This final part of Episode 43 of Freedom Flights is set in March 2025. I released it in three parts, which I hope proves easier to absorb. World-shattering events may occur in future episodes. Some events foreshadowed in Parts 1, 2  3 of this triple-episode may take a few months to play out, while others may be resolved in Episode 44.

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

Episode 43. Disarming Attachments. Part 3.

2025

Thursday, March 27^th – Chayka Field, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine

As the flights returned from the night’s sorties, Kalyna and Vasy sat in Control anxiously counting them back.

“How many are still missing?” asked Vasy, watching the dawn light spread across the airfield.

“Too early to say. Also, some may have landed elsewhere, so they’ll let us know,” replied Kalyna. “This was another heavy Russian attack… 86 drones overnight. Let’s pray the strategic consignment from Cold Lake produces an effective response.”

“Especially since the attacks are growing in intensity and more widespread. We can’t cope with more losses, yet it seems inevitable.”

“But not before tomorrow’s celebrations.”

**

 Friday, March 28^th  – Saint Peter & Paul Cathedral, Kafedralna Street, Lutsk, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine

The four couples, the brides with fresh flowers in their hair, gathered near the altar for the crucial stage of the marriage ceremony: the exchange of vows.

The Catholic and Orthodox Bishops had agreed on a format with the couples. Although Conchita Gutiérrez & Aaron Garcia were both Catholic, they embraced Ukrainian traditions happily and were the first couple to make their vows.

Conchita stepped onto an embroidered red cloth, followed by Aaron. Both received candles, and the Catholic Bishop joined their right hands after some prayers.

He then recited, “O’ Sovereign Lord, stretch forth Your hand from Your holy dwelling place and join together Your servant, Aaron, and Your handmaiden, Conchita, for by You is a wife joined to her husband. Join them together in oneness of mind; crown them with wedlock into one flesh; grant to them the fruit of the womb and the gain of well-favoured children.”

Then, Adelita Palomo crowned the couple, as the Bishop said, “The servant of God is crowned for the handmaiden of God in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Conchita, Aaron, Adelita, and the Bishop circled the altar three times, the crowns being exchanged by the couple on each circuit.

The Orthodox Bishop then conducted a similar ceremony uniting Ruslan Medved & Albina Koval, with Tamila Medved crowning them. Then, the Catholic Bishop united Marielle Simonova & Andriy Oliynyk, with Fedir Kravets crowning them, before Dasha Isakova & Mykhail Moroz were married by the Orthodox Prelate and crowned by Polina Moroz.

Prayers, readings, and hymns brought the ceremony to a fitting climax in the Classicist-style building.

Outside, by agreement, the brides tossed numerous good luck nosegays to the guests and traditional bouquets.

As the guests mingled with each other, some were unfamiliar with Ukrainian wedding customs, so they inquired.

“The fabric the couple stepped onto for their vows, does it mean anything, especially as all four brides stepped on first?” asked Henrika Visser. “Presumably, the crowns are also symbolic.”

With plenty of Ukrainians among the guests, she was quickly answered.

“The ‘rushnyk’ is symbolic of prosperity,” said Marusya Dudziarz, “and not having to face poverty by ‘standing on the bare floor’. The person who steps on the rushnyk first has the final say in married life. Most grooms let their bride become the head of the family.”

“Crowns are placed on both their heads to symbolise becoming rulers of their new ‘kingdom’. Traditionally, there are other elements involving home and family,” added Anzhela Havrylyuk, clutching a bouquet and her partner, Larisa Kovalyov. “I’m sure the reception back at base will involve more traditions.”

*

Zvenigora Restaurant, Chayka Field, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine

As the Base Commanders, Kalyna and Vasy Chayka received the wedding guests at the reception in the Zvenigora. Today, they were stand-in parents as few families could make the event during the war.

One of the few, Illya Medved, had been able to fly in from Myrhorod Air Base, bringing Lukyan Petrenko, leader of the unit Ruslan Medved and Albina Koval served with.

“I’m honoured to witness the union of two of our finest soldiers,” said Lukyan, waving the couple over. “Especially for  Albina, whose parents were killed in 2022, leaving the unit as her only family… until today.”

Illya smiled, then embraced the couple and his daughter Tamila.

“May I make the first toast, please?” When the group all nodded, Illya faced everyone, raising his voice. “Please drink to four brave couples, including my new daughter, Albina and my son, Ruslan. May they have a blessed life. Never forget all our valiant fighters, like my daughter Tamila and the Night Witches. Hirko.”

All eight newlyweds kissed as everyone drank.

 Polina Moroz made the next toast.

“On behalf of my sisters, I thank all the gallant warriors on the ground, like my brother Mykhail. Wish him, my new sister Dasha, and the other fearless couples, a fruitful union with a rich legacy. Hirko.”

Again, the couples kissed, and more drinks were downed.

Before someone else proposed a toast, Dasha moved beside Nadia Lysenko.

“You caught a bouquet. Can we look forward to your wedding?”

“Of course… once I persuade Brajan. Now, enjoy today… and tonight with Mykhail.”

More toasts, more kissing, more drinking.

After refilling glasses, Mariyka Shevchuk and Sergei Kovalyov disappeared, returning with a large five-tiered Ukrainian wedding cake. They placed it on an embroidered tablecloth, raised above the other delicacies already being devoured, and beside the Western-style cake.

All the Ukrainians knew what this special cake was, but a few guests were mystified.

“Exquisite decorations, but what is it?” asked  Jeong Chae-Yeong.

“Korovai,” replied her co-pilot, Raisa Vezzoso. “Intricately woven bread made of milk, sugar, flour, butter, eggs, vanilla, plus in this one, rum extract. As few family members were available, some of the squadron, as the community, made it this week, to bless the four marriages.”

“In Russia, we have a similar tradition,” added Sergei, letting Mariyka continue. “The dough decorations are symbolic. The two birds, here eight, represent the four couples, and the other birds represent family and friends. Periwinkles, a symbol of love and purity, encircle the Korovai, which was blessed before we baked it. The top four tiers are for the couples and their immediate families. But the rest of us will share the pidoshva, the lower tier.”

First though, the four couples approached and cut the other cake. As that was distributed, Jane Wetherby made a toast.

“None of us, least of all Conchita, thought Aaron Garcia could be brought to heel. But it’s happened, though it won’t stop him from writing. I wish them both a productive life, and the very same hope for the other three couples. Hirko.”

As everyone drank and the newlyweds kissed again, the folk band played, and guests began dancing.

Jacinta hugged her brother.

“Guess I no longer need to cover for you. That’s Conchita’s privilege.”

Carita Forsström turned to Conchita.

“When he’s on assignment, we’ll aim to be there, so he behaves.”

“Or beware the wrath of two rotary-wing pilots,” said Adelita Palomo.

By the entrance, Marielle Simonova and Andriy Oliynyk were talking about current deployments with Kalyna, Vasy, and Éliane Nowicki.

“Has it been a quiet day so far?” asked Éliane. “Most of the squadron seems to be here.”

“Except for the ground crew and security,” replied Kalyna. “Plus, the six fighters that just returned, the flight that left, and the one on standby.”

“But a Ukrainian wedding reception lasts days,” added Vasy. “Everyone will get to celebrate and fly… when sober.”

As another toast was made, Fedir Kravets appeared with Nilda Silveira on one arm and her twin, Leandra  Silveira, on the other.

“That confirms what we thought,” said Marielle. “Two lucky ladies, or one ambitious best man who is clutching a bouquet. But who for?”

Before Fedir could respond, Adriana Pavlenko and her flight sisters joined the celebrations.

“In true Slavic style, this wedding reception should last for days.”

“As it should,” said Estera Sówka. “It does in Poland. Can some of the off-duty Night Owls please relax here?”

“Of course,” said Vasy. “Without security and others, we wouldn’t be secure. Tell anyone else who’s off duty to come.”

Estera and Aitana Salcedo slipped in, followed by Katiuska Meléndez with Treka, her red & white Siberian Husky.

When Estera returned with two plates of food, Vasy stared for a second, then grinned.

“Of course. You and Aslög are minding the MSHORAD system together. Wish your lady good appetite and health.”

More toasts with Hirko echoed across the restaurant, and Aitana whispered to Katiuska.

“What does Hirko mean?”

“Bitter,” said Andriy from nearby after he smooched Marielle. “If something is ‘bitter,’ kissing will sweeten it, so the bride & groom must kiss. But we’re sneaking off to enjoy much more in private.”

**

Monday, March 31^st – Dęblin Military Air Base, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland

Night crept in, and the runway lights switched on when the request to land came from the expected flight.

“Dęblin Tower. Chayka One-Eight-Six-Two-Quebec is six miles south for landing with information Echo. Request full stop.”

Commandant Raphaëlle Balode and Captain Lyana Rudenko climbed down from the control tower to meet the Canadian plane.

“That’s their Hercules,” said Lyana, peering across the tarmac. “Hope they’re not expecting a fast turnaround.”

“Aliona implied the crew of five were staying overnight to assist,” said Raphaëlle. “That implies substantial hardware.” She pointed to the distant horizon, where the plane had appeared. “You’re correct, it’s Chayka Air’s C-130.”

The plane was directed towards a storage hangar, which some ground crew opened.

Once the Hercules was positioned for unloading,  the rear ramp was opened.

 One of the pilots climbed down and approached Raphaëlle and Lyana, who introduced themselves.

“I’m Captain Natalie Kuzmenko,” said the pilot, clearly American by her accent. “My colleague, Major Lidka Andrysiak, is following in the second plane.”

 A distinctive buzzsaw sound heralded the arrival of an unexpected jet… a Warthog. The A-10A Thunderbolt II landed with runway to spare and taxied towards the stunned Witches.

The pilot climbed out, carrying her helmet, and came towards them. Her haircut matched the Warthog’s sound, and she embraced Natalie after introducing herself.

“We didn’t expect Aliona to send two planes,” said Raphaëlle.

“Let’s chat in the Zvenigora,” said Lidka. “Before you ask, yes, we were here in 2023 training pilots on the F-16… before we left the USAF.”

***

MPA – 1,691 words

Slava Ukraini

Heroiam slava!