TF Amethyst

TFA1 5.10 - Unforeseen Circumstance

Operations Control Room, FOC South 860.

As soon as Vex received intel regarding the symbol '505' on Villa Hagel, he immediately dispatched a team of STA to carry out intel gathering and confirm the presence of the hostages.

Villa Hagel was located straight to the west of FOC South 860 at a distance of 354 km, or the southwest of Fort Cambia at a distance of 281 km. And so, either from FOC South 860 or from Fort Cambia, Vila Hagel was beyond the combat radius of OH-58N Kiowa Warrior or AH-1Z Viper, which was only around 240 km.

Meanwhile, ACG assets that could be used to deliver STA team were CH-47 Chinooks, C-130J Super Hercules, or V-22 Osprey. Hercules was immediately excluded from selection as it could not provide fire support if versus contact broke out at insertion point.

While Osprey structure did not allow the platform to be fitted with weapons one the windows on either side. Osprey could only carry weapon on the ramp door, under the nose, or under belly.

In addition to M2HB 12.7 mm at the ramp door, each Osprey under ACG’s command was actually could be armed with M230 30 mm. The crew could control and reload it from cabin. However, because it would reduce Osprey's combat load and range, ACG only installed it when they had scheduled special mission.

Unfortunately, Vex did not expect the location of target in current operation was beyond combat radius of attack chopper under ACG’s command. So, he only ordered the installation of under-belly gun only after knowing the possible location of hostages at Villa Hagel.

Initially, the Osprey armed with belly-gun would become the main means of transportation in the hostage rescue attempt. Meanwhile, the STA team who would collect the intel would be sent using Chinooks.

The problem was, when the Chinooks that sent STA team already leaving half-way, Vex received a notification that STA team decided to launch a direct action because the hostage's life was in danger.

Without hesitation, Vex immediately radioed two Chinooks that were on their return flight to FOC South 860. “Command to Flying Truck, do you read me?”

[Flying Truck 0-1 to Command, I read you loud and clear.]

“Flying Truck, takes air refueling from Flying Tanker on standby, immediately, and then returns to targeted villa and provide close air support for Green Raccoon.”

[Do we have to carry hot extract for Green Raccoon?]

“I can’t say it for sure. But currently, Green Raccoon is in an attempt to rescue our kidnapped personnel.”

[Received and understood, I can’t guarantee we will arrive on time, but we will bet our live to arrive as soon as we can.]

“I can’t ask more and you have my gratitude, Command over and out.” After taking a deep breath Vex then turned his gaze towards officer in charge to coordinate aerial operation. “Give me the update.”

“We just sent three Chinooks carrying 36 personnel from CQB Company, along with two Chinook carrying fully loaded fuel-bladder. But as we know, distance and time is not on our side this time.”

“Yeah.” Vex massaged his forehead before saying, “Ask Fort Cambia to send two Vipers, and brief the flight crew that the life of 17 good men and women are on the stake.”

“Aye Sir.” Without delay, they officer in charge to coordinate aerial operation carried out the order.

Even if he already did whatever he could, Vex's heart was still full of anxiety. Apart from qualifying as advanced shooters, STA personnel were also required to have CQB qualifications. Because based on research in urban warfare, the ideal shooting position was usually located in hostile location, and in the process to reach it or returning to friendly territory, shooters have to deal with ambushes or close quarter fight.

However, STA personnel were never specifically prepared for Hostage Rescue Operation. Their CQB training was focused on eliminating opponents as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, it was estimated that the targeted villa was housing around 50 hostiles, and all of them were experienced combatants who were not afraid to die.

In addition, from the interrogations with Liqua Guard's officials, IDG obtained information about the deployment of a 900-man Cavalry Squadron to a border post located 8 km west of the villa.

Officially, the deployment was part of the border security operation. However, for IDG personnel, this deployment was not an ordinary deployment considering the captain of the unit and all of its members were loyal followers of Baron Eslei.

The war horse had an average speed of 60 km/hour. So to arrive at the villa, the Cavalry Squadron only required eight minutes from the time they received the distress signal.

To destroy a 900-man Cavalry Unit it would require a mid-scale precision airstrike. The problem was, Harley Quinn and the targeted villa were 870 km apart. If the mission was to secure airspace, Super Hornet armed with 2 AIM-9 and 2 AIM-120 could be flown immediately.

However, to carry out mid-scale precision airstrikes, Super Hornet's combat radius was only 722 km. The combat radius could be increased by installing a CFT (Conformal Fuel Tank) on the Super Hornet's back, but a time-consuming preparation still needs to be done.  

With ease, Vex could tell that Viper from Fort Cambia would arrive at the location before Super Hornet from Harley Quinn ready to take off.

Another asset that could be used to carry out medium-scale precision airstrikes is Poseidon or Reaper. However, Poseidon and Reaper that fly around the villa were not armed with weapons.

It was at times like these that Vex was looking forward to the presence of AV-8B Harrier II, which could launch precision close air support in day, night and in all weather, from a base with minimal facilities such as FOC South 860.

‘Looks like I have to come up with a new protocol so that when patrolling, P-8 Poseidon always carries Maverick or Paveway II in the internal bay.’ Vex muttered before turning his gaze to the officer in charge to coordinate aerial operation one more time. "Captain, how long before the installation of belly-gun on the Osprey is complete?"

"About 50 minutes."

Vex instantly massages his forehead, and in the end, he could only let out a long sigh.

"Get them to work faster."

"Sir!"

Wasting no time, the officer in charge to coordinate aerial operation immediately rely the order.

*****