177: Capture the enemy first, capture the leader, the first battle of the J-10E!

April 4th, early morning.

Irang border air force base.

Piercing alarms tore through the night sky, and runway searchlights illuminated the desert as if it were daytime.

210 Irang Air Force fighters participating in "Operation Iron Storm" launched simultaneously from 12 airfields!

The turbofan engines of the F-14 "Tomcat" spewed fiery blue afterburners, and the afterburners of the MiG-25 "Foxbat" ignited with blood-red flames.

Ground crew waved fluorescent wands as Su-25 attack aircraft, fully loaded with anti-radiation missiles, taxied to the takeoff line, the silver bodies of Kh-58 missiles gleaming coldly under their wings.

Above the Persian Gulf, swarms of fighter jets blotted out the sky like locusts.

In the north, 48 F-14s formed an "Eagle Wall," their AN/AWG-9 radar beams piercing deep into Iraq like invisible sharp swords. In the south, 72 F-4 "Phantoms" flew low, their turbojet engines kicking up sandstorms that obscured the entire Arab River valley.

To the east, a mixed echelon of 90 MiG-23s and Su-25s climbed to an altitude of 10,000 meters, ready to enter Iraqi airspace for full-scale bombing as soon as air superiority was achieved!

Two o'clock in the morning.

While the entire Middle East was deep in slumber, 12 MiG-25 "Foxbat" fighters roared into Iraqi airspace at Mach 3.2.

The electronic jamming pods under their wings flickered with a cold light, releasing interference waves at full power, instantly filling Iraqi radar screens with static.

The pilots of the 12 MiG-25 "Foxbat" fighters deliberately amplified their radar reflection signals, like 12 silver swords piercing through the clouds, carving out dazzling trajectories on the air defense network.

Following closely behind, two Il-76 "Candid" transport planes modified into electronic warfare aircraft circled over the Persian Gulf, the display screens of the "Khibiny" jamming system inside the cabin flashing with dazzling green light.

The crew members stared intently at the spectrum analyzer, electromagnetic waves like an invisible tide, wave after wave suppressing Iraq's ground radars and communication channels.

"Interference remains effective, Iraq's air defense network is 70% paralyzed!"

An officer in the electronic warfare aircraft reported to the Irang Air Force's main command center, a hint of arrogance in his voice.

This scene was exactly like their sand table simulations!

...At the same time, piercing air raid sirens suddenly blared across all of Iraq.

Inside Iraq's Ministry of Defense underground command center, Saddam stared grimly at the 12 rapidly approaching red dots on the radar screen.

"Immediately launch 24 MiG-21s and 6 MiG-25s for interception!"

He decisively ordered.

Following his order, the airfield outside Baghdad instantly came alive. Ground crew ripped off camouflage nets, and pilots sprinted towards their fighters.

With roaring engines, 24 MiG-21s and 6 MiG-25s, trailing orange-red afterburners, pierced the night sky, forming up to meet the enemy under Beidou navigation guidance.

This time, facing the large-scale, comprehensive air raid by the Irang Air Force, the Iraqi Air Force no longer made any pretense and began to fully engage the enemy!

Iraq's 24 MiG-21s and 6 MiG-25s scrambled to intercept the invading Irang MiG-25s.

But the aging turbojet engines of the MiG-21 were like snails crawling in front of the MiG-25 fighter's Mach 3.2 silver reaper.

The 12 Irang Air Force MiG-25s carried no missiles, only electronic pods, and deliberately provoked along the border at maximum speed.

Facing these invading Irang fighters, the flashing light points on the Iraqi MiG-21 pilots' radar screens made them grit their teeth in frustration.

But just as the MiG-21 pilots were still striving to catch up, suddenly, the radar warning receiver in the cockpit began to shriek!

In the clouds at an altitude of 15,000 meters, a formation of Irang Air Force F-14 "Tomcats" suddenly appeared and locked onto their prey with their AWG-9 radar.

Almost instantly, dozens of AIM-54 "Phoenix" missiles, trailing reaper-like exhaust, rained down from the sky, and at least nearly twenty MiG-21s instantly turned into fireballs.

Although Iraq's 6 MiG-25s shot down one Irang MiG-25 jammer with R-40 missiles, they were locked on by the F-14s' second round of volleys.

Under beyond-visual-range strikes, 4 MiG-25s exploded in mid-air, and the remaining fighters were forced to release chaff and retreat in disarray, leaving only a death-trap woven by missile trails in the desert sky.

Saddam stood before the giant electronic screen in the underground command center, his pupils suddenly contracting.

The red light of the electronic screen reflected on his ashen face!

Twelve dazzling red dots on the radar approached like death, but their own MiG-21 and MiG-25 fighters, scrambled for interception, were sniped beyond visual range by Irang F-14 "Tomcats" ambushing at high altitude!

Even their own 6 MiG-25s had just fired R-40 missiles and shot down one enemy aircraft, only to be swallowed by the afterburners of "Phoenix" missiles in an instant.

The fireballs blooming in the desert sky made Saddam's clenched fists tremble slightly.

This time, facing the Irang Air Force's "Operation Iron Storm," the Dragon Country side had not given him any contingency plans.

They only told him to let the Iraqi Air Force fight with all its might.

At the critical moment, the Dragon Country side would command the J-10E to activate the "Dragon Roar" plan and launch a counterattack!

Therefore, Saddam and the Iraqi Ministry of Defense had also meticulously prepared a counter-plan for the Irang Air Force's "Operation Iron Storm" air raid.

However, what he never expected was that, even with Dragon Country satellites having pre-detected the opponent's general action plan and time, the Iraqi Air Force still suffered such a crushing defeat!

As soon as the two sides engaged, they instantly lost more than twenty fighters!

One must know, this was already one-tenth of the Iraqi Air Force's main fighters!

Saddam's heart was bleeding!

...At the same time.

The Irang Air Force's main command center in Tehran also received reports and learned of the air raid's progress immediately!

"They're no match for us!"

Both the Irang Air Force Commander and the Soviet Union military advisory group burst into sneers.

In their meticulously designed air raid, both the Mammoth Bear's fighters and the USA-produced fighters were utilized to their maximum tactical advantage!

And they also possessed two large electronic warfare aircraft modified from Il-76s!

Under such a large-scale systemic operation, how could the Iraqi Air Force be their opponent?

Even if Iraq also had dozens of MiG-25 fighters, under systemic warfare, these fighters were still like sitting ducks!

"Iraq's air defense system is already paralyzed under the interference of 12 MiG-25s, and their air force command system is in disarray!"

"Transmit the order: let the second echelon of 48 F-14 "Tomcat" fighters and 24 MiG-23 fighters invade Iraqi airspace and gain absolute air superiority!"

"The third echelon of Su-25 attack aircraft and F-4 "Phantom" fighters will cross the border to bomb, comprehensively bombing Iraq's radar stations and air defense positions!"

"Also, use bunker-buster bombs to punch through their air force's underground hangars!"

"If the main force of the Iraqi Air Force doesn't want to fight, then they will never take off again!"

"The fourth echelon of fighters will also fully invade, give me saturated bombing across the entire territory!"

The Irang Air Force Commander, agitated, gave his orders.

And the Soviet Union Air Force military advisory group did not stop the Irang Air Force Commander's orders.

Because this was originally part of their planned strike operation.

Now, it was just the Irang Air Force Commander giving orders on their behalf in advance, enjoying a taste of leading a general offensive!

However, based on the combat power displayed by the Iraqi Air Force, it was indeed possible to launch a general offensive early; there was no need for further probing!

The Mammoth Bear's air force expert advisory group had been closely monitoring the battlefield situation, and they could guarantee that Iraq's Ministry of Defense and Air Force had absolutely fought with all their might, without any pretense!

After all, the opponent had even sent out their most elite MiG-25 fighters to meet the enemy; how could it be an act?

...With the combat order issued, the Irang Air Force's steel torrent swept through Iraqi airspace like death.

48 F-14 "Tomcat" fighters entered Iraqi airspace at an altitude of 15,000 meters, maintaining absolute air superiority.

24 MiG-23s conducted mid-to-low altitude patrols, their R-60 dogfight missiles under their bellies ready to tear at prey at any moment.

They would provide air superiority protection for the attack aircraft and bombers in "Operation Iron Storm," destroying any Iraqi Air Force interceptors!

At the same time, 36 Su-25 "Frogfoot" attack aircraft swarmed towards radar stations like locusts. Amidst the sharp shrieks of Kh-25 anti-radiation missiles, Iraq's border camouflage positions successively turned into towering fireballs.

Bunker-buster bombs dropped by 18 F-4 "Phantoms" penetrated concrete hangars, and the shockwaves sent flames from underground fuel depots soaring a hundred meters high.

Most critically, 72 mixed formation aircraft were dispersed, striking across the entire territory!

F-5 fighter groups dropped incendiary bombs and various other bombs, illuminating the entire Iraqi airspace with the orange-red glow of explosions!

..."Destroying a country's military power, demilitarizing it, is actually so simple!"

On the Il-76 modified electronic warfare aircraft, the captain, looking at the soaring flames across Iraq from the border, couldn't help but smile, a smirk playing on his lips.

Even if Iraq's army, with its "mechanized units," was hailed as the best in the Middle East, what did it matter?

The army's steel torrent could only run on land!

Under the assault of their Irang Air Force's "steel torrent," even the strongest army's steel torrent would be reduced to ruins!

To get a better view of the battlefield's splendor, the Il-76 captain continuously piloted the electronic warfare aircraft closer to the border, even wishing he could directly enter Iraqi airspace.

In his eyes, Iraq's air defense system and air force were both paralyzed. Even if their two electronic warfare aircraft invaded its airspace, it would be like entering an unmanned territory!

But at this moment, suddenly, the radar warning receiver in the cockpit emitted a sharp buzzing sound!

"Alarm! Fire control radar lock! Bearing 2-8-0!"

The frontline commander inside the Il-76 cabin suddenly stood up, his pupils contracting sharply!

How could the Iraqi Air Force possibly lock onto them under the full-frequency jamming of the "Khibiny" system?

But the next second, the cockpit's collision warning lights were swallowed by a dazzling red light!

Two silver-gray J-10E "Vigorous Dragon" fighters dove from the clouds, their PL-12 medium-range air-to-air missiles detaching from their pylons, their afterburners tracing two arcs of death across the night sky!

"Evade! Release chaff! Full power jamming!"

The Irang captain roared, pushing the control stick, but the massive Il-76 had no time to turn.

The first PL-12 directly penetrated the right engine of the Il-76 transport aircraft!

The explosion's shockwave tore open the wing, fuel lines ruptured, and flames instantly engulfed half the fuselage!

Immediately after, the second missile accurately drilled into the electronic warfare compartment in the belly of the aircraft!

The core processor of the "Khibiny" system vaporized in the 3000℃ metal jet, and the data link antenna shattered like fragile glass!

Subsequently, another electronic warfare aircraft, also modified from an Il-76 strategic transport plane, suffered the same fate and was easily destroyed!

To catch the enemy, first catch the king!

At the moment the Irang Air Force's "Operation Iron Storm" launched its full-scale offensive, the two most critical Il-76 electronic warfare and command aircraft behind them were destroyed with lightning speed!

"Operation Dragon Roar" officially began its counterattack!