Great Power Long Sky

The troops remain on high alert, but as everyone knows, the number of training and exercises assigned to the Air Force has been significantly reduced.

The Navy and Army will conduct a 15-day amphibious landing exercise at the Shandao training base and surrounding waters, but the scale has been reduced considerably.

The two army groups that came from the northwest conducted various types of offensive exercises on the spot, but the original order to assemble in designated areas along the southeast coast has been completely cancelled.

Air force and naval aviation units along the coast continue to maintain combat alert in the outer sea and airspace, while some work has begun to return to normal.

Perhaps because of the 7th Air Regiment's outstanding performance in forcing back the USS Kitty Hawk carrier battle group, or perhaps because the higher-level leadership had deeper considerations, Li Lu's request was granted.

Air Force 9 Regiment Commander Gao Wei and instructor Colonel Vasily flew a Su-27UBK two-seat fighter jet to the East China Sea airfield.

Their maintenance crew and Russian technicians, who had been dispatched in advance, had already arrived at the Donghai airfield. By the time the Su-27UB landed on the runway at the Donghai airfield, the Su-27SK had already completed its maintenance.

At this point, the entire process of Li Lu's crew forcing back the USS Kitty Hawk carrier battle group had been laid out completely on the desks of leaders at all levels. Flight data, video footage, flight reports—every detail was presented in its entirety and in great detail.

The entire 3rd Air Division was in an uproar, as was the entire air force of the military region. Subsequently, the whole army issued a commendation notice, and millions of people learned about Li Lu and Xue Shuang, and that the two of them, piloting a JH-7 fighter-bomber, single-handedly forced back the massive USS Kitty Hawk carrier battle group.

Those who witnessed the entire process were filled with unparalleled shock.

The leaders even suspected that there was something wrong with the data – how could that be possible?

The facts are undeniable, and every detail is supported by solid evidence.

Li Lu's superb flying skills were fully demonstrated in a way that completely overturned traditional understanding.

Perhaps this is the main reason why his superiors approved his special modification of the Su-27SK.

Li Lu meticulously painted the top-down outline of an F-14D fighter jet on the left side of the fuselage of the JH-7 fighter-bomber number 81291.

Gu Chen, Qi Hong, and the other three stood in a row, looking up at Li Lu as he worked, their eyes filled with admiration and their gazes were reverent.

Li Lu used the fighter jets they were most familiar with to achieve results and technical heights that were difficult for them to reach.

Xue Shuang glanced at Gu Chen and the others and smiled, "While classifying this as a kill is a bit of a stretch, it is nonetheless the first victory for the JH-7 fighter jet."

Gu Chen said, "I'm not forcing you at all. It's just that the credit belongs to you and Captain Li. It's not appropriate to attribute it to our plane."

Li Lu finished the last stroke, came down the boarding stairs, put his tools away, wiped his hands with a rag, and laughed, "Without the Flying Leopard, none of the results would have been valid. It's very appropriate to attribute them to the aircraft."

He said with some regret, "It's a pity that our air force won't be able to get the JH-7 in the short term. To be honest, it's a good aircraft."

Gu Chen took two steps forward and said, "You've achieved incredible results with the JH-7. The Air Force leadership might change their minds about not purchasing the JH-7."

"I hope so," Li Lu nodded with a smile.

Gu Chen said, "Captain Li, all good things must come to an end. I have received orders to return to my unit tomorrow."

Li Lu was taken aback. "So sudden? Our tactical testing group hasn't even finished their modification training yet!"

Gu Chen said, "You might need to come to our area for modification training, but I don't know the specifics. Captain Li, I really want to stay and fight alongside you, but orders are orders."

He was speaking from the heart. The innovative training methods developed by the tactical testing group were extremely attractive to him. If he could learn these innovative training methods and bring them back, his regiment would definitely be the first unit in the naval aviation force to conduct realistic combat training, and there would be no doubt that their combat effectiveness would be rapidly improved.

The following day, Gu Chen and three others took off in two JH-7 fighter-bombers to return to their unit. This sudden change brought the 7th Air Regiment back to a state where it was no longer capable of long-range combat.

That Su-27SK, number 27, became the 7th Air Regiment's only aircraft capable of long-range operations.

On the third day after Gao Wei and Vasily arrived at the Donghai Station, Vasily rushed into the duty room of the Second Brigade with the test papers he had already graded.

"Comrade Li Lu! Comrade Li Lu!"

Vasily speaks fluent Chinese, but his accent is noticeably harsh. He waved the exam paper in his hand and shouted excitedly.

Li Lu and Xue Shuang stood there, holding airplane models and conducting formation flight simulation training.

The Russian guy, all bluster and a flushed face, rushed over, slammed the test paper on the table, grabbed Li Lu's shoulders and shook him violently. "Full marks! Full marks! You got full marks! Tell me, did you study the Su-27's operating manual?! You definitely did!"

"Colonel, Colonel, please calm down," Li Lu said with a smile, gesturing for Vasily to sit down. He then asked, "Have I passed the theoretical exam? Can I proceed to the practical exam now?"

Vasily jumped to his feet, waving his hand and saying, "In just three days, you've mastered all the relevant theories! In my thirty years of teaching, you are the most talented flying genius I've ever seen! The only one!"

"Comrade Li Lu! You're ready for practical flight training at any time! No problem at all! My God, you're truly an exceptional genius!"

Everyone was stunned. This Russian guy usually seemed quite composed, but he was so excited right now, clearly shocked by Li Lu's abilities.

That exam paper was less of an exam paper and more of a collection of theoretical exams that every pilot who was to be converted to the Su-27 fighter jet had to pass; it was dozens of pages long!

Li Lu finished the task in one day, and it was all correct.

Vasily learned that Li Lu had not received systematic training in Su-27 theory. Before he and Gao Wei moved here, Li Lu had only read some theoretical materials intermittently.

He actually passed the theory test with a perfect score.

In the entire Russian Air Force, not a single pilot of the Su-27 type can pass the theoretical test with a perfect score.

The scope of the theoretical knowledge tested far exceeded the scope required for pilots to fly the Su-27; it was beyond the scope of the curriculum.

Li Lu passed with a perfect score, which means that his theoretical knowledge and ability exceeded the scope of this course!

Vasily held up one finger and said, "One flight day. I'll personally guide you through hands-on flight practice. I believe you only need one flight day to master the basic flying skills of the Su-27!"

Vasily, his eyes red with excitement, spoke with unwavering conviction.

Originally, Gao Wei was supposed to be in charge of training Li Lufei, and after completing the basic training, further arrangements would be made depending on the specific circumstances.

In reality, Gao Wei simply did not believe that Li Lu could master the piloting skills of the Su-27SK in just two flight days—it was utterly absurd.

Now, Vasily, in his fifties, has decided to personally train Li Lufei, asserting that Li Lufei will master basic piloting skills in just one flight day…