This is Part 2 of Freedom Flights Episode 18 Steadfast Phoenix which I am aiming to post in three parts on consecutive days. The link for Part 1 is at https://rolandclarke.com/2024/03/27/freedom-flights-episode-18-steadfast-phoenix/, and all the previous episodes of Freedom Flights can be found at https://rolandclarke.com/freedom-flights/.
Episode 18 – Steadfast Phoenix
Part 2
2024
Tuesday, March 5th –– Dęblin Military Air Base, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland
Nadia had demonstrated some of her helicopter skills on the previous evening’s journey back to Dęblin. Once accommodated, the two recruits were introduced to other Witches in the Zvenigora Restaurant.
Before he returned to Lviv, Maksym called a morning meeting with the recruits, the two squadron leaders, and Maryna, the only other flight leader not in Ukraine.
“When we were contacted about recruits,” he said. “The message implied we would be asked to help an organization already involved somehow. Can either of you enlighten us, please?”
Nadia stood and walked to the wall map of Ukraine and its neighbours including Poland.
“I can tell you what I can. Although my primary intention is to fight for our motherland, I require help in tackling the smuggling of arms originally intended for Ukraine.”
Kalyna stared at her. Then asked, “Our motherland? Aren’t you French? Yet, you speak perfect Ukrainian. Are you still in the French military?”
Nadia laughed. “My apologies for the unintentional confusion. My mother is Québécois – French-Canadian – and my father is Canadian-Ukrainian, but we moved to Lyons in France, when I was eight. My father taught me to fly, and I ended up in the French Air and Space Force, eventually flying helicopters to provide air support to other special forces units anywhere in the world. Officially, I was at the Exercise as an observer.”
“For the organization investigating arms smuggling?” asked Vasy.
Nadia looked at them all.
“Yes. Two years ago, I was recruited by Zoo Sécurité, an Interpol-approved agency, whose operatives are primarily from the Chasseurs Alpins, an elite French special forces regiment that I had flown into combat zones.”
“Are you working for this Zoo Sécurité or us?” asked Maksym.
“Both. The weapons being smuggled were initially destined for Ukraine’s forces. Now we believe they are being moved via Poland into Belarus and then to the enemy. On February 28th, your Gold Flight reported a convoy of three vehicles crossing into Belarus here.” She indicated the point on the map.” Correct?”
“Unofficially, yes,” replied Maksym. “Did your bosses request the surveillance?”
“Via your Polish allies, who are concerned their territory is being used for this illegal operation. However, jet fighters are too fast for surveillance, which is why this squadron is being sent two helicopters… a PZL SW-4 Puszczyk by the Polish Air Force and a Eurocopter Tiger HAP by Airbus Helicopters SAS, the manufacturers.
Aleks stared at her. “I’m surprised after yesterday. When this assignment is over, you’re heading home to France?”
“Never. I’m Ukrainian and always will be. Now and when it’s over, I want to fly Gripens or F-16s as a Witch.”
Vasy smiled. “Like me and Kalyna, and others who changed nationality to drive Putin out. Okay, first explain how you operate and what we can do, especially while the Witches only have two active flights in Ukraine.”
“All Zoo Sécurité operatives have a codename for use in the field. Mine is Phénix – Phoenix in Canadian English. However, we only use them when undercover, so while I’m a Witch, keep calling me Nadia. As for the smuggling, I need permission to patrol the area where the crossing was made. I plan on using a helicopter when one arrives. Otherwise, I’m open to suggestions please.”
“I will discuss the smuggling problem with my superiors,” said Maksym. “Although I suspect they know enough to have approved the border mission… and discussed it with their Polish counterparts.”
“During the Dragon 24 exercise,” said Aleks, “I asked my commanding officer about the issue and whether he had heard anything of concern. Once he’d talked with Nadia, he agreed to supply a Puszczyk to this squadron. Plus, he’ll liaise with those superiors who must be aware of the smuggling.”
Kalyna stood and walked to the map. Then she ran her finger around Poland’s border with allies.
“Do we know where the arms are entering this country? Who are the main suppliers?”
Nadia had come prepared and pinned two sheets on the corkboard beside the map.
“The lefthand list shows the main suppliers of arms to Ukraine with the US heading the list unsurprisingly, with Germany second. However, Poland has provided far more than their global arms exports would suggest. The right-hand list is the global exports with the US ahead again. Germany is also second globally, ahead of China, then France. However, most of the arms come legally, mainly by air, into Poland, although en route by road into Ukraine, is when we fear some disappear into the illegal network—”
“And so, via Belarus into Russian hands,” added Aleks. “We must prove this and strangle the theft of our arms. Yes, I too have become Ukrainian.”
Maksym clasped his hands together. “I can see this is a priority for Nadia and she needs one other to help her initially. Aleks?”
The Polish-Ukrainian nodded her agreement.
Maksym continued. “Until this arms smuggling complicated matters, you had nine available pilots in Dęblin, which would have been enough to form two flights. However, what would your strategy be now, Majors?”
Kalyna and Vasy exchanged notes. Then Kalyna took the lead.
“We suggest rotating three flights, with two at Kalyniv Airfield while one is here at Dęblin resting, recuperating, training and doing any high-tech repairs.”
“Gold should return first,” added Vasy. “They spotted the convoy on a mission designed to monitor cross-border incursions like this. Now, Nadia and Aleks can assess the incident with first-hand accounts.”
“Please can I offer a solution to how we choose the flight to send,” said Maryna.
“Granted,” said her superiors in unison.
“Sable Flight needs to be reformed and the survivors of last year’s attack have recovered for the most part, so we need combat – and a chance to show off our cool nose art. Thanks, Dęblin fine art and engineering department.”
Everyone laughed.
“Who are your chosen flight sisters?” asked Vasy.
“Lieutenant Katia Antonov as we’ve always flown together. Sergeant Polina Melnyk since you, Vasy must have encouraged and taught her so much from your wealth of experience. Finally, Kalyna, may I add one of your cadets, and if so whom do you recommend?”
“Cheeky but clever pitch for Sable Flight. Choose Cadet Zlata Kovalchuk as she has shown aptitude, initiative, and foresight. She would round off a great flight.”
Kalyna consulted with Vasy and Maksym, before announcing their decision.
“We agree that Gold Flight should return to Dęblin by Thursday 0630 and report on their observations. Unless there is an emergency, they are due ten days’ leave as long as they can reach this base when re-called.” Kalyna paused then continued, “Sabre Flight as selected by Kapitan Maryna Sobol will leave for Kalyniv at 1700 tomorrow for a tour of three weeks. That could change in an emergency or if we receive additional recruits.”
Maksym pointed out the window towards the Engineering hanger.
“Depending on what Kapitan Mariyka Shevchuk and Master Engineer Anatol Krakarth report, some of their cadets may be ready to join your training flight, Kalyna. I may check up on them before I leave and see if they’ve devised anything innovative for our arsenal.”
**
Wednesday, March 6th –– Dęblin Military Air Base, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland
Kapitan Maryna Sobol and her new flight sisters were gathered in the downstairs briefing room prior to their imminent departure for Kalyniv.
“Welcome to Sable Flight where we strive to be a family within the Witches’ extended family. My Number 2, Lieutenant Katia Antonov knows all my quirks as we’ve flown together since Canada, so if I act scary, talk to her.
“Kalyniv Airfield will be our home for the next three weeks until we return here… unless there’s an emergency. You noted some of the ground crew left at dawn with our belongings, so they will arrive sometime tonight.”
Her tone became more serious. “We cannot forget there’s a war on. You all must know the base was targeted on October 3rd last year…” She winced and then touched her face. “But the base now has deep shelters and improved defences. Just be extra vigilant, please, in the air and on the ground.”
She stood and gathered up her flying gear.
“Finally, on a lighter note, you will have seen the nose art on Katia and my planes. We need a simplified version to differentiate Sable’s jets from other flights. This is one idea from our Engineering cadets.”
She passed the design around as some ground crew helped them into their flying suits.
Outside they walked to their MiG-29s, where a small crowd admired the nose art.
Nadia was staring intently at the glowing bird of living fire.
“It’s the Phoenix, like my…” She paused, not knowing who knew her secret. “Shouldn’t fire be burning him – his re-birth?”
Kalyna and Vasy smiled, then let Maryna explain.
“This image is on the biplane that their Night Witch grandmothers flew out of Ukraine in 1944. It now hangs in Chayka Air’s main hangar. Katia and I copied the original artwork with their permission. It’s Zharptica the Slavic firebird.”
“One night, around a campfire,” said Vasy. “I’ll tell you all about Zharptica’s origin, although for our grandmothers it was a re-birth—”
“And the flames were enemy incendiary,” added Kalyna. “Plus, fire from the bombs the original Night Witches dropped.” She looked at her watch. “Time to leave sisters. May Zharptica bless your tour and bring doom and the wrath of Saint George down on our enemies.”
Sabre Flight climbed into their MiG-29s, and the ground crew secured them in their cockpits.
With the setting sun glistening on them, the four midnight-blue fighters took off and headed east towards Ukraine.
**
Thursday, March 7th –– Dęblin Military Air Base, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland
As sunrays rose over Dęblin, Kapitan Anzhela Havrylyuk led Gold Flight down onto the snow-cleared runway. Then the ground crew directed the jets to safe parking bays.
Nearby Anzhela saw Kalyna and Vasy with two unfamiliar officers, whom she presumed were the reported latest recruits. As she drew near, she saluted the majors.
“Good to have you back Gold Flight,” said Kalyna, “For now we are trying to rotate three flights, two on combat scramble in Kalyniv for 3 weeks, one here for a week’s rest and reviews. You’re here as our first R&R test subjects. First, though, get settled, and relax, and then second, after an early lunch come back upstairs to the office at 1300 to meet these new Witches. Dismissed.”
Just as Gold Flight began to disperse, a klaxon sounded for another incoming flight.
Multiple rotor blades whipped up dust and snow from the tarmac. Most watched as two helicopters in the squadron’s distinctive midnight blue flew across the runway, and then settled on their freshly painted landing pads.
“Perfectly timed delivery of two performance helis,” said Nadia. “One PZL SW-4 Puszczyk supplied by the Polish Air Force and a Eurocopter Tiger HAP donated by Airbus Helicopters SAS, the manufacturers, in the hope we make innovations… as we often do.”
“Then you can give me the tour before the meeting,” said Aleks. “So, I’m not lost.”
*
Through the large window overlooking the assembly area, Anzhela Havrylyuk studied the two figures outside inspecting the two helicopters in great detail.
“Who are they? We’re a specialist night fighter squadron, aren’t we?”
Kalyna put an arm across her shoulders and led her to where the rest of Gold Flight were seated in the main office.
“Patience, then we will all know more about this new phase in our war.”
Moments later the newcomers came upstairs on time.
“Sisters, these are our latest recruits, Kapitan Aleks Górski from the Polish Air Force.” She paused to let Aleks step forward and salute.
“And this is Kapitan Nadia Lysenko from the French 4th Special Forces Helicopter Regiment, but as well as helicopters, she has been trained to fly fourth-generation fighters, primarily Dassault Rafales.”
Nadia stepped forward, saluted, and then shouted Slava Ukrayini.
Everyone shouted in response “Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!”
Vasy directed the new Witches to sit and then walked to the wall map.
“On Wednesday, February 28th, Gold Flight reported a convoy of three vehicles crossing into Belarus here.” She indicated the point on the map. “Correct Sergeant Albina Zyma? You spotted the convoy… thank goodness. Over to you, Nadia.”
“First, I serve Ukraine and the Night Witches, but I have a secondary mission, to stop the illegal diversion of arms destined for Ukraine going instead to enemy forces. With those helicopters outside and Aleks’ help, I have a chance.”
“And any observations you made,” added Aleks, “could prove invaluable. Anytime.”
“How do you plan to use the different whirlybirds?” asked Anzhela. “They seem so different, one a scout and the other a gunship. Why?”
“Surveillance with both done differently. The Puszczyk for tracking the convoys, although I suspect the Tiger has the specialist equipment to cover more than just a small area of territory with its sophisticated stealth and surveillance features. However,” continued Nadia, “It will take a few missions to adapt to the smugglers’ tactics.”
“We can start with your first-hand accounts of the February 28th convoy, please,” said Aleks.
2,203 words
Writing Wings 