Southern Mediterranean SeaMany kilometers north of the Egyptian coast, in the blue waters of this part of the Mediterranean region, was the 8th Flotilla of the Northern Fleet of the Langenian National Navy. The flotilla had sortied from its base in the Mediterranean island nation of Lengen, south of the boot of Italy, after obtaining new supplies and resting its sailors. It consisted of a carrier battle group, centered around an aircraft carrier, an expeditionary battle group, centered around an amphibious assault ship, a surface battle group, centered around a guided missile cruiser, a support group, centered around a command ship, and a submarine group, centered around a submarine tender.
Far away to the west, north of the Algerian coast, was the 7th Flotilla. It had the same composition as the 8th Flotilla, and like its counterpart, was there, in that region, on a mission. The 7th Flotilla would conduct regular air and missile strikes on targets in Algeria and Libya. The 8th Flotilla would do the same on Egypt. A target of key importance in Egypt was the Suez Canal, which would go through regular strikes to disrupt Insaani shipping through the canal. However, the Langenians would be careful not to target non-Insaani shipping.
LAF warplanes in flight to Insaanistan.
Muslimbol, InsaanistanThe Langenians had no clue that the Saudi crown prince was visiting Muslimbol and was meeting with Asim in the Presidential Palace. But the strikes would serve to demonstrate the superiority of Langenian military might to that of the DPRI and Saudi Arabia combined. The airspace of Muslimbol rumbled, like there was thunder. It might have seemed like it was thunder, as the Langenian warplanes had not yet shown themselves.
The first wave of warplanes consisted of F-16s, C-29s, C-41s, C-42s, Su-30MKLs, and C-30As flying from southeastern Spain and from the carrier of the 7th Flotilla in the Mediterranean burst out of the clouds, armed with AGM-88 HARM and Kh-58 anti-radiation missiles and air-to-air missiles for self-defense. Behind them, dawdling over the ocean, were M-9 and M-52 AWACS aircraft providing guidance to the Langenian warplanes, and P-500 and KC-767 tankers. Almost all of the Insaani air defense network had been destroyed recently, but tiny parts still remained, notably the Muslimbol network. Asim was a paranoid man, and knew the psychological value of the city.
This had led to him ordering a good part of what few Insaani SAM batteries remained to deploy to the city. But these systems were either Langenian-made or Russian-made, and the Langenian Air Force knew their weaknesses and how to deal with them accordingly. Enemy radars were promptly searched for and destroyed with either an AGM-88 HARM or Kh-58 missile. But the LAF was aware that this was only part of the whole picture.
Next, hunting parties formed by the Langenian fighters would move out at the command of an AWACS to intercept the few Langenian-made Insaani Air Force fighters that had inevitably scrambled in an attempt to catch the battle-hardened Langenian pilots with their guard down. But no, the mostly inexperienced Insaani pilots would not succeed. The Langenians were ready and waiting, with M.81, M.121, AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, or R-73 missiles ready to fire at enemy bandits. These were fired alright. At any and all Insaani C-21/C-29 or C-19 aircraft that dared to take off. And if that wasn't enough, they would find themselves under fire from the CA-47, GSh-30-1, and M61 Vulcan cannons that the Langenian fighters were equipped with.
Job done, air defenses taken out, including the SAMs and fighters, the LAF planes would leave. But this was only the beginning of hell for the DPRI, ISIS, and al-Qaeda. They would leave behind leaflets though, with the following message:
You call our President a dog. That's a lie, fools. Stop insulting a whole species. Rather, your Asim is an imbecile.
You call us Westerners. Wrong. Get your facts straight. We're westerners geographically, but culturally we're just as un-Western as you.
We're still here. Don't forget.
Barcelona, CataloniaThe rumble of engines, and an LAF heavy strategic bomber took off on a combat mission over the Mediterranean, following its fellow aircraft. This airbase, near Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, had the most Langenian strategic bombers in one place since the United Kingdom in the Second World War. In fact, it had been dedicated entirely to the planes, hosting BA-70, BA-85, and BA-15 aircraft.
The planes had been loaded with MC-90 and MC-101 air-launched cruise missiles (ALCMs). The BA-70s headed to the Mediterranean airspace north of Algeria, the BA-85s headed to the Mediterranean airspace north of Libya, and the BA-15 stealth bombers headed to the airspace north of Egypt. Over their assigned area, they would unleash their deadly cargo to targets in the regions south of their positions, namely, army bases, formations of enemy soldiers, and training camps providing recruits for the DPRI, Daesh, and al-Qaeda.
Below them, the warships of the 7th and 8th Flotillas launched Tomahawk, Kalibr, and Fenix missiles at the same targets in Algeria, Libya, and Egypt, at targets near Muslimbol, Algiers, Tripoli, Sirte, Tobruk, Port Said, Alexandria, and Cairo. And the Sinai peninsula too, a haven crawling with terrorists vying for control. The deserts that made up the majority of Egypt, Libya, and Algeria would also undergo covert reconnaissance from Langenian military satellites, and DPRI and terrorist hideouts in these areas were each subject to a cruise or ballistic missile.
Border between Morocco and AlgeriaThe border between these two regions also marked the line of control between the True Republic of Insaanistan (TRI) and Democratic People's Republic of Insaanistan (DPRI). This meant that armed clashes between both forces in this area were frequent. As such, it became necessary for the Langenians to back up their regional allies. Yak-141L attack aircraft and AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters, operating from the amphibious warfare ships of the 7th Flotilla's expeditionary battle group, would begin to fly regular close air support (CAS) missions for TRI troops on the ground in combat with DPRI forces. Drone bases were covertly built in Morocco as well, and utilized for the same purpose: CAS missions. Furthermore, they also came in handy for reconnaissance over the vast expanse of the Insaani Algerian and Libyan deserts.
InsaanistanFinally, it started, under the Langenian designation Operation Thunder Eagle. Langenian warplanes from Spain and Catalonia, as well as aircraft carriers in the Mediterranean, would begin to conduct regular airstrikes that kept DPRI, ISIS, and al-Qaeda forces pinned and preventing them from expanding. The carrier
Rey Felipe would unleash strikes on the north of Egypt using its C-21N and C-30A fighter planes. The other Langenian carrier, north of Algeria, would do the same on the north of Algeria and Libya. Occasionally, those Langenian planes with enough range would fly sorties into the remote deserts, targeting the training camps and hideouts that were so frequently found there.