Chapter 7

The warm air currents of the Pacific Ocean blow to the Primorsky Krai, which has a temperate maritime climate. Apart from being a bit humid, it is very suitable for human habitation, with dense forests everywhere and the air so fresh. There is no severe cold like on the vast lands of the Soviet Union, only the tension of the Cold War period.

As the Far Eastern region of the Soviet Union, this area is separated from Japan's Hokkaido by the Sea of Japan, and to the southeast is Japan's Honshu. During the Cold War, this was undoubtedly the front line, where conflicts could break out at any time, turning the Cold War into a hot war.

To counter the encirclement by the United States-led NATO, the Soviet Union developed a formidable military strength. The southern part of the Primorsky Krai is home to Vladivostok, the main port city of the Soviet Far East. It is an excellent port where the main force of the Soviet Far East Navy, the Pacific Fleet, is stationed.

In the northern town of Kholmsk, at the Sokolovka base, the 513th Air Defense Regiment of the Soviet Air Defense Forces is stationed, equipped entirely with the latest Soviet MiG-25 interceptors. Once a war breaks out, these interceptors will be the first to take off and engage in combat. Now, intercepting American EP-3 electronic reconnaissance aircraft, like this time, is a routine task for the Sokolovka base.

However, this mission was completed in a completely outrageous manner! In the office next to the control tower, the base commander, Kozhedub-Doglaev, looked at the American EP-3 electronic reconnaissance aircraft that had made an emergency landing in the grass far from the runway, and then at the two MiG-25 aircraft that had just landed, his eyes filled with impatience.

Kozhedub, a Soviet ace pilot, joined the fight in March 1943 and saw Germany's surrender in May 1945. During this period, he participated in 120 air battles and shot down 62 enemy aircraft, making him the top ace of the Soviet Union.

Unfortunately, this is not the ace pilot Kozhedub, just a namesake.

The base commander Kozhedub is already forty years old. During World War II, he was just a little kid. He graduated from the aviation school at the age of twenty and has been at this base ever since, starting with the MiG-15 fighter. Five years ago, he was promoted to the commander of this base and has stayed here ever since.

Arrogant, proud, with a tendency towards violence, and fond of self-righteousness, when people hear his name and immediately think of the ace air combat hero, he would tacitly accept it, enjoying the admiration. Perhaps this is a quality possessed by all top leaders of the era, but he is quite considerate of his subordinates, especially those who flatter him.

During his last trip to Moscow, after some maneuvering, he received special attention from above. As long as nothing major happens, in a few months, there will be a vacancy in the Moscow Air Defense Command, and he will be promoted to Moscow. But now, this interception has caused a huge mess!

Just intercepting an American electronic reconnaissance aircraft! Normally, it's just a matter of our aircraft going over, locking onto the radar, and escorting them, and the Americans would retreat. During the Korean War, Kozhedub, flying the MiG-15, intercepted American aircraft multiple times, though it was tense, there was never any gunfire.

But this time, it actually resulted in a collision with an American aircraft! And the American aircraft even made an emergency landing at our base!

Such a major incident, Kozhedub of course would not hide it. When he received the report from the control tower, he immediately reported it to his superiors and saw the American aircraft that had made an emergency landing from the control tower. Now, a large number of electronic experts are on their way to the Sokolovka base, and the Sokolovka base will become a powder keg, ready to explode at any moment.

The Americans will certainly not be content with their electronic reconnaissance aircraft making an emergency landing here. They will accuse the Soviet aircraft of malicious collision and may even lead to a large-scale exchange of fire!

"Report." At this moment, a voice came from outside.

"Come in." Kozhedub called out, his eyes fixed on the door. Two pilots, who had just gotten off their aircraft and had not yet removed their flight suits, carrying their flight helmets, walked in.

"What happened this time?" Kozhedub asked.

"Report, during the interception, the American pilot deliberately approached our aircraft, causing the collision." Before Andrei could speak, Belyakov had already spoken.

After all, Belyakov was the lead aircraft in this interception and was also the acting squadron commander.

Andrei was somewhat surprised by Belyakov's response. This guy is quite clever.

It was the Americans who initiated this! Kozhedub already had a plan in mind. The report must be written this way! It was all due to the Americans' deliberate provocation! If a serious conflict really breaks out because of this, it will have nothing to do with him!

"Report, the American reconnaissance aircraft has landed here, and the Americans may take action. We must be prepared." Andrei said, "They might send a large formation to put pressure on us."

"The superiors have already given instructions. The entire base is on high alert." Kozhedub said.

"Yes, then we will immediately go on high alert." Andrei said.

"Andrei, your aircraft was hit and experienced a stall spin earlier. It needs to be inspected. Belyakov, your aircraft's engine is due for a major overhaul and needs to be replaced." Kozhedub said, "You will not participate in this high alert."

Kozhedub was very uneasy about Andrei. This high alert is a situation where a minor incident can escalate, so it's better not to let Andrei participate.

Andrei wanted to volunteer, but Belyakov patted him and led him out.

"Damn, my aircraft is fine, it just needs some welding. What's wrong with the commander?" Andrei complained.

"Andrei, don't you know the commander's character?" Belyakov said, "Think about how to write your flight report. But what you did today was really exciting."