Chapter 944 The Last Strategic Bomber (Counting Yesterday's)

These two things happened at almost the same time.

Ermao, Kiev Oblast, Preluki Air Force Base.

A Tu-154M passenger plane with a five-star red flag painted on its vertical tail was taxiing with its reverse thrust device turned on to slow down.

Due to years of disrepair, the runway has become slightly uneven and some fragile areas have even cracked.

Fortunately, for an airliner that was even designed with tactical purposes in mind, all of this is not a problem.

As the plane slowed down, the two pilots were able to focus on observing both sides of the runway to find the taxiway.

Normally, this would be what the tower would tell them.

But the tower control personnel at the Preluki Air Force Base clearly had no experience, and coupled with their English accents that sounded very Mao-like, a lot of trouble occurred just in the process of directing the plane to land.

Fortunately, the airspace nearby is extremely clean and there are no other aircraft.

So there won’t be any safety issues.

It's just a pity for the passengers in the cargo (passenger) cabin who are almost squeezed like meat cans.

"Hey, Old Zheng, why does the air traffic control at Ermao base... feel so completely unreliable?"

Sitting in the seat at the front of the cabin, Qin Han, the special representative for cooperation with Eastern European countries who accompanied him on the visit, rubbed his head which was a little dizzy due to the violent shaking and asked an officer in air force uniform next to him.

"no way."

Zheng Xiashen, who was in charge of the entire airport pick-up mission, picked up the wide-brimmed hat that had just fallen to the ground, shook his head helplessly, and pointed to the outside of the porthole with his free hand:

“Look at the environment around the runway.”

"I conservatively estimate that this airport has not had frequent takeoffs and landings for five or six years."

The Priluki Air Force Base is located in a remote area near Kiev.

During the Cold War, this was the base of the 184th Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment, which served as the most important force to deter NATO.

But now, with the 184th Regiment itself facing disbandment, naturally there won't be many planes visiting here anymore.

The equipment of the 184th Regiment itself only takes off once every long period of time.

The purpose of the take-off is not for training or mission execution, but to ensure the basic operation of these aircraft as a bargaining chip with other countries.

Therefore, the person sitting in the tower now may not have commanded 10 aircraft takeoffs and landings in his entire career.

Naturally no experience.

While the two were talking, Tu-154M had already entered the taxiway to the right and was slowly heading towards the apron not far away.

"Tsk tsk tsk..."

Qin Han leaned forward slightly and looked at the twenty or so strategic bombers lined up on the tarmac.

The closest ones were several Tu-95s with four propellers.

A little further away, was the ultimate purpose of their visit——

Figure 160.

Although he was not a soldier, he had learned some relevant knowledge before participating in this mission and was able to recognize these models that were famous at the time.

"Such a good plane is left here to rust. It's really..."

For a moment, Qin Han didn't even know how to describe how he felt at the moment.

Finally, he managed to utter a few words:

"What a pity……"

"yes……"

Zheng Xiashen sighed softly:

"Who would have thought that a country that could produce 7 nuclear bombs and had been confronting the Americans for nearly half a century would suddenly collapse..."

As a soldier, although he gave an affirmative answer, his tone was more of emotion.

When faced with an enemy from within, even the most powerful army can hardly do anything.

Qin Han realized that this topic was not easy to continue, so he changed the subject and swallowed back what he had just said:

"But it's not entirely a pity."

"After all, it is precisely because of this that we have the opportunity to stand here today..."

"Actually... Representative Qin doesn't know."

Zheng Xiashen smiled slightly:

"It should be... about six years ago. I also led a team here. But it wasn't as desolate as it is now. Occasionally, you could still see a few planes taking off and landing."

Hearing this, Qin Han's eyes widened slightly:

"Have you been here before?"

"Yes, and he was also riding on this Tu-154..."

"For those planes, too?"

Qin Han pointed outside the window.

At this time, the plane just happened to stop at the designated position on the apron.

A voice came over the cabin broadcast, telling us to prepare to leave the plane.

"Yes, but it was ruined halfway through."

Zheng Xiashen stood up and straightened his military appearance:

"At that time, I thought that the Chinese Air Force would miss out on these precious guys forever."

“I never thought I’d get a second chance!”

His voice was trembling with excitement.

"We were lucky to catch up."

Qin Han also followed Zheng Xiashen to the aisle, preparing to get off the plane.

The two of them are the leaders of the Chinese delegation, but one is simply responsible for picking up the guests at the airport, while the other is also responsible for many subsequent written procedures.

After all, the delivery of these Tu-160s was completed as part of the Ermao denuclearization process.

This is something that absolutely cannot be taken lightly.

……

It was not until a few minutes after the plane came to a complete stop that a gangway truck hurried over and docked at the cabin door.

Then the hatch opened.

A group of dozens of people, led by Zheng Xiashen and Qin Han, filed down the gangway.

Not far from the plane, there were several soldiers wearing colorful military uniforms, obviously from different countries, waiting for them.

Although it has been ten years since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the military uniforms of Da Mao and Er Mao are still relatively similar in shape.

Sometimes it is easier to distinguish them by accessories and colors.

As for those wearing completely different style uniforms, it is not difficult to tell from the US symbol on their collars that they are middle and senior officers from the US military.

That’s right, even though the transaction involved was involving Ermao’s plane.

But the major trading countries do not include Ermao itself.

The other two countries naturally also brought a delegation each, but their planes landed a few hours earlier than China's, so the outsiders had already gone to Kiev to stay.

Only a few key people are left here waiting.

"Hello, friends from China."

Leading the group was a burly soldier with a tricolor flag embroidered on his left arm who walked up to Zheng Xiashen.

Both parties saluted at the same time:

"I am Anatoly Alexeevich Novikovich, responsible for the transfer and destruction of weapons this time."

"Mark Linton."

Another American soldier followed closely and came forward:

"The Assistant Commander of the United States Strategic Command is responsible for overseeing the transfer and destruction of this weapon."

Although he is called an "assistant", he actually has three stars on his shoulders and is on the same level as Nogovichin and Zheng Xiashen.

In response, Zheng Xiashen and Qin Han also introduced their identities respectively.

"Okay, guys, let's relax a bit."

Jack Linton spoke first, trying to liven up the atmosphere:

"According to the agreement we reached before, the official document will not be signed until next week, so during this period, we will focus on finalizing the details of this mission."

"Ermao has prepared a convoy. We can go back to the city to rest for a while..."

He had been waiting in the biting autumn wind for several hours and was obviously a little impatient and wanted to return to the warm hotel room.

"Still not."

Zheng Xiashen raised his hand slightly, indicating that he had other plans:

"We still hope to learn about the status of these pending weapons as soon as possible, especially the four Tu-160 bombers that are planned to be delivered to our country in the name of debt repayment. Therefore, we will not go with you for the time being."

Although China had sent a small team here about half a month ago to confirm and maintain the status of several aircraft, and to protect them from possible damage.

But this matter is of great importance, and Zheng Xiashen still finds it difficult to feel at ease until he confirms with his own eyes that the plane is intact.

"OK then."

The other two had no objection to this:

"Anyway, I wish you...wish us all the best."

……

After exchanging pleasantries with the heads of the delegations from the other two countries, Zheng Xiashen quickly found Lieutenant Colonel Hang Lijun who had been assigned here in advance.

Strictly speaking, it was the latter who found him.

The other party had actually received the notice to come to the airport to pick us up a long time ago, but there were high-ranking foreign military leaders present, so it was not convenient for them to rush over rashly.

"Welcome Deputy Commander Zheng..."

Hang Lijun stood at attention and saluted. He was about to say a few words, but he was interrupted by Zheng Xiashen just as he said the name:

"Okay, let's deal with the red tape later. What's the situation with those planes?"

He didn't want to show it too obviously in front of the foreign troops just now, but in fact, he had been coveting it for a long time.

Even before this trip, he had submitted an application to his superiors, asking if he could personally fly one of the Tu-160s back to China.

As a result, he was severely criticized.

It's just a visual feast.

"According to the guidance of the ground staff here and several Tupolev technicians, we have conducted a round of screening on the aircraft."

Hang Lijun didn't waste any words. He immediately took Zheng Xiashen to the other side of the apron and reported:

"Three of them are currently in a completely normal state of flight, and the core system of the other one is also fine, except that there is a malfunction in the movement of the variable sweep wing, and the left wing sweep angle can only be maintained at a fully extended 20° state."

"This plane can be repaired here by dismantling other aircraft parts and then fly back, but it may take about a month. We can also fly back like this first and find a solution later."

Zheng Xiashen said without hesitation:

"The longer the night, the more trouble there is. 20 degrees is 20 degrees. Anyway, we are just changing the scene, not making a supersonic breakthrough."

"So, of course, I'll fly back first!"