From the 7th Steel Company to the Synthetic Division

Chapter 434 Gao Cheng's Little Highlight
During the first phase of the exercise, Wang Kezheng was able to call up a large number of attached troops. Now that we are entering the second phase, the 909th Brigade also has various attached troops.

The specific units assigned to the Blue Team are classified information and have not been disclosed.

The Blue Army was unaware of the Red Army's 7th Steel Brigade's organizational structure, while the Blue Army's 909th Brigade was an old unit whose troop types and equipment configuration had long been publicly disclosed.

To ensure fairness in the information disclosure between the two sides, the directing department deliberately concealed the list of the Blue Team's attached units.

From the very beginning of the second phase of the exercise, the Red Army had absolutely no information about any of the Blue Army's attached units, nor was it able to obtain such information through technical means.

The first Blue Army attached units to appear were large drones that went to the Tongling Mountain position for reconnaissance.

When Chen Jun learned that the Blue Army's attached units included high-tech troops equipped with drones, he was quite surprised.

This means that the Blue Army possesses the same long-range, high-altitude reconnaissance capability as the Red Army.

However, Chen Jun remained calm even at this point.

The Blue Army's attached units possess large drones. Although their high-altitude reconnaissance capabilities are on par with the 7th Steel Brigade, they are still delivery units that need to make calls and requests, making them completely unable to compete with the 7th Steel Brigade in terms of timeliness.

It wasn't until bomber attacks occurred in Tongling Mountain that Chen Jun truly received a wake-up call.

If the Blue Army can even call in bombers, then it's safe to assume that the Blue Army's attached units also have armed helicopters.

The 7th Steel Brigade's aviation battalion is Chen Jun's most prized asset; deploying armed helicopters is a must to kill in exercises.

He absolutely could not allow this trump card to fail in any way.

If the Blue Army can indeed call in armed helicopters to intercept the Red Army's armed helicopters when they are deployed, a fierce air battle will be inevitable.

No matter how strong the armed helicopters of the 7th Steel Brigade are, they will probably suffer heavy losses in this battle.

The Red Army lost its armed helicopters in subsequent operations.

That would make this battle truly difficult.

and so.

Before figuring out whether the Blue Army had armed helicopter units among its attached forces, Chen Jun dared not make any rash moves and could only continue to gather information through harassment.

After several days of deliberation, Chen Jun has come up with an excellent location to get to the bottom of this matter.

Although there will be some costs, Chen Jun is fully willing to accept them as long as he can figure out the situation of the Blue Army's armed helicopters.

You can't catch a wolf without risking your cubs.

The perfect location chosen by Chen Jun was the last checkpoint for the Blue Army on their way to the 535 defense line.

Anqi River Ferry!
Chen Jun's idea was to organize a high-risk but high-reward, even if losses were acceptable, blocking operation at the Anxi River ferry crossing, which would force the Blue Army to call in its attached troops and make the Blue Army reveal its trump cards.

The specific implementation plan was to take advantage of the Red Army's artillery regiment crossing the river, send troops to block the Anxi River, or block the Red Army on the south bank of the Anxi River, so that the Blue Army could not cross the river.

Because the Anxi River Bridge is currently under repair, in the exercise plan of the directing department, the bridge is assumed to be destroyed by the Red Army, and the Blue Army can only cross the river by ferry.

Crossing the river by boat is very slow; if the Blue Army artillery regiment is blocked on the other side, it will be impossible for them to cross.

Chen Jun believed it.

If the Blue Army's artillery regiment is blocked on the south bank and cannot come over, then the Blue Army brigade commander, Chu Zhangang, will definitely not be able to hold back and will call for support from the supply troops again.

The only force capable of resolving the Blue Army's predicament across the river is the Air Force, which can fly across the river.

The only air force capable of striking ground mobile units and possessing extremely strong suppressive power is the ground attack helicopter.

Whether the Blue Army will have armed helicopters at that time is Chen Jun's biggest worry and concern.

The answer will be revealed soon.

If the Blue Army does indeed possess armed helicopters, then Chen Jun will need to devise a new operational plan to target and engage the Blue Army's armed helicopters.

If the Blue Army cannot call in armed helicopters, then the Chen Army will be openly isolated and will proceed with the final battle as planned.

The goal is to eliminate both of the Blue Army's forces within two days.

……

In order to implement the targeted plan, Chen Jun specially convened all officers above the battalion level to hold another operational meeting at the command post.

"In the past few days of fighting between the Blue Army and our side, they have broken through the defenses we have set up, which are mainly composed of information warfare, psychological warfare and technological warfare. The three columns have advanced more than 800 kilometers and are about to reach the Anxi River crossing. What are your thoughts?"

Chen Jun got straight to the point and briefly explained the current situation before turning his gaze to everyone present.

"We have to admit that the Blue Team has grown rapidly in the process of competing with us. They have gradually mastered our psychological warfare and information warfare, and have also strengthened their countermeasures in a targeted manner. If this continues, it will be very disadvantageous for us. We must make some changes."

After analyzing the current situation, Wang Qingrui specifically looked at Gao Cheng and said, "Deputy Brigade Commander Gao, you've been to the front lines these past few days. Tell me your thoughts."

Gao Cheng has personally led his team out in the past few days to carry out several raids on the Blue Army, and he knows the situation of the front-line troops better than anyone else here.

Simultaneously.

Wang Qingrui specifically named Gao Cheng, which had another deeper meaning behind it.

Wang Qingrui knew he wouldn't be in his position as brigade commander for long; he would have to leave at the latest after the training ended a year later. Chen Jun and Gao Cheng both had a chance to become brigade commanders.

Although Wang Qingrui knew that Chen Jun was more outstanding, he made the decision based on his rationality.

He hoped that Chen Jun would take over the Seventh Steel Brigade.

However, as "Uncle Wang," who had watched Gao Cheng grow up since childhood and had a deep friendship with Chief Gao for decades, Wang Qingrui's feelings leaned more towards Gao Cheng.

Therefore, within the scope of his abilities, Wang Qingrui hopes that Gao Cheng can have more opportunities to perform.

Especially in large-scale military exercises like this, the commanders of the theater command are watching from behind the screen, and a good performance can earn them a lot of points.

Gao Cheng is a very pure person, and his thoughts are not that complicated.

When the brigade commander asked him to speak, he said, "Based on the current advance speed of the Blue Army, if there are no further obstacles, at most two of the three routes will be able to reach the Wolf Mountain assembly point in two days."

If we were to engage in a direct battle with them at 535, the first force to clash with us would undoubtedly be the last remaining artillery regiment within the 909th Brigade.

From what I understand, this artillery regiment will be disbanded after the exercise.

In other words, this was the last time the 909th Brigade's artillery regiment would participate in combat, its last chance to shine, and its final dance before disappearing.

Therefore, I dare to boldly guess that the Blue Army artillery regiment's fighting spirit is definitely very strong, posing a great threat to us. It is absolutely necessary and imperative for us to organize a blocking battle against the Flag Artillery Regiment at the Anxi River ferry crossing, intercepting the shells on the opposite bank.

Fortunately, we had an artillery company that was on standby less than 100 kilometers away.

I suggest sending this artillery company to find a concealed position on the riverbank, and then having the artillery concentrate its firepower to attack the ferry when the artillery regiment starts loading onto the boats and begins to cross the river.

If this phase goes smoothly, then the artillery line will continue to extend backward.

Conduct a comprehensive artillery barrage on the Blue Army's fuel vehicles, artillery, ammunition vehicles, and ferries parked on the south bank, inflicting maximum damage possible.

In conjunction with the special operations company and the mechanized infantry company, they seized the riverbank and beachhead, using light and heavy weapons to form a dense fire network to blockade and fire on the river surface, suppressing the possibility of the Red Army attempting to cross the river by assault boats.

This is my initial idea, and I believe that as long as it can be implemented, we can definitely keep the Blue Team stuck on the south bank.

After hearing Gao Cheng's remarks, Chen Jun's eyes were filled with undisguised shock and surprise.

He truly hadn't expected that Gao Cheng would think the same way he did.

The two had not communicated at all beforehand, but unexpectedly, they were completely on the same page and placed their last bet on the Anxi River ferry crossing.

Although their playing styles differ somewhat, their overall approaches are largely the same.

Thinking back to how Gao Cheng and I have come this far together, he has basically followed my ideas in our battles, and rarely has he taken the initiative to propose solutions like he has today.

Chen Jun decided to give Gao Cheng a chance to prove himself and did not reveal his own proposal again.

We won't compete with Gao Cheng for this limelight.

Even Chen Jun, a tactical genius, was very satisfied with Gao Cheng's plan, which is enough to prove that Gao Cheng has made significant progress in tactics over the past few years.

He's no longer the naive young man he once was; all he thinks about is winning tough battles.

After hearing Gao Cheng's plan, everyone else thought it was very insightful. Political Commissar Tian Baoguo even praised it, saying, "Since our Seventh Steel Brigade was established, we have fought more than a dozen harassment and raiding battles."

However, we haven't even had a full-scale, head-on combat exercise at the battalion level yet. If we could fight a battle at the ferry crossing, that would be a real demonstration of our capabilities.

As soon as Political Commissar Tian Baoguo finished speaking, Wang Qingrui followed up with a big smile: "We must win this battle and let the leaders see our strength. We can't let others say that we only know how to steal chickens and dogs, right? Haha."

"Yes, it's time to show our faces, hahaha."

Encouraged by Wang Qingrui's words, everyone laughed with renewed fighting spirit.

As laughter echoed through the command post, Gao Cheng's proposed plan was finalized and subsequently passed down by Wang Qingrui.

The three companies of the 7th Steel Brigade, upon receiving the order, were filled with excitement at the thought of an imminent major battle.

They all marched at top speed toward the Anxi River ferry crossing.

……

The Red Army made a significant move, and the satellite unit attached to the Blue Army discovered it and immediately reported the situation to the 909th Brigade Command.

Chu Zhangang also valued the heavy artillery regiment highly and took this intelligence very seriously.

He immediately ordered the central troops to halt their advance, selected an open area beside the highway, set up the command tent, and held a meeting.

As the chief of staff, who oversees the intelligence gathering, he is responsible for explaining the current situation.

"Based on the intelligence transmitted back by the Red Army through drones and satellites of our attached troops, it was determined that a Red Army artillery company had split into multiple groups and was advancing towards the Anxi River crossing, avoiding drone and satellite tracking."

The Red Army ground troops that had clashed with our forces on the right flank have now all withdrawn from Tongling Mountain and are also quietly moving towards the Anxi River crossing.

These signs are sufficient to determine that the Red Army is mobilizing a large force, attempting to use the wide Anxi River to block our right-wing troops from crossing the river and advancing north. Their primary target must be our artillery regiment.

After Chief of Staff Ding Kaigang finished his analysis, everyone else frowned, sensing the seriousness of the situation.

Only Chu Zhangang's eyes lit up, as if he had won five million, and he said excitedly, "An opportunity, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

……

Langshan Base.

In the woods outside the director's office.

Chief of Staff Shen Fei and the base's S Commander were taking a walk when the Deputy Chief of Staff said, "Chief of Staff, it seems that having a specialized combined arms brigade participate in this exercise is indeed a refreshing and wise decision."

Previously, what our training base wanted to do, we dared not do, and could not do. Now, things we couldn't even imagine, Chen Jun and his team have already put into practice in exercises.

Sigh, I've worked at the base for twenty years and we've conducted countless red-blue force confrontations, but this kind of tactical approach used by the 7th Steel Brigade is the first time I've seen it.

I think the emergence of the 7th Steel Brigade is like a shot in the arm for the troops; it's really inspiring.

Commander S was, after all, a senior colonel of 2400 BC. It was impossible for him to be naive. The reason he was so shocked by the 7th Steel Brigade was simply that the 7th Steel Brigade had overturned his understanding of the world.

The tactics that completely overturned the traditional exercise model gave him hope that the outdated and stubborn exercise confrontation model could be completely eliminated.

"This is just the beginning."

Chief of Staff Shen also had a smile on his face. The better the Steel Seventh Brigade performed, the more proud he would be. He continued, "We are the first in the entire army to establish a professional digital combined arms brigade in the theater. None of the other six theater commands have this precedent."

Team Leader Tan above is very concerned about this team and has been paying close attention to its growth and development, hoping it can become a breakthrough in the reform of the army's training model.

Commander S knew who Team Leader Tan was. The fact that such a high-ranking leader paid so much attention to him was enough to prove that the Seventh Steel Brigade's potential was even greater than he had imagined.

He took a deep breath and said, "To make a breakthrough means to overcome resistance, and they are under considerable pressure."

Anything that wants to progress or improve needs to break free from its existing constraints, and there will inevitably be people who try to stop it.

"Yes."

Chief of Staff Shen said solemnly, "The current obstacles are not from the upper levels, nor are they all from the grassroots; they are mainly concentrated at the army and brigade levels."

These two levels are also the main body of troop training and combat. The officers in charge are very experienced and have a lot of power, but their ideas have basically not kept up with the times.

The transformation of combat effectiveness mainly relies on these two levels. Having experience is certainly a good thing, and promoting reform does not require starting from scratch.

However, when experience becomes too abundant and thinking becomes rigid, unless concepts are updated in a timely manner, these will become burdens and obstacles to promoting reform.

(End of this chapter)