continue to fight with us?”
“Until a just peace is secured, hopefully longer. Ukraine feels like home. I discovered that when I met someone… some of your ground forces in Kursk”
Natan smiled. “I understand. We have to pray that we all see the peace.”
He checked his watch and the wall clock.
Then he joined Maksym, who said, “We need to sort out any remaining issues about the Sukhoi Su-30SM before we leave shortly.” They gestured to the two NATO officers who were now talking with Dasha. All three came over.
“I there anything urgent before we leave?” Natan asked the trio. “If not, it can wait until the main session.”
“Only the Polish Air Force technical team wants to inspect the Sukhoi Su-30SM at midday,” replied Colonel Jason Ayers. “Everything else can wait until later when the Swedes are here.”
Before the Lviv group could leave, Aline turned to Maksym.
“I must come out to the Puszczyk and thank Marusya for flying you all back. Then I’ll tell Cecilija we are staying longer than planned.”
*
By the time Natan, Maksym and Aenoheso had reached Lviv, Alfhild had arrived in two Gripen JAS 39F two-seaters with her trainer colleagues, Major Ottillia Elmersson and Kapten Pernilla Eklund, and a fourth officer, whom she introduced.
“Major Arne Östberg is one of our technical experts and a brilliant test pilot. He was my first choice for assessing the capabilities of the Sukhoi Su-30SM that Captains Dasha Isakova and Nadia Lysenko captured from the Russians.”
The lean, brown-haired man saluted the group gathered in the briefing room.
“I believe most of you have already inspected the Flanker, but has anyone flown her… except the pilots who brought the jet out of Russia. I’d like to test the jet in the air. I can then compare the handling to our NATO jets.”
“I was Dasha’s navigator on the final leg here,” said Jason Ayers. “She encouraged me to fly the Flanker once we crossed into Poland… and land her here. Such a responsive jet would be an interesting challenge for fighters like your Gripen E or F.”
“We have both here,” said Alfhild. “We can set something up using this base’s training area.” She paused as a group of seven pilots entered and saluted. When they were seated, she continued, “First, we need to discuss which Night Witches intend to make up the squadron’s Gripen flights.”
Kapitan Adriana Pavlenko stood and came to Alfhild, handing her a sheet of paper.
“That’s all the pilots whom the Majors intend to make up our five Gripen flights at Chayka Field eventually. However, they are aware we need six more recruits and ten more single-seat Gripens to reach the target. Until then, we have some options. Initially, one flight of MiG-29s.”
A second pilot joined Adriana.
“I’m Captain Lyana Rudenko, leading four other Québécois pilots currently perfecting our flying skills in CF-18A Hornets, but willing to learn other airframes such as Gripens, MiG-29s, or Mirage 2000-5Fs. We are adaptable.”
Two other pilots approached.
“I’m Commandant Raphaëlle Balode and this is Capitaine Éliane Nowicki. We are adding five single-seat Mirage 2000-5Fs and one two-seater Mirage 2000-B to the squadron’s itinerary, although not until Paris officially agrees that Ukraine can use them in combat. Until then, seven French pilots are available to fly anything else for Ukraine, or train others on Mirages.”
Alfhild thanked them all and then suggested secure links be opened to Chayka Field and Lviv before anything was decided. Then Kalyna and Vasy greeted everyone.
“We realise some of you still need to discuss things further,” said Kalyna. “Adriana Pavlenko knows our training priorities, as does Nadia Lysenko, so finalise an effective programme with them. However, we need to review our latest acquisition, avoiding sensitive details. For those, you can message us via Mahihkan.”
“Before I fly your addition to the inventory, please show me the package,” said Arne. “I need to make comparisons. We also need to plan my co-pilot and the DACT exercise.”
“One of the two-seaters would be the obvious match-up,” said Raphaëlle. “If I’m your co-pilot, I can be objective.”
“Unless you’re facing a Mirage,” said Callum. “Although if Éliane was disadvantaged with an unfamiliar navigator… it might work.”
Everyone laughed at the suggested and unexpected pairings.
“Was there any valuable feedback from other visitors?” asked Vasy, hinting at the Polish Air Force technical team. “If necessary, message us later.”
“They had invaluable suggestions on adaptations,” said Jason. “Some tally with mine and Callum’s. We’ll message you all after Arne has given his reaction later.”
“We will await that,” said Maksym. “Is there anything we can discuss openly now? When you are discussing training, Natan and I want to avoid creating language restrictions by having jets requiring anything other than Ukrainian or English. We’re also concerned that all planes have reasonable flight lives remaining.”
Nadia let Adriana reply.
“Those are priorities we plan to discuss with all our allies here. We suspect they share those concerns, as do their superiors.”
“On behalf of those allies, I know all our supplied jets are NATO compatible,” said Raphaëlle. “However, we will ensure those requirements are met. As for other issues, nobody is indicating a need to say anything else. I propose we adjourn outside?”
MPA 2,597 Words
Slava Ukraini
Heroiam slava!
Sketches, Lingerie And Paris Memories: A Ukrainian Sniper On How She Survived Russian Captivity-Jan 18th 2024:
Writing Wings 
I’m sorry to hear about your carer… so young. what a shock for you all. Condolences to her family.
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