Episode 44 of Freedom Flights is set in April 2025 and will be released in multiple parts, as I create them. Some events foreshadowed in this episode will take a few months to play out, while others may be resolved in the next part.
I will continue trying to foreshadow future incidents without making my characters react as if they know what will happen later in 2025… although they might fear what could happen. Also, I want each episode to tackle just the crucial RL incidents in a specific month, so I hope to reach the present quickly, as well as the character development. 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, thus addressing the essential rebuilding. I intend to finish writing the pre-2022 growth of the Chayka Family and their aviation business based in Canada, Chayka Air, but that will be posted elsewhere.
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 unexpected interruptions. 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 44. Trying Times. Part 1. Conception.
2025
Tuesday, April 1st – Medical Centre, Chayka Field, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine
Doctor Sacha Proulx wasn’t sure whether Conchita Gutiérrez had serious concerns or realised what date it was. Sacha knew Spain didn’t treat this as a day for jokes, as many did. It might be Poisson d’Avril, or April Fools’ Day, but Sacha must remain professional.
“How long have you been exhausted? Is it affecting your flying?”
“For a week, but not while flying, otherwise I’d have mentioned it sooner.”
“Anything else I should know?”
Conchita hesitated before answering.
“The nausea over the weekend might have been from celebrating. So, could tender breasts… from too much fondling. My period is late, but stress has caused that.”
“A pregnancy test should resolve your concerns.”
*
“Congratulations, Conchita. You’re pregnant.”
The jubilant mother embraced Sacha.
“Aaron will be pleased and want to celebrate. Although I suspect alcohol is now off for me.”
“Correct. And I’m afraid I must ground you during the first trimester due to the increased risk of miscarriage. But as a helicopter pilot, you should be fine after that. I’ll inform the squadron commanders.”
“Understood. I’m sure you’re relieved I didn’t stick a paper fish to your back.”
Sacha laughed.
“I suspect someone will make me a Poisson d’Avril.”
**
Friday, April 4th – Dęblin Military Air Base, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland
Capitaine Aline Bonheur landed Sierra, the NH90 TTH Caïman, beside a storage hangar, letting her four passengers disembark.
Kalyna & Vasy Chayka led their colleagues inside, where Commandant Raphaëlle Balode greeted them.
“We’ve arranged the equipment from Canada by type, like drones, spares, and medical. That way, you can plan your strategies. We’ve removed anything allotted here, and on Tuesday, Kapitan Mariyka Shevchuk collected what was needed to advance drone research at Chayka Field.” She paused, then added, “Mariyka left some material for later.”
Raphaëlle led them back outside.
“We have prepared Sierra for whatever needs to get to base,” said Lieutenant Cecilija Lusk. “Leaving space for returning passengers.”
“Excellent,” said Vasy. “Start with our medical supplies and ammunition.”
Walking across the airfield, Major Lidka Andrysiak and Captain Natalie Kuzmenko met them, and Kalyna greeted the Americans.
“We were intrigued when Aliona outlined your plan… as was our UAF supervisor, Colonel Maksym Bondarenko.” She pointed to where two figures were inspecting the Warthog.
“A mean-looking machine,” said Master Engineer Anatol Krakarth. “Maksym was telling me about its fearsome reputation. Did one of you ladies fly this?”
“Lidka was our Hog-flying Killer Queen in Afghanistan,” said Natalie proudly. “I only flew F-16s—”
“In combat,” added Lidka. “You provided crucial close air support to ground forces… my Winged Consort.”
“So, you both fought in Afghanistan,” said Maksym. “Many thanks for training some of our pilots on F-16s in 2023. Someday, I’d like to hear how you acquired this A-10A Thunderbolt II, but now, tell us how you plan to prove its value to us.”
“Access to a Sukhoi Su-25 would help,” said Lidka. “That’s what you and the Russians used for close air support, until too many were shot down. Is the A-10 so vulnerable? Comparing the two airframes would be our starting point.”
Maksym nodded and thought the question through for some minutes.
“We don’t have many Sukhoi Su-25s. They’re being modified to launch French-made Hammer glide bombs at Russian targets.” Maksym glanced at the Master Engineer. “However, some Frogfoots still need repairs and modifications. Anatol informs me that your engineers and his best students could do that.”
“We already refurbish MiG-29s,” added Anatol. “We understand Russian technology, so we’ll adapt.”
“If we’ve an airworthy but unmodified Su-25, have you a pilot to fly it here?” asked Maksym. “It would save time.”
“I flew a USAF Frogfoot in adversary training exercises,” said Natalie. “Once I contrived the chance.”
“Your forward planning saved me from volunteering,” said Capitaine Dasha Isakova. “I’ve only flown one in a simulator—”
“And the Su-30SM with me,” added Kapitan Nadia Lysenko. “But out of desperation to escape from Russia.”
Natalie and Lidka chuckled.
“A tale worth hearing,” said Vasy. “I suggest we discuss the details of the Warthog-Frogfoot Trial upstairs.”
*
Once upstairs in the Witches’ office, Lidka projected a list of steps in the Warthog-Frogfoot Trial onto the screen.
“Some of these stages are interchangeable,” said Natalie. “For instance, we can start testing the A-10 and making modifications based on conditions along the frontline.”
“I know how much damage the Hog can take,” added Lidka. “But I’d like to study anything showing what Frogfoots are facing before they’re downed. Can we replicate that here at Dęblin without destroying the Hog?”
“Or my partner,” said Natalie, protective arm around Lidka. “She’s precious to me and crucial to the trial.”
“Absolutely,” said Dasha. “Love is more precious than airframes. Although we need both. There must be the expertise here to design suitable challenges.”
Everyone nodded, then looked at Anatol.
“Certainly, there is the know-how between my department and your maintenance crews.” He glanced at Maksym, who was on his tablet. “Especially if we learn from downed Su-25s.”
When Maksym put the device down, Kalyna asked, “Do you have some news?”
“My colleagues have a suitable Su-25, whenever Natalie can collect it. Details are being sent here encrypted, plus the modification specifications. The UAF has gathered information on Frogfoot vulnerabilities and will supply those .”
“When received, I’ll make arrangements to collect the plane,” replied Natalie. “But first, I need to learn how to escape from enemy territory.”
“In exchange for first learning how a Warthog escaped from USAF territory,” replied Nadia. “After that, you’ll have heard where the Frogfoot is, so you can come to Ukraine with us.”
Natalie kissed Lidka.
“Let’s start in Afghanistan, where we met in 2012 and fell in love,” said Lidka. “I’d flown Hogs for six years by then.”
“I was only posted there for 2012, flying F-16s with the Arizona Air National Guard,” said Natalie. “But we fell for each other immediately and managed to be assigned together to the 162nd Wing training pilots on F-16C and Ds until we left.”
“How long after you were both here training our pilots did you leave?” asked Maksym. “What caused that?”
“Politics,” replied Lidka. “Although we resigned from the USAF on February 1st this year, we knew we would once Donald Trump was re-elected last November.”
“Because of Trump’s attitude on military DEI programs?” asked Dasha.
“Exactly. That was when we conceived our plan,” answered Natalie. “Being aware of the arguments for and against A-10s in Ukraine, plus the losses of Sukhoi Su-25s on both sides. Yet we felt something could be learnt by comparing them side by side. Step one, I learnt how to fly a Frogfoot in DACT.
“Afghanistan and Iraq weren’t similar to the war over here,” said Lidka. “Step two was harder… persuading the USAF to allow an A-10 to escape the Boneyard, for a comparison on NATO territory with a Su-25. Fortunately, the arrangements were finalised before Trump’s executive order targeting military DEI programs.”
“So, when you resigned a few days later, this A-10 was heading for Canada,” said Vasy. “And you arrived at Cold Lake, having forewarned Chayka Air. Was my niece Aliona involved last year?”
“Only when the Boneyard arrangements were set in titanium. Chayka Air has secure credentials due to your CAF connection,” responded Natalie.
Raphaëlle handed Natalie an unencrypted message, which Tayanita Brave Beaver had decoded.
“I must fetch the Sukhoi Su-25 from Myrhorod Air Base, near Poltava.”
“We know it well,” said Dasha. “I landed there when Nadia and I escaped from Russia. Fly back to Chayka Field with us in Sierra, and someone can fly you there.”
“Only after we’ve eaten, while Nadia tells her tale,” said Natalie.
**
Tuesday, April 8th – Medical Centre, Chayka Field, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine
Sacha Proulx reviewed her notes on general squadron health. She’d overlooked one area until she tested Conchita. Nothing contagious, but it could ground a flight or two if she didn’t warn them.
***
MPA – 1,330 words
**
No Fooling: The History of April Fool’s Day and Poisson d’Avril: https://www.thenotsoinnocentsabroad.com/blog/no-fooling-history-of-april-fools-day-and-poisson-davril
**
Slava Ukraini
Heroiam slava!
Writing Wings 