Freedom Flights: Episode 25 – Irreversible Path – Part 4
This is part 4 of the August episode of Freedom Flights. The next and final part will conclude with coverage of events in early July when various key events occurred in Europe and the USA. As foreshadowed in the last scene of Episode 24, the monthly movie night will happen in the final episode.
Until a just peace for Ukraine is reached, I will continue to write more episodes, never forgetting the brave people fighting for freedom. Let’s pray Western aid and weapons like F-16s continue to reach the frontlines and in time to change their fortunes.
Links to the previous episodes can be found on my Freedom Flights page on the left-hand sidebar.
Episode 25 – Irreversible Path
2024
PART 4 – Drones, Messages and Ashes
Saturday, July 13th – Dęblin Military Air Base, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland
Saab 340B AEW&C https://www.gladiusds.com/modern-military-aircraft/aircraft/c4istar/saab-340-aewc/The Academy had hardly woken up when Cadet Marusya Dudziarz walked toward the briefing room with Colonel Alfhild Falkborg of the Swedish Air Force.
“I’m glad you could make it, Marusya. As many UAF aircrews as possible need to learn first-hand what the Saab 340 AEWC brings to the battlespace. This is not just a birthday present. You’re a Night Witch, in a squadron we believe holds the key to Ukraine’s future in your skilled hands as I hope we can prove today.”
The pulse of turboprops behind them announced the sleek Saab 340 AEWC moving out of its hanger. Eventually, the pilot emerged and saluted.
“She’s ready for you, Colonel, as soon as you’ve briefed us.”
Inside the briefing room, in front of a tactical map of Ukraine and its neighbours, the other five crew members were seated.
Colonel Maksym Bondarenko met Alfhild with two code talkers, whom he introduced.
“Tayanita Brave Beaver and Aenoheso Little Hawk, they allow me to send and receive messages undecipherable by the enemy. If Tayanita flies with you, Aenoheso can read any coded messages you want to send me.”
“More likely, Maksym, you will be sending me instructions. I guess the Night Witches are behind these… code talkers. I’m convinced the Russians will struggle to decipher our messages.”
Alfhild and Maksym led their trio of new faces for the Saab 340 AEW&C crew to the front of the room.
“Some of you may know Colonel Maksym Bondarenko from UAF’s Air Command West. He is the Ukrainian officer overseeing today’s Irreversible Path exercise, so he will explain how it differs from our routine flights over the last few days. As usual, we will fly within NATO airspace along the Ukrainian border, down through Romania to the Black Sea, and then back here… as shown by the blue line on the map. Again, we are monitoring enemy activity and giving Ukraine’s defenders sufficient warning to counter the threats. Any questions?”
Her co-pilot put his hand up.
“Is the yellow line the second Saab 340?”
“Correct. They are taking off near the Lithuania-Latvia border to detect enemy activity initially further north but then following a similar route to us with variations. They are also continuing to train Ukrainian technicians as we’ve been doing. Okay, before there are more questions, I’ll hand over to Colonel Bondarenko.”
Maksym indicated the three new faces.
“This Ukrainian helicopter pilot, Marusya Dudziarz, is from the 2022 Night Witches Squadron an all-female unit, some of whom have trained on Saab Gripens. Tayanita Brave Beaver and Aenoheso Little Hawk are two of the Witches’ code talkers, who can send and receive messages undecipherable by the enemy. As well as your usual duties, today’s Irreversible Path exercise involves monitoring how efficiently several UAF squadrons move to different airfields. UAF has used this tactic throughout the war to evade enemy attacks on active bases. This will become even more vital with the arrival of F-16s which require longer and smoother runways. The few of these in Ukraine are prime targets for the Russians already.”
Maksym paused while the crew absorbed this first purpose of the exercise.
“The other objective of Irreversible Path is to monitor the effectiveness of the helicopter-launched drone interceptor developed by the Witches’ engineers. The interceptor is designed to neutralize and capture drones like the ORLAN 10, which the Russians use in groups to designate targets for artillery and missiles, including airfields. Any questions?”
One of the crew raised a hand.
“Am I correct in assuming Pilot Dudziarz will observe on board and report to you?”
“Marusya Dudziarz will report to her squadron, primarily on the ORLAN 10 as the helicopter she co-pilots is one of the five participating in the interceptor trials. Tayanita Brave Beaver will also fly with you and if there is sensitive information to send me, Aenoheso Little Hawk can decode messages for me here. If there are no more questions, I wish you a successful exercise. May our archangel Michael fly with you. Slava Ukrayini.”
**
Zvenigora Restaurant, Chayka Field, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine
The large space which would be the new Zvenigora Restaurant in two days was packed for the Irreversible Path briefing. The whole squadron including most of the Night Owls had been assigned their roles. Only the Code Talkers had left in advance, each with an Owl, to bases essential to the exercise.
The K9 units and the paramedics were returning to Kyiv in the KAI LAH and the Black Hawk to continue the rescue work at the Children’s Hospital. Anhelina Tkachuk was telling Aldona Jagoda how badly she felt not searching through the night.
“Agreed, although the dogs were tiring… at least Taika was. I guess a Siberian Husky like, Quetzal is bred for stamina.”
Siberian Husky: Image Credit: Aleksandr Abrosimov, Shutterstock“But you’re right she was losing her edge. Today they start afresh.”
Two arms embraced Anhelina from behind. She turned to face a grinning Lieutenant.
“Olha Tkachuk,” she said returning the hug, “I didn’t know my cousin was a serving pilot.”
”I’m with Blue Flight, flying a MiG-29. I’ve been with the Night Witches since 2022. But Anhelina, did I hear you’re one our valuable K9 handers—”
“Our newest recruit I believe,” said Adriana Pavlenko, the Blue Flight leader. “When today’s exercise is over you cousins need a long reunion. First, say farewell and then we all must fly.”
**
Kalyniv Airfield near the Polish border
Nauja Tall Gull and Aneta Filipek, her Night Owl companion had been welcomed by the 41st Tactical Aviation Brigade, especially when the Night Witches were mentioned.
“We briefly shared this base,” said Kapitan Andriy Oliynyk. “We also trained on F-16s alongside them at Dęblin… before you ladies joined them.”
Nauja avoided saying, she’d had a crash course in Ukrainian at Dęblin, in case he criticized her poor grasp of his language. She suppressed a grin thinking of him trying her Inuit language, Inuktitut.
Andriy ensured his colleagues treated them with respect, although she knew Aneta was trained to deal with aggression.
Now the Sukhoi Su-24 flight had been readied for the day’s mission, Nauja and Aneta were in the Control Tower ready to message each occurrence to Maksym via Aenoheso. ‘6 Sukhoi Su-24s left Kalyniv’ was the first.
41st Tactical Aviation Brigade was rumoured to be receiving F-16s, so Kapitan Andriy Oliynyk’s flight would be from base to base as if searching for a suitable runway. When he said he might visit Chayka Field, Aneta had reminded him that it had a shorter runway, and he laughed.
“That makes it a better challenge.’
Nauja warned their base if he came to advise caution.
An hour later, an ORLAN 10 slipped high over Kalyniv, out of their defenses. Nauja sent out a warning hoping a Tiger was close enough to deal with it.
Orlan 10 UAV: https://www.realitymodelling.uk.com/product/orlan-10-uav/Two more ORLAN 10s appeared but then a Tiger arrived and launched two drones. The first neutralised the ORLANS which wavered. The second interceptor captured one drone as the other two fell earthwards.
While Nauja sent a coded success report, the Tiger landed to retrieve all the drones.
Nauja followed Aneta down to greet the Tiger’s pilots.
Aneta greeted the sole pilot with a prosthetic leg, one of the iconic Witches heroines.
“Nicely done Lieutenant Polina Moroz… Cadet Odrija Kalniņa. We wondered who was replacing Cadet Marusya Dudziarz in Tiger Bravo. The best choice had to be the pilot who dropped us off in the Puszczyk yesterday.”
“Please message that Bravo’s mission was a success. I’ll be collecting you both when this exercise is over.”
“A success if the Russians don’t launch missiles at this base,” said Polina. “We need to quickly clear up here before leaving, Odrija.”
During the clear-up, Aneta detected activity in one of the crashed drones.
Polina rushed to the Tiger.
“Stand back, we have one interceptor left I should be able to set it to neutralise without launching.”
A short while later, Aneta confirmed all activity had ceased so they finished loading all the drones and their fragments into Bravo Tiger.
“We’ll fly these back to Chayka Field where our engineers can examine them,” said Polina. “And when you sisters are finished, Odrija will collect you.”
**
Saab 340 AEWC, Polish Airspace over Przemyśl, Subcarpathian Voivodeship, Poland
Saab 340 AEWCS/S 100 B Argus in flight at the Swedish Armed Forces Airshow 2010. [Photo by Gnolam – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0]Alfhild brought a coded message to where Marusya and Tayanita were watching a technician monitoring activity on the Eastern Ukrainian border with Russia.
She took them to the area behind the pilots where there was a table and chairs.
“Let me know if we need to act on this. I may be flying so no surprises, please.” She grinned and left.
A minute later, Tayanita said, “It’s an update from Nauja in Kalyniv. Bravo Tiger’s mission was a success and they’re taking the ORLAN 10 and fragments back to base. No sign of Russian missiles. Let’s tell Alfhild.”
The Colonel was pleased but qualified her reaction.
“The non-appearance of Russian missiles means that the cluster of ORLAN 10s didn’t manage to transmit any sensitive images back to the operators, such as details on planes stationed there. However, they can still target the long clean runway.”
“I keep wondering how these drones were launched as the front is so far to the east,” asked Marusya.
“Same here,” said Alfhild. “Air-launched is my initial guess… if that’s feasible. Or Russian sympathizers are launching them inside Ukraine. The third option is Transnistria if there was a way to get the ORLAN 10s to the Russian troops there… more likely the designs that are not complex.”
“Maybe our engineers can identify their origin,” said Marusya. “Do we distract them with more crucial questions to answer?”
Russian military with the Orlan-10 UAV https://mil.in.ua/en/news/paratroopers-landed-the-russian-orlan-10-drone-with-the-help-of-ew/**
Myrhorod Air Base, Poltava Oblast, Ukraine
Kapitan Adriana Pavlenko led Blue Flight low towards Myrhorod Air Base although the clearance had been confusing with talk about reconnaissance drones. But with no warning not to land, she began her descent.
It was only when the ground crew frantically directed her away from the main base towards some dispersed hard standings that she knew something was wrong. A curving taxiway took her to the far end of the base and a vacant pad, between two Su-27s. A mechanic hurriedly threw a camouflage netting over one side of her MiG-29 and she pulled it over the other side.
Then she was running behind him as there were explosions towards the runway and the main base. The mechanic grabbed her hand and pulled her into a slit trench with a shelter burrowed into the ground.
**
Kanatove Reserve Air Base, near Kropyvnytskyi, Kirovohrad Oblast, Ukraine.
Zyta Sadowska led Mahihkan Wolf Sister towards the Tiger, whose pilots were already inspecting the neutralized drones.
Russian Federation invasion forces Orlan-10 , which was neutralized by EW means, August 2022. Photo credits: Ukrainian Air Assault Forces“Impressive use of the new drone neutralizer,” said Zyta. “Mahihkan couldn’t wait to report it works. Let’s hope the engineers can make a ground defence version.”
“It would be invaluable for everyone,” said Conchita Gutiérrez. “For now, though, Adelita and I were concerned about Myrhorod Air Base. We were a distance from it and couldn’t investigate as your ORLAN alert came through, but there were multiple explosions. Can you please request help from the Witches with a coded message? Muchas gracias amigas.”
**
Dęblin Military Air Base, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland
Aenoheso read Maksym the decoded message.
“Major explosions at Myrhorod Air Base. They may need help.”
He knew at once this was urgent, so dictated a new message.
“Blue Flight at Myrhorod Air Base, which is under attack. Send available craft.”
Chayka Field, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine
As Kapitan Andriy Oliynyk approached the Night Witches’ base, he grinned thinking about their surprised reception.
He informed their Control Tower of his imminent arrival.
“This is Kapitan Andriy Oliynyk of the 41st Tactical Aviation Brigade with a Sukhoi Su-24 flight seeking hospitality.”
“You are clear for landing but be aware that our runway is short so take care.”
Same warning he’d got at Kalyniv. However, he’d show them real skill. He’d soon be an F-16 pilot.
He eased back on the throttle as he touched down. He glanced to one side and noticed how rundown the base was. Weeds everywhere, rusty doors, peeling paint.
Too late he realized he was running out of runway and options. He dropped every flap but still buried his Su-24 in the earth bank barrier at the runway’s end. His headcoms crackled but he leapt out of the jet as his Number Two skidded towards him on the earth his jet churned up.
His friend Fedir shouted down from the Su-24.
“The Control Tower says as we’ve blocked the runway they are landing the other Su-24s on their road runways, part of their dispersed system. We can stay until someone helps us recover our planes.”
Since nobody was coming to meet them, Andriy and Fedir walked to the base.
**
Mariyka Shevchuk was struggling with who to send to help Blue flight once she knew more from Myrhorod Air Base, although it was confusing.
Bell CH-146 Griffon. Author: John DaviesHer best option was sending Golf Griffon with the Canadian crew of pilot Captain Xenia Ahlberg, her co-pilot Lieutenant Acacia Berntsen, and their Flight Engineer 2nd Lieutenant Iryna Forsberg. They’d have space for 8-10 Night Owls or 6 stretchers.
First Lieutenant Andżelika Sówka could take charge of explosives expert Zofia Bukowska, plus the two K9 units not sent to Kyiv, Alyona Jabłońska and Zeb her Bloodhound, and Kseniya Łaska and Nyx her Doberman.
Nette Little Feather agreed that for now she and Nawel Leaping Jaguar could cope at Chayka Field. Zyta Sadowska and Mahihkan Wolf Sister had completed their mission at Kanatove, so could be collected by the Bell CH-146 Griffon en route to Myrhorod Air Base.
“If the Russians are still attacking Myrhorod Air Base with repeat hits, we must send a coded message to Maksym and Alfhild so the Griffon is not flying into a firestorm without backup.”
**
Dęblin Military Air Base, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland
“Golf flying rescue mission to Myrhorod Air Base under repetitive attack. Blue might be in danger. Need suitable backup implemented from up high. Chayka resources being depleted by exercise.”
The message was cryptic even decoded, but Maksym knew where some units were allocated. Alfhild would have a clearer view from the Saab 340 AEWC so he sent her instructions.”
“Further to Chayka’s request. Action recce overflight by nearest Witch flight and Tiger monitoring of status.”
**
Saab 340 AEWC, Romanian Airspace over Brăila, Brăila County, Romania.
The Saab 340 AEWC had begun its return trip from the Black Sea when the messages came in for Alfhild.
After Tayanita had decoded them, she walked along the monitor screen estimating which of the Witches’ aircraft was nearest to Poltava Oblast. She hesitated when she realized Sabre flight was nearest and they’d just recovered from a devastating missile attack on Kalyniv. Yet, their scarred leader Kapitan Maryna Sobol was the ideal survivor to bolster morale. So, she sent her an order for Sable to overfly Myrhorod.
Alfa Tiger was nearby and Kapitan Nadia Lysenko and Kapitan Aleks Górski had proved invaluable in a crisis.
**
Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital, Kyiv, Ukraine
Rescuers and volunteers are working at Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital that was strongly damaged during a Russian missile strike in Kyiv, Ukraine, on July 08, 2024, amid the Russian invasion. Russia is massively attacking Ukraine with missiles on July 08. (Photo by Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto via AP)Although much of the rubble had been removed, the hospital bore a horrendous scar… the staff and patients would carry theirs longer. Whenever someone was pulled out alive, they feared that would be the last. Fortunately, hope lived on.
Anhelina Tkachuk and Quetzal had found a few people, all effusively grateful to her red & white Siberian Husky.
Her K9 friends, handlers and dogs, had successful rescues and were now resting in what shade was available on this scorching day.
Aldona Jagoda slept with Taika the Belgian Malinois’s head on her lap, while Daniela Stasiuk shared her water with Rihi the Dutch Shepherd.
Leo, their supervisor and friend, gently called them back to work and led them into a new covered area.
“The roof has already been made secure. All we need to do is search the passages. Hopefully, this is the last area we’ve been assigned.
An hour later, they found a group trapped by a fallen wall. Amazingly they had survived as a vending machine was in the same small space and had been smashed supposedly by falling masonry.
The walk back to the helicopters was more tiring than the walk in the passages. However, only the KAI LAH was waiting, Captain Jeong explained the Black Hawk had flown to Myrhorod Air Base with the medics and stretchers.
“Did something happen there?” asked Aldona.
“The Russians attacked the base. I believe Sabre and Blue Flights are there and Alfa Tiger are helping so we’re in control.”
“Blessed Archangel Michael, I pray we are,” said Anhelina. “My cousin Olha is in Blue Flight… and we hadn’t seen each other for two years until this morning.”
**
Myrhorod Air Base, Poltava Oblast, Ukraine
Sable Flight had rendezvoused with Alfa Tiger, Golf Griffon and Hotel Black Hawk at Kanatove Reserve Air Base and picked up Zyta Sadowska and Mahihkan Wolf Sister.
As agreed, Kapitan Maryna Sobol and Sabre Flight led the approach to Myrhorod, as Nadia and Aleks monitored the base with their Tiger’s array. They also knew Alfhild was ensuring the Saab 340 AEWC had at least one monitor watching, probably with Marusya noting every detail.
On the overflight, Sabre Flight were not attacked but the Control Tower explained why the runway was blocked by two crashed MiG-29s and bomblet craters.
“A group of ORLAN 10s made a surveillance and reconnaissance of our base, so they could target the next flight—”
“Our sister flight,” said Maryna. “I see at least two destroyed planes. Were there more casualties? We are nearby with help if you can take helicopters.”
“Permission to help granted for your helicopters. If you wish to land your MiG-29s, you can try the nearby roads we use for dispersed training. Transmitting coordinates now, Welcome friends,”
“Slava Ukrayini.”
Maryna checked the helicopters had heard the conversation and then circled the base until her jet homed in on the coordinates.
The road runway was well disguised and led to cleverly laid out concrete revetments. The ground crew met all four pilots and spread camouflage netting over every plane.
“We’re sorry about your colleagues. We guessed you must be the famous all-female Night Witches even if we hadn’t seen the amazing nose art,”
“Copied from a 1944 design on an original Night Witches biplane in Canada.”
*
Nadia promptly assessed the situation with the help of paramedic Estera Sówka, whose experience at the Kyiv Children’s Hospital disaster had prepared her for another incident.
“I counted 2 fatalities and six injuries,” said Yevhen Baran, Myrhorod Air Base’s doctor. “Two are critical, two are serious, and two are walking wounded. All six are still in the med bunker… which is blast-proof.”
Estera was anxious to start treating patients asap. “Can we treat the critical injuries here, Yevhen?”
“We only have the means to stabilize them. One needs amputation. Both should be taken to a full equipped facility, but the only vehicle has been commandeered for the front.”
Nadia glanced at Henrika Visser, prompting her to make an offer.
“Our Black Hawk is equipped with stretchers and has made two flights with patients from Kyiv to Lviv recently. But it might be riskier with the Russians regularly targeting this base.”
“Sabre Flight will escort you,” said Maryna’
“And Alfa Tiger can ensure no drones are lurking nearby”
“I’m very grateful,” said Adriana Pavlenko. “The patient requiring an amputation is my Lieutenant, Olha Tkachuk. She’s from Lviv and her cousin is Anhelina, one of our K9 handlers.”
“Shall I tell her?” asked Estera Sówka. “I welcomed her to the Owls in Kyiv.”
“We both should,” said Adriana and then went and stared out of a window at the runway.
Doctor Baran told Estera to follow him to the med bunker, so they left with the other Owl medics Zyta Sadowska and Alicja Dubicka.
Henrika Visser and her crew went to prepare the Black Hawk for the flight to Lviv.
071211-N-9623R-006 .FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, Calif. (Dec. 11, 2007) Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 17 assist in loading fellow Seabees into a Blackhawk medical evacuation helicopter during a mass casualty drill. NMCB-17 and other units are taking part in joint three-week field exercise known as “Operation Bearing Duel.” U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kenneth W. Robinson (Released)A senior officer walked into the room, and everyone saluted.
“I’m Major Illya Medved, Commander of Myrhorod Air Base. After today’s tragedy, I should have come to welcome you. I hope Doctor Baran was helpful, even though we had casualties. I wanted to ensure our flights managed to find bases for the night, while we cleared the runway.”
“I’m Lieutenant Andżelika Sówka from the Night Owls, our squadron’s security. We can help if anyone is MIA.” She was anxious her team needed to do more, so she added, “We even have K9 units and an explosives expert if there is any unexploded ordinance.”
Illya Medved hesitated, unused to so many female officers. Then he relaxed.
“I should have realised the Night Witches would be resourceful and fearless. I’m unsure all our ground crew reported back after the attacks.”
He stepped away and called his Senior Chief Mechanic, then turned to Andżelika.
“Stepan Marchenko will meet you and your team at Taxiway A. Some mechanics were last seen near where the first MiG-29 was destroyed.”
When the Night Owls left, Adriana approached the doctor who had returned and was talking to the Major.
“Was my Lieutenant, Olha Tkachuk in that second jet… she should have been. Yet I’ve seen the wreckage. How did she survive with her arm… mangled?”
Yevhen looked at his commander, who let him answer.
“Like you, she got out, but when the cluster bomb hit her MiG, she was hit by some debris and knocked over, trapping and mangling her arm.” He paused then continued, “I came to say she’s ready to be taken to the Black Hawk in one of their stretchers. The other patient, as you know Illya, is a mechanic who has third-degree burns after trying to rescue one of your other colleagues. We’re sorry for your double loss.”
Maryna choked back her tears, memories of the attack on Sable Flight flooding back.
“Almost your whole flight. I hope Olha flies again. I’m so grateful I had Katia to help me recover and fly again. Come with us on the flight to Lviv, please.”
“I can’t leave without… Taisia and Halyna—”
The Major put a comforting arm around her shoulders.
“We will ensure whatever we find of their remains are reverentially sent to you for burial if that seems acceptable.”
“Aleks and I will remain here to bring them to you if you agree. You must be in Lviv for Olha. She needs you, please.”
Adriana thanked Illya and Nadia before leaving.
“We need to scan for drones,” said Aleks, “ but will return to send an urgent message,”
Outside they said farewell to the Black Hawk crew and passengers.
“We’ll monitor for any unfriendly forces, then tell the Control Tower when it’s safe to leave. Plus, we’ll ensure you are expected in Lviv.”
*
Having watched the Black Hawk leave with its five-fighter escort, Nadia and Aleks returned to Illya Medved.
“I have some questions, Major,” said Nadia.
“Anytime.”
“Say no to any of these. First, please can we send an urgent coded message?” She paused to let him refuse. “Second, do you have a brave daughter called Tamila?” He nodded and smiled. “Third, can we call you Illya?”
“Of course, you are friends of my daughter, Lieutenant Tamila Medved. I was proud when in 2022 she became one of the fearless Night Witches despite the prejudice female pilots faced from some. Then later that year she shot down a cruise missile and three drones at the cost of an injured ankle.”
“Because she flew her stricken jet away from residences,” added Nadia. “A few months later, visiting the hospital where Olha will receive a prosthetic arm, she persuaded a courageous helicopter pilot with a prosthetic leg to join us as one of our best pilots… and our goal-scoring winning soccer star alongside your daughter.”
“This I must see as soon as possible. My daughter playing soccer with a prosthetic-wearing helicopter pilot. Plus, I must visit the Night Witches base. ”
“Then the sooner we send our coded message, the sooner we can all go to Chayka Field.”
Nadia asked Mahihkan Wolf Sister to code a message for Maksym, Alfhild, and Mariyka.
“Hotel heading to Lviv with first patient requiring arm amputation and second with third-degree burns. Please make arrangements. Sable Flight escorting. Golf and Alfa remain at Myrhorod to help clear three wrecked MiG-29s. Will return with the ashes of two brave pilots. Adriana Pavlenko will name the deceased on return.”
**
FCA 4,082 words
Slava Ukrayini
