Tokyo Detective

Chapter 451 F-35 Fleet Cuts Through the Sky
The following evening, a Boeing 777-300ER took off from the airport, heading west, and was about to fly from Europe to North America before returning to Japan.

Meanwhile, Naoki Hanyu, who was far away in Cyprus, also learned of the news.

"The prey has moved."
.
At Akrotiri military base, the evening sun shone warmly on the British patrol soldiers, especially since today is only January 2nd, and it feels like they are still enjoying the two-day Christmas holiday and the one-day New Year's Day holiday.

One of the soldiers asked.

"Connor, it seems you didn't go back to Xiaoying for Christmas."

The soldier named Connor shook his head.

“Why go back after only two days? There’s no one at my house. I’d rather stay in Cyprus and hang out with those enthusiastic girls. Liam, you’re not even married yet. If you’re just visiting your parents, you might as well stay here and have some fun like me.”

"I'm saving up my money to buy a house in Edinburgh so my parents can live with me."

"What a filial son."

The two soldiers stopped talking as they came to a halt because, in their memory, the doors of the two hangars that did not have any aircraft parked there opened slowly, and an F-35A slowly drove out of the hangar on the left.

On the other side was an E-2D early warning aircraft, which was several times larger than the fighter jet and a bit slower.

There were more than a dozen soldiers helping in front of the two hangars. Some were dressed in the uniforms of the British and America. It was clear that these were all clones of Naoki Hanyu.

One F-35A took off, followed by one F-35C, and then two F-35Bs, making it a full four-aircraft formation.

Liam wasn't surprised to see the squadron preparing to take off; he was just curious because it differed from the information he had received.

"Connor, is there any rotation deployment on America's side? How come I didn't know?"

Although Akrotiri Air Base is owned by Tsai Ing-wen, it is still rotated with Amir. For example, if Amir has a mission, he will transfer fighter jets from other bases, while Tsai Ing-wen's Royal Air Force 903 Expeditionary Wing will try to free up positions for Amir.

If it were Ying who had a mission, Amei would also have to clear out some space, since the Akrotiri military base could only hold a maximum of about 100 fighter jets, not to mention the large transport planes and the like.

Connor shook his head.

"Perhaps it's a covert operation. It doesn't matter to us runway patrol soldiers that we don't know, as long as the higher-ups know."

Should we go up and ask?

Connor's expression changed slightly as he tried to stop him.

"Don't do anything reckless. Anyone who can fly an F-35 is at least a captain, not to mention that commanding a four-plane formation definitely requires a major. I don't want to get yelled at."

"Too."

How dare a mere private point fingers and give orders? Does he think he's living too well?

Xiao Ying's army adopts a typical Western-style military rank system, which is divided into 8 grades and 19 levels.

From low to high.

The positions at the Royal Expeditionary Force air bases are as follows.

New recruits: The lowest level is the basic training stage, which is not covered here.

Private: The lowest-ranking soldier, whose duties at air force bases include cleaning, basic warehousing, catering service assistance, basic security, and runway patrol.

Private First Class: Junior technician, a soldier who assumes certain responsibilities in a grassroots position. For example, junior aircraft maintenance technician, firefighter, driver, etc.

Corporal: A junior officer rank, serving as a team leader in various positions, such as fire brigade captain or security squad leader.

Sergeant: hangar supervisor, logistics squad leader, etc.

Sergeant First Class and Warrant Officer First Class are the highest-ranking officers in the base's basic departments.

These are all basic structures, mainly for the operation of air force bases.

Only those at the rank of second lieutenant or above are the true core of the base. Second lieutenants are pilots who have just completed officer training and may also have completed flight training.

Only lieutenants and above can fly fighter jets, and the latest F-35 even requires captains to fly. As for the commander of a four-aircraft formation, only majors and above can be appointed.

The commotion caused by Naoki Hanyu was not only seen by ordinary privates; as the fighter jets headed toward the runway, soldiers who saw the four-plane formation preparing for takeoff were not just privates and corporals.

Some junior officers were also curious about when they would receive mission orders, while the pilots were usually enjoying themselves in the city at that time.

When these officers found Naoki Hanyu's clones and questioned them, the clones, each wearing two different military uniforms, were able to operate.

If a British soldier asks a clone dressed in a British military uniform, the clone will point to the America clones and say something.

"They have a mission, and we're just here to join in the fun."

When America's soldiers came to ask questions, America's clone pointed at Xiao Ying's people and said the same thing.

"They have a mission, I'm just here to join in the fun. Don't you know it's not our turn to rotate deployment yet? You've forgotten such important information?"

"."

As a result, although the curious soldiers felt something was off, they didn't think much of it for the time being.

It's impossible for someone to take away the base's planes, or for a batch of F-35 fighter jets of unknown origin to suddenly appear at the base. If that were to happen, it would be truly bizarre.

As for Naoki Hanyu's clones, they were impersonating the flight crew and maintenance team, openly using hand gestures to guide the aircraft to adjust its position before taxiing, checking the engine start status (noise, wake, instrument indications), and finally removing wheel chocks and pins (removing safety devices).

Those quirky clones even dutifully saluted the pilot.

"The aircraft is ready and may taxi."

The clone on the plane also saluted, a scene that really resembled a mission.

If only the air traffic controllers knew, but they didn't know that fighter jets were about to take off.

Meanwhile, airport security and ground staff were ensuring the taxiway and runway entrance areas were free of obstructions and even stopping incoming vehicles. The ground staff supervisor reported to the maintenance team leader, who then used a communicator to report to the control tower.

"Runway 1 and Runway 2 are cleared of obstacles and are ready for takeoff."

"????"

The air traffic controller was eating instant noodles and scrolling through his phone when he heard the report and was stunned.

What takeoff? Were those maintenance crew members drunk and acting crazy?
When the maintenance team leader received no response, he asked again.

"Runway 1 and Runway 2 are cleared of obstacles and are ready for takeoff."

The air traffic controllers are so annoyed. There was no mention of any takeoff missions from above, and the guys below are just drunk and going to sleep.

"Stop talking nonsense and go to sleep."

"???"

The maintenance team leader was also dumbfounded. What was the control tower doing? I was waiting for your message, and you said you were going to sleep.

The maintenance crew leader was furious to think that such a high-quality soldier was above him.

"We are ready to take off."

"Get ready to take off and then fly, what are you babbling about?"

Damn, what kind of manners are these?

The maintenance crew leader suppressed his anger and began using hand gestures to guide the takeoff.

Naoki Hanyu was also a little surprised to be sitting in the F-35A. He was planning to force the flight and have more than 10 clones fight to provide cover, since the F-35A and E-2D need a qualified runway to take off.

But now the air force base is even cooperating with his takeoff, which has mesmerized him.

"Never mind, everyone take off."

First, the F-35C's tail-mounted rotating nozzles sprayed air backward, and the fighter jet's speed increased, while the ground crew outside could only watch.

Once the fighter jet reaches a speed of 150 kilometers per hour, the clone will pull the throttle to the maximum, and then the fighter jet will gradually leave the runway and take off completely within 1000 meters.

Meanwhile, the E-2D early warning aircraft on the other side also took off from runway number two, and the maintenance personnel dutifully guided the remaining three F-35 fighter jets.

After takeoff, the onlookers dispersed, and the clones also left somewhat bewildered.

They had initially thought that once the main body took off, there would be a fierce battle, and they would have to fight desperately to escape by jumping into the sea.

But now they can disperse as if nothing happened, which is beyond our expectations.
.
A Land Rover Defender military vehicle is heading to the Akrotiri military base on the road.

The officer in the vehicle was the base commander, who also served as the commander of the Royal Air Force's 903rd Wing, Sebastián Bach, an Air Brigadier General.

This base commander just went to Limassol for a visit during working hours, and now he's embracing a beautiful blonde woman, planning to go back to the base for some fun. As for the fact that outsiders are not allowed to enter the restricted area of ​​the base?
Please, he's the top dog. If he's the top dog, why would he be so timid and hesitant?
The woman put her arms around Sebasti's neck.

"Honey, I want to fly a plane, even if I can't move."

"Haha, baby, if you make me happy, I'll let you fly a plane, or even make it move."

"Thanks, dear."

Just then, an F-35C flew overhead, which excited the blonde woman.

"I recognize that plane, it's an F-35. Wow, and there's a big one behind it, honey, what's that?"

Sebastian, who was engrossed in women, looked up at the sky, his tone gradually becoming puzzled.

"This is an E-2D early warning aircraft, America's early warning aircraft. What's going on? How come we have an E-2D early warning aircraft?"

Sebastián Bach was now alert, and he became even more nervous when he saw that there were three more F-35s following behind.

As the base commander, he naturally knew the base's aircraft inventory. The base only had 7 F-35Bs under Xiao Ying and 2 F-35As under America. Most importantly, the base did not have any E-2D early warning aircraft, let alone take off for missions.

It's out of control; his control over the base has unknowingly developed loopholes.

Sebastián Bach immediately contacted the control tower.

"Hello, this is Sebasti. Why are there formations of fighter jets taking off from the base? Tell me why?"

The tower controller, who was scrolling through his phone, got a little angry when he heard this, but he didn't dare to lash out at the commander, so he could only reply in a wronged voice.

"No fighter jets have taken off."

"Do you think I'm blind? I saw a four-plane formation plus an E-2D early warning aircraft take off. I need an explanation from America."

"."

The air traffic controllers had a bad feeling. It turned out that a fighter jet had really taken off. The maintenance crew leader hadn't gone crazy; it was he who had gone crazy.

Just as the tower controllers were about to contact the maintenance crew, a sudden explosion rang out, and there was more than one.

The tower controllers were horrified when they saw the two hangars rising thick black smoke. The two hangars that were bombed were for 47 Typhoon fighter jets.

"Is nothing going to happen?"

How did it explode when the radar team didn't issue any warning? Was it a self-destruction of the ammunition or something else?
Before the tower controller could inform the commander, his tower also exploded. Although he and his colleagues only suffered minor injuries, the tower's command and control functions were paralyzed.

The air traffic controllers rushed downstairs in a panic, and then an explosion occurred on the runway.

(End of this chapter)