176: Chapter 175 Preparation for the Attack 176: Chapter 175 Preparation for the Attack Too far from God, too close to the United States, that is Mexico’s misfortune, and in Tijuana, this saying is fully exemplified.
Tijuana borders California and is just a wall away from San Diego.
It serves as the main base for Mexicans smuggling themselves into the U.S., as well as a weekend retreat for Americans seeking to indulge in the city’s vices.
But Tijuana is also a paradise for gangs and drug dealers, who peddle their wares brazenly in broad daylight, while gunshots can be heard sporadically on the streets.
Moreover, on weekends, the streets of Tijuana fill with American tourists high to the point of losing their senses.
Gao Yang and his team arrived in Tijuana around four in the afternoon local time.
Simon, who had arrived earlier, picked them up from the airport and took them to the hotel that had been arranged as their base for launching the assault.
After entering their hotel room, Simon pointed to a row of large bags on the floor, “Everything you need is in here.
Each bag is labeled with a name.
Check your gear now and see if anything is amiss.”
Everyone found a large bag with their name on it.
Gao Yang opened his and began checking his gear.
For close-quarters combat, Gao Yang’s primary weapon was a Benelli M4 shotgun, loaded with eighty rounds.
His secondary weapon was a Springfield Armory-produced M1911, equipped with five magazines filled with hollow-point bullets and one magazine of armor-piercing bullets.
The M1911 was the handgun Gao Yang was accustomed to; despite its small capacity, he preferred not to switch since he was comfortable with it.
Additionally, Gao Yang also carried four grenades—one shock grenade, one smoke grenade, and two impact-detonated fragmentation grenades.
Since they would be conducting indoor assault operations, Li Jinfang and Glolov both used HK416C short-barreled assault rifles, with a SIG P22L handgun as their sidearm, equipped with five magazines.
They also carried the same type of grenades as Gao Yang.
Frey used an MP5 submachine gun but carried many grenades; besides two shock grenades, he also brought an additional six demolition fragmentation grenades.
Cui Bo and Frank were equipped with Barrett M82A1M rifles, along with a SIG P226 handgun.
In addition to standard bullets, both men carried fifty armor-piercing rounds each so that they could engage enemies behind cover or against light armored targets.
The other four, including Simon, who were assigned for assault missions, aside from Simon and Gao Yang who used Benelli shotguns, the rest were equipped with Tavor assault rifles produced by Israel.
Their handguns were also SIG P226s.
They chose these weapons because these were the models they used while in the military.
The hotel room was filled with the clicking sounds of gun mechanisms being checked.
While they were inspecting their firearms, Simon said in a low voice, “All the guns have been test-fired.
Moreover, Ram, there’s some equipment I need to explain to you, as you’ve not encountered it before.”
Simon picked up a black helmet fitted with night vision goggles and a small lamp, “Fast ballistic helmet, produced by Ops-Core company, it can withstand 9mm rounds at close range.
Attached are GPNVG18 night vision goggles and an IR lamp.
The IR light can only be seen when the night vision goggles are turned on, which will help us in identifying friendlies.
Therefore, before we launch the attack, make sure to turn on both the night vision goggles and the IR lamp.
The GPNVG18 goggles have an over-exposure protection feature, so you don’t need to worry about damaging them even if the light source is too bright.”
Gao Yang nodded, “Understood.
Turn on the night vision goggles before the attack.”
Simon nodded, set down the helmet, and picked up a combat vest, “You’re all familiar with the black G3 combat suit made by CP company.
RG color CAC combat vest, also produced by CP company.
We are all wearing the same combat suit, so pay attention to identification during the operation.
This particular combat vest comes with a Kevlar liner and level III ceramic plates that can withstand close-range fire from small caliber assault rifles.
But if the enemy uses machine guns or 7.62 NATO rounds, take cover from a distance, because I can’t guarantee it will hold.”
After setting aside the combat suit and vest, Simon picked up a radio, “Additionally, the radio is paired with the silynx C4-OPS earpiece system.
Apart from sound-pickup and noise-cancellation functions, it also has a voice-activated system, so you don’t need to press the transmit button when you want to communicate, just issue a voice command.”
Gao Yang nodded, “When do we launch the attack?”
“At nine tonight.
From what I’ve observed here, there will be more people in front of the target building at night, and it will be very lively.
Only after four or five in the morning will it quiet down.
Nine o’clock is like morning for those drug dealers, and by that time it will be completely dark, which will give us the advantage in night combat.
Take note, try to disable the light sources inside the target building as quickly as possible.”
After pondering for a moment, Gao Yang said in a serious tone, “You keep emphasizing the identification of friendlies.
Are we going to split up?”
Simon said in a deep voice, “That’s right, my plan is to split up.
You and your team will take the helicopter and attack from the rooftop downward, while the four of us will drive to the front of the target building and attack from the ground floor upward.”
Gao Yang was extremely surprised.
His eyes widened in disbelief, “Are you kidding me?
This is Mexico.
Did you really bring a helicopter all the way from the United States?
I mean, is Mexico so generous as to allow American aircraft to invade its airspace just like that?”
Simon gave an awkward smile, “Sorry, it’s not a military helicopter but a civilian one, and it didn’t come from the U.S.
Jacklan and I rented a sightseeing helicopter, a Sikorsky S-76, then we hijacked the pilot.
One of the reasons we had to act early is that right now the Tijuana police are searching everywhere for a hijacked aircraft, and the military should be mobilized as well.
If we delay too long, I’m afraid the helicopter and Jacklan will be discovered.”
Gao Yang gave a wry smile, “So, when we fly the helicopter over Tijuana, won’t we be at risk of being shot down by the Mexican military?”
Simon pondered seriously for a moment before replying with some hesitation, “That’s possible but highly unlikely.
The Mexican military isn’t that violent, and Jacklan is an excellent pilot.
He’ll perform nap-of-the-earth flying, which should evade radar detection, but we absolutely can’t fly the plane to the U.S.
You know how sensitive the Americans are about this ever since 9/11.”
Gao Yang spread his hands with a sigh, “Then, let’s take a gamble and hope we don’t get shot down by a missile.
But are you really planning to just drive in there?
That’s too dangerous.
I don’t think that’s a good idea.
You’ve said before that intelligence reports indicated that half the people on that street are drug traffickers who can shoot!
So why don’t we all attack from the rooftop instead?
The Candimon family’s strength must be on guard by now, and they are bound to have deployed a lot of people on the ground floor.”
Simon shook his head, “No, the Tijuana gangs and the Candimon family are just in cooperation; they aren’t directly under the Candimon family’s control.
The family shouldn’t deploy heavy troops here, so the four of us are enough to deal with those drug traffickers.
It’s not a good choice to cram eight people together.
Besides, attacking solely from the bottom up or the top down will give the enemy time to react.
They might escape from places we don’t know about.
Apart from rescuing Bob, our mission is to kill everyone inside the target building as much as possible.
So attacking simultaneously from two directions will reduce the chance of the enemy escaping.
Besides, if Bob really is inside, this would also minimize his risk.”
Having said that, Simon smiled and added, “Do you know what the Tijuana gang bosses’ favorite type of vehicle is?
Armored cars.
There are more armored car dealerships here than any other place in the world, and they even offer rental services.
I’ve rented an armored Humvee, a real military Humvee.
This isn’t Iraq.
Those drug traffickers might have machine guns, but they definitely don’t have rocket launchers or cannons, so don’t worry about us.”
Gao Yang spread his hands and said, “It seems you’ve made all the necessary preparations.
To be honest, I really like your style.
It’s reassuring.
Alright, we’ll proceed with your plan.”
After Gao Yang had spoken, Simon looked at his watch and said, “I’m sorry, you don’t have any time to rest.
We’re heading out now to rendezvous with Jacklan at the designated location.
Then I also need to pick up the rented Humvee to meet them and take Rabbit and Frank to their sniping spots, so we must act immediately.”
Gao Yang and his team didn’t waste words.
They picked up their large bags filled with gear and followed Simon to the rendezvous point he had arranged with Jacklan.
The attire of Gao Yang and his team made them look like pleasure seekers from the U.S.
They didn’t attract much attention on the streets, but once each of them carried a large bag, they began to draw some curious glances.
Therefore, once they quickly got into the car that Simon had prepared, they drove straight to the outskirts of Tijuana.
Following the GPS directions, Simon drove the car off the highway and stopped it in a deserted area.
Checking the time, Simon said solemnly, “You wait here.
Jacklan will come to pick you up before 8:30 at the latest.
If he doesn’t show up, you must abandon the mission immediately and leave.
Non-combat personnel will escort you.”
Gao Yang patted Simon on the shoulder and said in a grave voice, “Take care and good luck!”
Simon smiled, returned the pat on Gao Yang’s shoulder, and said with gravity, “Good luck to you all, and I wish you the best.
After this operation is over, I’ll treat everyone to a good time, my treat.”
After Simon drove away, Li Jinfang sincerely remarked, “Simon is a good comrade, taking the dangerous work upon himself while leaving the easier part for us.
He’s the kind of friend worth making.”
Li Jinfang’s words gained unanimous agreement from Gao Yang’s group because what he said was right.
Now that the conflict between Morgan and the Candimon family had escalated to a climax, even if their attack targets had only a cooperation agreement with the Candimon family, they couldn’t be without defenses.
Gao Yang and his team at least had the advantage of surprise by entering by helicopter, while Simon’s group would likely have to force their way through the enemy’s most fortified ground floor.
(To be continued.
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