Albatross Sky ~JMSDF Love Story~ [Episode 5] He Who Loses His Wingman Has Already Lost Tactically ③

[Episode 5] He Who Loses His Wingman Has Already Lost Tactically - Luftwaffe Ace Erich Alfred Hartmann ③

RIMPAC, which had been unfolding for a month, was reaching its climax, and the final major exercise was about to be conducted. It was a simulated grand naval battle where all participating nations were divided into Blue and Orange teams to decide the victor as if in actual combat. The JMSDF fleet was grouped with the navies of Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Chile, and Singapore into the Orange team, and they were to face the Blue team fleet, which was centered around the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

After finishing the briefing, the members of the Nagato air wing were on standby until further notice. As usual, Toshio was closing his eyes on the seat beside her, waiting for the moment of launch.

Ever since that day, things had felt somewhat awkward between him and her, though perhaps it was just her. He had ended up turning down Amy's invitation, but Yuuhi had used feeling unwell as an excuse on the day of the event to cancel her plans with Toshio, spending the entire day holed up in her room.

Even so, she still hadn't sorted out her feelings and couldn't bring herself to look him in the eye.

The reason wasn't just what happened that day.

In the air exercise where fighter squadrons from various countries participated, the U.S. Air Force's 19th Fighter Squadron, equipped with the F-22, demonstrated unparalleled strength. Amy also possessed the skill she had imagined, and the Nagato fighter squadron was forced into a significant struggle, with Yuuhi being beaten completely.

And it happened at the party hosted by the U.S. Air Force that night.

"It seems the level of resolve between you and me is different."
"Resolve...?"
"I don't intend to underestimate you or the Japanese Navy. I know your morale is high. But for us in the U.S. military, who fight all over the world, death in battle is real. Over two hundred female soldiers have died in Afghanistan and Iraq. You and I are both female fighter pilots, but if I am shot down in enemy territory, even if I survive, there is a possibility I will be humiliated as a woman. The level of resolve is different from yours, as you only fight within your own country's territory."

Amy, emboldened by drink, rattled on. Yuuhi, who had completely lost the confidence that had begun to sprout before RIMPAC due to that day's exercise, could not say anything back.

"Toshi felt that atmosphere firsthand during his two years in the States. That's why he's strong. Honestly, you're nothing but a burden to him. As my rival, you're not good enough."

Amy's words pierced her heart like a blade. Perhaps she was right. She could ascend to greater heights by flying with Toshio. But for him, was there really any benefit to flying with someone like her?

She had never thought about such things before. In the end, was she just taking advantage of his kindness and using him for her own convenience? And would he eventually get tired of her? A mixture of various emotions raced through her heart. She felt like she was about to lose herself at any moment.

She stood up abruptly and headed for the restroom. She wanted to cool her head. After washing her face with cold water and leaving the restroom, Toshio was standing outside the door.

"...She said something to you, didn't she?"

He had seen through her after all. He was more perceptive than anyone else.

"N-nothing happened, I told you."
"But you've been acting strange since the other day, Yuuhi."
"That's why I'm telling you nothing happened!?"

As she tried to slip past him, he grabbed her wrist.

"Hey, am I really that unreliable?"

Her heart tightened at his sad expression.

In truth, I wanted to scream "That's not true!" right here and now. To Yuuhi, Toshio was more reliable than anyone else. He was the person she wanted by her side more than anyone. But.

"With me, he can aim even higher. I can't leave him to someone like you. I will definitely make him turn his eyes toward me someday."

Amy's words from that day remained a curse that wouldn't leave her head.

Just as she said, she didn't have the ability to work hard and improve alongside him right now. That was why she wanted to at least avoid being a burden by clinging to him. But if she shook off his hand here, she would surely hurt him. That was not what Yuuhi wanted.

"I am..."

Just as she began to hesitate.

"Enemy attack! I repeat! Enemy attack! All hands, general quarters! All Nagato fighter squadron aircraft, launch immediately!"

The sound of bells rang out shrilly and incessantly throughout the ship.

"Gaia!"
"Yeah, let's go! Idea!"

The pilots rushed to the deck in unison and scattered to their respective aircraft. It must have been the result of their daily intense training.

Within a short time, all aircraft started their engines and scrambled into the combat airspace one after another. The high level of their proficiency drew exclamations of admiration even from the observers of various navies aboard the Nagato.

The Nagato fighter squadron joined up with six F-35Bs, carrier-based aircraft from the Italian Navy aircraft carrier Cavour that had been conducting combat air patrols overhead, and established a defensive formation as planned in the operation.

With the JMSDF Aegis destroyer Myoko and the Royal Australian Navy Aegis destroyer Hobart also keeping a sharp eye out, the enemy aircraft were cautious and did not easily push in. The war situation changed a few minutes later.

"Royal Australian Navy Hobart judged sunk!"
"Canadian Navy Charlottetown also sunk!"
"What!?"

At the news of the successive sinking of friendly vessels, the Combat Information Center (CIC) of the Nagato, where the headquarters of the Orange fleet was located, became unsettled.

The one that had buried the two ships was the US Navy Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine Oklahoma City. Although the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force boasted the world's highest level of anti-submarine warfare capabilities, they could not cover for the lack of capability of other nations' vessels, and they had been completely caught off guard.

With the Hobart, which carried one wing of the fleet's air defense, sunk early on, the Orange fleet fell into confusion.

After that, eight SH-60K Seahawks from the Nagato patrol squadron went all out and managed to take down the Oklahoma City, saving face, but in the meantime, they had lost two more wingmen.

Yuuhi bit her lip as the friendly naval forces suddenly fell into a disadvantageous position and total chaos.

It's frustrating. If things go on like this, we'll keep losing. My comrades. And myself.

"My resolve is different from yours."

Amy's words echoed in her mind.

...That's not true! I have resolve too!

The moment Yuhi shook her head as if to shake off the thought, multiple blips appeared on the edge of her radar screen.

They were likely a group of F/A-18E Super Hornets, carrier-based aircraft from the George Washington. Since they were in stealth aircraft, it seemed they hadn't been noticed yet. "Gaia, they haven't noticed us, right?"

"Don't engage them, Idea. The fleet is still out of range of their air-to-ship missiles. Our current mission is fleet air defense. Do not leave your post."

"But we can't just sit here and do nothing! I can't just stand by and watch while our comrades are being taken out!"

"Yuhi! No! Calm down!"

He was trying desperately to calm her down. But.

"Idea, I'm coming with you. If we just keep taking hits like this, it'll bring shame to the name Nagato." "Yeah. Let's show them that Nagato isn't just Ash and Gaia."

Responding to Yuhi were Kiyose, Tida's wingman from Osakabe's unit, and Hojo, Jack's wingman from Kakizaki's unit. They, too, were among those who had suffered bitter defeats in the recent air exercises.

"Hey Ash! Stop Tida! Guts, stop Jack!" "I don't know. Fools don't learn until they die."

Osakabe sounded dismissive. Unusually, his voice was filled with a great deal of anger.

"Once it gets to this point, there's no stopping them. Well, I can't let them go alone. Can't be helped. Let's go, you guys."

Kakizaki said with a bitter smile, calling out to the three young pilots who had been ignited.

"Guts!"

Toshio's cry sounded almost like a scream.

"This is the perfect chance! I'm going!"

"Yuhi---!!"

I'm sorry, Toshio. But at the very least, I want to be able to fly proudly by your side!

Yuhi rocked her wings and broke away from Toshio.

Utilizing their stealth capabilities, the four Lightnings crept toward the US Navy formation.

The Super Hornet, boasting outstanding air combat performance, was a formidable foe. They were significantly outnumbered, but with this team, it was thought that if they could just land a preemptive strike, they might be able to give them a run for their money. However.

BEEP!

An electronic sound suddenly echoed through the cockpit.

Huh...?

To Zeke 10, You were shot down by US John Paul Jones. Please leave the site soon
(To Zeke 10, you have been shot down by the US destroyer John Paul Jones. Depart the area immediately.)

It was a trap. They had been lured right into the range of an Aegis ship.

No way... why...

Biting his lip was too little, too late. In the end, all four aircraft that had launched the surprise attack were slaughtered by the Aegis ship and the Super Hornet formation.

Toshio let out a deep sigh at the result that flowed through his intercom.

The opponent was the US Pacific Fleet, recognized by all as the strongest in the world. No matter how stealthy the aircraft were, it was as clear as day that flying into an ironclad radar network without a plan would result in an instant kill.

"Ash... shall we go?"

Suppressing his emotions, he asked Gyobu in a calm tone, and his senior by one year at the National Defense Academy snorted defiantly.

"Obviously."

"Captain, we're good to go, right?"

"Yeah, go get 'em. And show those young punks what you're made of. Make sure they never turn their backs on you again."

Thanks, Arthur. Ash! Are you ready?
(Ash, are you ready?)

What are you dreaming on? You are Element leader. Should lead me
(What are you dreaming about? You're the element leader. Lead the way.)

Roger, follow me. Lose altitude to 30ft
(Roger, follow me. Descending to an altitude of 30 feet.)

“Hey! You don't hesitate to me?”
(Hey! You don't hold back with me, do you?)

“Of course. I believe you”
(Of course. Because I believe in you.)

Osakabe's laughter echoed back. They were undoubtedly best friends. They could understand what the other was thinking as if they were reading their own hands.

Toshio rocked his wings, performed a roll, and then began a rapid descent.

That was the beginning of the legend.

Link

Next Episode Albatross Sky ~JSDF Love Story~ [Episode 5] He Who Loses His Wingman Is Tactically Defeated (Part 4) | Kyo

Previous Episode Albatross Sky ~JSDF Love Story~ [Episode 5] He Who Loses His Wingman Is Tactically Defeated (Part 2) | Kyo

Read from the beginning
Albatross Sky ~JSDF Love Story~ [Episode 1] It Is Important for a Commander to Be Optimistic First (Part 1) | Kyo