190: Crossing the airspace of two countries, the "Sky Dome" military operation!

June 9th.

After modifications, 12 J-16 "Qianlong" Fighter Jets were successfully commissioned into the Dragon Country Air Force!

They were uniformly transferred to an Air Force base in the Northwest Gobi Desert.

At the same time, the Dragon Country Air Force officially issued a Global announcement.

"Dragon Country Air Force Announcement: Our fighter jet formation will depart from the Northwest Air Force Base at 06:00 on June 10th, pass through Afghanistan airspace, cross the southern airspace of Iran, and finally arrive at the Umm Qasr Base in Iraq."

"This flight does not require applying for transit permission; the flight path has been publicly announced by the International Civil Aviation Organization. If intercepted, it will be considered a hostile act, and we will respond with annihilative counterattack!"

As soon as this announcement was released, Global public opinion was in an uproar.

Because many countries noticed that the Dragon Country Air Force issued a "transit notice" rather than a traditional "transit application"!

Although there were only two subtle words different, the meaning behind them was vastly different!

Immediately, the entire International Community was filled with condemnation.

Because the Dragon Country Air Force only stated that this was a military operation codenamed "Sky Dome" but did not explain any reasons for the transit.

Many Western Countries even directly stated that this was Dragon Country's infringement on the territorial sovereignty of other countries, an act violating international law, and that the operation must be canceled.

However, after issuing the announcement, the Dragon Country Air Force made no further response!

...June 10th.

Northwest Gobi, an Air Force base.

The darkness before dawn was torn apart by piercing alarms, as twelve J-16 "Qianlong" Fighter Jets lined up at the end of the runway, with PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles and Lei Shi-500 glide bombs mounted under their wings, gleaming coldly under the searchlights.

Peng Lin, Marshal Xu Yong'an, and Air Force Commander Liu Yufei personally came to see off the "Qianlong" Squadron!

"The International Community has always been a place where the strong prey on the weak; order has always been defined by the strong!"

"We cannot always abide by the international order set by the West; we also need to 'violate' it occasionally!"

Peng Lin, wearing a cold-weather coat, said to the two leaders beside him.

"I strongly agree with Comrade Peng Lin's statement!"

"Throughout history, it has always been the Soviet Union and the USA that arbitrarily violate international order. Today, we too shall violate it once!"

"If we always abide by international order, the whole world will know where our country's bottom line is."

"But now, we too will violate it a little. From now on, let other countries guess our bottom line!"

"Let's see if they have the guts to test whether we will risk violating international order to deal with them!"

Air Force Commander Liu Yufei responded with a smile.

Now the Air Force not only has J-10 Fighter Jets but also the newly commissioned J-16!

And in the near future, there will even be Y-20 Strategic Transport Aircraft!

So his backbone, unknowingly, had also become incredibly rigid!

"You two..."

Marshal Xu Yong'an couldn't help but show a helpless smile, listening to Peng Lin and Air Force Commander Liu Yufei's back-and-forth.

Of course, he also tacitly approved this decision made by the Air Force!

In the Middle East, first the Soviet Union supported Iran in wanting to bomb the oil fields and automobile factories developed with Dragon Country's investment.

Now, The Pentagon is using the Sixth Fleet to blockade Dragon Country's oil tankers.

Did these two world Superpowers really think Dragon Country was made of mud?

Perhaps Dragon Country really needed to slightly violate the international order set by the USA and the Soviet Union once, to take the opportunity to declare its strength!

Either let me pass, or shoot me down!

It just depends on which country has the strength and the courage!

"It's almost time..."

Peng Lin looked down at his watch and said in a deep voice.

At this moment, ground crew were fueling the last batch of aviation fuel into the fighter jets, and hydraulic lift trucks were locking the ammunition racks, the metallic clashing sounds like war drums.

Six o'clock sharp.

The roar of the WS-10B engines shattered the Gobi's silence, afterburners spewing out deep blue tail flames, as twelve J-16s took off in combat formation.

After the formation climbed to an altitude of ten thousand meters, the lead pilot and squadron leader, Lei Yi, gave a cold command:

"All aircraft switch to 'Silent Hunt' mode, radar on, fire control system preheating!"

In an instant, the electromagnetic waves of the airborne phased array radar pierced through the clouds like invisible sharp swords, locking onto all aerial targets within 200 kilometers.

The data link projected the coordinates of Iran's border air defense positions onto the HUD in real-time, and the PL-15 missile's seeker was aimed at the pre-set threat sector.

From Dragon Country's Northwest border to Iraq's Umm Qasr Base is approximately 3200 kilometers. In the "Sky Dome" operation, the J-16 Fighter Jets will arrive without stopping or any resupply throughout the entire journey!

At 7:15, the twelve "Qianlong" Squadron crossed Afghanistan's airspace.

Although the Soviet Union's air defense system deployed in Afghanistan detected the passage of the Dragon Country's flight formation, they chose to ignore it.

Their military invasion of Afghanistan was already morally indefensible internationally, and at this moment, they had even less reason to strike at passing Dragon Country fighter jets.

Furthermore, the Soviet Union was very clear about the consequences of engaging in combat with Dragon Country Air Force fighter jets within Afghanistan.

Currently, the Soviet Union's army is struggling against Afghan militia organizations.

If they were to strike at Dragon Country Air Force fighter jets, wouldn't that give Dragon Country a reason to directly intervene militarily in the Afghan war?

So at this moment, the Soviet Union had no intention of escalating the conflict.

Eight o'clock.

Tehran, the capital of Iran, the Air Force Command was in chaos.

"Dragon Country's J-16 formation is approaching our airspace at Mach 1.8!"

"Only 120 kilometers remaining!"

The radar officer reported with a serious expression.

However, in the command center, the senior generals of the Iranian Air Force were silent.

Since Iraq launched the "Long Xiao (Dragon's Roar)" operation, their Iranian Air Force only had 17 flyable fighter jets remaining!

This Air Force strength was even inferior to some smaller countries!

Now they truly lacked the strength and courage to scramble fighter jets to intercept or engage with Dragon Country's fighter jets!

"What about the Superpowers?"

"Does the International Community, besides condemning, simply ignore Dragon Country's infringement on our territorial sovereignty..."

The Iranian Air Force Chief of Staff choked up.

However, the next moment, their radar screen turned into static.

"Radar shows...the opponent's electronic warfare pod has jammed our radar's fire control band..."

The radar officer reported again, helplessly.

Now their air defense system was completely blind!

Immediately, the entire Air Force Command fell into a deathly silence!

After approximately tens of seconds, the Iranian Air Defense Command issued an incredibly difficult order:

"...Shut down all fire control radars, allow Dragon Country's 'Qianlong' flight formation to pass!"

They understood that this was a display and deterrence of military strength by the Dragon Country Air Force to the Global community.

Even world Superpowers did not want to directly engage in combat with Dragon Country; why should Iran touch this bad luck?

Moreover, if Iran allowed the J-16s to pass, it would be fine. If they didn't allow them to pass, the J-16 Fighter Jet formation would probably have to persuade them with "truth"!

Half past eight.

The J-16 formation, like an aerial Steel Torrent, rolled over Iranian airspace, the Dragon's emblem on its belly blazing like a torch in the sunlight.

Nine o'clock.

Umm Qasr Base, Iraq.

The J-16 formation descended and landed with a "victory roll" maneuver, tires emitting smoke upon touching the ground.

At the end of the runway, a group of senior generals and commanders of the Iraqi Air Force stood at attention and saluted... This day.

Global defense headlines had only one title:

"Dragon Country's J-16 Disregards International Norms, Forcefully Crosses Two Countries' Airspace; Iran Remains Silent Throughout, The Pentagon Urgently Convenes Closed-Door Meeting."

Everyone Global knew that the USA' Sixth Fleet in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea had met its true challenge!