Chapter 1978 - 1437: Military Camp Meeting_4

He stood up, walked to the map, and pointed at several key nodes with a laser pointer: "The transport will be carried out in three batches, each forty-eight hours apart. The first batch mainly consists of light weapons and ammunition, the second batch is vehicles, and the third batch is heavy equipment and remaining supplies. Each batch requires at least twelve hundred escort troops, equipped with armored vehicles, mortars, and anti-tank weapons."

Major General Samir quickly calculated on a notepad: "The Tenth Division can dispatch two mechanized battalions, about eight hundred people. Adding the division's reconnaissance company and artillery detachment, twelve hundred people is no problem. But in terms of equipment..."

"The first batch of equipment will arrive tomorrow," said Song Heping. "Twenty M-ATVs, thirty Hummers, and corresponding heavy weapons. These will be prioritized for the troops involved in escort tasks."

Abu You puffed out his chest, unwilling to be outdone: "The Ninth Brigade can deploy fifteen hundred soldiers! My warriors are veterans who have fought urban battles with the 1515, familiar with desert terrain, and skilled in ambush and counter-ambush. However..."

He slyly smiled.

"We need at least thirty pick-up trucks equipped with heavy machine guns or automatic grenade launchers. And communication equipment, we are still using Soviet-era antiques, some communication equipment has an effective range of less than five kilometers."

"Forty Toyota Hiluxes, all equipped with bulletproof steel plates and weapon mounts," Song Heping immediately responded. "Twenty equipped with M2 heavy machine guns, and twenty with AGS-17 grenade launchers. Additionally, we'll provide fifty sets of the latest Motorola tactical radios, with an effective range of thirty kilometers and encrypted channels."

Abu You nodded in satisfaction.

Jiang Feng said, "With the two battalions of 'Musicians' totaling eight hundred people, the total force is thirty-five hundred. I suggest hiring some local tribal armed forces as auxiliaries, especially a few Sunni tribes in Anbar Province that have good relations with us. They have some influence along the route and can provide intelligence and guides. This way, we can gather four thousand people."

"What's the budget?" Samir asked the critical question.

"I will cover the cost of hiring tribal armed forces," Song Heping said. "Additionally, soldiers participating in escort tasks will receive a special allowance of one hundred dollars per day, paid directly by the 'Musicians' company. If combat occurs, compensation for casualties will be paid at double the standard."

This condition made both commanders breathe a sigh of relief.

In Iligo Country, money often motivates soldiers more than honor.

One hundred dollars a day is an irresistible temptation for ordinary soldiers with a monthly salary of only three hundred dollars.

"Then what about that batch of sensitive equipment?" Samir suddenly asked, his gaze sharp on Song Heping. "Stinger missiles, Javelin systems, loitering munitions... the items not listed in the Ministry of Defense contract, how do you intend to handle them?"

The atmosphere in the room became subtle again. Everyone knew about the existence of that equipment and its dangers.

Both militarily and politically.

Song Heping was silent for a few seconds and chose to be frank: "The three hundred twenty million US Dollar worth of sensitive equipment will temporarily remain in Mosul, heavily guarded by the Tenth Division. I need at least half a month to decide on a disposal plan."

"Why not just sell them to the Ministry of Defense?" Abu You asked in confusion. "They certainly want those good things too."

"Because the Americans are watching," Jiang Feng answered for Song Heping. "Every serial number of the Stinger missiles is on the monitoring list of the Pentagon and the CIA. If this equipment appears in the Iligo Defense Army's warehouses, it will trigger a diplomatic crisis the next day. The Americans can tolerate conventional weapon transactions but will never allow advanced air defense systems to fall into the hands of Middle East allies. They fear these weapons will eventually flow to Persia."

Samir nodded thoughtfully: "So, Boss, are you planning to handle it through the black market or find some 'legal' channel?"

"I'm exploring all possibilities," Song Heping said vaguely. "But before that, those pieces of equipment must be absolutely safe. Samir, I need the Tenth Division to provide the highest level of security, at least three layers of defense, with twenty-four-hour patrols. Only I or Jiang Feng can enter the warehouse."

This requirement was demanding, but Samir understood its necessity.

Besides, for one hundred million dollars of equipment, it's not for free. Of course, they should listen to the Boss.

He nodded solemnly: "I guarantee with my family's honor that the Tenth Division will protect that batch of equipment as if it were their own lives."

"The Ninth Brigade is responsible for external security," Abu You added. "My troops will set up various checkpoints and observation posts within a fifty-kilometer radius around the warehouse. Any suspicious personnel approaching will be intercepted and questioned."

"Good." Song Heping looked at the three present: "From now on, we enter wartime status. Jiang Feng, I need you to present a detailed escort plan within twenty-four hours, including route planning, contingency plans, communication protocols, and retreat strategies. Samir, Abu You, you two start selecting troops to participate in the action immediately. The first batch of transport convoys must depart in three days."

The meeting continued for another hour, discussing details.

Vehicle grouping, radio frequencies, identification signals, medical support, refueling points...

Every aspect needed meticulous planning because any oversight on this three-hundred-kilometer road could lead to disaster.

When the meeting ended, the sky outside was already dusk.

The sky over Mosul was dyed blood-red by the sunset, and afar came the long and mournful call of the evening prayer from the mosque.

Song Heping stayed alone in the command room, standing before the giant map. A red arrow pointed like a sharp arrow from the Persian Gulf towards Baghdad.

Four thousand escort troops, fifteen billion US Dollar worth of cargo, a seven-day transport window...

All of this seemed airtight on paper.

But the unease in his heart grew stronger.

It was too smooth.

From obtaining information about this batch of equipment to contacting Minister Rashim and then signing the contract, everything went unusually smoothly.

As if an invisible hand was pushing behind the scenes, gently removing all obstacles.

Song Heping's finger traced a region on the map.

It was the border area of the Najaf Province and the Karbala Province, the location of the Shiite Holy City, and the region where the People's Mobilization Forces had the strongest influence.

If anyone wanted to sabotage, this was the best place.

Complex sectarian conflicts, numerous militia organizations, and a natural hostility towards external armed forces.

Now, he needed more intelligence.