Called the “Air Force of Tradition” and producing a great number of aces throughout its history of warfare, this unique organization is difficult to summarize in one word. However, the Principality of Belka, a country that could hardly be called a great power, was always the frontrunner among air forces worldwide until the end of the 20th century. Stating that it has provided the foundation for other air forces around the world as well as the basis for various aviation technologies would not be an overstatement, as evidenced by many military researchers’ interest in this subject.
The establishment of the Belkan Air Force took place at the height of the Osean War (1905–1910), the first instance in human history where the combat capabilities of aircraft were realized. It is impossible to discuss the context of the Belkan Air Force's creation without mentioning Air Force Minister of Special Tasks [1] Franklin Göllnitz, whose efforts laid the military branch’s foundations. Göllnitz is said to be the man who discovered the possibility of repurposing airplanes, which were primarily used for reconnaissance at the beginning of the Osean War, for bombing operations. This concept bore fruit and brought about great results for the Belkan military in the Osean war, and in no time at all the concept spread to other militaries around the world. At the time, aerial units were called "Cavalry of the Skies,” and a Göllnitz quotation stating that "Those who command the skies also command the ground" became a slogan while countries around the world were assembling their own aviation units, although there is room for doubt regarding whether they fully understood its true meaning.
Like so, Belka was the first to organize – and achieve battlefield operability with – an aerial unit with a focus solely on bombing operations. The Belkan Air Force's true worth, however, only became apparent after quickly shifting attention away from bombing operations and towards anti-aircraft combat operations. The Belkan Air Force, having recognized the predominance of anti aircraft combat in controlling the skies, began focusing attention on developing aircraft that pushed the very limits of aerial maneuverability. In this regard, it is safe to say that Belka was very fortunate. In the early 20th century, Belka was already heading down the path to becoming an advanced industrial nation. As such, many famous aircraft boasting excellent maneuverability and acceleration were born from Belka's industrial technology. While these aircraft were not able to be fielded in time for combat applications in the war against Osea, when it is considered that the air force had not even been in existence for 10 years, the extraordinary speed of its development becomes apparent. In any case, placing emphasis on air to air combat operations rather than bombing missions molded the air force. This focus, along with Belka's particular need to defeat a numerically superior of enemies with a smaller force, became the main factor that produced the “light and shadow” of the future Belkan Air Force. Knowing this, one cannot help but to feel a peculiar sense of fate at work.
It can be said that the Belkan Air Force was comprised of "two wheels". One was its educational institution, and the other being its military industrial power. As mentioned earlier, industrial strength was the precondition of the establishment of the Belkan Air Force. However, special attention should be paid towards the other wheel, the educational institution. The Belkan Air Force recognized very early on that pilots’ lives were irreplaceable assets. To an industrial nation like Belka, replacing any lost aircraft or modifications to existing aircraft inventories was a simple matter. On the other hand, it was a keenly recognized issue that pilots of high caliber could not be easily replaced. While many may consider the Belkan Air Force's traditional elitism as stemming from influence of the old ways of Belkan chivalry, it may be more appropriate to perceive it as stemming from placing a great importance on the scarcity of superior pilots. In addition to an education curriculum that was split into fine parts, cadets of the Air Force Academy were provided with opportunities to fly in the battlefields of various locations across the world, utilizing the connections made with air forces worldwide since the old days. With a with spectrum of profound skills and with practical techniques required to survive on the battlefield driven into them, the cadets were brought up to become seasoned pilots. There is no doubt that emphasizing the importance of ideals such as "how to survive and return alive" in the training of Belkan airmen would become the basis of producing top ace pilots of the Belkan Air Force in the many wars thereafter.
However, the outbreak of the Belkan War in 1995 finally exposed the limits of the Belkan Air Force. The doctrine of crushing a large number of adversaries with a small force certainly produced excellent ace pilots. But while the militaries of other developed countries realized the importance of moving ahead with the integration of their air forces, armies, and navies for improved efficiency, Belkan military circles stubbornly remained set in their ways, casting a shadow on the military’s dominance. Ultimately, despite having evolved into a remarkable tactical air force, this state of affairs led to other advanced nations’ air forces taking its place as a strategic air force. From the end of the 20th Century until today – the beginning of the 21st Century – the Belkan military was dismantled through its defeat in the Belkan War; furthermore, it is common knowledge that the great industrial technology they once boasted has been lost.
Although not necessarily a well-integrated force, the Belkan Air Force has attracted the hearts and minds of countless people with its ace pilots who lived only to make a name for themselves in the sky, and furthermore how an ideology deeply rooted in Belkan chivalry made their existence possible. Regardless of whether it is now a bygone spectacle, upon hearing about a small unit facing down a tremendous rival army, eventually emerging victorious, who would not commit to memory that exciting dance of flesh and boiling blood?
Translator Notes
[1] 特務大臣 is a minister appointed without an actual ministry. Its literal translation, "Minister of Special Tasks," is used for the same title in English.
