Dear Comrade

Dear Comrade Leader, Episode 254

Chapter 90. Operation Malacca Lanterns

“Waah aah… … !!!”

“From now on, we will start the entrance ceremony for the 2008 Korean People’s Army Air Force University!”

In March 2008, the entrance ceremony for the Air Force University, the cradle for nurturing the next Air Force officers of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, was spectacular.

In the past, it was called ‘Kimchaek Air Force University’ and it was a place to raise the pillars of the People’s Army that supported the outdated aviation force to tears. After that, the party’s interest and support for the school itself did not change.

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No, rather, the sponsorship has increased noticeably compared to other military academies. In the past 20 years, not only educational equipment, but also related investments have continued, such as signing a consignment education agreement with the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs a few years ago.

And as evidence of the Workers’ Party of Korea’s interest in fostering such a future aviation army, this year’s entrance ceremony was attended by special guests, which are not easily seen in other military-organized events.

Shhh… … !!!

“Wow! Air Force! This is the Special Wing of the Korean People’s Army Air Force!”

“Photo! I need to take a picture!”

“Wow… … It’s artificial! Artificial!”

As the Air Force’s special wing, mainly composed of MiG-26s, performed aerobatics, flew pollen and scattered colorful contrails, cheers from the cadets and cadets’ families at the entrance ceremony grew bigger and bigger.

And finally, at the moment when the air show reached its climax, when the air wing reached its climax with an artificial flag, the national flag of North Korea, embroidered in the sky with the words “I swear allegiance to the Workers’ Party of Korea and Comrade Kim Jeong-hwan!” appeared in

“Fellow students. And for the family members of the cadets and the generals, military comrades who took part, and all other people, the sky has always been mankind’s dream and object of conquest, and in modern times the subject of fierce military battles to defend the country. I hope that you, with the support of the Party, will be reborn as elite military officers who can gain the upper hand in such fierce battles here.”

clap clap… … !!!!!

“Waa!!!”

“Salute to Comrade General Secretary!!”

puff puff puff… … !!!!

As the general secretary dislikes rudeness, after the brief but impressive speech was over, thunderous applause and cheers followed, followed by salutes and military band performances.

However, as soon as Jeonghwan came down from the stage after finishing his thick and short speech, the first person he found was looking only at the sky, not the ground where all these grand ceremonies were taking place.

To be precise, the aircraft that flies at the forefront of the air show in the sky, which looks a little different from other MiGs.

“That’s great. I’m fine.”

“It’s sympathetic. No matter how successful the results of the three test flights were, I’m sure the prototype would be put into this special flight right away. To be honest, I was a little nervous too, Comrade Antonov.”

“Then you gave me permission, didn’t you? Comrade General Secretary, didn’t you miss it too? It is the result of the investment that has been pouring in for 15 years. How about now, am I worthy to be called Chen Xue-sun?”

“Because you have successfully kept the deadline of 15 years, don’t do it. But there are still only two prototypes. There is still a long way to go between mass production and deployment. So, I have to work a little harder.”

Even among the commanders of the Korean People’s Army, who were seated sternly, dressed in straight uniforms and decorations, the person who was sitting in a relaxed position and drinking vodka from a hip flask toast was Kim Jeong-hwan, the head of the Advanced Aircraft Research Institute, Antonov. .

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No matter how great the achievements and the reasonable favoritism of the supreme dignity, they could be criticized for being rude in such a public place, but none of the elders tackled Antonov like that.

They, too, were busy looking at the first prototype of the new chasing aircraft, the development name ‘KA-16’, flying in the sky with awe-inspiring eyes.

“What is the effort, unfortunately, you even put my name in your country’s fighter jet, but of course you have to do that. By the way, where did you leave the female aide who was always by your side and come alone? Still, it’s a familiar face that I’ve been with since I was recruited, but on such a meaningful day, why? … .”

“I have an urgent business, so I’m going to Singapore for a while. By the way, can you tell me the exact specifications again?”

Antonov realized that Jung-hwan didn’t want to talk deeply about why Hye-rim Yoo couldn’t see him, so he just shrugged his shoulders and changed the topic.

Are you fighting a cold war between the couple?

“KA-16, total length 15m, total height 4.8m, own weight 7.2 tons, maximum speed Mach 2.08, combat action radius of 500km, cropped delta, range 3,700km, twin turbofan jet engine, Israeli AESA radar. The basic armament can be equipped with up to 7.5 tons of armament, including 200 cannons, air-to-air, and air-to-ground missiles. … .”

As the name KA-16 was named after the legendary designers Mikoyan and Gurevich of the MiG series, a representative Russian fighter in the past, it is the result of the opinion that this naming should be promoted for the pursuer, which will be the new main force of the Korean People’s Army Air Force, was accepted. it was

‘K’ stands for Kim of Kim Jeong-hwan, the founder and biggest sponsor of the institute, ‘A’ stands for General Manager Antonov (Антонов), who has been in charge of development until now, ’16’ is the first development goal It was meant to catch up with an F-16.

(Of course, these circumstances were not disclosed externally, and it was only known that the vague name ‘Korean AirFighter’ was derived from)

However, as its name suggests, the KA-16 now orbiting in the sky shows performance that is not inferior to that of Lockheed Martin at least in terms of specifications, and shows that the money, sweat and tears poured out over the past 15 years are never in vain.

15 years is not a short time, with 5 years remaining even after the rivers and mountains change.

However, even though the time was too short for North Korea, which had its own automobile industry to falter until just 20 years ago, to achieve the modern-day transfer of prototypes of a modern 4th-generation fighter, the miracle has finally come true, and the reality is now presented in front of the North Korean people. He was proud of his splendid contrails.

“… … Although there are differences between models to be produced in the future, the single-seat/double-seat type mix, the primary production target is 120 units, and a total of 280 units will be produced in the future. The avionics equipment such as ECM was also put in fairly faithfully thanks to the collaboration with modern electronics engineers and the company that did that Alan Mercy, but I recommend continuous repairs and upgrades. These days, technology is advancing so fast. Oh, and… … .”

“What else?”

“You know, of course, that it’s difficult to misunderstand that just because you catch up with a fourth-generation fighter, it’s equivalent to the US Air Force, right? Meanwhile, other countries, especially the Chinese, whom you consider as your virtual enemy, are making remarkable growth in this field these days that surprises even me.”

“… … So what do you want to say?”

“It’s about the stealth function, of course, that F-16 and the illegitimate child of the MiG was made in this country within 15 years, so it’s really great enough to win the Nobel Dead Copy Prize. However, these days, the main fighters of most powers, including the Yankees, are moving from the 4th generation to the 5th generation equipped with stealth, so we can’t afford to ignore it. … .”

“Comrade General Secretary. I’m very sorry for what you said, but I think you should go back to the company right now.”

Suddenly, a whisper from a low-ranking liaison officer in the secretary’s office interrupted the conversation between the two.

Antonov’s face frowned when he was interrupted while boasting of his achievements with a face full of pride, but Jeonghwan lightly tapped Antonov’s shoulder and asked again in a calm voice.

The other generals and party officials next to Jung-hwan also took their eyes off the air show and fixed their gazes on the liaison officer, who seemed to be struggling to suppress his urgency, as they sensed something unusual.

“Tell me, something?”

“that… … According to the news that just came in, a 20,000-ton merchant ship belonging to the Republic of Korea, passing through the Straits of Malacca, has been hijacked by pirates nearby!”

“… … !!!!”

The liaison officer, who spoke up to this point, put the executives and generals in front of him who were buzzing in an instant, took a breath, and then talked about the rest of the facts.

“About 30 sailors are currently confirmed to be taken hostage, and the culprit is Abu Sayyaf, an Islamic extremist organization based in the Philippines-Indonesia that recently declared ties with al Qaeda. They claimed that the crime was retaliation against our republic for participating in the persecution of innocent Muslims in Afghanistan in partnership with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.”

* * *

“… … After all, retaliation in Afghanistan is just an excuse, and the real purpose is money?”

“That’s right. They have already set the amount of ransom and demanded it through the contact network on the ship. After all, terrorism requires money… … Al Qaeda has also been doing this a lot these days to raise funds after bin Laden, who was a water owner, was executed.

“… … You bastards who will peel off the soles of their feet, sooner or later, you will pay the price for humiliating this republic.”

Upon hearing this report from the operations chief, Baek Seung-cheol spat on the floor, unsuitable for the position of Cha-su.

The operational staff of the Task Force, who was about to quietly say, ‘If the rescue operation is judged not to be feasible, there is a way to quietly pay money to rescue the crew’.

Judging from the atmosphere, it seemed that there was no other alternative but a straight line for the rescue operation.

– Leave this work to Baek Seung-cheol and the People’s Army! Comrade general secretary!

-… … Can you do it?

– I took this opportunity to show you the true value of the newly renovated Special Forces of the Korean People’s Army! If you leave it alone, you will surely break the goals of the pirates with a single blade and bring the sailors back to the homeland Gangsan without getting hurt!

“This kidnapping incident is not only to show the people inside the republic, but it is also a stage to show the world that our Korean People’s Army is not what it used to be! I want everyone to keep in mind that there is absolutely no such thing as failure!”

“Keep in mind! Second comrade!”

It was Baek Seung-cheol who promised Jeong-hwan that he would rescue the crew from the People’s Army without fail.

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Now, not only the Air Force but also the Korean People’s Army Army, who was obsessed with the idea that it was necessary to show the supreme leader the achievements of certain reforms and make a feat, Baek Seung-cheol, as soon as he received Jeong-hwan’s permission to operate, formed a task force and established a maritime sniper brigade as the basis. A unit was formed to embark on a rescue operation.

“The merchant ship is currently at a standstill on the high seas, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already been promised cooperation with the navies of neighboring countries such as Indonesia to provide understanding and information necessary for operation in secret. So, even if any of the abducted crew members, comrades in our military, or officers are injured, I know that there will be no problem in moving them to a nearby hospital for treatment.”

“For moving to the operation area, the 5,800-ton class destroyer ‘Wonsan-class’, which was first built by Rason Heavy Industry Company last year, was borrowed from the Navy and used. Also, if you drag a 4,100-ton ‘ferry-class’ imported at a low price from the US or the US into an escort ship and share firepower support, transportation, and escort missions, it’s like preparing everything!”

I thought it might be a bit of an overkill to deal with a bunch of pirates, but this was nothing more than a sign of Baek Seung-cheol’s will to never fail this operation.

The operation staff, who was encouraged to follow Seungcheol Baek’s energetic voice, continued the briefing on the operation with a raised voice.

“… … In addition, in order to overcome the fact that this expedition is actually the first overseas expedition since the reorganization of the Korean People’s Army’s navy, and in that regard, some auxiliary troops with operational experience in the area are required to participate in the operation. We will be together.”

“… … Auxiliary troops?”

When Baek Seung-cheol tilted his head slightly as if it was a golden gate, his staff beckoned to those who were crawling at the far end of the operating room table as if to get up.

Seeing that he has a solid physique and even salutes Baek Seung-cheol, he must have come from the People’s Army, but the funny thing is that in the middle of this operation room, where the commander of the People’s Army directly observes and plans an important operation, he didn’t even wear a military uniform and each dressed in Jung-gu heating.

Their identities were revealed through a whisper whispered to Baek Seung-cheol by the operation staff.

“These are the workers of the Private Military Enterprise (PMC), made up of ex-sniper brigades of our People’s Army. They have already proven their skills, so you can trust them and use them.”

“ah… … That’s right. I remember seeing it in a few reports.”

Baek Seung-cheol shook his head as if he had just remembered.

It was a well-known fact that, over the past 20 years, the work of rationalizing and eliteizing the bloated and inefficient People’s Army (written and read as “reduction”) carried out by Comrade General Secretary inevitably caused many soldiers to sit on the streets.

Among them, there were many former sniper and reconnaissance brigades who could not adapt to the rapidly introduced Western-style training and tactics or simply missed promotion, so they had only their bodies and were in crisis of their livelihood. Their new jobs were modern-day mercenaries and private military companies.

After reform and opening-up, these indigenous PMCs, established by some KPA officers who realized that even military officers can buy and sell with money in a capitalist society after reform and opening up, have been mainly escorting merchant ships of maritime trade companies to and from Southeast Asia for several years. In the midst of this, some of them were employed in this operation.

Even though he was discharged from the military, Baek Seung-cheol, who was looking at the figures with confused eyes, who did not know whether to sit or stand in front of a sky-like comrade (and VIP customer), immediately threw out a word.

“Hey, comrades.”

“yes? yes! Second comrade! Oh no, should I call you customer? … . Anyway, did you call me, comrade Chasu!”

“… … Well, at one time, we ate the same People’s Army in one pot. Now that it’s done, let me introduce myself. I know a few private military enterprises, but where do your comrades belong to?”

“… … Hmm, if you ask me like this… … .”

At Baek Seung-cheol’s request, they looked at each other for a moment and exchanged meaningful glances, and then quickly arranged into a formation that seemed to have matched in advance like a popular South Korean male idol group.

They formed a formation and started to take a certain posture (?), raising their arms into the air and giving relief one by one, regardless of the eyes of Baek Seung-cheol and his staff looking at them with bewildered eyes, ‘What are these guys doing now?’ started chanting

“The safety of your life and assets is our number one priority!”

“A request from the Dear Comrade General, the People’s Army, and the People of the Republic… … No, calling is number 0 among them!”

“Trust and safety! 500 hours of training per year, 4,000 safety escorts over 7 years after opening, and more than 20 direct contracts with the Ministry of the People’s Armed Forces! If I were to tell you about our elite workers, who are proven by the solid track record of guarding high-ranking officials, regardless of whether they are domestic or foreign and party citizens, with more than 70 people~~~”

“… … No. 1 company in the self-accredited republic! ‘Winter Soldier Consulting’! I sent a greeting to comrade Baek Seung-cheol!!!!”

“… … .”

“… … .”