Chapter 266
February 20, 2021, 09:20
Seoul, Yongsan-ku B2 bunker (ROK military joint command center)
Currently, all attention of the personnel in the control room of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were focused on the main screen. The cruise missiles that were heading to major southern cities and combat squadron airbases had been intercepted. Not many of them left now.
“All enemy missiles destined for Ulsan, Pohang and Gumi have been intercepted! As a result, Zeus 2 moves to protect Busan and Gimhae.”
“Successfully intercepted 55 of the 77 enemy missiles targeting Gunsan and the 38th Fighter Wing! The anti-aircraft defense division and Hades 3 keep firing interceptor missiles!”
“120 enemy missiles headed to Daejeon, Sejong, and Nonsan are all intercepted! As a result, Zeus 1 switches to intercepting missiles flying to the Namhae area.”
“Successfully intercepted 72 out of 85 enemy missiles targeting Gwangju and the 1st Fighter Wing base! The remaining 13 are also expected to be intercepted within 3 minutes.”
Reports came in from each military command. The operators controlled the console with quick hand movements, entered information into the main screen, and announced the updates loudly.
Meanwhile, they received a report that the CF/A-25P Red Phoenix and CF/A-25P Black Scarlet Phoenix had been damaged a little when they engaged the latest American fighter, the F-22SR Super Raptor, but both won in the end.
In an air battle over the southwestern part of Kyushu, 24 units of CF/A-25P Black Scarlet Phoenixes of the 122nd Squadron of 38th Fighter Wing shot down 46 units of F-22SR Super Raptors. Unfortunately, 14 CF-21P Red Phoenixes were also shot down. In the air battle over Honshu Island, all 44 F-22SR Super Raptors were shot down, while 6 CF-21P Red Phoenixes and 4 CF/A-25P Black Scarlet Phoenixes were shot down.
This battle cost the most damage out of all air battles so far. However, the Air Force Operations Command deemed this damage less than expected since it was a surprise attack by the latest American fighter jets.
At that time, a report that caught the attention of Chairman Kang Ui-sik came from the Aerospace Command.
It was said that four unidentified aircraft had appeared to drop GBU-43/B MOAB on Daegu, Busan, Gimhae, Gwangju, and Gunsan, but all had been shot down after their identity was clarified. Also, it was reported that the U.S. military satellite, GEO No. 8 was detected and destroyed in a geostationary orbit over Guam.
“A space bomber, B-3 Tarantula... Most of the information that the NIS has hacked from USSC seems to be right.”
At Chairman Kang Ui-sik’s monologue, Lieutenant General Kim Yong-hyun said, “It seems that several advanced weapons that were not known to the world were secretly deployed.”
“Fortunately, the NIS managed to hack valuable data on time. Otherwise, our operation would have been disrupted considerably, wouldn’t it?” Kang Ui-sik said.
“I agree, sir.”
“Anyway, it seems like the Americans are operating military satellites over the Corean Peninsula again.”
“Yes. So, I already ordered the Three-toed Crow to reconnoiter to check if there is any U.S. satellite.”
“Good job! Since all three Apollo satellites are fully operational, the Three-toed Crows have to be put on a reconnaissance mission.”
“Yes, sir.”
At that time, the deputy quietly approached and reported, “Sir! All of the staff are gathered in the staff meeting room.”
“Okay, then shall we go too? Controller!” Chairman Kang Ui-sik called the tactical controller in the situation room before he left.
The tactical controller responded, standing at attention.
“You should continue to check the interception status and report any issues to the conference room immediately.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Okay. Let’s go.”
Twenty military commanders, staffs, and Chairman Kang Ui-sik walked into the conference room.
The meeting, which had started at 9:30, was finished after two hours. The main agenda of this operational meeting was to supplement and amend several previously established operational plans and re-integrate them following the current situation. One thing that stood out was that they had moved on from a passive and defensive position and were now planning detailed operations to strike the U.S. mainland. This operation was named “The Flame of the East,” as suggested by Vice-marshal Choi Ho-il.
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February 20, 2021, 10:00 (US time 19, 21:00)
The Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia, U.S.A.
The Pentagon conference room seemed to be in mourning because the operation had failed despite the massive number of missiles and 400 aircraft deployed.
“This is why I said we had to use tactical ballistic missiles at least,” Chief of Naval Operations John Richard, who was usually quiet, said and stood up from his seat angrily, glaring at the person sat on the opposite side.
Chairman of the Joint Staff DeMarcus Dunford raised his hands and stopped John Richard.
“Calm down. We have the Minister here as well.”
“Sir! There is no way I won’t upset, is there? 50% of the power of our four carriers has been destroyed! All 200 of the aircraft that were launched were shot down.”
Chief of Naval Operations John Richard had insisted to use the strategy of deploying tactical ballistic missiles as well as cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and aircraft when drafting the plan for the first time. This meant that the operation could be successful only when all available power was mobilized to reduce Corea’s responsiveness. However, the Chief of Staff of the Army, Captain Andre Drummond had opposed adamantly. The reason was that Russia could also participate in the war if tactical ballistic missiles were used. Tactical ballistic missiles were then excluded from the operation after heated discussions.
“We all know that. It is not the time to point fingers. We are gathered here to discuss what to do next,” DeMarcus Dunford said.
Chief of Naval Operations John Richard repressed his anger and sat back down.
“Currently the most urgent is the additional deployment of reconnaissance satellites. If not, we can’t get back our air supremacy and the Marine Corps and Ground Forces in Yokosuka will have trouble developing a strategy,” Strategy Analyst Lieutenant General Rhode Mackey pointed out the most important part at the moment.
Three weeks ago, the United States had lost three GEO military satellites and seven various reconnaissance satellites. After that, the GEO No. 8 that was deployed to the Middle East had been temporarily moved to Guam. Only GEO No.8 had been used in the operation, but communication was suddenly lost today. So, after that, all operations were canceled. Otherwise, the second cruise missile attack and all naval air forces of the four aircraft carriers would have been deployed next.
“Director Rooney! Are there any military satellites currently available for deployment to Northeast Asia?” Minister of National Defense John Wayne asked Antonio Rooney, the Director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).
“The operational reconnaissance satellites are GEO No. 9 currently deployed in the Middle East, GEO No. 13 loaned to Israel for free, GEO No. 12 in operation in Europe, and finally GEO No. 10, 11, 14 in operation over the U.S. mainland. Among the orbiting satellites, five lacrosse radar satellites, three KH-11, and two KH-12 can be orbited in the direction of Northeast Asia,” Director Antonio Rooney who was in charge of the American intelligence satellites answered briefly and clearly.
“It doesn’t seem like a good idea to use satellites operating in the Middle East and Israel. Let’s deploy GEO No. 12 and GEO No. 10 to Northeast Asia. And let’s correct the course of two lacrosse radar satellites. How do you think?” Chairman of the Joint Staffs DeMarcus Dunford looked around at the service chiefs and staff to see if there were any other opinions.
“I think it will work. Also, I think it is a good idea to deploy four E-55A stealth detection planes to the Hawaiian base and eight E-55A to the Guam Anderson base,” Chief of Staff U.S Airforce Dwayne Johnson brought up the additional idea.
“What happened to the four E-55A currently rented to Japan?”
“Due to the last missile attack, they were all destroyed before actual use.”
“Damn Japs... How did they mismanage such a huge power!”
“Alright. Director Rooney, immediately give an order about the satellites we discussed. Chief Johnson, please move E-55A to the Okinawa Kadena base immediately.”
While DeMarcus Dunford gave orders, Strategy Analyst Lieutenant General Rhode Mackey came up with an important agenda once again.
“Corean landing forces are also a problem. If Corea successfully deploys additional landings in Japan, restoration operations across Japan will be very difficult. So even now, what is it like to launch tactical ballistic missiles as Chief of Naval Operations John Richard said? No matter what, further landings must be prevented.”
“The B-3 Tarantulas were such big losses,” the commander of the North American Aerospace Defense, Robins expressed his sorrow.
At that, a gentleman in a suit, who accompanied Minister of National Defense John Wayne to the meeting, spoke quietly, “The only thing left is the MK-110 proton torpedo.”
Accordingly, the gaze of the generals in the meeting turned to that man. The gentleman was a congressman of the USSC, nicknamed Loki, and a member of the Department of Defense.
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February 20, 2021, 12:00
km off the north end of Matsui City, Shimane Prefecture, Honshu, Japan
The Chungmugong Lee Sun-shin (CG-1101) had intercepted the cruise missiles flying towards Corea and was ordered by the Naval Operations Command to immediately advance to Maizuru Port.
The landing point of the 2nd landing expeditionary force had been designated at Sada Beach of the Mikata District. But the Apollo Satellite detected the 1st Carrier Strike Group of Maritime Self-Defense Forces at Maizuru Port. It was on the way of the landing expeditionary force.
The Chungmugong Lee Sun-shin (CG-1101) was supposed to join the 2nd landing expeditionary escort fleet in mid-way and perform the escort mission. However, the Joint Chiefs of Staff had issued an order for it to advance through the Naval Operations Command and defeat the 1st Carrier Strike Group.
The Chungmugong Lee Sun-shin (CG-1101) sailed through the straits of the Oki Islands, breaking through the rough waves. It advanced at a speed of up to 55 knots, which was faster than the new Chamsuri-class patrol boat.
Captain Ahn Youn-joon had handed over the authority of the bridge to Commander Oh Hyun-woo and came down to the battle command room in person. Captain Ahn Youn-joon fixed his eyes on the tactical screen with Lieutenant Commander Ha Young-bok, the tactical control officer.
On the tactical screen of the battle command room, several aircraft, ten Naval surface combatants, and helicopters were marked with various symbols.
“They fixed and are using again all the ships and helicopters that were attacked in the last naval battle at Dokdo,” Captain Ahn Youn-joon said with a smile when he saw the enemy’s ships on the tactical screen.
“Yes, it looks like they fixed all except the Zumwalt destroyer and escort ship of 14th escort.”
“Who is the boss monkey over there?”
“At the time of the Battle of Dokdo, the commander of the carrier was Yamamotu Genzur.”
“Yamamotu Genzur... What a poor guy! He will be wrecked again! If he survives again this time, I bet he will retire.”
“Right? If it were like the old times, he would commit hara-kiri already.”
“Ha-ha. Hara-kiri? That’s all a lie. It’s just an exaggeration of the suicide of a Japanese soldier during World War II.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Anyway, we should start soon. Check again if there is any Japanese patrol plane within a 500 km radius!”
After a while, the operator reported aloud, “At present, no U.S. and Japanese aircraft are detected within 500km.”
“Hey, controller!”
“Yes, captain!”
“Are Scithe cannons in range?”
“Yes, they are currently 226 km from the enemy. They are all within range.”
“Okay, first we go engage the enemy with the Scithe cannons. This time, we have to put them completely underwater so that they can’t recommission again. Let’s begin by setting Zumwalt No. 1 as a target.”
“Yes, sir.”
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