Back in 1978, I was admitted to Northwestern Polytechnical University.

Chapter 202 Severing the Eagle's Claws
A five-pointed house.

"According to the testimonies of those released, they are still being held in the same building, a fact confirmed by CIA agents who remained there during this time."

"Well, how's our plan coming along?" Brown asked.

“It’s all planned out,” James Vought said. “We will organize two formations: six Air Force C1-30 transport aircraft, carrying the necessary fuel and equipment, will depart from Masirah Island, while eight RH-53D Sea Stallion helicopters, piloted by Marines, will take off from the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers that are roaming the Arabian Sea.”

James Vought pointed to a spot on the map and said, “They all flew at extremely low altitudes to meet at Desert One. The C-130 refueled the Sea Stallion, and the commandos took helicopters to meet at Desert Two outside the capital of Langtuo. They hid there and waited until dark before taking trucks into the capital of Langtuo to rescue people.”

"While the rescue operation is underway, the Rangers will occupy the nearby Manzaliye Airport. Our C-141 transport planes will land here, and once the Sea Stallion helicopters return from Desert Point 2, they will be abandoned and transferred to C-141 transport planes for evacuation."

The whole plan is extremely complex!
Countless people from the Navy, Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps gathered together, but due to the shady dealings between the branches of the military, they couldn't even communicate with each other via radio!
However, no one cared about these things at the time; they all thought the plan was perfect.

"Okay, let's find a suitable place to start the training."

"Report!" Just then, someone walked in.

"Say!"

"Langtuo has identified several individuals among our hostages who are engaged in intelligence work, and they plan to publicly execute them within half a month!"

what?
It's an international consensus that diplomats abroad almost always undertake intelligence work. However... engaging in intelligence work violates the laws of any country. The current Langtuo is more like an ammunition depot that could explode at any moment.

They said they would execute him, and they really did!
Can't wait any longer!
Brown gritted his teeth: "Wait until I report to my superiors! General Walter, you come with me!"

Half an hour later.

"This project has been officially approved from above, codenamed Operation Eagle Claw!" Brown said. "The operation will take place within three days. Remember, it can only succeed; failure is not an option!"

"Yes!"

Everyone stood up, chests out, heads held high, voices booming, eyes filled with excitement.

After the war in the Monkey Kingdom ended, their army had been keeping a low profile and was constantly being pointed at and gossiped about. Now, they want to use a swift and decisive rescue operation to let everyone know that taxpayers' money has not been wasted!

11 month 11 day.

The massive Nimitz-class aircraft carrier cruised in the Arabian Sea. On its deck, eight Sea Stallion helicopters occupied the area originally intended for jet takeoffs. Its fuselage was over thirty meters long and its rotor diameter reached an astonishing 24 meters. Its enormous body really did resemble a pregnant mare.

The setting sun cast its last rays upon their fuselages, elongating their shadows. The fuselages, specially painted a desert yellow, blended seamlessly with the sunset's glow.

The roar of the engine began.

To power this behemoth, it is equipped with T64 engines on its top. The latest modified model has a power of 4380 horsepower per engine. Of course, this is not the most incredible thing. The D-36 engine used on the Russian Mi-26 helicopter has a power of more than 10,000 horsepower per engine.

"Bluebeard One requests takeoff!"

……

"Bluebeard Eight, requesting takeoff!"

"Ready for takeoff!"

The rotors of the eight helicopters emitted an even louder roar as the massive helicopters slowly left the deck and flew towards the vast ocean. At that moment, they had no idea what awaited them.

However, just ahead, in the Gulf of Oman, their only route, there were already a dozen or so fishing boats. The fishermen weren't looking at the water, but rather constantly looking at the sky.

Meanwhile, at Masirah Airport, three EC-130Es and three MC-130Es were also making the same call.

"Dragon One requests takeoff!"

……

"Dragon III requests takeoff!"

"Republic No. 4 requests takeoff!"

……

"Republic Six requests takeoff!"

Three Dragon aircraft, carrying 132 Rangers and Delta Force troops, and three Republic aircraft, carrying fuel and logistical supplies, including jeeps, took off in sequence from the runway.

At the same time, several off-road vehicles appeared on the road near 33°04′23″N, 55°53′33″E. After arriving there, the off-road vehicles slowed down, drove off the road, and drove into the saline-alkali land to the north.

“In previous years, we often passed through here when transporting supplies. This saline-alkali land must be very solid!”

"Yes, look, our vehicle only made ruts a few millimeters deep. Our C-130 can take off and land normally!"

The people in the car communicated in English, walked forward for several kilometers, then stopped and lined up their remote-controlled infrared lights and flashlights, creating a simple runway guidance device.

Next, all we have to do is wait for the plane to arrive!

The sun was blazing, so they got into the car, turned on the air conditioning, and waited quietly. Little did they know that in the distance, pairs of eyes were already watching them.

Isfahan, air force base.

“Qin, everything is almost exactly as you predicted!” Minuseper said excitedly, “Our fishing boat spotted eight Super Stallion helicopters flying at extremely low altitudes over the sea! We also found CIA agents installing landing guidance devices at the place you call Desert One, but we don’t know where their C-130 transport planes came from.”

"Well, that's not important either. We just need to wait quietly until they reach Desert Base One, and then..."

"Qin, you are a true friend of our Langtuo!"

In the current situation, Langtuo has almost no friends around him, only enemies. Only the East is willing to do business with them, and only the East is willing to help them predict risks in advance!
"Although the West has opened its doors to us, we know that they only want to use us to fight against the Russian bear," Qin Liang said. "In our eyes, a country like Langkawi, with its lofty ideals, will be our eternal friend. Everyone, let's get ready. We will let the Americans know that this is their forbidden territory!"

Americans have always been bullies who prey on the weak and fear the strong. If you give them a good beating once, they'll stay quiet for a long time!

Night fell over the land.

Eight Sea Stallion helicopters have already flown ashore. Although it is dark, the US military is not afraid at all, as they have the most advanced night vision devices!

Bluebeard Number Six.

"Damn it, why is the malfunction indicator light on?" the pilot cursed in frustration.

"Bluebeard 6 calling, malfunction detected, requesting landing for inspection."

"Received, you may land."

The rotors stirred up countless grains of sand and dust as Bluebeard VI slowly descended. The pilot jumped out of the plane and looked up at the top, where one of the rotors was deformed!
"Bluebeard Six calling: Rotor malfunction, unable to fly!"

Backstage, James Vought gritted his teeth: "Damn Marines, why didn't they check the planes before takeoff? Order Bluebeard 8 to turn back, pick up Bluebeard 6, and then go after the formation!"

"Where is the helicopter?"

"Just leave it in the desert!"

At this moment, only two hours had passed since Operation Eagle Claw began, and an accident had already occurred! Fortunately, they had two extra backup planes. The original plan only required six planes, but they knew that the fourth-class personnel would be a hindrance, so they prepared two more.

Time passed second by second, and another hour went by.

"Bluebeard's formation calling out! Sandstorm ahead!"

Everyone was stunned again. What was going on? Had something else happened? It was another sandstorm!

This thing is uncontrollable, and even weather forecasts are useless. After all, in that vast desert, sandstorms can occur at any time. Large-scale sandstorms can be warned, but small-scale ones are completely incomprehensible.

“Let them keep going!” James Vought gritted his teeth. “Our helicopters aren’t afraid of sandstorms! That damned land is absolutely cursed!”

Helicopter turboshaft engines require a large air intake. If a lot of sand and dust in the air hits the engine blades that rotate at tens of thousands of revolutions per minute, it would be a disaster. Therefore, before takeoff, an extra layer of sand and dust filter is added to the engine air intake.

However, this filter isn't a panacea. If there's too much sand and dust and it clogs the filter, it's like putting an N95 mask on the engine, which will definitely make it difficult for it to breathe.

But... once the arrow is released, there's no turning back.

Bluebeard's squadron had no choice but to grit their teeth and continue flying forward. They finally broke through the first sandstorm, but soon a second one appeared ahead!
"Bluebeard Five calling: Navigation and instrument malfunctions have made normal formation flight impossible. Requesting return to base!"

Behind them, everyone stared wide-eyed. Another plane had malfunctioned!
This leaves only six aircraft capable of continuing the mission, as all backups have been used up!

"Damn it!" James Walter cursed the fourth class in his mind. He knew he couldn't trust them, but there was no other way.

"General, we can't continue flying. Our helicopters are flying in close formation right now. If the navigation malfunctions, what if we crash..."

Hearing James Kyle's words, James Walter could only grit his teeth and say, "Fine, send it back. In the future, we absolutely cannot let fourth-class citizens participate in similar missions!"

"Yes! Look at our C-130 fleet, it's very stable!"

Compared to the constantly troubled Bluebeard, the Dragon and Republic fleet is very stable!

It was 22:40 PM.

A roar filled the sky as the outline of a C-130 transport plane appeared. The pilot spotted the infrared indicator lights and followed the path they formed. On the ground, CIA agents strained their eyes and shouted into the radio, "Attention! Attention! Lower the landing gear!"

Wait a minute, this plane never intended to land directly?

It was just a low-altitude flyby; after flying once, it turned around and continued, making a second low-altitude flyby!

And so, on the fourth attempt, the landing gear was finally lowered and aligned with the runway. The entire landing process was completed in one go!
This is the air force seeking stability!

The wheels scraped the ground, kicking up clouds of dust. The C-130, a versatile transport aircraft originally designed for takeoff and landing at rough field airfields, was naturally adapted to this runway made of saline-alkali soil. It quickly decelerated, came to a stop, and then taxied to the side to provide landing space for the second aircraft behind it.

The rear cargo door opened, and Rangers dressed in desert camouflage quickly disembarked and patrolled the area.

After the second C-130 came to a stop, Delta Force descended and began setting up helicopter guidance equipment in an orderly manner to prepare for the arrival of subsequent helicopters. All of this looked so natural.

rear.

"Our air force is reliable; they landed perfectly without any mishaps!" James Walter said. "Now, let's hope God blesses them and that the operation goes smoothly."

The six helicopters cannot have any problems, otherwise the mission cannot continue. It would be useless to go to the front, as it would be impossible to take all the hostages away if even one is missing.

“Yes, our bad luck is over, there will definitely be no problems,” James Kyle said.

"Report!" Just then, another urgent voice rang out: "A tanker truck has been spotted on the highway!"

The Rangers on guard duty watched in astonishment as a tanker truck drove up, so much so that they overlooked the pickup truck following behind it!
Did they forget to check the almanac before going out? Why are accidents always happening?
What's next?
"Intercept it!" Charlie Beckvis made the decision immediately.

Two soldiers stood up, walked onto the road, raised their guns, and aimed them in the direction the tanker truck was coming from.

"Stop, stop!"

The roar of the engine grew louder rapidly.

Not only did the other party not stop, but they actually accelerated?
The two soldiers who were trying to intercept the tanker truck quickly jumped off the road, otherwise they would have been hit and thrown into the air. The tanker truck was going full speed ahead.

"This is smuggled!" someone realized.

People live off the land and water. Langtuo has nothing but oil, which naturally leads to smuggling. Especially now, with chaos in Langtuo and rampant smuggling!
How to do?
Let it go?
Of course not!

Ahead of the road, a Ranger quickly took out an M72 rocket launcher and slung it over his shoulder.

When it comes to rocket launchers, the RPG is naturally the most famous, to the point that many people don't know that the Americans also have rocket launchers, and they are foldable, making them very convenient to carry. You can throw them away after use and they don't take up much space.

Whoosh!
The rocket-propelled grenade, trailing flames, flew toward the tanker truck.

boom!
The next moment, the tanker truck was blown up, billowing smoke and dust, and flames illuminated the entire Desert Base No. 1, illuminating the faces of every soldier.

Damn it, who gave you permission to use a rocket launcher?

While they were still in a daze, a pickup truck came up behind the tanker truck! The sharp screech of the pickup truck's brakes echoed through the night. The tanker truck driver jumped off the tanker, climbed onto the pickup truck, and then fled the scene.

"Should we pursue them?" the subordinate asked.

Charlie Beckvis gritted his teeth: "How do we chase it? If we catch it, do we just keep blowing it up with the rocket launcher?"

Who would have thought that in this desolate place, they would run into a smuggling oil tanker, and even more unexpectedly, it was blown up!

"That……"

"It should be fine. Since it's a smuggled tanker truck, we can only accept our bad luck and dare not say anything, let alone report it to the local government."

All I can say is that Charlie Beckvis is incredibly carefree!
"That fire..."

"Can we put it out?"

"No."

"Then forget it, let it burn like that. It'll be good for guiding the fourth class. They don't have our landing skills. If we lose another one, the mission will be impossible."

Isfahan base.

"Our oil tanker has been successfully blown up!" Minuseper exclaimed excitedly. "Now we can watch the bombing unfold!"

"Hmm, judging by the time, the helicopter will arrive in half an hour, so our base's F-4s should fly over and deliver their 'gift'!" Qin Liang said, "Let's blow their planes to smithereens, not a single one left!"

"That's right!"

On the runway, a roar erupted as F-4 fighter jets, laden with bombs and smoldering with flames from their tails, took off and soared into the air.

Transport planes and helicopters are nothing but trash in front of fighter jets!
"Qin, you deserve the greatest credit for this glorious victory!"

"Ahem, don't say that, and please don't spread it around. I need to play the role of a transparent person, you should understand."

Minuseper nodded: "Yes, we will keep it in mind."

This is truly a long voyage!

After flying for more than five hours, all the Bluebeards were exhausted. Fortunately, the big fire was the best guide, and they could land easily.

The first, the second... six Sea Stallion helicopters landed, and the Bluebeards got off the planes and stretched.

"Please fill up our gas tank. We are... very tired and need to rest."

"It seems that your Marine Corps training is indeed very poor."

They were met with disdainful looks. If it weren't for the fact that the next operation would require the support of these helicopters, they probably would have already been using the term "fourth-class citizens" on their lips.

Bluebeard's crew is suffering. We're flying helicopters at a speed of only 200-200 km/h, while you're flying transport planes at twice the speed of us. And you haven't even encountered a sandstorm yet. We're exhausted from our journey here!
These people know perfectly well; they're just trying to make fun of them.

"Come on, open the fuel tank. I heard there was a coward who turned back halfway through the flight. If that's the case, what's the point of being a soldier? He should just go home and take care of his kids!"

Amidst the laughter of the crowd, barrels of fuel were being added to the fuel tanks of the Sea Stallion. Many people looked up; the firelight made working much easier than wearing night vision goggles.

"Did you start that fire?"

"Of course, it's for you to use as a light source, so you don't have to..."

Before the teasing remark was even finished, everyone's expression suddenly changed. What sound had they heard?
The rumbling sound in the sky, was it thunder, or...?

A sharp whistling sound rang out—the familiar sound of a MK82 bomb being dropped!

Damn it, they've been watched all along, this is all a trap!

Charlie Beckvis looked up at the sky and shouted, "Stinger, where's Stinger? Quick, take down that damn plane!"

boom!
No sooner had he finished speaking than the first bomb landed, its flames a hundred times brighter than the oil tanker, and several Delta Force soldiers screamed in agony.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Explosions rang out one after another, and flames were everywhere, engulfing the entire Desert Base No. 1!
A bomb struck right next to the transport plane, and the next moment, an even larger fireball rose up!
　PS: Action plan roadmap.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)