Legendary Captain

Chapter 363 Escort Mission

"Isn't it true that the more capable you are, the more work you should do?" Li Cheng said with a smile. "If you really want to learn about things like early warning aircraft, I can submit an application to the Third Division, there definitely won't be any big problems. As for attack aircraft, our base has them, but it seems we don't have any instructors for attack aircraft. You should know that the scope of use for attack aircraft is very limited now, and we don't specifically train instructors for attack aircraft here."

Attack aircraft, also known as ground attack aircraft, have a different primary role than fighter jets; their main objective is ground attack. Accompanying attack aircraft is a specific term: "ground licking"!

Attack aircraft generally operate primarily at low altitudes and possess superior ground attack capabilities. However, compared to their outstanding ground attack capabilities, their air combat capabilities are almost negligible.

Even though attack aircraft have good maneuverability and stability in low-altitude environments and are armored for key areas, their shooting-off rate is generally much higher than that of other aircraft due to the harsh combat environment.

Now, with the changing concepts of air combat, the very value of attack aircraft is being questioned. Many fighter jets have now enhanced their ground attack capabilities to replace the mission scope of attack aircraft. Attack aircraft, originally designed specifically for ground attack, now seem like outcasts, receiving less and less attention.

The Los Angeles Air Base still has many types of attack aircraft, but many more are like relics, unmanned and flying year-round.

"Forget it, forget it, I want to live a little longer." Attack aircraft have to withstand a lot of ground anti-aircraft fire, and the survival environment is extremely harsh. In such a situation of extremely dense anti-aircraft fire, whether or not one can survive has little to do with the pilot; it all depends on luck.

"Alright, I'm not kidding anymore." Li Cheng waved his hand. "I've already told Lao Jin that starting tomorrow, you'll need to cram on the C-18 flight operation with him. Otherwise, when you get to the Fourth Division, you'll have to learn the C-18 first, which will waste time."

Previously, Xu Xianzhu learned the C-16 from Wang Chenchen, the squadron leader of the Second Squadron, whose main aircraft was the C-16. However, if he wanted to learn the C-18, he could only do so in the Fourth Squadron. The Fourth Squadron had all kinds of aircraft, and the relatively rare C-18 was within their capabilities to teach.

"The Fourth Division? The Fourth Division of the South China Sea Fleet, the same Fourth Division that was in the last trilateral exercise?" Xu Xian asked in surprise.

"That's right, what else?" Li Cheng nodded: "The Fourth Division is the most elite in the South China Sea Fleet, so if we're going to learn from them, we should definitely learn from the best."

"The Fourth Division? They're actually willing." Not long ago, during the trilateral exercise, the Third Division of the Western Air Force and the Fourth Division of the Naval Aviation were locked in a fierce battle, but they turned around and agreed to accept their arch-rival to come and learn from them. That's quite magnanimous.

"What's there to be unwilling about? This was applied for directly by the Commander to the Air Force Command. The Air Force Command communicated with the South China Sea Fleet on their behalf. That's a lot of face for them. How could they not agree?" Li Cheng said firmly.

"The South China Sea Fleet and the Guangdong Air Force are practically inseparable, I really didn't expect them to agree to this," Xu Xian said honestly.

To be honest, the competitive spirit between the Western Air Force and the South China Sea Fleet isn't very strong. But the Western Air Force and the Guangdong Air Force really don't like each other.

The South China Sea Fleet's headquarters in Longjiang and the Guangdong Air Force's headquarters in Huacheng are not far apart; they are basically neighbors and have a good relationship. With the South China Sea Fleet cooperating so closely with the Western Air Force, surely the Guangdong Air Force has no objections?

"Even if the Guangdong Air Force has any objections, they still have to listen to the Air Force Command." Li Cheng gave Xu Xian a mysterious nudge with his shoulder, a strange smile on his face: "Let me give you a heads-up, the higher-ups are considering recommending you for the Air Force talent pool. Perform well, and your future will be bright, understand?"

"Air Force talent pool? What's that?" Xu Xian was hearing this term for the first time.

"Well... how should I put it? Anyway, it's very good for you! Each branch of the military has its own talent pool, and anyone who can get into this talent pool will have a significant advantage in future promotions." Being selected for the talent pool is incredibly beneficial for anyone. Li Cheng could only choose the simplest and most direct advantage to mention.

"A promotion!" For the first time, a glint of interest flashed in Xu Xian's eyes. "That's definitely something we should try to get."

"Hmm?" Li Cheng was quite surprised: "You're interested in promotion? I thought you were indifferent to it."

"I wasn't really interested before, but things have changed now." Xu Xian glanced at Li Cheng: "You said that after being transferred to the Third Division and given the rank of Captain, what kind of officer's benefits would you get?"

Military personnel are divided into duties and ranks. Normally, there is a certain correspondence between duties and ranks. For example, normally, a captain should enjoy the treatment of a deputy battalion commander. However, this is not immutable.

A captain, one rank below a major captain, should correspond to a company commander. However, in some cases, a deputy battalion commander or deputy company commander might also be assigned to a captain. Therefore, Xu needed to clarify what rank his major captain rank corresponded to. Because, in many situations, a major captain could also be assigned to a company commander position.

The relationship between military ranks and positions is quite complex. It's common for a regiment to have a deputy regimental commander who is a major, while the battalion commander is a lieutenant colonel. Therefore, Xu Xian made sure to clarify the situation beforehand.

"Deputy Battalion Commander, Deputy Battalion Commander, don't worry. You're the savior of the Third Division, there's no way we'd give you a company commander rank." Li Cheng said with a grin, "Originally, with your situation, you'd only be a captain at best if you joined the Third Division. However, you made a great contribution in the previous three-way exercise, so the division headquarters made an exception and directly awarded you the rank of captain. Be content!"

"It's rare to start as a captain like you. Keep flying high, and getting promoted to field officer won't be difficult," Li Cheng encouraged. "Non-commissioned officer, junior officer, field officer, how's it going? Feeling highly motivated?"

"..." Xu Xian muttered to himself, no one knew what he was thinking.

"I feel like you've changed a bit," Li Cheng suddenly clicked his tongue.

"Hmm? What's changed?" Xu Xian chuckled.

Li Cheng stroked his chin: "I sense you've developed a desire for fame and fortune, some worldly desires. Before, you didn't care about anything, like an immortal untouched by worldly concerns, which isn't good. To put it nicely, that's called being indifferent; to put it bluntly, that's called lacking ambition. But now you're different. I can see that you've developed a pursuit of fame, fortune, and status. What happened? A person can't change that much all at once."

"Captain Li, do you think people should pursue fame, fortune, and status? Was my previous attitude wrong?" Xu Xian stared intently at Li Cheng. At this moment, his heart was filled with doubt, and he hoped to get an answer from Li Cheng.

"Xu Xian, you need to understand this. Heaven has bestowed upon you unparalleled talent; if you squander it ruthlessly, that would be a crime!" Li Cheng sighed. "An eagle's gaze should always be fixed on the sky, not like a chick, only able or only willing to walk on the ground. I don't think the pursuit of fame, fortune, and status is something to hide, even for a soldier. A soldier who doesn't want to become a general is not a good soldier. You've started to have aspirations, and I think that's a good thing. As long as you don't become a slave to fame, fortune, and status, I consider it a positive change."

"I see." Xu Xian lowered his eyes, his mind racing with thoughts, and a seed of ideas different from Xu Xian's usual ones began to sprout.

This seed is still very delicate and needs Xu Xian's careful care.

"Konbaung? Oh, right, right! That's true!" Li Cheng said, "The division headquarters just sent word that we need to select two pilots to escort the evacuation of Chinese citizens from Konbaung. Wait a minute, I haven't even announced this at the base yet, how did you know?"

Li Cheng remembered that he hadn't announced this order from the division headquarters, so no one in the base should know about it.

"I have some channels myself." Xu Xian didn't say much, but went straight to the point: "Captain Li, didn't you say that entry was not allowed?"

"Oh? It seems your information channels are quite interesting!" Despite his intense curiosity, Li Cheng didn't press Xu Xian about the source of his information, but patiently explained...

"Normal situation?" Xu Xian keenly grasped the question in Li Cheng's words. What does "normal situation" mean? Since there is a normal situation, there must also be an "abnormal situation." So what would be different in an abnormal situation?

"That's right, under normal circumstances!" Li Chengyi spread his hands: "Under normal circumstances, needless to say, in certain emergency situations, such as when some blind warlords or some unscrupulous individuals dare to overstep their bounds, we have the right to protect our citizens."

"What does this right refer to?" Xu Xian's eyes were half-closed, like a cheetah poised to pounce.

"Of course, it's the right to eliminate anything that threatens the safety of our citizens!" Li Cheng raised his head slightly, filled with the pride of a soldier.

Xu Xian's eyes lit up: "Clear?"

Li Cheng made a killing gesture: "Naturally, kill them all!"

"That's only right." Xu Xian sneered. "Captain Li, do you have anyone in mind?"

"Hmm? Wait, why are you asking this? Could it be..." Li Cheng looked Xu Xian up and down, "I heard that the airline in charge of this evacuation operation is Star Travel Airlines, your former employer, right? What's wrong, still feeling sentimental and wanting to do your part for your old employer?"

Xu Xian didn't have the energy to joke with Li Cheng: "Captain Li, can I go on an escort mission?"

"What?! Xu Xian, are you really going? You have no experience in this area, it could be dangerous." Li Cheng shook his head vigorously, like a rattle-drum: "No, absolutely not. You're still very inexperienced, not ready for real combat yet. No, impossible, Xu Xian, don't be ridiculous!"

"Captain Li, do you think I'm joking? Experience? Everyone has a first time. This escort mission is my first real combat experience," Xu Xian said with unwavering determination.

Li Cheng gradually dropped his teasing tone, realizing Xu Xian seemed serious: "Xu Xian, you should know the current situation in Konbaung. There are quite a few desperate criminals there; you have no idea what they might do. When I said this escort mission is a real-world combat mission, I wasn't joking; there's a genuine possibility of it. Yes, as soldiers, everyone needs to experience their first real combat experience; otherwise, they'll remain hothouse flowers. However, this combat mission is far too advanced for a soldier's first experience, not even yours. Xu Xian, since you know so much about this evacuation, you should know I'm not exaggerating. Don't you understand the current situation in Konbaung? Don't you know?"

"I'm going precisely because I know it!" Xu Xian had the air of someone who knowingly ventured into dangerous territory.

When Li Cheng heard that Xu Xian wouldn't listen to advice, he immediately became annoyed: "What's wrong with you, kid? Why do you insist on going?"

Xu Xian remained unmoved, staring intently at Li Cheng: "Because there are people inside whom I need to protect!"

Li Cheng was speechless after Xu Xian's words: "Even so, it's still too early. With your experience, it's far too early for you to experience such a real war environment!"

Li Cheng stepped forward, approaching Xu Xian: "Xu Xian, don't think that just because you perform so well in the exercises, you'll be the same on the real battlefield. Exercises and real war are two completely different concepts! Xu Xian, you don't know what your talent means. The Luohang fleet gathers the elite of the entire Western Air Force. I've been the Luohang squadron leader for so many years, and I've seen all kinds of geniuses. But I've never seen anyone like you. You deserve a brighter, broader future. Why are you doing this? What if, what if you don't come back? What will you do?"

"So, you can just let others not come back? We're all human, we all have one life. Why can others go, but I can't? Just because I'm more talented, does that mean my life is more precious than others?" Xu Xian's face showed an unprecedented calmness. He quietly said to Li Cheng, "Captain Li, in the past twenty-odd years, I've let myself down, and I've let many people down! I don't want to live like that anymore. I'm not a saint. I only have one reason for wanting to carry out the escort mission: there are people above me who I need to protect. This is my responsibility, the responsibility I should bear!"

Some people mentioned earlier that the rank of Captain does not exist. That's correct; the rank of Captain only existed in my country's old military rank system, although some other countries also have it. Currently, my country does not have a Captain rank.

However, I can only repeat myself once more: do not take it personally, and do not apply the current situation of our country to the worldview of this novel.

Just treat this novel as a fictional world.

(End of this chapter)