151: Chapter 148 Counterattack

December 16, 1981, Iranian Air Defense Command Center.

Fatima was reviewing yesterday's combat report.

Nine hits, fifteen escapes.

This result was better than she had expected.

But she also knew that Iraq would change their strategy.

Iraq would no longer conduct high-altitude bombing.

Iraq would conduct low-altitude bombing, or Iraq would use electronic warfare to interfere with Iran's air defense system.

She needed to prepare for this.

She picked up the phone and called Reza.

"Iraq will change their bombing strategy," she said, "they will conduct low-altitude bombing."

"I know," Reza's voice came from the other end of the line, "I am already preparing for it."

"Preparing for what!?"

"A counterattack," Reza said, "Iraq bombs us, and we will bomb Iraq as well."

"Bomb them with what?" Fatima asked.

"With Scud missiles," Reza said, "We have some Scud missiles obtained from the Soviet Union and North Korea. We can use them to bomb Iraq's military targets."

"This will escalate the conflict," Fatima said.

"Yes," Reza said, "but it is necessary. Iraq needs to know that bombing Iran comes with a price."

The call ended.

Fatima sat in her chair, thinking about Reza's words.

She knew that this war was about to enter a new phase.

Iraqi Air Force base, Basra.

The Iraqi Air Force commander was formulating a new bombing plan.

This time, the bombers would conduct low-altitude bombing at an altitude of no more than 500 meters.

In this way, Iran's air defense radar would find it difficult to track the bombers.

Moreover, Iraq would also use electronic warfare aircraft to interfere with Iran's air defense system.

The commander believed that this plan would succeed.

He ordered the bomber fleet to take off at 3:00 PM.

Iranian Air Defense Command Center.

Fatima was watching the radar screen.

At 2:00 PM, the Iraqi bomber fleet took off.

But this time, the bomber fleet's altitude was very low.

The radar had difficulty tracking them.

"They are conducting low-altitude bombing," an operator said.

"I know," Fatima said, "but we have a way to deal with it."

She picked up the radio.

"All air defense positions," she said, "switch to low-altitude tracking mode."

All air defense positions replied simultaneously: "Switching complete."

Fatima watched the screen.

The radar resolution became lower, but the outlines of the bomber fleet began to appear.

"Targets have entered effective range," an operator said.

"Position One," Fatima said, "fire."

A missile lifted off.

Iraqi bomber fleet.

The bomber fleet was flying at low altitude, at a height of only 300 meters.

Suddenly, one of the bombers' warning systems sounded.

"Missile!!" the captain shouted.

He immediately pulled the control stick, attempting to climb.

But the missile's speed was too fast.

The missile hit the bomber's right wing.

The bomber lost control and began to descend.

The captain tried to stabilize the plane, but it was too late.

The bomber crashed into the ground.

An explosion.

Iranian Air Defense Command Center.

"Hit!" the operator shouted.

Fatima watched the screen.

There were still twenty-three targets.

"Position Two," she said, "fire."

Another missile lifted off.

Iraqi bomber fleet.

The bomber fleet was now in chaos.

They had not expected that Iran's air defense system could track low-flying bombers.

The commander of the bomber fleet ordered a full-speed retreat.

But the missiles continued to track them.

The second bomber was hit.

The third bomber was hit.

The fourth bomber was hit.

Iranian Air Defense Command Center.

On the screen, four targets disappeared.

"Four hits!" the operator shouted.

Fatima watched the remaining targets on the screen.

There were still nineteen.

But these nineteen had now left Iran's airspace and were flying toward Iraq.

"Cease pursuit," Fatima said.

The operator stopped firing.

Fatima watched the screen, a satisfied smile appearing on her face.

Four hits.

Iran's air defense system had succeeded again.

Iraqi Air Force Command.

The commander was reviewing the new combat report.

Twenty-four bombers departed, four were destroyed, and twenty returned.

The loss rate this time was 16.7%.

Better than yesterday, but still a significant loss.

"Iran's air defense system can track low-flying bombers," the Chief of Staff said, "this means Iran's air defense system is more advanced than we imagined."

"We need to change our strategy," the commander said, "we cannot continue to bomb like this."

He picked up the phone and called the General Staff Headquarters in Baghdad.

Baghdad, Iraqi General Staff.

Saddam Hussein was listening to the commander's report.

Four bombers were destroyed.

This was the second day of bombing.

Within two days, Iraq had lost thirteen bombers.

This was a major blow.

"Iran's air defense system is too powerful," the Chief of Staff said, "we need to change our bombing strategy."

"Change it to what!?" Saddam Hussein asked.

"We can use Cruise missiles," the Chief of Staff said, "Cruise missiles can fly at low altitudes and can evade air defense systems."

"How many Cruise missiles do we have?"

"Not many," the Chief of Staff said, "about ten."

"That is not enough," Saddam Hussein said, "we need more missiles."

He paused and thought for a moment.

"Suspend the bombing," he finally said, "we need to re-evaluate Iran's air defense system. We need to know how many air defense missiles Iran has, and what the coverage range of Iran's air defense system is."

"Yes," the Chief of Staff said.

Ahvaz, Reza's office.

Reza was observing Iraq's reaction.

Iraq had suspended the bombing.

This was exactly what Reza wanted.

He wrote a line in his notebook:

"Iraq has realized that they cannot destroy Iran's air defense system through aerial bombing. Iran's air defense system is too powerful. Now, Iraq needs to change their strategy. They might attempt a ground offensive, or they might seek international support. But whatever they do, Iran has already gained an important advantage: air superiority."

He picked up the phone and called Fatima.

"Great work," he said, "you have changed the course of this war."

"Thank you," Fatima's voice came from the other end of the line, "but this is just the beginning. Iraq will change their strategy."

"I know," Reza said, "but now, Iran has gained time. Time is in Iran's favor."

The call ended.

Reza sat in his office, looking at Ahvaz outside the window.

Fifteen more months.

But now, Iran had already gained an important advantage.

This advantage might change the outcome of the entire war.