The two fighter jets flew alongside Jiang Yan Hai's fighter, one on each side, so they could tell that his aircraft had seen combat!
As for how they could tell, it was simple. A missile hung beneath one of his wings. Fighters that had not carried out missions would normally mount their missiles symmetrically during flights or other operations, so as not to affect the aircraft's performance.
Yet Jiang Yan Hai's fighter had a missile mounted beneath only its left wing. There was no need to think about it—his fighter had definitely gone through aerial combat.
The two pilots could not help swallowing. Damn, since when had the Red Star Nation become this badass? But they could not ask about such matters. While having Jiang Yan Hai maintain formation with them, they immediately contacted their Air Force Base.
The higher-ups at the Air Force Base had clearly received prior notice. After all, this was the closest location to Sand Bear. Though the base leadership was equally stunned upon receiving the report, they quickly confirmed Jiang Yan Hai's identity.
Once the pilots received confirmation, they were filled with admiration. No matter what, they would never have been assigned a mission like that.
"Hey, brother, welcome home. Follow me now. I'll take you back to base," said the pilot of the fighter on the left.
"Alright, thanks."
"My callsign is Big Bird. Sea Eagle, you guys... got into a fight?" Big Bird asked curiously.
His wingman had to continue the patrol mission, while Big Bird was responsible for escorting Jiang Yan Hai all the way back.
"Yeah. I had no choice. If those two missiles had flown into space, they might even have started a war. No one knew what could have happened, so I commandeered a fighter jet," Jiang Yan Hai