130: Chapter 130: Sending an air force to Syria to provide support.

The USA Navy aircraft carrier "USS Harry" lost one Reaper Drone in Iran's airspace, and another Reaper Drone was heavily damaged; this news quickly reached the US Central Command.

General Maitang felt a headache upon seeing this news.

Recently, the USA had already lost quite a few fighter jets in the Persian Gulf region.

It started with a Global Hawk drone, and later, five helicopters and one F-16 Fighter Jet were lost at Raqqa Military Base.

During the subsequent retaliatory airstrikes launched by Lieutenant General Green, another reconnaissance drone was lost, and an F-16 Fighter Jet was shot down at the Sukhna Military Base.

It could be said that the number of fighter jets lost during this period had already exceeded the number lost over the past few years.

General Maitang had already begun to feel dissatisfied with Lieutenant General Green, as the USA forces stationed in Syria had suffered the highest number of losses.

Although the Central Theater Command had replenished the helicopters and fighter jets for the forces stationed in Syria, restoring them to pre-loss levels, such losses were still unacceptable to the USA.

General Maitang had already been reprimanded by the United States Department of Defense.

He barely managed to avoid further punishment by citing that Syria was in a state of war, but the issue of losses in Syria had to be addressed.

The current problem was whether to continue sending more fighter jets and troops to Syria, or to simply abandon Syria and withdraw the troops stationed there.

The USA was not without precedent for invading other countries and then eventually withdrawing its troops.

However, the USA had not yet gained control over Syria or substantially influenced Syria's political changes.

Withdrawing from Syria now would be somewhat of a failure for the USA.

After some consideration, General Maitang decided to continue sending more fighter jets to Syria, at least to suppress the increasingly out-of-control Syria forces and the Glass House forces, so that Syria would return to its previous state of balance.

However, the US Central Command did not have many troops available to dispatch, as most had already been assigned garrison duties.

If they were to rashly withdraw or reduce the garrison at military bases in the Persian Gulf region, it would cause adverse effects.

On one hand, it would make the countries hosting the military bases feel uneasy, and on the other hand, it would also make the USA feel uneasy.

After all, the USA relied on the presence of these military bases to deter local populations dissatisfied with the USA.

Rashly withdrawing some troops could cause the voices of local opposition against the USA to rise again, which was unacceptable to the USA.

After all, once the USA's influence in the Persian Gulf region declined, the hard-earned petrodollar would also be challenged.

At that time, the losses for the USA would be even greater.

After much thought, General Maitang decided to coordinate with other theater commands to deploy an air wing to Syria.

In particular, deploying an air wing from the USA Air Force stationed in Europe would be the best option, as it could be deployed the fastest.

General Maitang lobbied the United States Department of Defense in many ways, hoping to send more fighter jets to the US Central Command, and coordinated with the USA Command stationed in Europe.

Finally, he obtained approval to dispatch an air wing from the USA Air Force Command in Europe to support Syria.

In charge of this air wing was the former commander of the USA Air Force Command in Europe, Major General Hunter.

Lieutenant Colonel David from the original Aviano Air Base was also assigned to this air wing, and some personnel from the original 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing were also in this air wing.

After a comprehensive investigation into the lost Global Hawk drone, the USA Command in Europe determined that Lieutenant Colonel David bore significant responsibility, and Major General Hunter also bore responsibility for lax management.

Although their military ranks were not affected, they could no longer continue in their original positions.

Seeing that General Maitang was coordinating with them to dispatch an air wing, the USA Command in Europe realized it was the perfect opportunity to arrange for Major General Hunter and Lieutenant Colonel David to be in the air wing, so they could only temporarily let the two of them be responsible for leading the air wing to Syria.

General Maitang was very happy to receive support from an air wing, as it could greatly enhance the strength of the Air Force stationed in Syria.

The supporting air wing was equipped with many F-15 Eagle fighter jets and F-22 Raptor fighter jets, which could significantly increase the USA's bargaining power in airstrikes against Syria.

After the matter was confirmed, General Maitang contacted Lieutenant General Green.

"Lieutenant General Green, very soon, the USA Command in Europe will send an air wing to support the war in Syria. You are responsible for coordinating and arranging their arrival," General Maitang said quickly.

"There is an air wing coming to support? That's great."

Lieutenant General Green was very happy; the current Air Force stationed in Syria had suffered significant losses, causing considerable psychological pressure on the Air Force officers and soldiers.

Naturally, he welcomed the support of an air wing with open arms.

"The team will be led by Major General Hunter, along with Lieutenant Colonel David, as well as personnel from the original 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing. They are all air force officers and soldiers with rich combat experience. You must strengthen communication with them and get them into combat readiness in a timely manner," General Maitang instructed.

"I will strengthen contact with them and integrate them into the combat system of the forces stationed in Syria as soon as possible," Lieutenant General Green promised readily.

"This air wing is a temporary formation, so personnel and fighter jets will not all arrive immediately. You need to follow up on the arrival status of the air wing with Major General Hunter. I estimate that it will take at least two months for this air wing to be fully in place."

"Two months? That long?"

Lieutenant General Green was a bit disappointed, having thought that the air wing could join the fight as soon as it arrived in Syria.

"This is the maximum time. If you follow up on Major General Hunter's deployment of personnel and fighter jets, you should be able to shorten the time," General Maitang had to say.

"Yes, General."

Lieutenant General Green did not dwell on it further, knowing he would find out the specifics after communicating with Major General Hunter at that time.

"Also, you can still conduct small-scale airstrikes on military bases in Syria during this recent period, but do not launch large-scale airstrikes to avoid causing major losses. Wait until the air wing is in place before launching large-scale airstrikes," General Maitang instructed.

"I will make arrangements to cause devastating blows to the military bases in Syria while controlling our own losses as much as possible."

Lieutenant General Green decided to suspend large-scale airstrikes for the coming period, only sending drones for reconnaissance and carrying out bombing along the way.

"Just be careful."

General Maitang did not continue issuing orders.

After hanging up the phone, Lieutenant General Green was full of anticipation for the reinforcing air wing, hoping to reverse the current temporary downturn in Syria.