1010: Chapter 995 Surprise 1010: Chapter 995 Surprise Being transferred from the Independent Third Brigade to the Republican Guard Division was considered a promotion.
Moreover, being tasked with forming a Special Forces unit of more than a hundred people, undoubtedly, laid out the ladder to increasing success for him, with boundless prospects ahead.
Farouk had no complaints, but explaining the situation to Jihad now threw his mind into complete disarray.
Marshall patted Farouk on the shoulder, smiling and said, “I have high hopes for you, do well and strive for greater achievements.”
Although more attached to his old unit and preferring to lead a formidable Special Forces back to Aleppo, how to explain to Jihad was a matter for Farouk to deal with later.
Farouk stood at attention and loudly said, “Yes!
I will not let you down.”
Farouk was only in charge of forming the unit, but since Marshall had already decided that whether it was transferring a complete company or drawing personnel to form a new unit, the commander would be Gao Yang; so, Marshall and Farouk didn’t even bring up the command issues.
Officially, Farouk would be the senior officer of this newly formed unit, but he just needed to coordinate well with Gao.
After Farouk had finished speaking, Marshall, with a smile on his face, looked at Gao and said, “Your honorary rank is Major, but now, your achievements merit a Colonel’s rank.”
Once again, Marshall gestured and said, “The official promotion ceremony will be held at an appropriate time, but now, Dahid, notify the Ministry of Defense, we have an additional Colonel, have them send over the new presents and insignia; and as for the name of the unit led by Gao, let’s call it the Independent Special Strike Force of the Republican Guard Division.”
After finishing his speech, Marshall loudly asked, “Does anyone have any questions?”
Everyone remained silent, standing at attention.
Gao hesitated for a moment, but eventually said, “General, I have a question I need to discuss with you.”
Marshall sternly replied, “Speak.”
With a serious expression, Gao said, “I am grateful for the additional manpower, yet, concerning potential casualties…”
Before Gao could finish, Marshall sternly interrupted, “War always involves death.
Since this is war, sacrifices are unavoidable.
Go ahead and do it.”
Gao nodded, wondering whether to bring up his request for additional condiments, but he ultimately decided against it.
In such a serious setting, before such a significant figure as Marshall, mentioning mere ingredients and spices seemed inopportune.
Gao said no more, but Marshall noticed the fleeting hesitation on his face, so he took the initiative and said, “What is it?
You have something else?
It’s alright, you can speak.”
Gao smiled and replied, “It’s nothing significant, just a minor issue regarding food, not worth mentioning, truly not worth mentioning.”
Marshall stroked his chin and said, “Hmm, issues concerning food are not minor.
Only with full stomachs can one fight better.”
After speaking, Marshall turned to Cutler and said, “Whatever is needed for the daily life of the Independent Special Strike Force, try to fulfill it.
You can set up a special budget for this, no need to report how it’s used.”
After his final words, Marshall gave a commanding wave of his hand and said, “If there’s nothing else, then I shall leave.
You all remain here to discuss work, no need to see me out.”
Just then, Dani had something else.
He saluted and spoke softly, “General, we still have three prisoners here.
Two of them have mental issues after interrogation, but the most important one is still in good condition.
How should we proceed?”
Dani had originally wanted Marshall to see the prisoners himself, not for interrogation, but seeing the living captives could have a very different impact compared to seeing them as mere numbers on paper.
Marshall nodded, pondered for a moment, and then spoke in a deep voice, “I had almost forgotten about that.
Alright, let the Military Intelligence Bureau continue the interrogations and give me a detailed report later.
But before that, I need to see our captives.
Lead the way, we will go and see them.
The rest of you stay here.”
With that, Marshall finally left, Dani accompanying him, while the most senior person from the Military Intelligence Bureau stayed behind, pondering how to best support the soon-to-be-formed Independent Special Strike Force of the Republican Guard Division.
Everyone tried to keep their expressions as neutral as possible.
Marshall said a few words, and everyone below had to run their legs off.
Finally, Cutler was the first to speak, “Colonel, what kind of aircraft do you need?”
Gao Yang had to ponder for a second before realizing that Cutler was addressing him.
He then let out a breath and said, “I am currently thinking that a Su-25 attack aircraft would be more suitable, but I have not fully decided yet.”
Cutler was not in a position to thank Gao Yang openly, but he decided to repay him with actual deeds.
He nodded and said, “We have an Su-25 at our airbase.
Once you have decided, let me know.
You can freely utilize the aircraft available at our airbase.
Regarding the aerial coordinated strikes, we can slowly figure out how to execute them well afterward.”
After Cutler finished speaking, General Dahid spoke in a solemn voice, “Regarding the personnel reassignment, Colonel, Captain, do you have any specific requests?”
It was surprising that Dahid was seeking his opinion.
Other things could be glossed over, but not this matter.
Gao Yang immediately said, “Yes, language is one aspect, but not the most crucial one.
Special operations are extremely high-risk, so I need people who are truly capable fighters.
Moreover, considering that the team members and commanders are not familiar with each other, I require the assigned personnel to have very good compliance.”
Farouk thought for a while but did not say anything.
Gao Yang was an outsider and could speak freely, but it was too much for him, a person of little influence, to pose various conditions to a general.
He definitely couldn’t say things like, “Don’t stuff my team with connections— I only want the cream of the crop, not deadweights just there to pad their resumes.”
After looking at the silent Farouk, Dahid pondered for quite some time before firming his expression and saying, “The General places great importance on this matter.
The Republican Guard Special Strike Force was personally decided and ordered by him to be established.
We must do everything well and strive for the best!”
After finishing, Dahid looked at Farouk and spoke sternly, “This is the unit you are in charge of, so let’s have you personally select the personnel.
I will pick out individuals who are proficient in English from suitable units, and then you can personally assess them and choose who you think is appropriate.
If needed, Colonel Ram can also assist in the selection.
My only requirement is that we must establish a force that truly possesses combat capability and must perform excellently in future battles.”
Farouk did not expect that he would actually get to select personnel personally.
For a lieutenant and someone who was not previously a member of the special forces, this was definitely an overreach.
From Dahid’s attitude, it was clear how seriously he took Marshall’s orders, so much so that he was willing to delegate responsibilities he would normally handle himself to Farouk.
Everyone understood that allowing Farouk to pick personnel was merely a pretense out of self-respect, and having Gao Yang collaborate in selection was the key point.
It would be ridiculous not to have an experienced, successful special forces commander choose the members of the unit he was to command.
Regardless, Farouk could claim that he had formed a unit by selecting its members, which excited him.
However, thinking about how to face Jihad immediately dampened his spirits.
Dani’s immediate superior cleared his throat, then spoke in a stern voice, “I would also like to clarify our stance.
Going forward, our work will prioritize the needs of the Independent Special Strike Force of the Republican Guard Division.
We will collect intel on a priority basis.
If the Independent Special Strike Force has any needs, they can inform Major Dani, and we will prioritize them.”
The process of mutual support naturally enabled them to seek greater benefits together, gravitating towards the spotlight which usually brought distinguished results.
Specifically speaking, in the end, the responsibility still fell to the subordinates to handle the details.
The few people sitting with Gao Yang only needed a few words to express their stance.
Now that they’ve stated their positions, there was not much left to say.
But since Marshall had not left, they couldn’t just adjourn the coordination meeting.
Thus, they idly chatted, pulling topics from here and there, to show they were still engaged in meaningful discussion.
Cutler smiled at Gao Yang and said, “If you need anything else, tell me.
I’ll find a way to take care of it.
Don’t be shy, just ask.”
Gao Yang listed the things he wanted, which included a request to increase the supply of fresh vegetables, and preferably some fruits as well, though it wasn’t a big deal if they weren’t available.
Those were just the icing on the cake, whereas the seasoning that Li Qiu needed was of utmost importance.
After chatting aimlessly for thirty minutes, Marshall finally left, and the coordination meeting could then be declared over.
Everyone dispersed.
Gao Yang and Farouk left together.
When they reached a secluded area, Farouk let out a sigh.
Gao Yang laughed and said, “Buddy, you’ve just been entrusted with a significant responsibility, and you’re definitely heading for a promotion.
Why are you still sighing?”
Farouk wore a gloomy expression as he said to Gao Yang, “You surely understand why, pal.
You must help me this time.”
Gao Yang spread his hands and asked, “Are you worried about General Jihad?”
Farouk sighed and replied, “Exactly.
How can we handle this?
The seeds General Jihad painstakingly selected have suddenly become part of the Republican Guard Division.
Sigh.”
Gao Yang laughed and said, “Isn’t the roster still in your hands?
Hurry and have General Jihad select another batch of people to send over.
In the end, whether someone goes to the third brigade or the Republican Guard Division is still up to you.
With the current situation, I don’t think anyone would mind an extra cooperative squad, right?”