Grey Wolf's newly trained Special Forces squad consists of only thirty-six people, equivalent to the strength of a platoon.
This Special Operations platoon is divided into three squads, each with a reinforced squad structure of twelve members.
The number of personnel in a Special Forces squad is not absolute, but a duo can suffice in small cases, known as a team, typically there are 4-6 people, and twelve already constitutes a reinforced squad.
For a Defense Company like the one controlled by Song Heping, the use of small Special Forces squad models is ideal for accepting tasks.
After all, the Venezuela School here serves as a training base, where many paying foreign trainees study throughout the year, and only a company-level unit is needed to ensure safety on this side, typically foreign trainees take turns standing duty, following military protocols.
Grey Wolf's initial formation of this platoon was experimental, as it had not yet received personal approval from Song Heping, so he did not dare to scale it up too much; his goal was a Special Operations Battalion, but sustaining such a battalion would entail huge expenses, requiring Song Heping's definitive agreement.
Having left for just a few months, Song Heping returned to Falcon School to find everything completely transformed.
All infrastructure had been completed, including the academic building, training field, Death House, Hunter obstacles, multifunctional shooting range, and even the swimming pool used for underwater escape training had been put into use.
The aircraft hangars at the airport had been constructed, and two SU-24s had been towed into the hangar for storage, with only two Mi-171 helicopters remaining in the originally steel-structured hangar on the runway side, while the other two temporary hangars had been converted into maintenance and equipment rooms.
The only facility not yet completed was the underground armory that Song Heping had requested.
This facility, requested by Song Heping, was designed after an underground armory and shooting range he had seen during his selection training in Unit 203.
Due to the high specifications and massive amount of work required, it divided into three levels and was yet to be completed.
Lao Gao was still here, and hurriedly came to meet Song Heping upon his return.
Although the two were old schoolmates, Song Heping was now Lao Gao's financial backer and life-saving benefactor.
The profits generated from the construction of this school were sufficient for Lao Gao to escape the financial difficulties faced by his own construction company. Moreover, Brother Dabiao, who had threatened the safety of Lao Gao's family by lending him money, was already dead, allowing Lao Gao to return to normal life.
But all of this happened in Country D, and Lao Gao certainly wouldn't know all that Song Heping had done behind the scenes, otherwise, his jaw might drop to the floor in shock.
"Lao Gao, there hasn't been any delay in the progress payments, has there?"
Song Heping's first question upon meeting concerned the construction payments.
In this day and age, the most critical aspect of construction projects is whether the payments are delayed.
The specifics of the school's construction were handled financially by Ferrari and Lao Gao; Song Heping did not have the time to inquire about it.
"No, very timely!" Lao Gao quickly gave the most affirmative response: "Old classmate, thank you so much! If it wasn't for your consideration, I definitely couldn't have landed this business deal. You saved our whole family!"
"Enough of that, we're old classmates, no need to be so polite. I needed to build a school anyway, and you happened to be in construction. If I don't look out for you, who will?"
Song Heping smiled and pointed to the training field and buildings in the distance: "But one thing, you have to ensure the quality of your construction for me, otherwise I'll find you and settle the accounts when I return to our home country."
"How dare I! Old classmate, I've been monitoring every detail here, building it with the highest quality standards, absolutely a project that lasts a century!"
He said it lightly and with a smile, but Lao Gao was taken aback.
Lao Gao had never known his old classmate to be a mercenary leader, but having spent more time here, he understood everything.
Moreover, Song Heping's Defense Company seemed to be quite large, owning several aircraft.
How much would one airplane cost?
Lao Gao didn't know, but he knew that thing was definitely not cheap.
Looking at his old classmate's subordinates in this school, they are all retired military officers, who came here for training, including not only the backbone of the armed organizations from neighboring countries but also people from the Venezuelan military.
It was evident that his classmate held an omnipotent presence in Venezuela.
However, if he knew about Song Heping's connections with the US military, intelligence agencies, and the domestic top Special Forces, he would probably be scared breathless.
Song Heping saw the fear in Lao Gao, and he wanted to say something, but ultimately, he remained silent.
Just like his relationship with Grey Wolf and White Bear.
Although Lao Gao was a close friend and old classmate from his high school dormitory, their identities now made it difficult to converse as equals.
Especially after Lao Gao saw the situation here, he probably felt more awe for his old friend, in addition to their past camaraderie.
There was nothing he could do about it; just let it be.
"When will the underground shooting range and the arsenal be completed?" Song Heping changed the topic to the construction work.
When it came to construction, Lao Gao seemed to come alive, and quickly said: "Maximum three months. We've already excavated the structure, need to handle waterproofing and drainage, then comes the main body, it will require some effort."
"That's good." Song Heping said: "Then I'll leave it in your capable hands, old classmate."
"Of course! Of course!"
After lunch, Grey Wolf took Song Heping and White Bear to the training ground, where he conducted a live-fire demonstration with the specially trained squad at the Death House and training field.
Song Heping, after observing the live ammunition exercise and shooting, felt impressed.
"To reach this level in half a year is already very good, I suppose after a year they could be taken out for actual combat exercises."
Song Heping said: "Grey Wolf, ramp up the recruitment, don't be stingy with just one platoon; didn't you say the plan was for a battalion? Then build it up to the scale of a battalion. The early recruits can be used as the backbone, assigned to other squads as leaders, to mentor the new ones, which could significantly speed up their cultivation."
Grey Wolf replied: "That's exactly what I was thinking, but it's not easy to find so many suitable orphans all at once."
"Recruit as many as you can, if a battalion isn't feasible for now, start with a company. We need people in many areas now; we can't handle it just with our old guys from the company."
Grey Wolf nodded repeatedly: "Don't worry, leave everything to me. With your word, I'll handle it."
Song Heping said: "I just saw their training; the offensive drills are alright, but the PSD drills seemed rather average."
PSD is an acronym, in the defense company industry it generally refers to the meaning of security and protection tasks.
Grey Wolf's face turned red: "Our teaching and research group, including myself, don't specialize in this. We are more proficient in combat-related subjects."
He paused then added: "I remember you are quite skilled in this area, how about you give some pointers when you're free?"
Song Heping said: "When do I have the time? Look how busy I've been. How about this, I'll find a capable instructor for you later to fill in the gaps."
"By the way, boss, this time your return to Venezuela isn't just to see how the business is going here, right?" Grey Wolf asked.
Song Heping shook his head: "I'm waiting for a phone call, I'll probably leave Venezuela tonight."
"Where to?" Grey Wolf asked in surprise.
"Colombia." Song Heping said: "I need to sneak out of the country, going to Colombia."