"Hmmm. What does State make of this, regarding the Israelis?"
Secretary of Defense Ben Wake interrupted. "Excuse me. But we know that the Saudis want simpler aircraft to supplement their F-15s and British Tornadoes." Wake glanced around the table. "You all remember how the Saudis bought billions of dollars of British aircraft when we wouldn't sell them more Eagles. No telling how many thousands of U. S. jobs that cost. Well, I think this is an excellent opportunity for us, Mr. President. The F-20 is far easier to maintain and to train pilots for than one with sophisticated electronics. Also, the Saudis are ordering Tigersharks without radar-guided Sparrow missiles. The Israelis can't complain too much."
"Why not? Isn't this F-20 still a potential threat to them?"
"Well, theoretically, yes. But with limited armament of guns and two heat-seeking missiles, the F-20 would be similar to the F-16, which we and the Israelis already fly." Wake pressed his point. "Remember, Jordan wanted F-16s and we refused so they bought Fulcrums from the Soviets. We've only been hurting ourselves by acceding to the Israeli lobby in Congress all these years." There, it was out in the open.
The president shifted his gaze to the Secretary of State. "Thurmon, what do you make of all this?"
"State has no serious objections, sir. In fact, I'm in favor of selling the Saudis or anybody else whatever they want to buy, within broad limits. Aside from economic reasons, it makes good political sense. The Saudis are the key to the whole region if we're going to maintain any kind of balance there. Especially now that Israel occupies Jordan. If we can keep the Saudis happy by selling some second-line airplanes, by all means do so. Anything we can do to maintain our presence and influence should be encouraged, especially with the growing Iranian fundamentalist movement."
Walter Arnold lightly tapped his fingers on the table, his mind already made up. "Very well. We'll approve the F-20 sale and put up no obstacles if the Saudis want to hire some former military pilots as instructors. But let's try to keep this as low profile as possible." He looked around the table. "This meeting is adjourned."
Tel Aviv
Levi Bar-El braced himself for another grilling from Colonel Chaim Geller. The man torments me, thought the young lieutenant, because he has no other diversion. In truth, Bar-El recognized that the section chief was pushing a protege's limits, forcing him to become more competent, less dogmatic in his thinking. Dealing with the recent Jordanian crisis saw to that. And right now Bar-El was ready for more "therapy."
"Ah, good morning, Levi. Sit down." Geller pushed a chair out from the table. "What do you have on our mysterious Americans?"
"Sir, we believe they are no longer in the U.S. Our covert team inspected Bennett's apartment and found nothing out of order. His passport was there, but because of the sighting in London we believe the Saudis provided him with a duplicate. Our people did photograph a strange object, however. It seemed odd enough to bring to your attention." Bar-El unclipped a Polaroid photo from the report and slid it across the table.
Chaim Geller examined the photo. The green figurine of a pregnant woman intrigued him. "It's not from North America, I can tell you that." Bar-EI was taken aback. He knew almost nothing about his superior's outside interests and never would have taken the shrewd intelligence officer for an archaeologist or art historian.
"Well, no, Colonel. Our evaluation from the university is that the piece came from the Middle East-probably Arabia or Oman. It dates from about the tenth century B.C., but whatever the date, it is rather rare and therefore very valuable. Professor Mersky at the antiquities center said he had only seen six or eight such figures himself, and this one is in better condition than most."
The colonel handed back the photo. "Very well. What else?"
"Bennett and Lawrence seem to have been in London for several days, as I noted. But it is unlikely they will return to California anytime soon." The lieutenant checked his notes. "Lawrence's sports car was taken to his home and put in the garage. Evidently both Bennett and Lawrence have someone looking after things-watering lawns, paying bills, and so on. Bennett's son at Arizona State University seems to know relatively little, but doesn't appear overly concerned. Our contact thought it best not to press the matter. We'll· monitor him on a regular basis."
Geller stood up and stretched. He wanted to go for a walk in the sunlight, but glanced ruefully at the paper stacked on his desk. "All right, Levi. I saw the report on the other American fliers, and I see there are two or three British pilots on the Saudi list. I've forwarded a memo to Air Force intelligence. Obviously, the Saudis are expanding their training cadre. The cabinet will want to know about this, and no doubt there will be concern. But for now, let's not draw hasty conclusions. The Saudis are in the middle of all this."
Geller noticed the mild look of surprise on the lieutenant's face.
"Now don't misunderstand, Levi. Of course the Saudis wish us no good. But you want to develop your sense of objectivity in this business. Put yourself in their position. With Iran, Syria, and even Iraq and others becoming more unified under the Muslim radicals, a relatively moderate regime will be hard-pressed to remain apart."
Bar-El said, "It may be impossible for the Saudis."
Geller decided to play devil's advocate. "Let's say you're now the king of Saudi Arabia. What would you do to help keep your throne and guarantee your family's position and prestige?"
Thinking for a moment, Bar-EI spoke carefully. "Well, I would try to maintain a balance, try to have it both ways. I would open channels to the fundamentalist Muslims while strengthening my position with the Western powers-the source of my military equipment and market for my petroleum."
Geller gave a decisive nod, his double chin outthrust. "Just so."
He flexed his shoulder muscles. It was getting warm inside. "I'll make a prediction, Levi. We'll see relative calm-I said relative calm-for another couple of years. But once the Arabs have time to consolidate their gains and increase their political unity, we're in for one hell of a fight." The colonel smiled. "You're a fortunate young man. You're going to live to see some very interesting times."
Chapter 4
Bahrain
"Now this i somebody who appreciates our talent," opined Ed Lawrence. Looking about him, he took in the immaculate new facility on the Persian Gulf island, still not wholly completed. "It's amazing what you can do when the head office just says, 'Do it.' If this was in the States, the ink would still be drying on the letter of intent. "
Bennett said, "The advantages of a monarchy, my boy."
In truth, Bahrain was an independent state, nominally autonomous from Saudi Arabia. But Riyadh had long paid most of the little nation's defense bills. Now, with establishment of the F-20 program, the king wanted his second air force built and trained here. It was near enough to Riyadh, but away from prying eyes and-if need be-closer to Iran to intercept unwelcome ships or aircraft.
The new compound inside the airport perimeter was solely for the American and British instructors. It included single-level apartments with a central swimming pool, lighted tennis courts, and a plush lounge. The latter featured elegant wood and leather decor, comfortable chairs, and a horseshoe bar.
Not yet completed was a gymnasium and a fifty-meter pistol range. Bennett intended to teach small-arms proficiency in order to create well-rounded warriors.
"Besides," he told Lawrence, "I like to shoot."
The Saudis had made startling progress in the three months since Bennett and Lawrence had arrived from London. British supervisors and foremen had ensured quality work. The combination auditorium and briefing room where instructor pilots and maintenance supervisors would meet, and where preflight and debriefings would occur, was ahead of schedule. Bennett recalled the king saying that much groundwork had begun even before instructors were recruited, and the time saving was substantial.
The academic buildings for student pilots and F-20 simulators were finished, and the sophisticated equipment was being installed. The General Electri
c Company had developed what Bennett and Lawrence considered an outstanding pilot-training syllabus for F-5 students in Tempe, Arizona. It was near Williams Air Force Base, where the 425th Tactical Training Squadron provided training in the Tiger II. A similar format for the Tigershark was intended for the Bahrain field. It featured individual study cubicles with color-coded course material-light colors for the early topics, growing to blue and black toward the end of the course. Thus, students progressed at their own best rate with increased comprehension.
The two naval aviators sat in the air-conditioned bar, reviewing their notes. The next day they would make their final presentation to the king and his ministers. Bennett flipped through his notebook marked INSTRUCTOR PILOTS.
"We're up to speed now on IPs. It didn't take Fatah's contacts as long to screen them as I thought it might. Do we have the maintenance billets filled now?"
Lawrence sipped an iced tea. "Yup, nailed down a former F-5 type who retired a couple years ago and got tired playing golf five days a week. He's sixty-one and about to climb the walls. Jumped at the chance to get his hands dirty again, though he's mainly a supervisor. He's supposed to arrive next week. Also filled out the armament section. Fatah's guys in London recruited a Royal Navy warrant officer who seems to know everything worth knowing about twenty-millimeter weapons. He retires next month."
"Good deal. Let's see… that puts us up to speed with forty IPs and twenty maintenance folks. The simulator and academic people are being handled by Fatah's contacts in the U.S."
Lawrence fished a crumpled letter out of the Navy. I've always been curious how long he could stay on flight status before they got rid of him. He must be the oldest lieutenant commander still flying. Like Admiral Rickover-they'd have to kick him out."
Lawrence barely swallowed a mouthful of tea without choking.
"What I want to see is how he gets along in the land of Allah. Can you imagine a skirt-chaser like Malloy going without women for two months, let alone two or three years?"
"Well, he'll just have to make the most of his thirty-day leaves. "
Jidda
The 737 jetliner paralleled the eastern bank of the Red Sea. Bennett could see, out the port side, several dust devils racing across the arid sand. As the Boeing landed at Jidda, the nation's administrative center, he reflected that the sacred city of Mecca was only a short distance inland.
Bennett folded up his working papers and stuffed them in his briefcase with his well-thumbed copy of the Koran. He carried E. H. Palmer's 1880 translation, still widely circulated, and referred to it whenever possible. Combined with reading regional history, Bennett had educated himself about the region's geopolitical and cultural relationships over the past few months-something Ed Lawrence largely resisted.
Sitting beside his friend, Lawrence tucked away the F-20B pilot's manual as the 737 taxied to the gate.
It was a short drive over blazing-hot tar roads to the small castle nestled on the cliffs above the Red Sea. A thick wall, ten feet high, surrounded the castle and Saudi soldiers patrolled the parapets. A uniformed sentry in impeccable khakis saluted as the chauffeured Mercedes slowed before the gate. Dark sweat stains formed half circles under each arm and a line down his shirt front.
"Poor bastard," murmured Lawrence. "That's about like standing guard in hell."
Unlike most American briefings, which arrayed the principals in front with the speaker behind a rostrum, the conference room featured a large wooden table about twenty feet long. Arranged around it were twelve chairs. The preliminaries were brief but cordial; King Rahman warmly greeted Bennett and made Lawrence feel at ease. Safad Fatah was his usual elegant, composed self.
The king sat at the head of the table, directing the Americans to the opposite end. Among the attendees Bennett recognized Aziz, the finance minister, and General Maila. There were only three air force officers among the participants, the reminder being introduced as financial and political ministers.
Bennett mentally ticked off that bit of information; it showed the king was keeping his promise about minimal contact-i.e., interference-with the established military forces.
Safad Fatah leaned over to speak quietly with the two aviators.
"Gentlemen, I am asked to inform you that you should report to your embassy in Riyadh within the week. They have some procedures to follow and reports to submit to Washington. No need for alarm, I assure you. Merely routine."
Bennett and Lawrence made appropriate notes, then passed out photocopied documents for each person there. After a few more moments the king called the meeting to order.
"This presentation, as you all know, is the final briefing we will receive before actually beginning the F-20 program. Commander Bennett and Commander Lawrence have worked long and hard, and I fear we put them through some unusual procedures to get them here. "
The two Americans glanced at one another. The sudden departure from California those months ago now seemed far away.
"As it turned out, our concern for their safety was unfounded, but we should remain vigilant and cautious. I trust our guests will understand that we were motivated solely by concern for their well-being. "
Bennett lifted his right hand to indicate his appreciation.
Then the monarch began in earnest. "All of you have met Commander Bennett, but some of you do not know Commander Edward Lawrence. " The king acknowledged the American, who rose briefly, then resumed his seat. "Commander Lawrence is an experienced warrior and fighter pilot instructor from the United States Navy. He will serve as Commander Bennett's second in command. Gentlemen, I have the honor to inform you that you are being granted equivalent positions of colonel and lieutenant colonel, respectively. We understand that your American citizenship does not allow you to hold rank in a foreign military, but within the confines of my kingdom and for purpose of authority you should find these titles sufficient to your needs."
Bennett, in his thorough way, had studied this potentially sensitive situation. He knew that Douglas MacArthur had served as a field marshal in the Philippine Army before World War II, and he personally knew veterans of the Flying Tigers and Eagle Squadrons who held military rank in the Chinese and British armed forces-clearly in violation of American neutrality, but with full knowledge and permission of the Roosevelt Administration. With that precedent, Bennett felt on safe ground. Bennett's attention was drawn back to the meeting when the king introduced him.
''Thank you, Your Majesty. We appreciate this significant honor. Now, gentlemen, a brief summary on the advisory personnel. We have forty instructor pilots under contract, following careful screening by Mr. Fatah's people and our own evaluation. Most of these pilots are personally known to us, except the British, of course. Seventeen are former U.S. Navy pilots, one former Marine Corps, and fourteen former U.S. Air Force. The remaining eight are from the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. Of these forty, eighteen have combat experience, including two of the British from the Falklands War of 1982. All are well-qualified flight instructors and combat tactics instructors in jet aircraft. Each has been screened not only for professional competence, but for maturity and stability.
"The contracts provide for a pay scale averaging a hundred and ten thousand dollars per instructor annually, with thirty days off each nine months. All transportation and living costs will be absorbed by the Saudi government. The funds will be deposited in a Swiss bank account on a monthly basis, with a three-month advance upon each man arriving in Saudi Arabia. In addition, the government has purchased a million-dollar life insurance policy for each individual with Lloyd's of London." Glancing down, he continued, "Each contract runs for two years, at which time it may be renewed."
Bennett looked up from his notes, aware that he had the undivided attention of everyone in the room. "As for the maintenance and other personnel, their expenses will be met either by their employers such as Northrop and General Electric, or by the Royal Saudi Air Force in the event we bring current Saudi pilots into the program. It is our intenti
on to push qualified individuals into leadership positions as fast as possible. The instructor pilots will remain airborne mission leaders and tactics advisers beyond the second year, but maintenance and support-the all-important aspect of an air force-could be fifty percent Saudi in less than three years.
"Now, we also have developed a third community which will have much importance in determining how fast the F-20 program develops. Mr. Fatah has hired two flight surgeons from the United States and a British psychologist and a Lebanese psychiatrist. These gentlemen have devised entrance examinations for the Saudi applicants, based upon a time-proven system which rates psychological, personality, and other traits. We believe this should allow the highest possible number of graduates per class-approximately sixty-five percent."
Bennett did not discuss the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that had led to this system. It had taken some hard talking to convince all the Saudis involved that applicants for the F-20 program-already a prestigious assignment before the first class convened-would be rated wholly on merit. As in many third world nations, military aviators largely came from the politically well connected upper class.
Bennett and Lawrence had bluntly told Fatah that not even royal blood would ensure a seat in the course. However, the number of well-educated Saudi males with 80 percent proficiency in English automatically meant that young men from privileged backgrounds would fill most of the classes.
Bennett continued. "Gentlemen, you all realize that the investment of this many of your brightest young people in this type of program will limit their usefulness elsewhere. The individuals we seek are high school graduates between eighteen and twenty-two years of age. They will be selected from only about six percent of your national population. This is the same ratio in most countries. Only this proportion is found in the general populace with the attributes necessary to become a successful fighter pilot. We are looking for youngsters in excellent health with perfect vision and superior motor skills. They must be highly motivated, willing to work long and hard toward their goal. As I noted, about thirty-five percent will not finish the course, but we can make good use of those who make it to the halfway point, provided they wish to do so."
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