514: Chapter 510: The Enemy Has Many Planes 514: Chapter 510: The Enemy Has Many Planes Gao Yang’s one arm was not very convenient, but that did not affect his enthusiasm to learn how to use anti-aircraft missiles.
He had someone help him place the missile on his right shoulder and, using only his right hand to control the missile launcher, he managed to get a rough feel of how a missile is fired.
Nate was right, the operation of anti-aircraft missiles really was idiot-proof.
You could learn it just by trying it once.
An anti-aircraft missile is a piece of technology, and whether it can hit the target after being fired is up to the technological level of the missile, but the shooter’s timing also plays a crucial role.
With advanced anti-aircraft missiles, all you need to do is aim at the target and fire, and leave the rest to the missile.
For SAM-7s, however, you need to create as favorable a launch environment as possible before firing.
The more outdated the missile, the more it tests the operator’s skill.
For missiles like the SAM-7 that require no guidance after launch, the most important aspects are the selection of the target and the timing of the launch, which all rely on a wealth of experience.
It’s not as simple as just launching the missile.
Gao Yang found them a good instructor.
Not only was Nate experienced, but he was also very responsible in teaching them, not just about the SAM-7, but he also covered all aspects they needed to be aware of when using anti-aircraft missiles.
Nowadays, there are only a few types of shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, and Nate, using the SAM-7 as a prop, went through how to use the several mainstream missile types as well as their advantages, disadvantages, and characteristics.
Regardless of whether Gao Yang and his team could remember it all, Nate explained it all at least once.
So, theoretically, they now knew how to operate the current mainstream anti-aircraft missiles.
Of course, that being said, all shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles operate in a similar manner, so the essence of Nate’s teachings was not just about telling Gao Yang how to turn the missile switches on – a superficial issue.
Rather, he explained how to maximize the effect of different missiles under different conditions.
As the minutes passed during Nate’s explanations, Gao Yang listened intently to Nate discussing classic cases of individual air defense combat when suddenly, he heard someone in his earpiece saying, “Report, this is monitoring point two, enemy ground forces have entered our alert zone, advancing slowly in skirmish lines, about to enter our directional mines’ kill zone.”
Nate paused his instruction and said sternly into the walkie-talkie, “Fire!”
An eager Gao Yang breathed a sigh of relief and looked expectantly at the sky, “The ground troops have attacked; the planes should be coming too.”
Li Jinfang also looked up at the sky, “How about we engage in a battle before we leave?”
Cui Bo, too, shouldering a missile, said with anticipation, “Brother Yang, shall we fight?
Now it’s not only the Russians footing the bill, but we also have real planes as targets, opportunities like this are rare.”
Gao Yang shook his head, “Brothers, get ready!
Toad, come and turn on the switches for me; big brother is going to shoot down a plane single-handedly for you guys to see.”
Nate shrugged his shoulders, “When launching the missile, pay attention to the timing, and also, don’t fire all the missiles at one plane.
Although we have plenty of SAMs, don’t waste them.
Okay, you guys form a group and open fire on my command.”
Gao Yang and his team now essentially constituted an anti-aircraft defense position, with at least over a dozen missile operators.
Chaotic, uncoordinated firing would definitely not do; someone needed to take command and coordinate, and since Gao Yang couldn’t do that, it had to be Nate.
Nate had a map in his mind and knew where the anti-aircraft missile firing positions were.
After contemplating for a moment, he pointed in a direction, “You guys go there, walk out two hundred meters, and then find a missile launch position.
If there’s an opportunity that suits you, I’ll let you fire the missile.”
Finding a suitable missile launch position in the jungle was not easy.
They needed a spot where the missile trajectory would not be obstructed by the canopy.
Gao Yang nodded, “Understood.
Is there anything else we should be aware of?”
Nate said in a deep voice, “The enemy knows we have anti-aircraft missiles.
They will definitely employ infrared decoys frequently, so pay attention to the timing of firing.
Think about how to combat the situation with infrared interference before you launch.
Go now.”
Gao Yang and his three teammates quickly advanced to the position Nate had indicated, but to their dismay, upon reaching that location, they could not find a suitable spot to launch their missiles.
The canopy was too dense; looking up, it was hard to see the sky, let alone launch a missile.
After a group of beginners in missile operation made a round and reconvened, each was frowning in frustration until finally, Gao Yang helplessly said, “Guys, we can’t even find a clear patch of sky; how are we supposed to fight?”
Cui Bo said urgently, “Nate isn’t just messing with us, is he?
Could it be that we have to climb up the trees to launch the missiles?”
Gao Yang sighed, “The men from Angel Mercenary Corps have already chosen their firing positions.
The thing is, there aren’t many places suitable for launching missiles to begin with.
Our spot is a weak point without anti-aircraft firepower.
Nate is definitely not joking with us; we need to figure out how to launch the missiles.”
As they were talking, the sounds of directional mines exploding twice in succession rang out, followed by a cacophony of gunfire.
Gao Yang glanced backward and said, “The fight has started, and if the planes are going to coordinate with ground operations, they’ll definitely arrive soon.
We need to figure something out quickly.”
Tommy made a downward cutting gesture with his hand and whispered, “Let’s blast a clearing here.”
Gao Yang shook his head and said, “Forget it, the C4 that Can Opener brought is limited.
We’ve almost used it all up clearing the airdrop area.
Even if we asked him, there wouldn’t be any left.”
Cui Bo slapped his thigh and said, “There’s a chainsaw in the camp, I’ll go get it.
We can just saw down these trees, right?”
Li Jinfang hesitated and said, “Sawing them down is not an issue, but if we clear a space here, it’d be suitable for launching missiles.
However, it would also become a prime target for the planes.
If they drop just two bombs on us, we wouldn’t stand a chance.”
Unconvinced, Cui Bo said, “Danger is inevitable, but we can stay farther away from the clearing.
They can’t keep bombing us forever.
Besides, if all else fails, we can prepare the chainsaw but not cut down the trees.
We’ll get everything ready, and if Nate and the others are in a bad situation, we’ll start sawing.”
Gao Yang thought Cui Bo’s idea made sense.
Setting up a launch position in advance didn’t mean they had to enter it right away.
He immediately nodded and said, “Alright, go get the chainsaw.
Let’s clear a space and then figure it out.”
While Cui Bo went to fetch the chainsaw, Li Jinfang placed the missile he was carrying on the ground and said, “I’ll climb up a tree to act as a lookout.
I’ll come down once we start clearing the area.”
Being unable to see anything was indeed problematic.
Gao Yang nodded and said, “Go ahead, do you have a rope?
Be careful, and if things look bad, come down quickly so you don’t get bombed by a plane.”
Li Jinfang spit into his hands twice and hugged a tree that was nearly as thick as his waist, quickly climbing up it.
Once at the top, Li Jinfang climbed to the very tip of the tree, grasping two branches as thick as eggs, and began to swayingly observe the surroundings.
The tree Li Jinfang chose was the tallest nearby.
Once at the top, the view was excellent.
After scanning to the front, back, left, and right, he immediately reported through the walkie-talkie, “Satan Group reporting, I see the planes, they’re still not clear, just small black dots, but definitely planes, coming from the north.”
Li Jinfang was explaining the situation he observed to Gao Yang and also notifying Nate.
His observation position was the best, so he was the first to spot the planes.
“Understood, observe the enemy plane’s movements, report any changes immediately.”
The sound of gunfire was intensifying, and Nate hadn’t issued any orders yet.
The attacking force, upon encountering resistance from Angel Mercenary Corps, didn’t rush forward.
Instead, they began hosing down the area with concentrated fire.
Given the enemy’s hidden position was still undetected, the effectiveness of such shooting was predictable.
After a brief silence, Li Jinfang suddenly said in an urgent voice, “The planes are coming, eight of them, split into four formations, they’re starting the attack.”
No sooner had Li Jinfang spoken than Gao Yang heard the explosions of bombs, followed by the roar of jet planes swooping past.
“Two Mirages, and six Super Tucanos, in two-plane attack formations, the Super Tucanos are about to attack!
Direction, reference point at twelve o’clock, repeat, twelve o’clock position!”
As soon as Li Jinfang finished speaking, Nate immediately ordered through the walkie-talkie, “Group One and Three prepare to fire missiles, two shots in quick succession, three seconds apart.”
Soon, the rockets launched from the Super Tucanos began to explode, and at that moment, individuals from the group already engaged with the enemy urgently said through the walkie-talkie, “Group One reporting, enemy air support is accurate, unable to hold position, Group One is relocating.”
Undoubtedly, the planes were bombing under ground guidance.
Even without precision-guided munitions, the Super Tucanos were still highly effective.
Guided by enemy infantry, large-scale bombardments were overwhelming for the combat teams of the Angel Mercenary Corps, forcing them to relocate.
Barely able to withstand the attack of just two Super Tucanos, Li Jinfang once again urgently reported, “Satan Group reporting, the enemy planes are turning away, and two more Super Tucanos have joined the attack.”
“Group Three reporting, unable to lock onto the enemy planes.”
After a brief silence, Nate said urgently, “The enemy knows we have anti-aircraft missiles; as long as they’re cautious, they can avoid our firing range.
Prepare to clear a missile launch site to catch the enemy planes by surprise.”
Just then, Li Jinfang urgently reported again, “More planes incoming, four of them, all Super Tucanos, making a total of ten Super Tucanos now!” (To be continued.
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