The support detachment found a half-floating reef at a position about 7 nautical miles away from the fishing island in the sea east of the exercise area, and set up a target on it to simulate a fixed target on the island.

The placement of the target is the same as that of the land target.

It is just such a small target, and in the vast sea, how to find the target according to the approximate orientation data given by the command post is a great test of the pilot's grasp of the relative direction. Fortunately, the second-generation aircraft has long been stopped driving, otherwise if you rely on ground guidance, it is equivalent to looking for a needle in a haystack if you want to find a target with a size of only ten or so square meters.

This is still the time when the sun sets, and the sun is long lost on the sea surface of the East China Sea, and only the sea and sky meet in the west and there is a red glow.

Although the command post gave Li Zhan an attack mission that was basically set up for the purpose of shooting, it did not reduce the difficulty for him. In the first battle in the Mediterranean, the prestige of the little prince of the lever has long been spread throughout the army, and it is difficult to deploy such a super ace, otherwise how to reflect the combat effectiveness of the super ace.

Although the Flying Leopard is old, the avionics system does not know how much more advanced than the second-generation classic aircraft such as J-7 and J-8, of course, those second-generation classic aircraft can simply be said to have no avionics system at all.

So the situation Li Zhan faced was relatively good.

Of course, relying on airborne radar is unreliable, and the old radar with a maximum search range of only forty or fifty kilometers can not be expected to be able to find so little reef targets on the vast sea.

It is only possible to delineate the smallest possible range according to the approximate azimuth parameters given by the command post, and then search for the target by means of radar search plus visual search. This is probably a test of the pilot's ability to "march according to the map," and it is also a preset background of insufficient grasp of target intelligence in wartime.

Niu Jun did not know the difficulties Li Zhan was facing, so she concentrated on operating the integrated tactical pod to collect radio signals in the airspace through which she passed, and used the limited interception capacity of the integrated tactical pod to figure out as much as possible the airspace radio waves in the sea area where the target was located.

When she started doing these things, she was no longer a part-time military correspondent, but a veritable battlefield technical officer.

To the surprise of the command post, after the sky was completely dark, Li Zhan still did not find a report of the target, and the command post deployed on the early warning aircraft called and asked: "Angry old leopard, you are already ten minutes later than planned, have you found the target?" Complete. ”

Li Zhan was anxious and embarrassed at the same time, he was confident that he had conducted the most comprehensive search, but the result was disappointing.

He replied frustratedly, "Report to the command post, a search has been carried out in the indicated sea area, no target has been found, over." ”

This surprised the command and staff personnel on the AWACS aircraft, and there were targets that the mad dogs of the South China Sea could not find? Perhaps the mad dogs of the South China Sea may be about to meet Waterloo in the East China Sea. However, to be honest, when the staff officers of the command post saw the darkness outside through the synchronously transmitted pictures, they could understand why Li Zhan failed to find the target.

Maybe the target this time is too tricky.

But then again, isn't the purpose of the enemy's firing points in a war to be undetected?

Li Zhan admitted that he had failed, and now the visibility was tending to zero, and the sky was completely dark, and it was just useless to continue the search.

The little prince of the trolley also has times when he is helpless!

He asked the command post for instructions: "Command post, the angry old leopard failed to shoot live ammunition this time, and asked to be transferred to the no-sail zone to support the mission, and it is over." ”

The command post immediately replied: "The angry old leopard can be transferred to the ......"

Before he finished speaking, he was suddenly interrupted loudly by Li Zhan: "Command post!" I've found the target! Twelve o'clock position, about five kilometers away! Complete! ”

The command post could not see anything, but the on-board radar of the J-81198 No. 81198 did show a faint target signal.

"Command post! Angry old leopard asks to attack! Complete! Li Zhan quickly asked for instructions.

The command post did not hesitate, "The angry old leopard can attack as planned!" Complete! ”

"Understood!"

Li Zhan immediately urged the old flying leopard to speed forward, quickly established an attack route, opened the electric door, and hurriedly glanced at the friend or foe identifier - without the slightest reaction, he simply pressed the lever and dived, chose the aircraft gun aiming mode, and the aiming ring was firmly pressed on the target.

His sudden movements caught Niu Jun's attention, and Niu Jun quickly helped identify the target, but it didn't make much sense for her to do it now.

Li Zhan had already pressed the launch button, and the 90-millimeter caliber aviation rockets were launched one after another with their own power, and the tail flames dragged out in the darkness were almost front and back, forming a long dash in the air.

After all the aviation rockets were poured, Li Zhan quickly pulled up a big sideslip and turned to climb up.

He attacked from a height of 300 meters and fought until 100 meters, and the distance was from 3 kilometers to 500 meters, which was almost the distance of a bayonet. The old flying leopard swooped down on the target like a predatory eagle, except that the aviation rocket replaced the eagle's talon.

When he pulled up and broke away, Li Zhan glanced at the target and found that it didn't seem to be a target laid on the reef, could it be that he hit the wrong target?

But don't, if you cause accidental injury, you're a sinner!

Niu Jun's words made his heart sink suddenly, Niu Jun said, "The target orientation parameters are wrong, there are several secret positions missing!" ”

The command post naturally heard Niu Jun's words, and the commander frowned and hurriedly said, "Angry old leopard, did you attack the wrong target?" Hurry up and verify! ”

"Understood! Check it out now! Li Zhan turned back in a hurry, quickly dropped in height, and took out the low-light telescope from his bag to look at the target.

Damn, I really hit the wrong target, but this wrong target is a little strange, it is actually a wooden fishing boat stranded on the reef, Li Zhan hit it very accurately, it is no longer a falcon under the attack of aviation rockets, and it can only be vaguely identified by the wreckage that it is a wooden ship, and the tonnage should only be a dozen tons.

How could there be a ship here?

The brethren of the support detachment must not have set up targets, otherwise they would have been driven out long ago. Moreover, it is far from the mainland, and it is impossible for a wooden ship of more than a dozen tons to run here. Could it be a ship that has been stranded for a long time?

Li Zhan's heart suddenly became cold, and he once again descended to search the water near the wreckage, and even more strange things, there were no suspicious signs on the water surface, neither the people who fell into the water nor the corpses, not even a drop of oil.

Maybe a small wooden boat that has been stranded for a long time?

Li Zhan immediately reported the observed situation to the command post, which replied that he would ask the support detachment to verify the relevant situation, and at the same time send a ship to investigate.

If it is a small wooden boat that has been stranded for a long time, then the support detachment that laid targets here must know about it.

Li Zhan left the sea area with an unstable heart, and quickly transferred to the support task of controlling the no-sail zone. This unexpected situation caused the command post to issue an emphatic order to the perimeter guard detachment, including the Flying Shark squad, which is responsible for controlling the no-sail zone, demanding that every effort be made to ensure the safety of the no-sail zone and that there must be no accidental intrusion.

Three hours later, Li Zhan once again landed at Dachang Station.

After he landed, he immediately inquired about the on-site investigation of the command post through the Dachang station, and then waited in silence in the guest house, not even having an appetite for the meal sent over. The most feared is a small fishing boat that has broken into it by mistake. At this time, he still had the heart to think about why he had hit the wrong target, and only wanted to hit an abandoned small fishing boat.

The targets set by the support detachment are almost identical to those of small fishing boats from the radar, but the former is very difficult to catch by radar. In addition, the radar clutter generated by the reef also affected the pilot's judgment, and when it was impossible to visually confirm the target, a target with almost the same reflection characteristics appeared in the approximate direction, and Li Zhan mistakenly thought it was a target.

He fell into a deep self-reproach as a result. That is, he, another person may not be able to continue the mission at all, and he has successfully completed the task of guarding the no-sail zone.

Niu Jun knew that Li Zhan was under a lot of pressure, and she was not in the mood to rest, so she sat with him in Li Zhan's room and waited for news, and she didn't eat a bite of the meal in front of her.

She comforted, "Senior brother, there shouldn't be unknown ships there, and the support detachment will definitely do cleanup work when they set up targets." The scope of the no-sail zone has also been announced early, and no fishermen will break into it. It must have been an abandoned fishing boat that ran aground there a long time ago. ”

Li Zhan said in a deep voice, "What I'm worried about is that it's not our fishing boat. Small fishing boats of about 10 tons will hardly sail to the open sea. ”

Niu Jun didn't know what to do, if this thing was the worst outcome, then the impact might not be what he could imagine.

Of course, it is clearly written in the announcement of the no-sail zone that all the consequences of trespassing are at your own risk.

Li Zhan sighed deeply, "I was too arrogant, I should have repeatedly confirmed the target at that time, but I was too impatient. ”

Niu Jun said, "The situation at that time didn't allow you to do this, if it was a real battle, you wouldn't fly over the target and confirm the target by sight, right?" Isn't fighting a war just about a sudden attack and a quick withdrawal? Besides, the ban on sailing is clearly written, and trespassers are responsible for their own consequences. You don't have to blame yourself. ”

"If only it were that simple." Li Zhan shook his head and sighed.

Since he left the army in 08 to now, he has been flying a plane for so long, and it is the first time that he feels the powerlessness brought about by the situation getting out of control. How many crises have I encountered before, and which one has not been dealt with without danger. Even at that time, he was completely able to deal with the extremely dangerous situation of being hit by Lao Lu's field air defense units with live ammunition because of a communications accident.

I didn't expect to turn over when I hit a small target laid on the reef.

He reflected in his self-blame that he was really a little floating, thinking that it was just a simple aerial fire to shoot at a fixed target on a simulated island, and with his own strength, such a simple attack mission was not easy to capture.

But the facts gave a resounding slap in the face, first after looking for a long time and not finding the target, and then finding the wrong target. What an irony!

Niu Jun said, "The result hasn't come out yet, don't blame yourself first." ”

She could only be so comforted.

The two continued to wait in silence.

At 10:20 p.m., the sound of hurried footsteps was getting closer and closer, and the door was not closed, and a captain and staff officer from the Dachang station strode in. Li Zhan stood up when he heard the footsteps, staring at the door, and Niu Jun also stood up nervously, in a general mood.

The captain's staff officer was obviously in a hurry, and when he entered the door, he said, "Chief, I have found out that it is a small fishing boat that has been stranded for a long time and has been abandoned. The results of the helicopter's on-site investigation and the reply of the support detachment are consistent! ”

As soon as Li Zhan raised his head, the bones in his body were relieved, and Niu Jun breathed a sigh of relief.

But the captain's next words made Li Zhan's nerves tense again, and he said, "Chief, the command post has come to order you to be ready to dispatch at any time, the pressure on the eastern section of the no-fly zone is relatively high, our planes are pressed on the front line, and you may have to go out in the second half of the night." ”

"Okay, I'll get some food and get ready right away!" Li Zhan was shocked, and as soon as he sat down, he gulped down and solved the meal that was already a little cold.

Niu Jun didn't dare to slack off, and hurriedly ate the battle meal. Before the end of the exercise, she was still Li Zhan's rear cabin pilot, and the camera in her hand was to record the various scenes of the exercise.

Most importantly, she knew that the next thing she would have to deal with was the scouting and harassment of simulated Blues troops, which was the real rivalry, and every photo and second of video would be precious. Besides, the integrated tactical pod she brought is not yet fully functional!

Although the captain's staff officer just said it was very vague, the meaning of the revelation was clear - the Flying Shark team may have already fought with the fighters of the simulated Blue Army.

This is almost certain, Li Zhan does not believe that those electronic reconnaissance planes and even fighter jets on the Kaidao base of the simulated Blue Army will let go of such a good opportunity. They will definitely find a way to break into the no-sail zone.

After a quick meal, Li Zhan took a quick shower to boost his spirits, and then rushed to the flight briefing room with Niu Jun to stand by. With two hours of sleep in the afternoon, Li Zhan and Niu Jun were in very good spirits at this time, and they were able to withstand another four-hour flight.

However, the Flying Shark team was bitter, and they insisted on two in-flight refueling until 18 o'clock in the afternoon before returning home, that is, when Li Zhan took off for the second time, they were in the air for ten hours!

It is estimated that the Flying Shark team is also on standby at this time, and may have taken off to rush to the eastern section of the no-sail zone. There must be a lot of pressure over there, otherwise the command post would not have let Li Zhan, the old flying leopard who landed alone in the big field station, also be on standby at any time.

Li Zhan waited in the flight briefing room, and the briefing from the command post was displayed directly on the display screen hanging on the wall. While Li Zhan was watching, the charts of that airspace in his mind were also constantly appearing.

Also on standby are the Su-30MKK pilots of a squadron of the Bald Eagle Division, but they are going to carry out the exercise mission, running thousands of kilometers to carry out long-range strikes, which is the main mission of the HNA Bald Su-30MKK.

The atmosphere was rather dreary, so much so that everyone's faces looked extremely serious.

The phone rang suddenly, breaking the silence, and everyone was shocked, and a gleam appeared in their eyes. The staff officer who was guarding the telephone immediately picked it up, answered "yes", and before he put down the microphone, he said to Li Zhan, "Chief Instructor Li!" The command post orders you to go out! ”

Li Zhan lifted the flying helmet and rushed out, and Niu Jun, who had already entered the state, also rushed out neatly with his things......