"Perhaps Heroes needs not ask their actions" - A quote from Chernov, a character from Call of Duty: World at War.

The Coalition forces had halted their offensive after the capture of Yazd Province thanks to the increased resistance by the enemy including suicide attacks and raids on the Allied rear line.

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"Sitrep first. Our offensive had reached the Yazd Province and high command has ordered a halt to consolidate our gain so far... The bad news is enemy resistance inside our lines are mounting, and that is one of the reason for the halt of our advance. And for the VP it's also the same case, with the Iranian Azerbaijan is a pretty tough nut to crack even by the Russian Spetsnaz." Just another situation report from the Colonel with us on the briefing room.

"In the Mediterranean Theater things were slightly... better, in a relative term. With Istanbul is completely encircled, the UCC is going to have a significant blow of their morale... or an increased tenacity to fight until the bitter end by blowing themselves, and the rest of the city's inhabitants sky high and took as many of us with them just like their ISIS forebearers. In North Africa, just another back and forth skirmishes for the last two weeks as the UCC resorts to delaying action, hit and run as Allied forces approached Benghazi. On the other hand, the Sinai side of the Suez Canal has been finally retaken by a combined Israeli, German, British, and American force and currently were locked in attrition fighting with artillery duels and dogfights before the Allies can cross the canal and threaten Cairo. Meanwhile in Lebanon, Hezbollah remnants and it's allies, namely what's left of the PLO and Syrian nationalist group SSNP, calling themselves the New Axis of Resistance had launched an uprising, with bloody street fighting reported in Beirut, Tyre, Sidon, Tripoli, and Baalbek between it and occupying French and Israeli forces."

Most of us are aces already with many drones of the UCC were downed as we went deep into the enemy territory of providing close air support in the hills and mountains of Eastern Iran or taking out enemy installations like airfields in which their strike fighters and bombers could threaten either our land forces or our carrier group, which went horribly true when two days ago, as a massed missile attack by their copied Backfire and Flounder bombers from Sudan, combined by long-range land based cruise missiles left USS Intrepid, operating in the mouth of the Red Sea damaged, the first aircraft carrier being damaged in combat operations worldwide since World War II, with the final missile detonated so close to the bridge, killing their overall task force commander in the process. In addition, the Americans lost one of her escort, USS Gridley. Replacing Intrepid was the USS George H.W. Bush.

I feel bad for those serving in the Sudanese airbase housing those bombers, as immediately the Mediterranean-based USS Enterprise supported by Italian light carrier Aquila avenged her sister ship with a combined manned-drone raid that destroyed up to 30 bombers inside their shelters. Back to the UCC drones, downing one, three new of those little buggers come to replace it afterwards. We have advantage of a developed doctrine of manned-unmanned cooperation doctrine just like tank and infantry in the Army or Marines, but the UCC got sheer numbers and fanaticism to offset our fine-tuned fighting style just as their manned craft losses shot up.

"Todays' mission is TBM Hunt, we have received information of an impending Iskander deployment here, in Dowruzan (a village in Markazi Province, Iran). Objective, destroy the missiles, and we must assume that they had loaded those with nuclear, biological, or chemical warheads! Support; we have a pair of Cakalang Recon to locate the Iskanders which you will destroy while a flight of brand new American KC-133 will provide you with gas. We also have UCAVs in standby for additional targets of opportunity and sacrificial duties. In addition, we got penal 13rd Squadron once more sent deep as a distraction. Air defenses in the site consist of 14.5 mm, 23 mm, 37 mm, and 57 mm towed AA guns, Tunguska and Pantsir mobile AA, Bavar-373 SAMs, tank-mounted laser AAs (codenamed Medina), along with foot-mobiles with MANPADS. So keep your eyes and ears open! Make Garuda proud! Merdeka!"

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"Sea Eagle 090. 091, and 092 cleared to take off on cat 1, 2, and 3" called the controller as me along with two others; Capt. Ronny, 091, and the flight lead, Maj. Kurniawan catapulted away from the carrier.

After we cleared the carrier 1st Lt. Patricia took off as Sea Eagle 093. Four IF-34Bs from 105 NAS "Javelins" with their accompanying Cakalang drones configured for attack followed us along with two EA-34s, while the third wave of IF-34s were launched four minutes later as an additional CAP force with the Sriwijaya CAG leading it. They were also tasked to cover our exit path. Along with us, the Japanese also informed us that they sent their own waves of eight Reppuus and four JSFs. And knowing the Japanese, with their weakness of manpower, they definitely have their drones on tow.

"This is Greyhound 1 to Sea Eagle and Javelin flight, you're cleared to refuel" called the USMC KC-133 manned stealth tanker as we approached Bushehr.

"Perfect, Sea Eagle 092 and 093!" exclaimed the Marine overseeing the probe and drogue refueling process on our mikes.

Speaking of the Americans we're also rendezvousing with their own contribution to the ballistic missile hunting ops, two flight of Marine F-35Fs with Navy QFA-18s on tow as weapons trucks.

"All set. Sea Eagle 092 and 093, disconnect!" Both me and Patricia soon pulled away from the drogue hose after cutting off the connection.

"This is AWACS Mainframe from the USS George H. W. Bush.. now that's what I called an alliance!" Instead of E-2, the said AWACS is using the newer E-23 Sirius stealth carrier based flying wing platform. A Carrier Onboard Delivery had also been deployed, the C-23 Humpback, complementing the CMV-24 Kestrel in that role and replacing the C-2 Greyhound.

"Everyone" called a Marine F-35 pilot. "It's clobbering time! If we succeeded our chance of we get into Tehran before the Pact will be bigger!"

Another Marine pilot replied with the Corps' signature call "Oorah!"

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Our payloads are either Paveway VIs, CBU-112s smart submunition carriers, or JDAMs, along with external pod-mounted AAMs for self defense. Plus the standard mix of 25 mm rounds and LANTIRN-III targeting pod.

Just like the Colonel said to us near the said village we finally rendezvoused with the drones, ready to be our eyes from the higher altitude up to 50.000 feet for any sign on the telltale TELs.

"Sea Eagles, stand by, we are approaching the initial point" called Kurniawan.

"Javelins, get ready, we're closer to target, ready the ARMs. Prioritize the lasers, otherwise our ordnances will be intercepted!"

"Roger that"

Soon we have a hit. One Cakalang had transmitted to us the latest data; four TELs are already erecting missiles for launch.

"Lasers, evade!" I warned Patricia as we went down into the TELs, just in time as the AI warned an imminent firing from the Medina laser AAs protecting the launch vehicles.

"Magnum" called a Javelin pilot which distracted the laser AA operator, allowing us to pass through the criss-crossing beams and proceed to drop JDAMs up directly into their heads.

"Pickle!" I called as one of my JDAM went off and soon blew up the Iskander TEL I'm targeted, sky-high, making the night seems like a day. We caught them by surprise despite they are smart enough to bring air defense with them. At the same time tracers streaked upwards, as surviving UCC AA gunners which not caught by the explosion of the TEL began firing, frantically, towards the oncoming Indonesian planes. Unfortunately for the UCC, it not just Indonesians who are hounding them.

"Pickle!" called a US Marine as his flight dropped their JDAMs at another group of TELs northeast of the village. Clearly the UCC had planned a massive barrage of TBM attack on PPDU/NATO and Pact positions in Eastern Iran, Northern Caucasus, or Afghanistan. Another good intelligence bear sweet fruits!

"Warning, increase ECM" The AI kicked in as my HMD shown more UCC radars are tracking us.

"You have access to UCAVs, Yoel, you have right to call it anytime you need it" The realization went true as the AI suggested for me to call the nearby orbiting UCAV to took out or blind the radars in conjunction with the EA-34s.

In a push of the screen I let those robots doing the job to get those radars and SAMs off my back while I'm focused to the TELs, as the recon once again designated another battery of TELs far north.

"Bombs away!" Ronny was the first to saw the target before banked right, in order to obtain a good firing position and proceed to drop a single CBU on a single erected TEL. Ka-Boom.

Surviving AA guns and SAM nearby intensified their fire, and soon...

"091 here. I'm hit!! Losing right engine!"

"Goalkeeper, bug out if you can otherwise eject! This is a direct order!" called Kurniawan. A cautious officer, this kind of damage is sufficient for him to order a bug-out. I also know that he was still haunted by the loss of his lover Theressa to be able to accept another loss of a fellow naval aviator.

"Affirmative Lead! I'm bugging out, I'm sure this bird can still hold until I reach the carrier. Sorry everyone!"

"Understood.. God speed, Goalkeeper" Kurniawan waved him off. It's three of us now but we never quit!

"TEL is out of commission!" I called after my second JDAM shot destroyed another TEL.

Allied radio traffic indicated that SAMs remains a significant threat despite we had neutralized a good part of them in the area, reinforced by multiple AI warning of radar tracking. They definitely had done their homework as best as they can, focusing on manned assets despite their feed has been saturated by drones which often mimic fighter maneuvers. "This is Chikuma 124, we have another SAM try to lock at us..."

"SAM and TELs knocked out!" called another Japanese-accented voice.

"We're losing drones left and right!"

"Missile evaded, but I lost my bomb lock!"

"Chikuma 125 is down!"

"Seems that the Japanese needs backup. And a good target of opportunity" called Kurniawan on the mike.

"Understood sir. Let's do it. We can't give those shitheads a chance to recover!" I am surprised it's Patricia who used such language. As the TELs in our immediate AO were already knocked out we decided to head eastwards towards the Japanese position.

However. "092 to lead, we've got company! Just what I have expected." I piped Kurniawan as we lowered our altitude, which confirmed my finding. Multiple contact consists of four Su-35s, eight JF-17 Thunders, four F-16Gs and four F-313s.

We also looked at our six and detected four other Japanese Reppuus hailed from the same squadron as the first flight hunting down TELs and its defenses, the 332 Hikotai (332 Naval Air Squadron).

"Sea Eagle, This is Chikuma 220, requesting permission to connect our datalink to your aircraft, over."

"Granted, connecting it now" replied Kurniawan.

"Datalink setup complete, let's work together to get those fighters out of the way!" said Chikuma 220, LCDR. Itou Sukeyuki.

"Roger, Chikuma flight, we see them now" Seamless data exchanging and targeting paid off, within 20 seconds we had locked the oncoming fighters for radar-guided missile shot.

"Fox 3!"

The formation of UCC fighters, previously aiming for Chikuma 1 flight that is attacking the TELs, immediately took evasive action upon the barrage of AIM-122s and AAM-4Es raced towards them, with four JF-17s, one Flanker, and one Falcon went down.

The Su-35s were the first to initiate the dogfight with the Indonesian and Japanese naval aviators. I fired two Diamondbacks that were evaded by two Flankers.

"Guns" With the single voice command I switch to gun, and one Flanker somehow managed to lock me for a rearward firing, despite he is pursuing Kurniawan's plane. Without wasting time I gunned down the Flanker, which burst to flames. Meanwhile Patricia then reported she had splashed the second Flanker. However the second Flanker managed to call backup, and soon we found ourselves engaged by the F-313 Qahers.

Four vs three, meanwhile the Japanese had split up and engaging the unstealthy Falcons and Thunders.

Back to the fighting, one of the Qahers went behind me. But I decided to give him a nasty surprise.

A single Diamondback went off my right wing external pod, turned behind me, and head directly into the UCC fighter behind me.

"What?" The Iranian pilot cursed as to the sudden a missile went rear-ward into his plane before a lock warning was registered. He failed to evade the missile and was unable to eject.

"Lock on after launch, you scum" I grumbled as I climb, looking for the remaining Qahers. However they had long retreated. Soon my HMD flashed "UPDATE MESSAGES", which means new targets.

"Mainframe here, we have sixteen more contacts, bearing 130, angels 15. and closing fast; ID'ed as JF-17 Thunders, but this time intel said they are from the 122th Squadron of the Quds Legion. Those people had been responsible for the sinking of Australian destroyer Sydney. Along with maritime strike they had known to shoot down two F-22Cs above Syria before being transferred to Iran, so be extremely careful, We're routing a couple of QFA-18s but it will need some time, so, Sea Eagle and Chikuma flight, hold tight out there, Out!"

Just like the American said, the lead pair of the Chikuma flight regrouped on us, while the second pair was detached for supporting Chikuma 1 in destroying the TELs.

"You hear that American, Sea Eagle, it's time to give those Australians their revenge." called Sukeyuki.

"Roger. Also remember, they also sunk our frigate back then, the Cut Meutia." replied Kurniawan.

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"They had their time with those missiles, but it ends here!" said the squadron leader of the 122nd, the newly promoted Lt. Col. Okur Sadozai. He was known for sinking the HMAS Sydney, but also have downed thirty allied manned aircraft and drones, and the increasing loss or transfer of many experienced pilots to training duty helped Sadozai to rose in ranks in a rapid pace.

"So, 122nd, let's show our fangs. Stealth doesn't matter, it's our determination which decided the winner and the loser. Don't let them get away!"

"Roger!"

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Their radar helped offset our stealth pattern, and they were the first to fire a barrage of PL-21s at us. Six versus sixteen.

Without any shouting on the radio we do what we are trained to do. We thrashed all the missiles but in the process a couple of Russian 30mm, locally installed by the UCC into their fleet of Thunders to increase its firepower hammered my jet as the enemy merged on us and rendered the control to be significantly less responsive. I resorted to thrust vectoring as one JF-17 attempts to bait me, but his plan backfired after my Equalizer shot shredded the Thunder and the second Thunder that was to pounce at me in the trap were also downed, but by a Japanese.

"Well, stealth matters, doesn't it?" asked another Kuwbra pilot dryly to his comrade before Kurniawan shoved a Diamondback right onto his engine.

"Fox two!" Patricia, flying 1000 feet above me pounced on another Thunder that had climbed to avoid one of the Japanese fighter, only to met his demise.

"I need a Sitrep!" roared Kuwbra 1 as he barely managed to broke away from a Reppuu behind him.

Then out of nowhere a barrage of AIM-122s raced straight into the surviving Kuwbra fighters, which were too disorganized to counter. Five Thunders went down.

"Look!" said Patricia. From her left side she caught a glimpse of a pair of unstealthy QFA-18 "Zombie Hornets" combat drone fighters, carrying a bristling load of AMRAAMs. In response the remaining Kuwbra pilots fired a salvo of PL-21s, straight towards the missile trucks. The on board AI immediately intervene to get the drones out of the battle, with one drone damaged by a near-miss.

"Sea Eagle lead to Mainframe, thanks for the assistance!" piped Kurniawan.

"You're welcome!"

And after another grueling two minutes of duelling, the desperate Kuwbra 1 decided to went spiral towards the deck. Furthermore the distance between him and me was too far for heatseekers to be used, even for rearward firing. I asked myself, when he's going to break? Otherwise he would hit the ground.

My answer soon showed up when he broke right and climb, with me keeping altitude ready to pounce at him when he climbs. He is either suicidal or really lost touch with reality, as I fired two Buzzards, hit him straight ahead.

I saw a chute but it's on fire. A bittersweet victory, I say.

"All TELs has been destroyed. Operation is successful!" The message from Mainframe relieved us.

Cheers and shouts flooded the airwave.

"Yee-haw!" I shouted into the mike as the Sea Eagle flight regrouped with the surviving Allied fighters and drones; which take the most beating for us with up to fifteen of those robots were shot down or deliberately destroyed by its own self-destruction mechanism after taking massive damage, primarily from the laser AAs.

"Just what people expected from their chosen warriors, which fought well so our ground forces will sleep better tonight. Keep this up and we will be in Riyadh before the end of this decade! All fighters, RTB. Mainframe out."

When we're back on Sriwijaya it turned out that Ronny's aircraft simply gave up just 10 miles from the carrier. Luckily, he managed to bail out before the -34 hit the ocean.

"How you're doing, Goalkeeper?" I asked as immediately after the mission we went to the ship's medical bay to visit him.

"You know, Fishnet, being alive is beautiful, despite the world we are in."

"So deep" remarked Colonel Alan.

"Anyway, I presume that the mission is a success?"

"We have a very interesting story to be told. But in short, just another good day for the Coalition." I replied, before Major Kurniawan takes over and told him about what we encountered.

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I hope you enjoy another action-packed chapter here and not be bored on the fighting department!