Episode 39 of Freedom Flights picks up on a key discussion in the last episode.
I will continue trying to foreshadow future incidents without making my characters react as if they know what will happen in 2025… even if they fear what could happen. Also, I want each episode to tackle just crucial incidents in a specific month, thereby I hope to reach the present quicker. I don’t want to be stuck writing about earlier months when the last shot is fired.
Therefore, until a just and lasting peace for Ukraine is reached, I will continue to write more episodes. After then addressing the essential rebuilding, I must finish writing the pre-2022 growth of the Chayka Family and their aviation business based in Canada, Chayka Air.
We must never forget the brave people fighting for freedom, with too many losing their lives. Let’s pray Western aid and weapons continue to reach Ukraine, despite how some leaders vacillate. Assistance must arrive on time to change their fortunes and prepare for the genuine peace that must come soon.
I still worry about the Middle East conflict escalating, not only because it could threaten many of us globally, but also as it would shift the attention and support away from Ukraine. However, there are signs that Putin may be forced to treat peace negotiations seriously. Is peace finally achievable, or will someone lose interest again?
Links to the previous episodes can be found on my Freedom Flights page via the left-hand sidebar.
Episode 39 – Dispersal and Concealment
2024
Monday, November 4th – Squadron Command Centre, Chayka Field, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine
Eight of the squadron stalwarts had been invited by the Chayka Majors to meet in the Squadron Command Centre.
“Last month, we talked with a few of you about how the Russians continue to launch missiles, rockets, and drones incessantly almost every night, and often in the day,” said Kalyna. “Of course, they claim they’re targeting military objectives, despite hitting mainly civilian targets. Although this Oblast has not suffered the attacks other regions have, it’s our duty to respond to any attack we can, so we have sent out flights regularly.”
“However, every time we launch a response,” continued Vasy, “We draw attention to this base. So far, we have managed to remain hidden behind a veneer of abandoned buildings, camouflage, by using deception and rotating aircraft to other bases. We’ve been lucky enough to avoid detection… but we can’t depend on that. Plus, Volyn Oblast and Lutsk are vulnerable at any time, so we need to prepare for the Russians’ attention to turn here.”
“We’ve called you here to help develop a defensive strategy that ensures our jets and helicopters survive,” added Kalyna. “But also ensures we can respond effectively when the region is attacked. We’re sure you all have invaluable suggestions.”
Everyone nodded but hesitated from offering the first idea.
However, Chief Warrant Officer Janina Patriksson offered the initial observation.
“From the maintainer and ground crew perspective, there are disadvantages already when aircraft leapfrog between bases when they’re not hidden here. Except when they land at Dęblin, they’re not always secured, maintained, or re-armed. That’s unsurprising, especially as many of our crafts are unique to this squadron. Building reinforced hangars must be costly.”
“Could we equip another base with our spare parts?” asked Kapitan Adriana Pavlenko. “Or are we short? Fortunately, F-16s are unable to land here. But we must be maintaining visiting MiGs.”
“Only MiGs land here,” replied Janina. “And we can help where needed. The problem is the shortage of specific parts. We only have enough of those to equip our maintainers in Dęblin.”
“More parts we can source and bring in via Poland,” said Vasy. “UAF is building hangars on airfields further east, but this field is low priority, for now. So, we’ve enquired about materials to erect reinforced hangars ourselves. But they are so expensive that we would need to turn to our Canadian and other foreign supporters. Or look at alternatives.”
She nodded at Kalyna, who brought up various photos of different hangars and aircraft dispersals on the central command screen and talked about them.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/4564454831
Author: San Diego Air and Space Museum Archive
“Hardened hangars would prove exorbitant, so here are examples of alternatives, such as Kevlar-lined deployable shelters, which Chayka Air are investigating. We have already begun using roads as runways and dispersing the jets under the trees and camouflage netting. Our strategy must develop from here.”
“Until we erect any kind of hangar, we need to have effective airfield defences,” said Kapitan Mariyka Shevchuk. “We’ll keep upgrading our own interceptor drones and increasing the number. Crucially, Saab provided us with their Mobile Short-Range Air Defence system, which is designed to identify and counter a wide range of air threats, including those from fighter jets, armed helicopters, missiles, and rockets, as well as UAVs and loitering munitions. But the MSHORAD could struggle if we come under a concerted swarm attack. We need another self-propelled air defence solution as back-up.”
Vasy switched the projected images on the command screen to a couple of such defensive platforms.
“As long as we have the MSHORAD and we are not attacked as regularly as more vulnerable places, we are not deemed as under immediate threat. However, we are trying to obtain either of these with the assistance of our UAF advocates. You will all recognise the Gepard, which Germany has supplied dozens of to Ukraine, so one more shouldn’t stretch the Bundeswehr. The other option is a self-propelled anti-aircraft version of the CV90, which is produced by the Anglo-Swedish BAE Systems AB, and is designed to connect to Sweden’s air defence network. Since last summer, Ukraine has been using 50 CV9040C armoured combat vehicles at the front, which were sent by Sweden.”
“Slovakia and the Czech Republic are also assisting this country’s CV90 programme,” added Kalyna. “In September last year, Ukraine and Sweden agreed on a joint production, mentioning 1,000 vehicles as a goal. Denmark and the Netherlands have since got involved. So, arranging for one AA model seems achievable and would probably integrate with the Swedish-built Saab MSHORAD, also designed to connect with a defence network.”
Murmurs of agreement greeted this strategy.
“Going back to dispersal,” said Kapitan Anzhela Havrylyuk. “Are there stretches of road we should check out? If we’re using the Swedish BAS 90 system as our guide, we must establish the dispersed locations and rotate around them.”
“And as we’ve proved,” said Kapitan Aleks Górski. “Helicopters are a fast means to set these up. Once those outlying dispersal points are established, they would reduce our need to supply other airfields with Gripen-specific spares, reducing flight times.”
Her Tiger colleague, Kapitan Nadia Lysenko, nodded in agreement and added, “Our longest regular flights would be to Dęblin… around 290 kilometres. Although all the airfields nearby are closer, we have mechanics and parts already at Dęblin. Plus, fuel, which, other than threatened domestic sources, our allies are supplying to the UAF… via Poland. Obviously, our ground crew here would be able to service the BAS 90 style locations.”
“Often setting up hidden camps instead of returning here,” said Janina. “We should arrange for security to patrol in those areas. We need to recruit more personnel, including K9 units for security as well as their usual rescue work.”
Kalyna changed the displayed photos of the Gepard and CV90 to a list of steps – CAMOUFLAGE, DECEPTION, SPARE PARTS, DEPLOYABLE SHELTERS, SELF-PROPELLED AIR DEFENCE, DISPERSAL & BAS 90, PERSONNEL.
“Should I add anything?”
“Whenever any of us travels to and from Poland, we can still be attacked,” said Capitaine Aline Bonheur. “Even more so for anything being brought in by land. That’s a vulnerable area… all along the border zone that Ukraine depends on.”
Beside her, Kapitan Maryna Sobol agreed, adding, “There needs to be air exclusion zones over unoccupied Ukraine, especially to aid access across the border. If only our NATO allies could target incoming missiles and rockets that threatened their airspace. Debris from attacks has already fallen on NATO territory.”
‘AIR EXCLUSION ZONES’ appeared on the screen.
**
Wednesday, November 6th – Zvenigora Restaurant, Chayka Field, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine
Although it was after 2300 when Jane Wetherby and Carita Forsström came into the Zvenigora, the restaurant was crowded. Everyone not on night duty wanted to learn more about the consequences of the upset in the U.S election. A sense of dejection pervaded the base, as sixteen hours earlier, it became clear that Donald Trump had regained the White House overnight in a stunning political comeback, winning the election to become the 47th U.S President.
“Not the result Ukraine wanted,” said Aaron Garcia to Jane and Carita as they sat beside him. “Can Trump deliver a just peace for Ukraine in 24 hours after entering the White House?”
“First, it depends if it’s a priority for him,” said Carita. “We’ll know more over the next eleven weeks, and by what he prioritises in his inauguration speech. Moldovans held firm against Russian interference and re-elected pro-Western President Maia Sandu for a second term. So, second, Trump needs to stand strong against Putin.”
“Let’s pray he carries out what he needs to,” said Jane. “Hopefully, the media and the elected members will hold him to that.”
“And the Democrats,” added Aaron as the voice of a TV reporter announced that the Democratic candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, was about to make a speech on the campus of Howard University.
The restaurant went quiet, all eyes on the movie screen showing a US news channel. The viewers were as subdued as the supporters gathered to hear Harris speak.
“I know many people feel like we’re entering a dark time,” she said. “But for the benefit of us all, I hope that’s not the case.”
The three journalists glanced at each other, and then Jane closed her eyes as if implying darkness… for her at least.
Harris tried to give a concession speech flavoured with optimism.
“My heart is full today, full of gratitude,” she continued. “Hear me when I say the light of America’s promise will always burn bright.”
Although there were no Americans in the restaurant, most watching expressed a hope that the U.S promise of support would remain. Harris continued to be positive.
“We will never give up the fight for our democracy, the rule of law, of the rule of justice and the sacred idea that everyone of us, no matter who we are or where we start out, have certain fundamental rights and freedoms that must be upheld. We will continue to wage this fight.”
Carita whispered to her colleagues, “She must encourage her audience and give us hope. But from here on, it’s going to be hard for the Democrats. Let’s pray that the outgoing administration will manage to give Ukraine as much as they can.”
“Trump will start pushing his agenda from today onwards,” said Aaron. “Europe is watching intently to see what happens next. Does Trump have the balls to end the war in January? Or will the rest of NATO be left to carry on the fight alone?
**
Thursday, November 7th – Agility Course, Chayka Field, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine
First Lieutenants Andżelika and Estera Sówka found Katiuska Rebeca Meléndez exercising Treka, her Siberian Husky, around the agility course, watched by their Spanish fans. The Sówka sisters persuaded Rebeca to sit in a shady and secluded spot to talk.
“Have you thought about our discussion on Tuesday?” asked Estera. “Are you and Treka still willing to do security patrols and search & rescue work as one of our K9 units?”
“We are aiming to recruit more K9 units,” added Andżelika. “Monday’s defence meeting made recruitment a priority, so we don’t have only six K9s covering two roles.”
“That’s why we’re practising more defensive exercises and by the weekend we can be tested… if my amigas agree,” replied Rebeca. “We still prefer rescuing people.”
They rejoined her friends, who were looking at Capitán Conchita Gutiérrez’s phone.
“Does this mean the war might end in a few months?” asked Jacinta Garcia. “Or is my brother right to distrust Donald Trump?”
“I trust Aaron’s opinion of Trump,” said Conchita. “If Trump’s team suggest he’ll delay Kyiv’s NATO membership for at least 20 years in exchange for continued arms supplies, that’s a warning. Any peace deal will have conditions unacceptable to Ukraine.”
“This article from today’s The Kyiv Independent implies more,” added her co-pilot, Teniente Adelita Palomo. “Any peace deal could see the front line frozen wherever it is.”
“That could mean Ukraine losing territory,” added Aitana Salcedo, who was stroking Treka with Rebeca, who concluded, “Meaning Russia wins and gains stolen land.”
**
MPA – 1,856 words
Slava Ukraini
Heroiam slava!
The November 7th, 2024, article in The Kyiv Independent: Trump’s team mulls postponing Ukraine’s NATO membership for at least 20 years, WSJ reports: https://kyivindependent.com/trump-ukraine-plan-wsj/?mc_cid=c614272585&mc_eid=a6eae6af19
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