Bagram Air Base is located in Parwan Province, eastern Afghanistan, about a few kilometers south of the provincial capital Charikar, and roughly 5 kilometers north of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. It's only about 7 kilometers from the western border of China. Strategically, it's always been a fiercely contested stronghold. With the US military expanding and stationing at Bagram long-term, it poses a major challenge to the security of nearby countries. Even an ordinary US F-5E jet, flying east at Mach 2, could reach China's western border airspace in just about two minutes. If stealth fighters are dispatched on combat missions, the border region's air defense radar systems in China and neighboring countries will face new challenges.
Bagram Air Base was originally built by Soviet forces during their invasion of Afghanistan. After the Soviets suffered defeat, the base changed hands several times before finally falling into American control. The Americans, fully aware of its strategic value, immediately invested heavily in its renovation and development. Now, Bagram is the largest US military base in Afghanistan and serves as the headquarters for coalition forces. Afghanistan, situated in Central Asia, is rich in oil resources and holds immense strategic importance as the heart of Eurasia—bordered to the north by Russia, to the east by China, and to the west by the Middle Eastern Gulf states.
Using Bagram Air Base as its center, the United States has established dozens of military bases of varying sizes throughout Afghanistan, aiming for a permanent presence in Central Asia. As one renowned military-political analyst once said: "Whoever controls Central Asia controls the World Island (Eurasia); whoever controls the World Island controls the world!"
This base also has a nickname: "Phoenix Fire Base." Thanks to Bagram's unmatched military advantage, the soldiers love to call it the "Phoenix Fire Base."
Inside Phoenix Fire Base, Colonel Jackcott—battle-tested leader of Delta Force—got a red-alert message from USASOC (that’s the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, for those not up on their military alphabet soup). He was ordered to lead a fireteam to the tribal border mountains in northeast Afghanistan, to a little village called Gul, for a mission so important it could make or break careers.
Delta Force—founded in ’97 by Colonel Beckwith—calls home a secret base in Bradenburg, North Carolina. It’s the biggest, best-equipped, and most well-funded special ops squad on the planet, with just 25 elite members. Their training is so intense, other countries’ special forces can only dream of keeping up. But here’s the twist: for political reasons, the U.S. government officially pretends Delta doesn’t exist. When they’re working with other units, Delta members get called "D-by" instead. That’s why Delta is perfect for those hush-hush, off-the-books missions nobody wants to admit to.
USASOC told Colonel Jackcott: bring back a top JSOC (Joint Special Operations Command—think the secret bosses of U.S. special ops) agent, codename "Black Eye," safe and sound. "Weasel" is carrying intel hotter than a jalapeño, and two JSOC "special experts" are joining the team for this wild ride!
Delta Force is America’s elite ground combat unit, usually answering to USASOC. But for the real urgent or classified stuff, they get handed over to JSOC—the shadowy big bosses of special ops.
"Damn it! JSOC really is a weird place. And now they’re sending in some special experts too? What, are they better at fighting than us Delta Force guys?" Colonel Jackcott muttered.
But griping aside, orders from JSOC—especially those special ones that skip the usual chain of command—were non-negotiable. Jackcott knew JSOC’s pull was scary huge: it’s basically the most secretive and powerful unit in the U.S. military. JSOC (Joint Special Operations Command) is where America’s top guns gather, and it’s so mysterious, even the spooks get spooked. They recruit the best from every branch and agency. Word is, even the ultra-secret "Special Abilities Taskforce" is under JSOC’s umbrella.
JSOC was founded in '09. Originally, it was a tiny hostage rescue squad, but now it’s a shadowy powerhouse in the U.S. military. Their numbers exploded from pre-9/11 days to a whopping 250,000. They’ve got their own intel branch, drones, recon planes, even dedicated satellites. Secret weapons? You bet—space lasers, energy cannons, you name it. Plus, their cyber warriors once shut down every jihadist website in a single day. JSOC’s HQ is tucked away in Fayetteville, North Carolina—a place so secret, most folks don’t even know it exists. Basically, everything about JSOC is top secret!
The CIA’s got a reputation for being hardcore, but next to JSOC, they’re just playing catch-up. Sure, the CIA runs secret prisons worldwide and has grilled hundreds of terror suspects—but JSOC? Their numbers blow the CIA out of the water. If the CIA can’t get it done, JSOC steps in. Plus, the President once gave JSOC a license to kill—literally. They can pick targets for their hit list and take them out, no questions asked. If you even land on JSOC’s radar, you’re toast—no evidence needed, no second chances. And the official reason? Easy: enemy of America!
"Hmm—so we’re getting roped into some top-secret shenanigans, huh!?" Colonel Jackcott muttered, rounding up his men outside the base. He knew that when JSOC showed up, the mission was bound to be a big deal—probably the kind that ends up in action movies.
Jackcott wasted no time getting his top guys together, splitting them into two teams. These Delta Force soldiers weren’t just tough—they were legends, each one a walking action figure. On the tarmac, two Boeing H-47 Chinook helicopters were already warming up, ready for takeoff.
Just as Colonel Jackcott was scanning around, wondering who JS was sending for this mission, a Humvee roared up and stopped beside him. A tall officer in sunglasses jumped out from the driver’s seat, followed by two burly men in casual clothes. Both wore touristy shades, chewed gum, and looked totally relaxed.
"Sir! Hello!" Colonel Jackcott quickly saluted the officer, surprised to see it was General David, Chief of Staff at USASOC—a top brass, second only to the Allied Commander!
"Yeah, Jackcott, this mission is super important. These two are JS experts. You and your men will work with them to complete the support task. And remember, no hero stunts!" General David returned the salute, then got straight to the point.
"Understood, sir!" Colonel Jackcott felt again just how special and important this mission was.
"Good! Colonel Jackcott, these two are Mr. Larman and Mr. Martin. Get to know them better once you’re on the chopper. I’ll be waiting back at base for your good news! Time’s tight, so let’s work well together! Move out!" General David nodded as he spoke.
"Alright, gentlemen, please board the chopper!" Colonel Jackcott waved to the two burly men General David had brought.
The two just ignored him, grinning and waving at General David instead. Whistling, they hopped aboard the Chinook, picked a seat smack dab in the middle of the fully-armed Delta Force guys, and flopped down like they owned the place. If looks could kill, those Delta boys would’ve dropped them on the spot.
That move instantly rubbed the Delta Force guys the wrong way. You could see their tempers flaring, ready to explode, but Colonel Jackcott coughed—a not-so-subtle hint to chill out. He glanced at General David, who just shrugged, gave a helpless look, and hopped back in the Humvee. Sometimes, you just gotta let the weirdos do their thing.
"Damn! A bunch of pencil-pushing bureaucrats—" Jackcott cursed under his breath, then gave the pilot the signal: "Let’s roll!"