Chapter 193: Setting Up Defensive Positions

In the air, the second formation led by Wilson was approaching the target area.

"Blue Eagle lead calling all members, we are about to enter the target area. Maintain an altitude of 3000 feet, prepare for reconnaissance and initial strikes."

"Received, lead." The flight group responded in unison.

Wilson adjusted his helmet, maneuvering the fighter jet with ease, his mind already imagining the scene of bragging after returning.

He had never truly faced a formidable opponent; every flight mission in Sun Country was a lopsided victory, with almost no risk at all.

"Hey, Wilson," the voice of deputy leader Morrison came over the radio,

"I heard you and Bill made a bet on who hits more targets today? Count me in, fifty dollars, I bet I hit more than the two of you combined!"

Wilson laughed, "Deal! But don't come crying when you have to pay up!"

"Blue Eagle Three," another voice cut in, "I see movement in the valley ahead, it should be the target."

Wilson immediately became serious, "Attention everyone, prepare for the first wave of reconnaissance, maintain formation, and record target locations. After completing reconnaissance, we will conduct the first round of attacks."

The fighter group flew forward, their fuselages shimmering with a metallic luster under the sunlight, the roar of their engines tearing through the tranquility of the valley.

They were full of confidence, completely unaware of what kind of "welcome ceremony" the Long Country army had prepared for them below.

Inside the base's operations room, Colonel Hamilton and other officers were gathered around the radio receiver, waiting for the report of the first air strike.

"It is estimated they will reach the target area in five minutes," the operations staff officer said, "According to the flight plan, they will conduct reconnaissance first, then immediately launch an attack."

"Very good," Hamilton nodded with satisfaction, "Ensure all results are recorded. Washington will be very concerned about this operation."

"Sir," the Communication Officer suddenly said, "Frontline observation posts report that the Long Country troops seem to have set up some defensive positions in the valley."

Hamilton scoffed, "Defensive positions? What kind of defense could they have? A few old-fashioned machine guns?"

"It is not clear, sir, but the observation post reported seeing some strange cylindrical devices."

"Cylindrical devices?" Hamilton frowned, but soon relaxed again,

"Probably some crude rocket launchers. Don't worry, our F-86 'Sabre' flies too high and too fast; their rocket launchers can't lock onto the target at all."

The atmosphere in the operations room was relaxed and confident; no one truly considered the Long Country army a threat.

They were accustomed to absolute superiority on the battlefield, accustomed to the enemy being helpless before their advanced weapons.

"Sir," the Communication Officer spoke again, "Our planes have reached the airspace above the target area."

Hamilton picked up the intercom, "Blue Eagle lead, report the situation."

Wilson's excited voice came over the radio: "Command, this is Blue Eagle lead. We have visual contact with the Long Country troops, about the size of a division, distributed across three valleys. They have some new types of tracked vehicles, looking like some kind of light transport vehicle. There are also some rocket launcher systems and... wait, what is that?"

Hamilton frowned, "What's the situation? Blue Eagle lead, please clarify."

A burst of harsh static suddenly came over the radio, followed by Wilson's panicked voice:

"Command! The enemy... the enemy has some kind of anti-aircraft equipment... Morrison! Pull up! Pull up! What the hell is that thing?!"

……

Several hours ago, the mountainous region of northern Sun Country.

Li Yunlong climbed on foot to a precipitous ridge, shielding his eyes with his hand as he squinted toward the valley in the distance.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated, and the air was filled with the scent of pine and dew.

But Li Yunlong had no heart to appreciate this rare tranquility; his mind was entirely on this unknown battlefield before him.

"Lao Zhao, hurry up and set up the Radar! I have a feeling those dog-day Di Guo bastards will come to 'greet' us soon." Li Yunlong bit on his cigarette, shouting to Zhao Gang, who was setting up equipment to the side.

Several technical soldiers were sweating profusely while installing the new type of Radar designed by Li Mingyuan.

Although this Radar seemed extremely crude from the perspective of later generations, in this era, it was the cutting edge of the cutting edge; not only was it small in volume and low in power consumption, but most importantly, its detection precision was more than twice that of traditional radar.

"Lao Li, stop rushing me; this thing isn't like setting up a machine gun, it's very precise." Zhao Gang wiped his sweat and glared at Li Yunlong,

"Besides, who knows if this Radar can actually work?"

Li Yunlong chuckled: "Lao Zhao, you still don't believe in that kid Li Mingyuan? The day I witnessed his new weapons, I knew this kid must be some kind of immortal who popped out from some corner!"

Just as he was speaking, a technical soldier shouted excitedly: "Connected! Radar startup successful!"

The green fluorescent screen lit up, the circular scanning line rotated slowly, and the screen was completely empty.

Li Yunlong leaned forward, staring curiously at the flickering screen: "Can this thing really see planes in the sky?"

The technical squad leader nodded confidently: "Chief Engineer Li personally calibrated it; the detection range is 100 kilometers, and it can identify aircraft models, speed, altitude... as long as the Di Guo planes enter this range, we will be able to detect them immediately."

"Good!" Li Yunlong slapped his thigh hard, turned around and shouted to the Communication Soldier, "Notify all companies to deploy Anti-aircraft weapons according to the predetermined plan, everyone better get their spirits up!"

Zhao Gang frowned as he looked at Li Yunlong's unconcealable excitement: "Lao Li, you seem to be wishing for the Di Guo planes to come?"

Li Yunlong smiled slyly: "That's right! I've been waiting for this day until my teeth are itching! Those dog-days have been acting recklessly in Sun Country, and we couldn't say anything or do anything. Today we finally caught the opportunity, we must give them a taste of our power!"

The Communication Soldiers quickly relayed the orders, and all parts of the valley immediately became busy.

Soldiers dragged new-style Anti-aircraft Machine Guns out from under camouflaged canvas, adjusted angles, and checked ammunition belts;

Operators of the "Sky Net" Anti-aircraft System calibrated their bearings; individual anti-aircraft rocket teams took their positions at various hidden points, carefully checking the seeker and launch mechanism of every rocket.

The entire valley operated as efficiently as a precision machine, with everyone knowing their position and task.

Li Yunlong gathered the Company Commanders to the temporary command post—a cave camouflaged with pine branches and turf.

"Comrades, this time we are not fighting the loser dogs of Sun Country, but competing against the world's most powerful air force. The Di Guo air force has dominated the sky since World War II, and their pilots are all arrogant and conceited, but I have to admit, they do have some skills." He pointed to the aircraft silhouette chart hanging on the cave wall,

"This is the F-86 'Sabre', with a top speed of nearly 900 kilometers per hour, 6 12.7mm machine guns, and can carry Rocket Shells. This guy is as agile as a loach and has extremely strong offensive capabilities."

"Chief, then we..." a young Company Commander couldn't help but ask.