United States | Operation Dragon's Eye

[Odinson]

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OPERATION DRAGON'S EYE​

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SECRET​

AIR FORCE DEPLOYMENT​

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AIR COMBAT COMMAND​

Unit	Airbase	Aircraft	Cabin Crew Each
2nd Reconnaissance Squadron	Groom Lake, Nevada	x5 U-2S	1

AIR MOBILITY COMMAND​

Unit	Airbase	Aircraft	Cabin Crew Each
5th Air Mobility Squadron	MacDill AFB, Florida	x3 KC-135R	3 for refueling mission, 6 for special mission

DETAILS

U-2S - Fully Fueled; x1 pilot; x3 pairs of uniforms each (including x1 pressure suit); Pilots fully rested; All crew uniformed; Compasses and all necessary maps (terranean and deep-sea topographic maps) and other necessary standard on-board equipment and emergency manuals for U-2S; Full loadout of standard physical and electronic countermeasures, cameras, sensors, radars, and other standard items; x1 loaded M18 9mm pistol for the pilot.
KC-135R - Fully Fueled; x2 pilots, x1 navigator (this is doubled for the KC-135R flying to South Africa); x3 pairs of uniforms each; Pilots fully rested; All crew uniformed; Compasses and all necessary maps (terranean and deep-sea topographic maps) and other necessary standard on-board equipment and emergency manuals for KC-135R; Full loadout of standard physical and electronic countermeasures, cameras, sensors, radars, and other standard items; x1 loaded M18 9mm pistol for each crewman.​

JSOC DEPLOYMENT​

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SQUADRON	FLIGHT	PERSONNEL	GARRISON
24th Special Tactics	Zeta Flight	16 Combat Controllers	Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina
24th Special Tactics	Pi Flight	16 Special Reconnaissance	Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina
24th Special Tactics	Omega-Alpha Flight	6 Fixed-Wing Pilots	Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina

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DEPLOYMENT ORDERS​

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CONTEXT​

The Republic of Thailand had deployed a fleet which was (or may still be) heading to the North Atlantic. Through a series of diplomatic discussions and misunderstandings, the United States government interpreted this armed Thai deployment as a direct threat to the United States and Europe - or at least a deployment that would be seen as an offensive/threatening projection of power. By order of the President, the Navy was conducting Operation Omega to block off the passage from the Southern Atlantic to the North. After some discussions, the Thai government agreed to not send their fleet into the North Atlantic. However, before Operation Omega could be altered so that all of the troops could return home, the Navy would need concrete confirmation that the Thai fleet had returned home to port. The Secretary of Defense tasked the Secretary of the Air Force with coming up with a plan to gather intelligence on the current location of the Thai vessels that had been previously deployed.

PACIFIC THEATER​

Three pilots from the 2nd Reconnaissance Squadron, and their respective U-2S aircraft, were selected by their commanding officer to participate in this mission. The aircraft were fueled and prepared, and the pilots were dressed appropriately for the flight. At four in the morning, under the cover of darkness, each one of the aircraft individually took off from the Groom Lake facility within Area 51. Each of the aircraft took off twenty minutes after the other, and the aircraft were not flying with guidelights or their transponders turned on. After taking off, each of the aircraft would ascend to 75,000 feet within about 30 minutes. Each of the U-2S would take the most direct route to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, which was approximately 6,100 miles away. The aircraft were each due to arrive at 6:00PM in the evening (local Guam time). Thirty minutes before the aircraft arrived, airspace over Guam would be temporarily closed in order to allow the aircraft to arrive with little to no detection. Once they were safely on the ground, each of the aircraft would be stored in a hangar, which would then have its door closed and put under constant guard by Air Force Security Forces. Each one of the pilots would be given 18 hours to relax and sleep before the next part of the operation. While flying, the aircraft would use all means of passive radar to detect other aircraft and threats.​

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[Odinson]

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DEPLOYMENT ORDERS​

SECRET​

PACIFIC THEATER​

The three U-2S from the Air Force's 2nd Reconnaissance Squadron made it to Anderson Air Force Base in Guam without incident and without being detected a little after 6:00pm local Guam time. All three of the aircraft were then hidden inside of separate hangars and put under armed guard by the Air Force Security Forces. Each of the pilots were given 18 hours to relax until at least one, or all, of them would need to fly. Some time after resting, the pilots were privately briefed by a senior Air Force officer and informed that the Air Force needed to confirm that the Thai ships were back in port before the carrier strike groups in the Atlantic could lower their readiness and return home. The pilots would then be allotted the remainder of their recreational time until it was time for action.

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[Odinson]

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DEPLOYMENT ORDERS​

SECRET​

CONTEXT​

The secretaries of Defense and the Air Force met behind closed doors with the President to explain that while they would be able to photograph most of Thailand's navy facilities, they would not be able to photo the two that are on the Andaman Sea. The President made it clear that this was unacceptable and gave the Secretary of Defense three hours to come up with an alternative proposal that would allow the United States to obtain definitive proof that Thailand had returned its fleet to port. Three hours later in the Situation Room at the White House, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Air Force, and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force briefed the President on three different proposals that the Pentagon and the Air Force were willing to do (they were presented in no particular order, as even the civilian leadership at the Pentagon could not agree which of the three options was best, or from another perspective, worst). The President, Vice President, and Secretary of State were sitting in the Situation Room together to listen to the briefing and discuss, in real time, what course of action should be taken. The Chief of Staff of the Air Force took the lead in explaining what the realistic options were.

The first option was to launch the U-2s, along with a tanker, from Ethiopia and fly it over the Indian Ocean. The Secretary of State, who was in on the meeting, reminded the President that the United States was bound by treaty to keep the existence of the U-2 program a secret from any country besides the United Kingdom and Sweden. There would be significant logistical barriers to overcome to somehow maintain the secrecy of the U-2, while also launching it from Ethiopia.

The second option was to have one of the spy planes that were to be launched from Guam fly into Thai airspace and take pictures of the navy bases on the other side of the country. The flight over Thailand would be brief and would only add around 40 minutes of flight time for the operation. However, if Thailand shot down the U-2, it could cause a major diplomatic incident and the United States would still not have the intelligence that it needed.

The third option was to ask the British for permission to launch a U-2 from the secret British military facility at Diego Garcia (located in the Indian Ocean). There would be logistical complications with this mission, though not on the level of launching from Ethiopia. Firstly, the Swedish would also need to allow the United States to refuel in South Africa and fly over their airspace with a reconnaissance aircraft. And while the Swedish have been very open to helping the United States in recent times of trouble, the British have declined every request in recent memory for the Navy or Air Force to use their overseas territories for refueling, let alone spy operations. Secondly, the U-2 pilot would have to fly half way around the world with a short break to stretch his legs in South Africa, before flying on to Diego Garcia. Now while this was more than possible and within the bounds of training by the pilot, it would still add stress to the situation.

Secretary Fitzgerald again posted his opposition to Option One. The President nodded his head, and they moved on. The second option was tempting for the President. It would simplify things and, while he didn't say this out loud, it would be pretty bad ass to have an American reconnaissance aircraft invade another country's airspace like the old days of the Cold War. The third option was possible, but it would be logistically challenging and the entire government was tired of getting politely rejected by the British.

"There's only one man in this room that has actually flown a U-2," President Gore said to everyone seated at the table in the Situation Room. The President and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force looked at Vice President Sinclair, followed by everyone else.

"Mister Vice President, what do you think of options two and three?" Gore asked.

Vice President Sinclar, who had been sitting with excellent posture the entire time, cleared his throat and looked at the President, who was smiling. The fact that he had ever flown the U-2 was classified. While the President and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force knew, the rest of the Joint Chiefs, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Defense had no idea. One of the perks of being President, however, was that you could choose to declassify just about anything whenever you wanted to.

"Mister President, I agree with Secretary Fitzgerald. Option One should be off of the table. While I am confident that the pilot could perform the operation in Option Two, part of the entire point of the U-2 is that it flies so high that it normally does not need to fly into enemy airspace. If the Thai military have some advanced radars pointing at just the right angle, under just the right conditions, they may even be able to overcome the U-2s stealth capabilities. The Russians give their weapons away for dirt, and I'm sure Sparrow Industries would sell radars to the Nazis if they were still in power, so we cannot be sure that the Thai military wouldn't be able to take down, or at least detect, the aircraft. I think that Option Three would be the safest option for you to choose, sir," he concluded.

"What about the amount of time the pilot would spend flying in one go?" Gore asked. "General Porter says it could take 12 or 13 hours, plus the layover in South Africa for refueling."

The Vice President shrugged, "I flew for 14 hours over the Arctic, refueled, and flew another for another 6 hours because President Eisenhower thought the Russians were up to something in Siberia. It wasn't fun, it wasn't easy, but it was doable. Just make sure he gets a good night's rest once he gets to Diego Garcia," Sinclair said.

The President chose Option Three.

PACIFIC THEATER​

Two more U-2S from the 2nd Reconnaissance Squadron, along with their pilots, were activated. They made preparations at Groom Lake while Lieutenant Colonel Stratton from the 24th Special Tactics Squadron - the Air Force's Tier One Special Mission Unit - was informed that Zeta Flight and Pi Flight from his unit, along with a handful of pilots, were going to be deployed for this operation.

Six pilots from the Omega-Alpha Flight of the 24th Special Tactics Squadron were flown on a last-minute civilian flight from Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina to MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. From MacDill, all of the pilots boarded a KC-135R which was properly fueled to fly from MacDill AFB to Pope AFB. All preflight checks were done, two of the pilots were piloting the aircraft while a third acted as navigator (the other three reserve crew were seated in the back). The aircraft was situated so that it could seat 80 people if needed. The KC-135R was flown to Pope AFB where the following people would load onto it:
x16 Combat Controllers (Zeta Flight) - Each: x1 M4 Carbine Assault Rifle, +5 loaded magazines; x1 M9 Semiautomatic Pistol +2 loaded magazines; Air Force-issued night vision goggles; x1 combat uniform; x1 AN/PRC-152 radio.
x16 Special Reconnaissance (Pi Flight) - Each: x1 M4 Carbine Assault Rifle, +5 loaded magazines; x1 M9 Semiautomatic Pistol +2 loaded magazines; Air Force-issued night vision goggles; x1 combat uniform; x1 AN/PRC-152 radio.
Basic equipment for collecting weather data and also establishing an on-the-ground air traffic control would be brought.

6,400 pounds of equipment, weapons, and ammunition were loaded onto the aircraft along with 700 pounds of MREs (this would be over four day's worth of food for the entire mission), and 700 pounds of packed freshwater. This would be a total of 7,800 pounds.

The KC-135R was properly fueled so that it could fly to Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport in Puerto Rico. The KC-135R would land on the appropriate runway, taxi, and then refuel with the appropriate amount of fuel to fly from there to Air Force Base Langebaanweg in South Africa. Because the KC-135R was flying way below it's maximum payload and had less than 10,000 pounds of cargo it would be able to fly a distance almost as great as its ferry range. The Swedish Royal Air Force was securely/secretly informed what the ETA of the KC-135R would be to Air Force Base Langebaanweg (approximately midnight, South African time). After it landed in South Africa, the aircraft would refuel, switch out its flight crews, and continue on to Diego Garcia (this second flight path would fly south around Madagascar and not invade any other country's sovereign airspace). Throughout the entire mission, the KC-135R flew at its cruising altitude and speed.

Meanwhile, the two U-2S were prepared at Groom Lake. An additional canister of oxygen was brought on each aircraft, they were fully fueled, and the pilots wore the appropriate space suits for this mission, along with the film and cameras required for a reconnaissance mission. The U-2S left fifteen minutes apart from each other from Groom Lake. Both of them flew at their cruising altitude of 72,000 feet at a speed of 470 miles per hour. The pilots, who had navigational charts as well as advanced equipment to navigate them to South Africa, flew the most direct route from Groom Lake to Langebaanweg Air Force Base in South Africa.

Because the U-2s would not be able to make it to South Africa on their fuel tanks, two KC-135Rs from the 5th Air Mobility Squadron at MacDill AFB in Florida were manned and fueled to fly from there to Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport in Puerto Rico. The KC-135Rs would be loaded with the appropriate amount of fuel to take off, fly a distance of about 100 miles, and also top off the U-2s. As the U-2s passed north of Puerto Rico, both of the KC-135Rs would take off from the airport in Puerto Rico and conduct air-to-air refueling with the U-2s at an altitude of 45,000 feet and a speed of about 400 miles per hour. Afterwards, the KC-135Rs would land in Puerto Rico, refuel, and fly back to their home base in Florida. The U-2s would return to their aforementioned cruising speed and altitude and continue to fly to Langebaanweg in South Africa.

The Air Force securely informed the Swedish Royal Air Force what the ETA would be for the U-2s to Langebaanweg (it was 1:00AM South African time). After landing at Langebaanweg and refueling, the U-2s would replenish the oxygen canisters and then fly to Diego Garcia.

x1 KC-135R (Flying North Carolina to Puerto Rico to South Africa)
Transit: FM>FL>FK>GK>HJ>II>JH>JG

x2 KC-135R (Flying from Florida to Puerto Rico)
Transit: EL>FL>FK
Transit: FK>FL>EL

x2 U-2S (Flying from Area 51 to South Africa)
Transit: DM>EM>FL>GK>GJ>HI>IH>JG>JF

Connor

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[Odinson]

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DEPLOYMENT ORDERS​

SECRET​

PACIFIC THEATER​

The KC-135R tanker successfully landed at Air Force Base Langebaanweg in South Africa. The pilots would have announced themselves before entering South African airspace and securely identified the aircraft as belonging to the United States Air Force. They would have followed South African air traffic control to landing at Air Force Base Langebaanweg. Once on the ground, the crews and men on board would have taken the opportunity to stretch their legs outside (only if there was the opportunity to do so and this was acceptable to the South Africans). This break, though, would only be for about an hour.

The two U-2S would take the same precautions and standard practices as the KC-135R and would, with permission from the South African ATC, land at Air Force Base Langebaanweg to refuel. The 16 Special Reconnaissance Airmen from the 24th Special Tactics Squadron would act as security for the two U-2s as they refueled (provided that the South Africans had no objection to this). During this time, the U-2 pilots would stretch their legs and use the restroom aboard the KC-135R if necessary. Once both of the U-2S aircraft were refueled, they would request clearance to take off from Air Force Base Langebaanweg. Once they were in the air, they would fly at the aforementioned cruising speed and altitude directly to Diego Garcia (though they would not fly over the sovereign territory of any country other than South Africa and the United Kingdom). The KC-135R would launch shortly after, after requesting clearance, and also fly at the aforementioned cruising speed and altitude to Diego Garcia. The Air Force would securely inform the British of the ETA for all three aircraft at Diego Garcia. Once they were 40 miles out from Diego Garcia, the aircraft would request clearance to land and would land as directed by the British.

TRANSIT
JF>KF>LG>MH>MI

Connor
Jamie

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[Odinson]

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DEPLOYMENT ORDERS​

SECRET​

PACIFIC THEATER​

The KC-135R tanker successfully landed at Diego Garcia. The pilots would have announced themselves before entering British airspace and securely identified the aircraft as belonging to the United States Air Force. They would have followed British air traffic control to landing at Diego Garcia (if there were any British personnel at the base to begin with).

Once the aircraft was on the ground and parked at the ramp, the Combat Controllers in Zeta Flight and the Special Reconnaissance Airmen from Pi Flight deplaned with their weapons and equipment. Eight of the Special Reconnaissance were dressed in their full combat gear and night-vision equipment, and fully armed, as they made a perimeter around the C-135R and kept watch. Meanwhile the other 8 Special Reconnaissance used the equipment they brought to create a short-term weather forecast for the next 6 hours. This data would be used to ensure that the U-2s had a flawless landing. The 16 Combat Controllers would work with British ATC (if they were on-site) to prepare to guide in the U-2s for a landing. If there were no British ATC on site, the Combat Controllers would establish a fully-functional ATC on the ground with the equipment they had brought from the United States.

The two U-2Ss would securely request clearance to enter British airspace and to land at Diego Garcia. The aircraft landed flawlessly and without any incident. Once they were on the ground, there would always be at least 16 Airmen (from the Zeta Flight and Pi Flight) keeping an armed watch of the U-2Ss and KC-135R. The highest ranking officer on the ground would request permission from the British to use two of the hangars along the ramp to conceal the U-2Ss. If there was no objection, the U-2S would be stored there. The pilots and crews of the aircraft would rest and relax in the facilities at Diego Garcia if the British permitted it. American food (MREs/water) would be available, but they would use on-site British food if available.

The plan was to now give approximately 24 hours of rest for everyone involved except the ground crews. The Pentagon and the White House were kept in the loop, securely, of the operation, as well as the TASA Ambassadors.

Jamie
Connor

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[Odinson]

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DEPLOYMENT ORDERS​

SECRET​

INDO-PACIFIC THEATER​

The two pilots for the U-2S were now well rested. They were given a briefing by senior officers on the ground at Diego Garcia and told precisely what their target was and what they would need to do in order to gather data. The Air Force coordinated the other U-2Ss at Guam so that they would all deploy at the appropriate time to ensure that they were flying around Thailand at the same time (under the cover of late darkness). The U-2S were fully-fueled with a full load of oxygen for the pilots, the necessary equipment for the functioning of the reconnaissance equipment, and their spacesuits which would keep them at the appropriate pressure. The aircraft flew at a cruising altitude of 70,000 feet flying at the cruising speed of 475 miles per hour. Throughout the flight the aircraft would maintain radio silence, have their transponders switched off, engage their stealth capabilities, and not have any guide lights on in or on the aircraft.

The two U-2S from Diego Garcia flew in as straight as a line as possible to get to (8.061697, 96.893539) in the Andaman Sea without invading the sovereign airspace of any foreign country. From there, they would split up. One flew north while the other flew south. The aircraft would both line up so that they were approximately 90 miles from the main shoreline of Thailand. Using their navigational equipment, territorial maps, and the information they had garnered from the briefing, the aircraft would line up and, when the appropriate time came, the pilots would engage the cameras to begin taking high resolution pictures of Phuket Naval Base and Phuket Naval Base respectively. After taking pictures of the bases and the surrounding areas along the coast line in any direction for 30 miles, the U-2S would silently return in the way whence they came back to Diego Garcia.

PACIFIC THEATER​

The U-2S at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam would launch sequentially in 15 minute intervals with the same measures and precautions and parameters previously mentioned. They flew Northwest to (20.137821, 120.928550) and then Southwest to (6.184066, 106.173392). From there they would fly into the Gulf of Thailand and, while remaining in international waters, the reconnaissance aircraft would take images of the following facilities respectively (as well as 20 miles of the coast on either side of the base):

U-2S "Raven Actual"
Trat Naval Base
Sattaship Naval Base

U-2S "Raven-Alpha"
Bangkok Naval Base

U-2S "Raven-Bravo"
Samui Naval Base
Songkhla Naval Base

Special attention would be given to taking images of Bangkok Naval Base as to not enter Thai airspace. There was only a brief window in which the images could be taken, so timing had to be precise as well as accurate. Once the aircraft had taken their photographs, they would continue back in the night in the way they came back to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam where they would land.

Diego Garcia Team Transit
MI>NI>NJ>NK>NJ>NI>MI

Guam Team Transit
QK>PK>OK>OJ>OK>OJ>OK>PK>QK

Bossza007
Jamie

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[Bossza007]

Protect by NIA Counter-Intelligence Service

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Documentation Ministry of Defence Thailand

Classification: Secret​ Encrytped Method: Maximum Secure​ Date: June, 2002​ Location: Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand​ Participant: Thailand | United States Odinson​

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As the clandestine quintet of U-2 aircraft pierces through the cobalt expanse of the sky, their origins shrouded in secrecy, an air of urgency descends upon the vigilant eyes stationed at the Air Defense System Command of the Royal Thai Air Force. These aircraft are unlike any the world has been privy to; their sleek silhouettes betray an unknown lineage. The murmuring whispers of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific could reveal their genesis, but they remain enigmatic.

An orchestra of blips and beeps dances through the command centers, where the indomitable guardians of Thailand's airspace rely upon their twin AN-TPS 77 radar systems. Like watchful eagles, these radar eyes penetrate 200 nautical miles into the yonder, ensuring the sanctity of Thai airspace and the shimmering embrace of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The radar screens flicker as the five ethereal chariots approach, soaring at altitudes only whispered in legends. Their unwavering trajectory heralds them not as mere mortals' vessels, and the stalwart radar specialists, seasoned by years of vigilance, deftly label them as unidentified. The cobweb of communication lines comes alive as they try hailing the spectral flight. However, every attempt is met only by the echoing silence, a void that devours the very essence of sound.

As the U-2s encroach upon what is known amongst the guardians as the 'Twilight Zone,' an ephemeral distance of 110 nautical miles from the sacred borders, tension crackles through the air at the command centers. The muted whispers and subdued footsteps of the personnel present mirror the suffocating silence of the U-2s' radios.

The fleet of phantoms pierce through the Twilight Zone, their unwavering flight path a shadow cast upon the hearts of those below. The cadence of urgency heightens; the Royal Thai Air Defense System Command's pulsating heart sends a clarion call. The venerable commander of the Southern Air Search Radar Command reaches out to the custodians of Thai defense, the Defence Minister, and the Air Chief Marshall. His voice, steely yet heavy with resolve, set the stage for a symphony of defense that begins to hum across the nation.

Wing 3 and Wing 1 of the Royal Thai Air Forces summon forth a legion of 150 F-16 AM/BM Block 20 MLU, their engines roaring like tempests as they prepare for imminent deployment. The Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, feels the weight of the nation as the National Intelligence Agency apprises him. With a solemn nod, the Prime Minister elevates the Framework of Defense Readiness Postures (FDRP) for the Thai Armed Forces to Threat Detect (TDE).

Distress calls bounce through the ether as the Royal Thai Air Defense Command reaches into the abyss, trying to tether the U-2s to their world. Yet the silence is deafening. The command center now notices a ballet of evasion as the two U-2s over the Andaman Sea and the three over the Gulf of Thailand split paths, painting a cryptic mural across the skies.

As the clock ticks on, the unyielding flight of the U-2s guides them into the ‘Midnight Zone.’ High-ranking officials and military officers watch as the unfolding drama crescendos. The FDRP is now raised to Imminent Action (IMA).

Rising like metallic phoenixes from Prachuap Khiri Khan, Kamphaeng Saen, and Hat Yai airbases, a squadron of (4 each) F-16 AM and (2 each) F-16 BM, armed to the teeth, cleave through the sky. The 406th Fighter Squadron "Focus” and the 407th Fighter Squadron "Python" cut through the skies towards the Gulf of Thailand. At the same time, the 408th Fighter Squadron "Cobra," with venomous resolve, heads towards the Andaman Sea.

As they approach the enigmatic U-2s, the air is thick with tension. The pilots, a mixture of concentration and determination, attempt to establish visual contact. Their voices reverberate through the communication systems, demanding the mysterious aircraft to alter their trajectory. A final plea, from the guardians to the ghosts in the skies.

The response is the same haunting silence that has shadowed the U-2s since they first appeared on the radar screens.

In a balletic synchrony of motion and resolve, the Thai fighter jets, with approval from the highest echelons of command, unleash their payload. A chorus of AIM-120C AMRAAM missiles streaks through the air, contrails painting ethereal lines as they find their targets.

As the missiles approach, the U-2s remain unwavering, their silence and course never altering. The ensuing conflagration paints the sky in hues of flame and smoke. The U-2s, once spectral in their enigmatic majesty, now lay embraced by the sea, their secrets taken with them.

Back at the command center, a somber pride swells among the guardians of Thai airspace. The duty was performed with the utmost resolve, but questions linger in the air, as heavy as the silence that surrounded the fallen U-2s.

In the halls of power, debriefs and reports will circulate, while the guardians at the radar screens keep their vigilant watch. The whispers of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific will continue their endless murmur, and the skies of Thailand will be protected by the tireless sentinels.

In quiet rooms, illuminated by the flickering radar screens, the guardians will share tales of the spectral fleet that emerged from the unknown. The tale of their unwavering vigilance and resolve will be woven into the tapestry of the legends that guard the twilight and midnight zones of Thailand's skies.

 

[Odinson]

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DEPLOYMENT ORDERS​

SECRET​

Before the aircraft had even made it to their break-off points - well-before they came within 110 nautical miles of the Thai coast - they would each hear the distinct crackle on the radio of the Thai Air Force hailing them for identification. The pilots of the U-2s did not respond. However, seeing as their cover had been blown, all of the aircraft immediately turned around and began heading away from Thailand (in the opposite direction, the way they came from) after the first transmission from the Thai Air Force. This meant that the aircraft would not be able to take any pictures of the Thai coast as they had originally planned to do. The three U-2s in the Pacific returned to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, while the two coming from the Indian Ocean would return to Diego Garcia.

Bossza007

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[Bossza007]

Protect by NIA Counter-Intelligence Service

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Documentation Ministry of Defence Thailand

Classification: Secret​ Encrytped Method: Maximum Secure​ Date: June, 2002​ Location: Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand​ Participant: Thailand | United States Odinson​

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Beneath a cascade of dimly flickering lights, nestled deep in the humid embrace of the Thai jungles, the Command Center of the Thai Air Defense System Command was abuzz. Majestic turbines hummed like a symphony of aged cellos, and the walls whispered tales of bygone days. Wreathed in anticipation, a tapestry of officers and specialists, their brows furrowed and the echoes of their ancestors pulsing through their veins, swarmed the gargantuan radar screens.

The night was enigmatic as the monsoons brushed against the foliage outside; the shadows caressed the verdant landscape. Major Anurak’s weathered fingers hovered over a cluster of blips on the screen. His eyes, reminiscent of embers dancing beneath a temple moon, darted across the complex symbols. His heart throbbed with uncharted trepidation. He was the guardian, the protector of the sacred skies, and his hands - hands that once cradled his firstborn, hands that paid homage to the spirits of the land - were now trembling.

"Colonel Prasert," Anurak’s voice quivered like a whisper through the rain-soaked teakwood, "Unidentified aircraft. No response to communications. Mysterious course."

Colonel Prasert, with his towering stature and face carved from the very bedrock of their ancient land, leaned in close. His gaze, both a challenge and an embrace, demanded reverence. His voice, the gentle rumble of thunder over the Chao Phraya River, resounded.

“Do the spirits sing tonight, Anurak?”

Anurak’s thoughts were pierced by memories of his grandmother. She’d often spoken of the celestial warriors who guarded the heavens. A tear etched a lonely path down his cheek, as he felt an ancient, inexplicable kinship with these celestial guardians.

“I believe they do, Colonel.”

Around them, the command center bloomed with whispers of honor, family, and duty. These officers, they were sons and daughters of warriors and farmers, of poets and healers. Their paths had interwoven like delicate silks.

Lieutenant Chai, a young man who still wore the promise of tomorrow in his eyes, spoke up. His voice was the chorus of a thousand pagodas.

“Sir, they are changing course.”

The room paused; the earth’s breath held. The blips, those messengers from beyond, shifted - bending, waltzing, retreating.

Colonel Prasert’s thoughts strayed to his daughter. He yearned for her to grow in a world caressed by peace. His voice unfurled like a tapestry woven of hope and memories.

“Ancestors and guardians, they heed your call. Stand tall, brave ones, we are more than the sum of our fears.”

The blips receded further and dissolved like ancient ink into a parchment sea. A collective sigh, the exhale of an ageless land, breathed through the room.

Outside, the rains danced like a sea of silver fireflies, as if in reverence to the night’s orchestration. The echoes of forgotten dreams, the tapestry of lives woven across millennia, they all resounded in harmonious accord as the stars themselves bowed to the guardians of the Thai skies.

The command center, though just a vessel of metal and wire, became a temple. A sacred space where hearts once burdened with apprehension now swelled with purpose and unity.

Major Anurak whispered into the night, “Our guardians sang tonight, and the skies listened.”

 

[Odinson]

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DEPLOYMENT ORDERS​

SECRET​

All of the U-2S made it safely back to their respective launch points at either Diego Garcia or Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. Once they had landed the pilots would report to their superiors that they had been detected by Thai radar and had aborted the mission. This information was securely sent to the Pentagon in Virgnia, and securely sent to the White House. Meanwhile, U-2s would be securely hidden in hangars as before while the pilots rested and all of the crews prepared to fly back to the mainland United States in approximately 24 hours. Air Force special forces on the ground would continue to guard the aircraft overnight, switching off in 8 hour shifts.​

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[Odinson]

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DEPLOYMENT ORDERS​

SECRET​

All of the U-2S, their crews, as well as the KC-135R and their crews, would depart from their current locations around midnight and fly back to their places of origin (the U-2S in Guam flew back to Groom Lake in Nevada while the aircraft in Diego Garcia flew back to South Africa and then to Groom Lake in the same way in which they came). A similar refueling mission would take place with the same aircraft and crews somewhere off the coast of Puerto Rico in international waters. The British were informed an hour in advance before the aircraft took off in Diego Garcia. Once the aircraft were in the air, the Swedish were informed of precisely when they would be landing in Sweden and how much fuel they would need. Once they were refueled in Sweden, they would take off again and refuel as previously described in the Carribean (air-to-air) and then finally landing back at Groom Lake. The KC-135R returned to its base of origin.​

Jamie
Connor

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[Odinson]

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DEPLOYMENT ORDERS​

SECRET​

The landings in Sweden, the refueling on the ground, taking off, and the air-to-air refueling off the coast of Puerto Rico were all successes. The Swedish were kept in the loop throughout the time the aircraft were approaching South Africa, in South Africa, and leaving South Africa. The KC-135R returned to its home base, and the U-2Ss returned to their homebase at Groom Lake without any incident. With that, the operation was fully complete. The Pentagon, and then the White House, were given a full account of what happened and any intelligence that they had gathered. The operation was now complete.​

Jamie

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