54: Chapter 54 Don't Let the US Warplanes Be So Arrogant

The Raqqa Military Base had been reduced to ruins; heaps of debris lay scattered on the ground, and not a single building remained even remotely intact.

In many places, flames were still burning, emitting billows of thick smoke that made it difficult to breathe.

Upon receiving news that the enemy aircraft had departed, Major Jafari immediately left the underground bunker and returned to the surface.

Seeing the scene before him, Major Jafari was on the verge of tears. The buildings that had been so painstakingly constructed would now have to be torn down and rebuilt. This made Major Jafari grit his teeth in frustration.

While tallying the casualties, it was found that most of the anti-aircraft missile operators had perished, and one of the underground bunkers had also collapsed, killing the soldiers who had been hiding inside.

Besides that, a portion of the remaining soldiers had suffered minor injuries, and a few were seriously wounded.

In just a single air raid, Major Jafari had lost eighteen soldiers, and twenty-six others had sustained varying degrees of minor or serious injuries.

Fortunately, the Raqqa Military Base had anticipated such a scenario, digging numerous underground bunkers and constructing sturdy air-raid shelters, which prevented the casualties from escalating further.

However, even this level of loss was more than Major Jafari could bear.

After ordering the immediate treatment of the wounded, Major Jafari commanded the radar operators to activate the backup monitoring radar and keep a close watch for any new incoming air raids from the USA.

As order after order was relayed, Major Jafari immediately reported to Major General Rahim.

"Major General, our Raqqa Military Base has been subjected to a surprise air raid by over a dozen USA fighter jets. The incoming aircraft were all F-16 Fighter Jets."

Major General Rahim asked hurriedly, "What is the situation now?"

"The USA fighter jets have already left, but we don't know if they will return. The entire military base has been destroyed; most of the buildings have collapsed, and there are 44 casualties among the soldiers, including 18 fatalities."

"Such heavy casualties?" Major General Rahim raised his voice.

"Yes. The USA dropped a large number of air-to-ground missiles and various bombs. Our anti-aircraft missiles were completely destroyed before they could even be put to use," Major Jafari stated truthfully.

"Did you not have the Tianlei Series Anti-Aircraft Missile equipped?" Major General Rahim asked, somewhat curiously. "The combat performance of the Tianlei Series Anti-Aircraft Missile shouldn't be that poor."

"The Tianlei Series Anti-Aircraft Missile? We haven't had the chance to upgrade yet; according to the plan, it was supposed to happen next month." Major Jafari paused for a moment, then recalled the previous order he had received, which indeed mentioned upgrading the anti-aircraft missiles to the Tianlei Series Anti-Aircraft Missile.

"I see." Major General Rahim hadn't expected this situation, but he felt helpless; upgrades take time. "You should first handle the post-disaster work at the Raqqa Military Base."

"I don't know if the USA will return. We need an emergency supply of anti-aircraft missiles so we won't be helpless if another air raid occurs." Major Jafari seized the opportunity to request reinforcements.

Major General Rahim thought about it; they indeed needed to send reinforcements of anti-aircraft missiles, otherwise, if they were bombed again, the Raqqa Military Base would truly be finished. He said, "I will immediately arrange for a company equipped with the Tianlei Series Anti-Aircraft Missile to go there as reinforcements. You must remain vigilant and minimize casualties among your soldiers."

"Understood, Major General."

Upon hearing that reinforcements were coming, Major Jafari breathed a slight sigh of relief. If he continued to let the USA fighter jets bomb them without any counterattack, even if he didn't break down, the soldiers certainly would.

After hanging up the phone, Major General Rahim immediately contacted Lieutenant Colonel Haidari.

"Lieutenant Colonel Haidari, are you still in Beirut?" Major General Rahim asked about Lieutenant Colonel Haidari's whereabouts.

"No, I am currently returning to the Glass House." Lieutenant Colonel Haidari didn't know why Major General Rahim was contacting him now.

"There is an emergency situation. Our Raqqa Military Base in northern Syria has been hit by an air raid from over a dozen USA F-16 Fighter Jets. The anti-aircraft missiles there have all been destroyed, causing significant losses to the Raqqa Military Base."

"The USA has gone mad to actually conduct an air raid on that military base. The Raqqa Military Base has no real value," Lieutenant Colonel Haidari exclaimed.

"The USA is indeed acting abnormally. I haven't received any intelligence indicating that the USA would suddenly launch an air raid." Major General Rahim was also puzzled and continued, "Now Major Jafari is requesting anti-aircraft missiles for reinforcements. I have agreed to send a company equipped with the Tianlei Series Anti-Aircraft Missile. You need to notify them immediately."

"Only one company? Won't that be too few? After all, the USA sent over 10 F-16 Fighter Jets to conduct the air raid; I fear that won't be enough for defense," Lieutenant Colonel Haidari raised his doubts.

"Have the newly purchased Tianlei Series Anti-Aircraft Missiles arrived yet? If they haven't, how could I send out so many units equipped with the Tianlei Series Anti-Aircraft Missile?" Major General Rahim said irritably.

"Yes, I will arrange it immediately." Lieutenant Colonel Haidari replied quickly, fearing that Major General Rahim would lose his temper.

After all, most of the previously purchased Tianlei Series Anti-Aircraft Missiles were used to defend the Glass House, and the remaining Tianlei Series Anti-Aircraft Missiles could only be equipped by a small number of troops stationed in southern Syria.

Lieutenant Colonel Haidari pondered which company to send to reinforce the Raqqa Military Base. A company equipped with the Tianlei Type I Anti-Aircraft Missile definitely wouldn't work; they wouldn't be able to hit the F-16 Fighter Jets at all. The Tianlei Type III Anti-Aircraft Missile could hit the F-16 Fighter Jets, but the operational range was too short, requiring ambush tactics.

"Sigh, if I had known, I would have purchased more Tianlei Type IV Anti-Aircraft Missiles last time; then we could easily shoot down the F-16 Fighter Jets."

Lieutenant Colonel Haidari sighed. With no other options, he had to pull a company equipped with 5 sets of the Tianlei Type III Anti-Aircraft Missile and 5 sets of the Tianlei Type II Anti-Aircraft Missile to head to the Raqqa Military Base.

Thinking of this, Lieutenant Colonel Haidari did not hesitate and immediately contacted a company stationed around the Glass House, ordering the company commander to lead the company to the Raqqa Military Base immediately.

Even without this company, the Glass House would still have sufficient anti-aircraft strength to defend against air raids. Lieutenant Colonel Haidari was not worried about the Glass House running into any problems.

Upon receiving the order, the company did not delay; after performing checks on the Tianlei Series Anti-Aircraft Missile, they immediately set off for the Raqqa Military Base.

Lieutenant Colonel Haidari also called Major Jafari: "Major Jafari, the company that Major General Rahim requested to be sent to the Raqqa Military Base has already departed. This company is equipped with the Tianlei Series Anti-Aircraft Missile and should be able to provide effective air defense."

"Is that so? That's great," Major Jafari said excitedly.

"Yes, they have already been dispatched. According to the itinerary, they should arrive in three hours."

"Understood. I will make the arrangements to coordinate the anti-aircraft operations."

"You two can communicate and decide on the specific combat deployment. My requirement is: don't let the USA's aircraft run wild over the Raqqa Military Base."

Lieutenant Colonel Haidari did not interfere with the frontline command; he only gave one objective: don't let the USA's fighter jets be so arrogant.