174: Codename: Iron Wing Storm?

“Sedam is also an old actor!”

When Peng Lin learned about the situation in Iraq from international media, he couldn’t help but laugh.

As early as when the J-10E was secretly delivered to the Iraqi Air Force, the defense ministries of both sides held high-level official satellite communication meetings.

After analyzing Iran’s tactics, both sides unanimously agreed that the next flashpoint for conflict and the key to victory would definitely be in the contest of air power!

The last time the Iraqi Defense Forces attacked Iran, due to Pretty Country’s sanctions on Iran and the Pentagon’s cutoff of parts, most of Iran’s fighter jets were under repair or paralyzed, making them unable to participate in the war at all!

But this time, Pretty Country and the Pentagon lifted all military sanctions against Iran.

Not only did they resume military guidance for Iran’s air force, but they even dispatched maintenance and logistics teams to help Iran solve problems like the maintenance of a large number of US-made fighter jets.

Coupled with the Mammoth Bear Empire’s air power support for Iran, this time, Iran would definitely use its massive air power advantage to attack Iraq!

Although Iraq has now secretly acquired 36 J-10E third-generation fighter jets, giving it an advantage in beyond-visual-range systemic combat, the numerical gap between the two air forces is still very large!

Therefore, after careful study and consultation by Peng Lin and the senior air force officials of both countries, it was decided to employ a tactic of "luring the tiger out of its den"!

The 36 J-10E fighter jets would be used as a hidden force, utilizing the information asymmetry between the two sides to attract all of Iran’s main air force units into Iraqi territory and to the border for combat, and then deliver a thunderous blow!

After the tactics were formulated, the Dragon Country military began to "remain silent" in the international community, showing a stance of abandoning military aid to Iraq!

And Sedam, this "old actor," was even more ruthless, directly tacitly allowing and even instigating domestic panic!

He not only successfully deceived all countries globally but also deceived the "pro-US faction" forces within his own country!

He successfully used this opportunity to eliminate "opposition forces" before the major war!

...Iran, Tehran.

Air Force Command Headquarters.

After the White House and the Kremlin simultaneously released signals of war, the Iranian Air Force Command immediately began to take action.

However, rather than saying this was an action launched by the Iranian Air Force, it would be more accurate to say that this military operation was entirely led by the Mammoth Bear Empire.

In the underground command center in Tehran, a team of Mammoth Bear Empire air force experts sat around an electronic sand table formulating tactics.

“According to our reconnaissance satellites, no signs of J-10E fighter jet deployment have been found in Iraq, but the air defense missile sites around Baghdad are frequently active.”

“In addition, Iran’s electronic reconnaissance units intercepted confused Iraqi Air Force communication signals, suspected to be due to international public opinion pressure causing a disruption in the Iraqi Air Force’s command system!”

“However, these do not rule out the possibility of them being decoys released by Iraq, so I suggest conducting a probing operation code-named “Iron Wing Storm” against Iraq first!”

“First, we need to test the Iraqi air defense system’s reaction speed and air combat capabilities, and assess whether it has received support from Dragon Country’s new fighter jets.”

“Second, it is to accumulate tactical data for subsequent large-scale air strikes, focusing on striking Iraqi border radar stations and front-line airfields.”

The leading Mammoth Bear Empire air force instructor circled the Iraqi border radar stations with a red pen and said in a deep voice.

As one of the world’s top air forces, the Mammoth Bear Empire Air Force has long-term experience in confronting Pretty Country and “NATO” air forces.

As the saying goes, “all is fair in war,” even though satellite and intelligence systems all indicated that the Iraqi Air Force’s command was chaotic and that now was a golden opportunity for a large-scale attack.

However, the Mammoth Bear Empire’s air force expert team still wanted to conduct a probing attack.

This was not only to verify the authenticity and reliability of the intelligence but also because it was their first engagement with the Iraqi Air Force, and they needed to acquire tactical data for a large-scale air strike!

Only an air force command team systematically trained by a superpower could formulate such a systematic air force combat plan!

“Proceed with the operation entirely according to the expert team’s decision!”

The Iranian Air Force Commander said from the side.

Although their air force had full confidence in defeating Iraq.

However, limited by the extensive military aid from the Mammoth Bear Empire to their country, they had no choice but to hand over military command of the war.

“Then I will announce the combat formation and equipment for “Iron Wing Storm”!”

“First, the assault echelon will conduct low-altitude infiltration into Iraq. The first group will send 4 F-14 “Tomcat” fighter jets, loaded with “Phoenix” long-range missiles and “Sparrow” medium-range air-to-air missiles, for beyond-visual-range detection and interception of enemy aircraft!”

The second group will dispatch 6 F-4 “Phantom” fighter jets carrying “Maverick” air-to-ground missiles and MK82 bombs, primarily to assault border radar stations and create air defense gaps.

“Next, 2 MiG-25s will be dispatched as a decoy echelon. These two aircraft will not carry any weapons, will operate their radars at full power for high-altitude feints, and will fly at 3.2 Mach at high altitude to attract Iraqi air defense fire and fighter jets for interception.”

“Then, 4 Su-25s and 2 MiG-23s will serve as the main attack echelon, conducting low-altitude penetration.”

“The Su-25s will be loaded with anti-radiation missiles and cluster bombs, flying low along the Arab River valley to destroy border radar stations.”

The MiG-23s will be loaded with short-range dogfight missiles to escort the Su-25s and intercept any Iraqi interceptors that may take off.

“Finally, an Il-76 electronic warfare aircraft will be deployed, equipped with the “Khibiny” electronic jamming system, to jam Iraq’s ground radars and communication channels!”

Kovalyov, the head of the Mammoth Bear Air Force expert team, stood in front of the sand table and stated with utmost solemnity.

The staff officers of the Iranian Air Force Command quickly bent over their desks to record, marking the tactics on the operational map with their pens.

According to Kovalyov’s tactics, the Iranian Air Force would deploy Il electronic warfare aircraft at 2:30 AM to initiate jamming, suppressing Iraqi ground radars and creating a 20-kilometer-wide electromagnetic corridor.

The F-14 formation would climb to 15,000 meters, activating radar to scan for Iraqi airfield aircraft take-off and landing situations.

At 3:00 AM, the MiG-25 two-plane formation would conduct a high-speed surprise attack, deliberately exposing itself on Iraqi radar screens to entice them to activate fire control radars.

They would penetrate 20 kilometers into Iraqi airspace at maximum speed, trigger air defense alarms, and then immediately turn back.

If Iraqi fighter jets took off in pursuit, they would be guided into the F-14 ambush airspace.

At 3:02 AM, the Su-25 formation would penetrate along the electromagnetic blind spot, with anti-radiation missiles prioritizing active radars and cluster bombs covering air defense positions.

Finally, all aircraft would drop their bombs and withdraw to the west, with MiG-23s dispensing chaff for jamming and Su-25s releasing flares to evade missiles.

Regarding contingency plans, if a large-scale interception by Iraqi fighter jets was encountered, the operation would be immediately terminated!

MiG-25s would release aluminum foil clouds to jam radar, and Su-25s would jettison ordnance and withdraw at full speed!

If electronic warfare failed, backup communication channels would be activated, using encrypted shortwave commands provided by the Mammoth Bear advisory team!

Additionally, if J-10E fighter jets were detected taking off, it would prove that Dragon Country had secretly intervened, and the Kremlin would need to be informed to adjust the strategy!

When the entire tactical probing operation, code-named “Iron Wing Storm,” was formulated, the Iranian Air Force Commander and numerous operations staff officers all showed expressions of shock!

“This is practically dismantling the Iraqi air defense system into parts and then shattering them one by one!”

Someone even exclaimed in Persian.

They had never imagined that air combat could be as precise as interlocking clock gears, with every step anticipating the opponent’s actions!

The Iranian Air Force Commander was shocked to discover that superpowers not only had advanced equipment but also far surpassed ordinary countries in tactical proficiency!

At the same time, he was immensely grateful that Iran could simultaneously receive support from both the Mammoth Bear Empire and Pretty Country!

As for Iraq, not only did it lack superpower support, but even Dragon Country had abandoned them. What did the Iraqi Defense Forces have to fight against Iran?