Final Countdown Wings of Freedom
Final Countdown Wings of Freedom
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The Final Countdown:
Wings of Freedom
AN. The Senator is unconscious when he is pulled from the
water by Splash 36. That changes the dynamic of things greatly so the launch
goes like this…
“This is the captain; I am speaking to every man aboard this
ship. In the past few hours many things have happened; rumors of nuclear
attacks and a third world war are totally untrue. We have no reason to believe
that any aggression has been taken against our homes or families. I believe
what we stumbled across is not man-made but a phenomenon of nature, one that
can't be explained. This phenomena is the storm in which the Nimitz went
through less than 18 hours ago, the storm has had some effect on time as we
know it, it created a portal, a door into another era. Today is
all aware of the significance of this date in this place in history. We are
going to fight a battle that was lost before most of you were born. This time,
with God's help, it is going to be different... Good Luck.”
…………………………………………………………………………………………
In the ready room,
could only stare in shock at CAG and the Jolly Rodgers. For his part CAG just
stood and motioned his men to follow him. Before he left, he leaned next to
ears, “Ask the Corporal to take you to the CIC. You can watch the battle from
there.” Then CAG and the Jolly Rodgers ran for their F-14A Tomcats.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Everywhere on the Nimitz men moved about their business,
securing bulkheads, attaching missiles, bombs, torpedoes, preparing a holding
area for anticipated Nipponese prisoners. Rescue crews prepped the life rafts
for Nipponese survivors. The radio room prepared to contact the
which was the closest Carrier to
found the Nipponese fleet despite being just above them.
For Captain Yelland it was time. Turning to the Officer of
the Deck he shouted, “Alright turn her into the wind.”
“CAG, this is Air Boss, you are clear to launch war mission,
get ‘em in the air.”
On the Deck the steam catapult launched CAG’s Tomcat out
into the Air followed 5 seconds later by CAG’s wingman. In 20 minutes the
entire Airwing complement of the Nimitz was in the Air, 24 F-14A Tomcats, 24
A-7E Corsairs, 10 A-6E Intruders, 4 KA-6D Intruders, 4 E-2C Hawkeyes, 4 EA-6B
Prowlers, 10 S-3A Vikings, and 6 SH-3H Sea Kings. Only Nimitz’s 3 20mmPhalanx
CIWS and 3 8cell Raytheon RIM-7H Sea Sparrow missile Launchers, plus the 4
transport Helicopters fitted with Mk 44 Torpedoes would protect the Nimitz.
“This is CAG. All craft accounted for. Moving to intercept.
Sea Griffins (HS-9) head to sector Bravo and clean out those Nipponese Subs.
Try and contact the Ward as well. Jolly Rodgers (VF-84) we will splash the
first wave, Black Aces (VF-41) support us, Marauders (VA-82)Fire your
sidewinders in defense only, your objective is to put those bombs of yours on
the Nipponese Carriers. Sidewinders (VA-86) same for you too. Black Panthers,
(VA-35) target the Battleship Krishima then return to the Nimitz and get loaded
with Exocets for the Destroyers. Bear Aces (VAW-124) be our eyes. Scouts
(VS-24), take their Cruisers down, then find the
and lead their SBD Divebombers towards the Krishima to finish it off
Lastly Playboys (VMAQ-2
Det.Y)
head to
secure us a dock. Now lets rock. (Final Countdown theme music as the F-14As hit
their after burners.)
to the pilots chatter as they received orders. “Rodger CAG you are clear to
arm.”
“Two minutes to max
engagement zone. Master Switches on, and I hope Congress doesn’t freak when we
explain we expended 144 Aim-54 Phoenix missile costing $24 million each on
$15,000 planes for a grand total of $3,456,000,000.” CAG mused.
“Fuck Congress, they either pay or Hitler will get the goods
from his well paid spies.” Alert One replied.
“We have the First wave on radar, 20
seconds………………….Launching!!!” CAG’s voice started the launching of the 24
Tomcats 6 Aim-54 Phoenixes from their hard points. Each missile traveled 100
miles at mach 5.4 impacting 144 aircraft of the 187 aircraft of the first wave.
………………………………………………………………………………………..
Commander Fuchida
stared in shock as his mighty first wave of Zeros, Torpedo Bombers, High Level
Bombers, and Dive Bombers all went up in flames for no apparent reason.
of his planes left, then American rocket planes appeared out of nowhere and
shot down 40 of his planes down before disappearing into the sky.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
“Eagle One, this is CAG, splash 184, I repeat, splash 184.”
…………………………………………………………………………
Cheering broke out in the CIC as men shouted and more than a
few gave a kiss to
luck as the CAG’s announcement came over the freq.”
…………………………………………………………………………………………
Admiral Kimmel, who was just starting to head out to his
office to read the Ward’s report on its firing on a Submarine, was halted by
his phone ringing. Picking it up ahead of his servant, Kimmel answered the
phone. “Admiral Kimmel here.”
“Hello sir, this is Captain Yelland of CVN-68 Nimitz
reporting ship and crew for duty, I already dispatched couriers for you. They
should be in your office when you get there. Yelland out.”
“Crackpots everywhere.” Kimmel muttered as he headed out the
door.
…………………………………………………………………………………….
On the Kaga Nagumo listened aghast to Commander Fuchida’s
report. “Genda, get the rest of our fighters into the air. The Americans are on
to us.” Vice Admiral Nagumo’s orders came too late as 48 of the 56 Zeros flying
Cap blew up, then Krishima was pelted by bombs that totally wrecked her
superstructure. Finally 6 large bombs fell onto the wooden decks of Nagumo’s
Carriers blowing them to pieces. Nagumo never had time to scream.
“Eagle One, this is Marauder One, Scratch 6 Flattops, I
repeat, Scratch 6 Flattops. CAG was thinking of modern Carriers with metal
decks. I thought otherwise, moving against the cruisers to send’ em to the
bottom.”
“Rodger Marauder One.”
“This is Scout lead, the Destroyers are scratched, I repeat,
the Destroyers are scratched. Its over, we won, what a day, what a turkey
shoot.” The Krishima blowing up punctuated his exultation as its main ammo room
was engulfed by the fires on its superstructure.
……………………2 hours later……………………
CAG was the last to land back on the Carrier, performing a
victory roll as he did so. Commander Thurman was practically restraining
from heading unto the deck. “Calm down maam, it is not safe to go down there.
Why don’t you head to the Jolly Rodgers ready room. CAG will be in there
shortly.”
“Thank you, come on Charlie.”
“Dan.” Captain Yelland called out as he exited the bridge.
“Whats up Mat.”
“Admiral Fletcher is coming along side us with the
and the Playboys are returning with Admiral Kimmel.”
“Admiral Fletcher is currently a Rear Admiral is he not.”
“Should we tell Nimitz, Halsey, King, and Leahy of their
future ranks or wait?”
“Ah, they will read it from our libraries.”
“Good Point.”
………………………………………………………………
“Alright calm down everyone. Congratulations, we are all
Aces today.” CAG’s announcement met with cheers.
“Kiss your lady luck CAG.” Alert One call out to thunderous
approval.
Luckily
was in a good mood too so everyone got a good show with even Charlie barking
good naturally. Till the door opened and the Marine Corporal shouted Admiral on
the deck that is. “At ease.” Admiral Kimmel said as he walked in. Surveying the
Jolly Rodgers his eyes fell on Lt. Elmo Zumwalt the 3rd whose
grandfather was back at
nursing from his mother’s breast. Snorting Kimmel strode to the podium, “Anyone
wants to tell me about your victory?”
……………………………………………………………………………………..
There was no keeping this from the press and Admiral Kimmel
didn’t try. Thus he organized an entire air show to introduce the Nimitz on the
spur of the moment with Lt. General Short.
citizens watched the Nimitz airwing fly along with the Hawiian Airforce, the 11
captured Nipponese planes, and the airwings of the
and
minutes aircraft present and future performed acrobatics and stunts until the
three Carriers came in.
came first followed by the Nimitz with the
trailing. A new era had begun and its effects would be felt around the world.………..
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is that Battleships are outdated, so modern missiles don’t have the punch to
kill them through the thick armor.
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81 but for story purposes did.