Great Power Long Sky

Deputy Commander Chen had three things to say, but there was one more thing he didn't mention.

The large-scale live-fire military exercise has now entered its final stage, and it has become a case of a joint military exercise that started strong but ended weakly.

Li Lu believed that the third thing Deputy Commander Chen wanted to talk about was related to the joint 96 military exercise.

It was indeed related, but it was completely unexpected.

Deputy Commander Chen took the items out of his briefcase and laid them out in front of Li Lu, saying, "The wartime special merit certificate, medal, and 15,000 yuan bonus are all yours."

Li Lu was petrified on the spot.

Deputy Commander Chen said, "The commendation authority is the Supreme Command. Also, the reward and punishment regulations do not clearly stipulate the bonus for special merits in wartime. The Supreme Command awards it according to the standard of five thousand yuan."

"The other 10,000 yuan was a reward from the Air Force and the military region."

"Chief of Staff Wang Yong was originally going to come in person, but the joint military exercise isn't over yet, and he has to stay in Beijing. He entrusted me to present the award to you. Do you know what a wartime Special Merit Citation means?"

Li Lu was completely bewildered; the news had utterly stunned him.

Deputy Commander Chen said solemnly, "The rank of Special Merit was abolished in 1955. In order to determine your commendation, the military region reported to the headquarters, the Air Force Command discussed it with the headquarters, and finally it went to the Supreme Command."

"The Supreme Command held a special meeting to discuss this matter."

"In the end, it was decided to establish a merit level equivalent to the Special Merit, but not one that would last long. This is how the 'Wartime Special Merit' award rank came about."

"Your significant contributions and outstanding performance in the 'Joint 96' military exercise, as well as your previous successful escort of the Navy submarines back to port and your breakthrough of the core air defense zone of the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier, far exceed the standards for a first-class merit award."

"Therefore, you can regard this 'wartime special merit' as an affirmation of your overall performance since the end of the last military exercise."

"Li Lu, you are the most outstanding combatant who has made the greatest contribution in the Air Force in the past half century. Of course, you are not the only one in the entire army. There is also a Li Mu in the Army, who is also a very audacious person."

Deputy Commander Chen suddenly changed the subject and asked, "Do you know why I'm presenting this award to you here, alone?"

Li Lu came to his senses. He was alive and well, and had become the first revolutionary soldier in history to be awarded the Special Merit without being wounded!

He replied, "Sir, this matter must be kept secret and is only known to me personally."

"That's right," Deputy Commander Chen said in a deep voice. "Your contribution must be officially announced by the organization at a time and place deemed appropriate. Before that, you know about it, but you cannot reveal it to anyone."

He pointed to the certificates and medals and said, "Except for the prize money, I'm taking the rest back and putting them in your file. I'll return them to you whenever they're officially announced to the public."

"Of course, your meritorious service record will be recorded in your service file. Right now, the Air Force Pilots' Office is already transferring your file, and your organizational affiliation will be transferred directly from the 3rd Air Division to the Air Force Pilots' Office."

Li Lu took a deep breath and nodded emphatically, "Commander, I understand, I will resolutely obey orders."

切割日海自的P-3反潜巡逻机让其坠毁、击落U-2高空侦察机、击落RF-5E战术侦察机️2、击落F-14D舰载战斗机、击沉猎潜艇……

Any one of these items is top secret information that is kept absolutely confidential in the short term.

These achievements, coupled with Li Lu's performance in the Joint 96 military exercise where he single-handedly confronted the aircraft carrier battle group and forced it to turn and disengage, make it entirely justifiable to award him a special-class merit.

Li Lu suddenly asked, "Commander, I'm not fighting alone. My wingman, my cockpit pilot Xue Shuang, played an extremely important role in the operation."

Deputy Commander Chen pointed at Li Lu and said, "What's your rush? The organization has seen and fully grasped everyone's performance. If we hadn't figured out the whole situation, we wouldn't have this 'Special Wartime Merit' award."

"Xue Shuang was awarded a first-class merit. Other relevant personnel will be commended in accordance with regulations and rules, which will be at the end of the year."

Li Lu felt relieved and completely relaxed.

Deputy Commander Chen said, "Now that we've finished discussing official business, let's talk about other things. During the Joint 96 military exercise, you and Xue Shuang were the ones who participated the longest in our air force. You two were also the people who came closest to the US Navy aircraft carrier. Share your thoughts."

I've been waiting for this opportunity.

Li Lu said without hesitation, "The military must accelerate its transformation. A single homeland air defense strategy is no longer suitable for the current environment and modern warfare. We must accelerate the construction of a strategic air force that combines offense and defense and form a system-wide combat capability."

"Our current steps for mechanization and informatization are correct. From a strategic perspective, this is the foundation for building a powerful people's army with systemic combat capabilities."

"The Air Force is a technology-intensive service that relies heavily on technological equipment. Our development direction will directly determine the direction of equipment development."

"After the two large-scale military exercises, I have two main feelings: first, anti-stealth aircraft operations are urgently needed; second, enhancing ground and sea attack capabilities is imperative."

"If I had been piloting a fighter jet with strong anti-ship capabilities, simply appearing within the outer air defense perimeter of the enemy carrier battle group would have put them under tremendous pressure."

"Distance is time, efficiency, and opportune moment for combat. Commander, if we don't buy the JH-7, I strongly suggest strengthening the J-10's ground and sea attack capabilities, so that Shenyang Aircraft Corporation can purposefully develop the J-27 with ground and sea attack capabilities while it is working on the localization of the Su-27."

After a pause, Li Lu's tone even carried a pleading tone, "Commander, the air force's ground and sea combat capabilities are too weak, and the biggest threat at present comes from the sea. Moreover, it is foreseeable that for a long time to come, our biggest threat will come from the sea."

Deputy Commander Chen stared at Li Lu for a long time.

Finally, he sighed and said, "Old Wang really knows you. He said you'd be too arrogant and interfere with Project Ten, and he was right."

Li Lu said urgently, "Sir, my suggestions are reasonable, coming from the perspective of an Air Force fighter pilot. Aircraft aren't built to be displayed; they're meant to be used in combat."

"We combatants know best what kind of weapons the troops need most."

Deputy Commander Chen gestured for Li Lu to calm down and said, "You're right. Weapons and equipment are ultimately for the use of combatants, and the suggestions and opinions of combatants are very important."

"Therefore, I would like to ask for your opinion on your next move."

Upon hearing this, Li Lu was stunned.