[Sweden]: Operation Pyrite

[Axis12]

With the President suddenly leaving the airport the NIO would immediately track the aircraft to locate where the 747 was located and immediately found that it was on course to Israel as the 747 would definitely not have the range and the aircraft could not land to refuel anywhere else. Immediately 3 Fully fueled, fully armed with standard Air to Air weaponry F-5 phantoms would scramble from Ankara to intercept the 747 And acertain the reason behind the sudden departure. Additionally a MIM-104 Patriot Missile system would be Activated as the aircraft neared the Syrian Border.
“This is Turkish AF 0837, state your intended destination SAA Springbok 1, you are currently en route towards Israeli Airspace which is restricted to all aircraft departing from the Republic at this time.”

Meanwhile The convoy in Istanbul would be sent to NIO headquarters where the Intellegence Organization was organizing an emergency crisis meeting. Many members felt as though the President was for some reason fleeing to Israel to seek refuge which if found out, it would tarnish the reputation of Turkey immensely to the GA and Turkey’s allies. It was not an option to shoot down the 747 for various obvious reasons, especially due to the fact the the 747 was flying over multiple populated regions and debris could kill civilians on the ground.

”The is Turkish AF 0837, state you intended destination immediately or you will be shot down!”(Of course this threat was not valid but more of a scare tactic.
All of this would be Top Secret
Owen
Zak

 

[Owen]

The aircraft would be heading out over the western side of Turkey and over the Mediterranean as it was stated it was heading due south of where it landed (Istanbul). It would still be flying over Turkey when the jets would reach them, approaching airspace over Antalya.

"Turkish 0837, Springbok 1, this is a civilian aircraft. Shooting upon this aircraft will violate several international laws. I advise you do not proceed and head back to your bases." The Captain would radio back. Meanwhile the former State President would be notified and see the jets outside the window of the aircraft.

"Bloody fucking rag heads! This plane is going to Israel if they like it or not!" He would exclaim at his wife.

The Captain would change frequency to Tel Aviv.

"Tel Aviv, this is Springbok 1, we have an emergency situation up here. We are 100 kilometres north-west of Antalya, Turkey. Turkish Air Force are flanking the aircraft and threatening to shoot it down. Please advise Air Force that we need immediate help."

The Captain would also change frequency to RAF Akrotiri. He would be hesistant to let them know it was the former State President's jet.

"Akrotiri, this is South African Airways Springbok erm.... 53, we are a passenger airliner en route from Istanbul to Johannesburg. Turkish Air Force jets are threatening to shoot us down, we are 100 kilometres north-west of Antalya, Turkey heading into international airspace west of Cyprus, we need immediate assistance."

The Captain would also change frequency to Alexandria, Egypt.

"Alexandria tower, this is South African Airways Springbok 53, we are a passenger airliner en route from Istanbul to Johannesburg. Turkish Air Force jets are threatening to shoot us down, we are 100 kilometres north-west of Antalya, Turkey heading into international airspace over the Mediterranean. We need immediate assistance."

Zak
Axis12
Jamie

 

[Owen]

Thomas R. Jones

 

[Axis12]

The lead aircraft, TAF 0837 would give its final warning after 5 minutes of radio silence From the SAA 747.
“This is your final warning Springbok 1, land immediately at Antalya Intl or you will be shot down”

The F-4 Phantom II fighter aircraft would flank either side of the jumbo jet with 2 on the right (Leader, TAF 0834) and 1 on the right (TAF 0736). They would roll side to side to indicate a warning the SAA 747 in case they were not hearing the transmission. Antalya ATC would also radio into the Aircraft to land immediate at runway 2.
The MIM-104 SAM system near Antalya would be alerted and readied to fire in case the SAA 747 attempts to contact other foreign powers of the event for help. The 2nd Fighter Squadron and 3rd fighter squadrons would also be alerted in Adana AFB to the east(Stationed for operation DawnBreaker) and 2 F-16A/B Fighting Falcons would be fueled, armed and readied to depart from the area to assist the 3 F-4 Phantoms. Radar systems would be on high alert across the coast of Turkey. Saudi Arabia would be alerted and Turkey would request that Saudi Aircraft be readied as there could be a coming conflict…
Owen
Zak
VBCFan

 

[Thomas R. Jones]

Alexandria International Airport's traffic controller would try to comprehend the radio call for a moment, and then reply.

"Springbok 53, this is Borg El Arab International Airport, 25 miles southwest of Alexandria. You have clearance to land, over."

At the same time, a call would be made to the Egyptian Government, where a bewildered switchboard operator would try the Interior Ministry, then the PM, then the President.

No answer. Springbok 53 was on its own.

Owen
Axis12

 

[Owen]

Tel Aviv tower would be contacted once more.

“Tel Aviv tower we need EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. Jets are threatening to shoot down this aircraft. Over.”

The response from Alexandria was baffling but RAF Akrotiri would be contacted again.

“Akrotiri tower we need EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. Jets are threatening to shoot down this aircraft. Over.”

Axis12
Zak
Jamie

 

[Jamie]

RAF Akrotiri was currently on limited duties due to no operational requirements in the area. Despite no aircraft present, air traffic controllers on site had received the distress calls; unfortunately disrupting their uneventful day.

"South African Airways Springbok, this is RAF Akrotiri, you have been granted emergency access to land at Akrotiri for safe passage. Please confirm current position, persons on board and intent.".

This was confirmed on public frequencies which would soon be announced on the news about the MAYDAY call.

During that time, the situation was escalated further and concern was raised over the apparent threats to shoot down a civilian airliner. Akrotiri was severely unmanned which raised concerns for such scenario. As a precaution, the Special Air Service was put on immediate readiness that would see all equipment loaded and capable of departing the United Kingdom immediately if the green light was given. This saw the members of 21 Squadron SAS, 5 Air Troop and 7 Boat Troops prepared and departed for RAF Brize Norton pending further information which was the initial response until more information was gathered.

Owen
Zak
Axis12

 

[Axis12]

The lead Aircraft would contact the 747 once more as it cruised over the coast near Antalya, at the same time it would get top secret instructions from Intelligence command.
”This is Air Command to 0837, you are cleared to use your M61 Vulcan Canon on Engine 4. I repeat again, you are cleared to fire on Engine 4.”
F-5 Phantoms would carry two 20-mm M61 Vulcan cannons in the fuselage nose. Two AIM-9 Sidewinders on the wingtips, and 7000 pounds of Bullpup air-to-surface missiles

The decision would keep in mind international law and it would be discussed amongst command that since the president was in fact an international fugitive, it would be deemed acceptable to fire on the aircraft Even if there would be some laws broken.
0837 would contact the other two aircraft and the two f-16s would rapidly approaching from Adana AFB within 15 minutes.
”Cleared to fire on Engine 4, be advised of debris.”

Flying in formation, the other two F-4s would break off and ascend to around 300ft above the 747 while leader 0837 would fly Close behind the 747 but not too close as to fly into the air disturbance behind the 747.

“SA 747, we have given you your final warning, land immediately or we will fire!”
The 747 would just then leave Turkish Aerospace and Waters going to an unknown location. All of this would be private.
Owen
Zak
Jamie

 

[Zak]

It was a slow morning at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, air traffic controllers were hard at work handling aircraft as they departed, arrived and flew overhead in a safe manner. It wasn't until the South African Aireays Boeing 747 changed frequency to Tel Aviv where they would hear the emergency call for help which was heard by one of the area controllers handling the sector over Northern Israel.

"Springbok 1, this is Tel Aviv, squawk 7700 and turn direct Tel Aviv, your emergency has been relayed to the Israeli Air Force who are now handling the situation."

With that, the emergency would be handed over to the Central Air Defense Regiment where personnel had been scrambling to mobilise eight General Dynamics F-16D "Barak" Fighting Falcons which would be fully fueled and armed with the following; 6× AIM-9 Sidewinder, 1 × 20 mm M61A1 Vulcan 6-barrel rotary cannon, each loaded with 511 rounds, SUU-42A/A Flares/Infrared decoys dispenser pod and chaff pod with a AN/APG-68 radar on board.

The aircraft would take off from Palmachim Air Force Base and would fly north towards Northern Israel towards the border with international airspace and would make safe laps around awaiting the South African Airways Boeing 747 to make its way closer to Israel.

"Springbok 1, this is Operations Command within the Israeli Air Force, we have deployed fighter jets to meet you in international airspace. Please acknowledge."

Axis12
Owen
Jamie

 

[Owen]

The frequency would be changed to Palmachim.

“Palmachim, these jets are going to shoot us down and we are currently approaching international airspace over the Mediterranean. You aircraft need to immediately make their way to this position south of Antalya.”

By now the jet would be heading out over the Mediterranean south of Antalya. Still not close enough to Cypriot airspace and too far from Akrotiri to land there and with no RAF assets at Akrotiri it completely relied on Israeli jets jettisoning their tanks and getting to this position ASAP. The captain was baffled as to why they were remaining in international airspace, like Israel has never violated airspace of neighbouring countries before… the captain would quit responding to the Turks, believing it’s just enraging them even more.

Axis12
Zak

 

[Zak]

The Israeli Air Force fighter jets were now in position over international airspace, awaiting orders from their superiors on the ground. The incident had been passed up the chain of command to the Minister of Defence and Prime Minister who would rally the Security Cabinet to meet at its earliest possible convenience. Meanwhile, on the ground, personnel had been receiving orders from their superiors to pass onto the fighter jet pilots in the air not to violate Turkish airspace as it would be seen as an act of war, something which Israel was not willing to risk at its present time.

"Springbok 1, our fighter jet units are in international airspace and are not cleared to enter Turkish airspace, you will be escorted upon entering international airspace, over."

Owen
Axis12

 

[Axis12]

With no response from Springbok 1, and the arrival of the two F-16A/B fighters the F-4 Phantom II would be cleared to open fire on Engine (4).
“Springbok 1, you have ignored all warnings and are in violation of International Law and Turkish Law by flying in Turkish National Aerospace without authorization. Prepare to be shot down.”

The F-4 Pahntom II would then carefully decrease speed and fly behind Engine 4 of the 747. Using its two 20-mm M61 Vulcan cannons it would fire a quick burst into Engine four of the 747 causing a furry of flames and pieces to blow out from the back of the engine and soon after a black trail of smoke as the Turbofans ripped themselves apart. The 747 would still be able to fly on course as long as nothing hit the rest of the plane but it likely would not make it very far if it continued to disobey orders. The Pilots did their Job, No questions and Contacted the 747 to alert them that another engine would be blown away if they did not immediately comply.
Owen
Zak

 

[Owen]

The Turkish Air Force jet firing on Engine 4 would cause pieces of it and turbofans to go flying all over the place, some would hit the fuel tanks located above the engines in the wings. This would cause fuel to leak out and with the ignition of Engine 4 before the fire handle could be pulled would result in the fuel tank igniting. Within seconds a fire ball would rip through the fuel tanks on one wing and eventually across to the other wing. The plane would erupt mid-air and a giant fire ball would stream across the sky and would be visible from Turkey and Cyprus. Springbok 1 would disappear from radar from RAF Akrotiri and Palmachim Air Base and on Turkish radar. The Turkish jets would have mere seconds to pull away from the inferno which would be directly in front of them. Bits of the plane would begin raining down into the Mediterranean ocean. Debris would first begin washing ashore in Turkey and Cyprus and then would begin washing up on beaches in Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Libya, Italy and Greece.

Axis12
Zak
Jamie

 

[Zak]

“Command, we have a plane descending rapidly towards our location.”

“Target plane is now off radar, we still have several contacts on radar.”

“Plane is completely off radar, deploy search and rescue teams. I think we can assume the worst has happened. We’re returning to base, low fuel alert.”

The eight Israeli fighter jets returned to Palmachim Air Base and touched down safely one after another where they returned to their hangers and debriefed with their Commanding Officers who gathered a report to pass up the chain of command to the Ministry of Defence.

With reports flooding in from coastal towns and cities from concerned residents after reported aircraft debris washing up on beaches, Mossad and Shin Bet agents would arrive on scene after the scene was secured by Israel Police officers.

The Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of the Interior were informed of the incident, which had occurred, and it was decided that the Prime Minister was going to contact partners and allies in the coming hours ahead to brief them on the seriousness of the incident.

Axis12
Owen

 

[Owen]

The new State President, who would now take on the role as Prime Minister under the Swedish Governor-General of South Africa, F.W. de Klerk would release a statement.

"It is our belief, as the government and the last people to have contact with Mr. Botha in South Africa that the former State President was indeed onboard a South African Airways 747 in the Mediterranean that was shot down by the Turkish Air Force. Turkey offered to harbour the former State President and that is where we believed he went based on correspondences from the crew back to South African Airways HQ in Johannesburg. It was, at the time, the only South African Airways jet in the air due to the grounding of the entire fleet following the occupation by Sweden. We have a rough idea of who was onboard that aircraft and I will go through that now...

Pieter Willem Botha,

Anna Elizabeth Botha,

Rozanne Botha,

Elanza Botha,

Rossouw Botha,

Pieter Willem Botha Jnr.,

Amelia Botha,

Captain Hendrik Joubert,

First Officer Frederik de Villiers

Second Officer Jan van der Byl,

Flight Attendant Margaret van Rooyen,

Flight Attendant Irene Herzog.

I would like it if all South Africans could keep the family of these people in your prayers. Thank you."

 

[Axis12]

Lead pilot 0837 would be stunned as the aircraft wing burst into flame and pieces of debris would scatter behind the 747.
“Crap! The Aircraft is going down, all aircraft pull away immediately, break formation!”

TAR 0736
”Copy, pulling up to 35,000ft. 0836, watch yourself, the plane is going to pull itself apart any second now.“

The 3 F-4 Phantoms would pull away before any debris could damage their aircraft and the observed as Springbok 1 was engulfed into flame and dove towards the Mediterranean a few miles away from Turkish Waters.

”This is Command, what is the Status of Springbok 1, over”

TAF 0837 would respond
”Aircraft was shot down command, the engine fire in #4 seemed to have spread into the fuel inside the wings. Survivors are unlikely, and we are low on fuel.”

”Understood, return to base and maintain your current altitude of 34,500ft. We just picked up possible Israeli jets incoming though they are maintains their distance.”

The 3 F-4 Phantom IIs would return back to base in a 3V formation while still staying at a reasonable distance from each other. At the Same Time the 2 F-16A/Bs deployed from Antalya AFB would be ordered to return to base and would fly next to each other at 38,000 ft until reaching the Turkish mainland and descending. Once both Fighter groups were landed they would be briefed and a investigation into the pilots of TAF 0837 was initiated in order to determine if a fault was made that caused the Aircraft to suddenly come down instead of simply disabling the Fourth Engine. 2 AB-25 Patrol Craft would be deployed from Aksaz Naval Base in the west and a Westland Sea King HC4 would be fully fulled to investigate the suspected crash site. The President was due to make a statement on all of this shortly. Top Secret
All of this would occur in KM

 

[Axis12]

Zak
Owen
Odinson

 

[Connor]

TOP SECRET
War Crimes
May 1999

Naturally keeping an eager eye on the developing in and around South Africa the information surrounding the death of P. W. Botha and his family, especially after the announcements made by both Prime Minister F. W. de Klerk and The Jerusalem Post, the Governor-General would sit up in his seat aboard his VIP transport aircraft. In a moments notice his pen would be launched across the office, pinning itself in the wall in a dart-line fashion as the words "THE TURKISH BASTARDS HAVE DONE WHAT?!" blast from his mouth and bellow throughout the aircraft. In seconds he would clamber from his chair and throw an emergency encrypted telephone line to his ear and demand the Department of Defence from the switchboard which would be ported immediately - as you can expect a delicately structure provision of information was passed through the phone although the words "ABSOLUTE CUNTS" and "CONNIVING LIARS" often slipped his tongue. This very quickly reached the Secretary of Defence.

Meanwhile the aircraft he was aboard would descend and make its way into Air Force Base Ysterplaat as would the deployed Rapid Reaction Squadron from Marion Island which would very quickly assume a position at the end of the runway, in safety, ready to react if necessary - especially given the escalation in the Middle East. A short while later the aircraft deployed from the Swedish Royal Air Force's Malmslätt Air Force Wing, 1st Heavy Airlift Squadron as well as the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III's containing twenty Bushmaster PMV's and the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Reconnaissance Company along with their kit would make their descent at safe intervals before taxi the the apron for unloading. This was the beginning of the Bophuthatswana Campaign.

With at least two military bases controlled by the Swedish Army the orders were given to the Carrier Battle Group now approaching the eastern end of the country following their departure from Diego Garcia to make the approach into or towards, depending on water depths for the aircraft carrier, to begin their approach to Naval Base Durban, the second largest naval base in South Africa and ultimately giving the Kingdom of Sweden complete control of South African territorial waters. On approach to the base the vessels would make for the most suitable docks before the ships companies, donning the appropriate gear would move onto land with rifles in hand headed for the buildings on the base. Similar to Simon's Town those trained onboard each vessel would be instructed to ensure the Swedish flag was visible on the vessels, don appropriate uniform and make for the base. Whilst not trained in ground combat to the degree of the Swedish Army the personnel present, this time in the thousands, would have no problem moving themselves through the facility to ensure its perimeter was secure and the buildings were empty as expected.

Owen
Axis12

 

[Connor]

TOP SECRET
Bophuthatswana Campaign
May 1999

As the run rises across the runway at Air Force Base Ysterplaat the personnel of Skaraborg Regiment, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Reconnaissance Company, 8th Reconnaissance Platoon sit with their backs against an empty aircraft hangar. Many of them sat on their kit bags for some comfort on the hard concrete ground whilst others sit against the wall with their arms propped carefully upon their knees. The platoons Lieutenant sits at the very top of the line of men, this time perched on a bollard with a water bottle in hand in an attempt to keep on top of his hydration whilst the temperatures continue to rise - ahead of him sit a line of so far unused Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles ready and waiting for the various platoons embarking on the Bophuthatswana Campaign. His head was in the game, and he was ready to start making a mark on the operation especially of such a significant portion of the Swedish mission delivery. Once his water bottle hit the dregs he'd crush the plastic in his hands and use his core body weight to push himself from the bollard to face his team.

"Guys, listen up, listen up. We're about to embark on a mission that's unlike any training exercise you've ever been apart of and will put your best weapon to the test. Your mouth. The men, women and children out there are screaming out to meet Swedish troops; you'll be decorated in gifts, handshakes, hugs, kisses... but remember this is a warzone. We're in position to ensure this country doesn't go to rat shit after the collapse of their racist President but not everybody out there is your best friend. Watch your back... at watch each others backs. We're going to travel in convoy up to Mmabatho, the capital of Bophuthatswana, and our best opportunity to gather the intelligence necessary to start reinstalling some sort of order in the streets. Stay close. Stay in contact."

The team would watch up to the Lieutenants pep-talk with wide eyes, barely awake and barely functioning but they were ready to start their mission. 8th Reconnaissance Platoon consisted of sixty men which in turn required the use of six vehicles to safely transport them the 1,320km required to get up to the capital of Mmabatho from Cape Town. It was going to take days to make the journey with multiple fuel stops and refreshment breaks required along the way. Fortunately this 'warzone' the Lieutenant described was likely to be one of the safest warzones the personnel would ever be in and was an excellent opportunity to public relations tasks along the way as well as intelligence gathering along the border.

The route would see the convoy leave Cape Town via the major motorways through Van Rhynsdorp and Calvinia before making the rapid ascent through the country to Upington, a major town in the Northern Cape and likely the closest the platoon would get to the Namibian border. Here the team will continue through to Vryburg before the last part of their journey sees them arrive in Mmabatho.

When the order was given the personnel would split into six fireteams and mount into their respective vehicles, all of which communicating via encrypted radio channels. Each vehicle was loaded with the crew, their weapons and their kit bags consisting of the necessary rations to last the next few days. The journey would see them through various towns, cities and settlements so ability to refuel and restock was fairly easily done. The vehicles would leave in close formation to the large steel gates of the Air Force Base where the personnel of the 1st Airborne Company would ensure it was opened in a safe manner and any crowd outside were carefully moved aside to prevent harm from the moving vehicles or even a breach in security. The rear door to the vehicles would remain open and as the platoon made their way out the base and the gates shut behind them, they'd wave to the school children chasing them down the road laughing and cheering. Once out of sight, the doors would slam shut and lock.

The journey begins, as did the camaraderie...

 

[Connor]

TOP SECRET
Bophuthatswana Campaign
May 1999

The journey was rough for the personnel bundled into the Protected Mobility Vehicles. Often referred to by the Swedish troops as 'tin cans' the vehicles were rough and ready, the the high-hard steel was designed primarily for ballistic and IED protection rather than the comfort of those within despite the specially designed crew areas that, whilst they were air conditioned, were much further from comfortable than the average person would expect from over one thousand kilometres of travel time. Throughout the journey however the camaraderie erupted through the largely uneventful journey as the young lads onboard each vehicle attempted to keep their spirits high and continued to remain positive about the mentally strenuous objectives laid out by high command. Naturally the immature minds of the fireteam meant criticism of the way Operation Pyrite was being run often ran out, as many people do about their managers - many suggested that travelling by aircraft and securing a base much closer to their objective of Mmabatho would've made more sense and cut out the necessity for this laborious drive.

Little did they know that this drive was much else about the rapid succession of Swedish forces through the former South African military bases but much rather a chance to show the civilian population that they were safe, at long last. The journey taken, by no coincidence, was dominated by heavy black and ethnic minority populations who continued to remain supportive of the Swedish occupation and often through the journey, as they pass through dozens of hamlets towards their first rendezvous point, they would find the streets lined with locals who often ran chasing the convoy in fits of laughter, cheering, clapping and support for the troops onboard. Each and every time their moods were lifted, and on occasion they'd make the ad hoc decision to stop the convoy to meet with those they were passing; even if it did have an undertone of intelligence gathering throughout.

By this point hours of driving were whittled down and the platoon began to run tired. Signage began to dot the motorway they travelled down directing them to Van Rhynsdorp, the first stop of their journey and a place where the crew could get much needed rest. As they entered Van Rhynsdorp they'd head via Vanriebeek Street where a local garage, consisting of a large carpark, offered the opportunity for a fuel refill and a few hours kip for the lads. Whilst the settlement was largely peaceful the fireteams would each take it in turns keeping lookout whilst the others rested and performed basic maintenance tasks (such as cleaning windscreens, tyre tread and pressure checks as well as the disposal of the odd water bottle full of urine...

Meanwhile, at Air Force Base Ysterplaat, those on base would begin the first stages of the affectionately dubbed 'Civilian Focus Program' which in its early stages would see a local clinic set up on the Air Force Base offering the local community much better standards of healthcare, vaccinations and immunisations free of charge. This system was planned to take place with the support of the Israeli Defence Force however this was yet to be confirmed... These preparations, thus far, included the setting up of a international-law compliant medical facility using the abandoned barracks. Each room would be deep cleaned and sterilised to be used as consultation rooms whilst a larger triage area was set up in a former common area for injuries and wounds in need of treatment. Storage cupboard would be cleared of clutter, as would hallways and passageways. A small waiting area was prepared outside with delicately lined chairs.

Owen