Fulton Recycling System, this name may be unfamiliar to many people of later generations, but when it comes to the operation of the system, many people will suddenly realize after seeing the whole process that it is this.
This system was first established as a project for the United States' espionage activities against the Soviet Union in the 1960s and 1970s. Initially, the CIA used satellites to photograph Soviet military bases. Because the data collected by the satellites were stored in hard drives, they needed to be dropped to the ground and then processed. Recycle.
But this is not safe, so in order to ensure the safety of the intelligence, the CIA designed a device installed on the aircraft. It can hook the intelligence hanging on the balloon that is falling to the ground, so that it can be sent to the ground in the shortest time. Return to the information center.
Later, the device was further improved, and its function was no longer limited to collecting intelligence, but extended to rescue, such as escaped spies, downed pilots and even victims who fell into the sea.
After many improvements, the system has matured, hence the name Fulton Recycling System.
Several major customers of this system are the U.S. Air Force Rescue Force and the Coast Guard, both of which are equipped with C130 transport aircraft equipped with Fulton systems.
This device is two 4.42-meter-long tines installed on the nose of the machine. Under normal circumstances, they are folded under the fuselage, but they can be extended forward into a "V"-shaped fork when in use. The plane also carried recovery gear, including life rafts and hydrogen balloons. The latter floats in the air after being inflated. The balloon is connected to a 152-meter rope, and a life jacket is attached to the other end of the rope. When the aircraft approaches the balloon into the wind at a speed of 225 kilometers per hour, it can drag the 227 kilogram weight out of the water after clamping the rope with the nose clamp. The balloon is then detached, and the rescued persons or items are hoisted into the aircraft using a winch, and the ropes are fixed or stored in the cargo hold. In the event of near-failure, Teflon cables running from the nose to the tail and wingtips would keep the rope attached to the balloon from becoming entangled in the aircraft propeller. ..
Naturally, the CIA also has their Fulton, and the CIA's Fulton system is used more frequently than the systems of the Air Force Rescue Team or the Coast Guard. After all, how many people can the Air Force Rescue Team and the Coast Guard save throughout the year? The CIA has to recruit people from dangerous areas every now and then!
Of course, this system is naturally not very convenient to use, because it consists of two systems, the aircraft and the ground.
First, evacuees on the ground need to fill the hydrogen balloon with air, so that the balloon will take off and fly to a high altitude with a safety rope. Then the evacuees will link themselves to this safety rope. Finally, the plane arrives and uses the system Recyclers, so if you want to use the Fulton system to recycle people, you have to throw things down first!
So how do you lose things? Shepard's idea was naturally the Bird helicopter. The Bird helicopters used by Shadow Company have been specially modified, such as installing skids to transport combat personnel.
Therefore, it is not a problem to hoist two recovery systems. The only problem is that the Soviets are not fools!
The Soviet Union has deployed a total of more than 300 combat aircraft in Afghanistan, including fighter jets, attack aircraft, transport helicopters and armed helicopters, not counting transport aircraft and other special aircraft types.
These aircraft maintain extremely high-intensity combat readiness patrols for Pakistan, because Pakistan has F16 fighter jets that can be regarded as the first echelon in this era. In addition, the Soviet Union has also deployed a series of F16 fighter jets in Afghanistan and its own border areas. Various types of radars are constantly watching this airspace. Not to mention a plane, even a sudden appearance of a cloud will be stopped by MiG fighter jets for inspection.
Therefore, how to get the device in is also a big problem!
While Shepard and a group of agent leaders were still thinking about this issue, the Anas guerrillas, under the command of Bashtu, launched one after another so-called exploratory breakouts.
Because Bashtu was still a loyal minister at this moment, his tactical command did not arouse any doubts. This tentative tactic was also correct, because the surrounded guerrillas had no idea which side of the enemy was the main attack and which side was the assist.
As a result, waves of guerrillas ran into the Soviet trap without knowing it.
At this moment, the sky has brightened, so there is no secret in the guerrillas' actions. The Soviets are holding on to their strongholds. They are not only supported by artillery and armed helicopters, but also a large number of Afghan government troops. Moreover, at this moment, batches of Su-25 attack planes have also taken off and are hunting in the valley area. Therefore, the guerrillas' test is to beat the dog with meat buns and never come back.
Many guerrillas tentatively made an assault towards the entrance of the valley. Before they saw the Soviets, a bunch of artillery shells fell overhead. Some were discovered by Soviet sentries before they even got close to the valley. Then, the roar of the Su-25 attack plane It came from above.
In this way, the Anas guerrillas lost dozens of people again. Counting the previous losses, nearly a quarter of their personnel had been wiped out, and they had not even had a full-scale exchange of fire with the Soviets.
But what's worse is not just that. The Soviets mobilized a lot of Afghan government troops to participate in the operation. The task of these Afghan soldiers was to line up and search along the valleys and ridges. In order to ensure that the Afghan soldiers did not The Soviets put a lot of effort into trying to fish out the target. They distributed extra bonuses to all Afghan soldiers, and also guaranteed extra rewards to the soldiers who first discovered the suspicious targets.
The Afghan soldiers who chose to join the army for food naturally fell into this trap. Therefore, after they started searching the mountains, each of these guys ran faster than the other.
The Anas guerrillas have many secret supply points and ammunition storage points in the valleys. These strongholds are hidden in caves. There is only a small entrance and exit at the entrance of the cave, and they are also camouflaged, but they still cannot escape the inspirational fortresses. Afghan soldiers receiving bonuses.
There were even some wounded members of the Anas guerrillas who were injured and left behind during the battle, and could only hide in these hiding places. As a result, they were also found by the Afghan army.
While the Afghan army transformed into a horizontal line to clean the valley, the Soviet soldiers transformed into dots, blocking all roads and forks in the valley step by step, like a big net that was constantly tightening.
In just one day, the guerrillas' activity area has shrunk by nearly 10%. If the situation continues, their situation will only get worse. By then, they will have nowhere to run even if they want to!
