The Cobra Identity

by Frank Perry

out the protocol issues between agencies, and I knew the Guard and FBI should work together to take on these guys.”

  Lutz interjected, “Mr. Sayar, the FBI has worked with General White in the past and I’m not the kind of guy to get stuck on protocol. I think the right role for law enforcement is to exercise judicial prerogatives, but I don’t want to expand that to mean we have the best resources and personnel to take on trained fanatics with SAM missiles and assault weapons.”

  Peter liked Lutz, the man was a pragmatist and a team player.

  Sayar went on, “That’s great Jim. Anyway, the rags are located in a remote dunes area of outer Long Island. It’s pretty remote, which has pluses and minuses. It’s isolated, but the open sand dunes make surprise difficult. (Sayar was an ex-Navy man who understood the military). Since this is not technically a military attack, we can’t just drop a smart bomb, we need to function within the law.

  “I asked to meet with you and General White because the administration thinks this is best handled through the National Guard, under direction of the NY Governor instead of the Defense Department. There may be legal conflicts with the DoD on U.S. soil. On the other hand, we don’t want a repeat of Waco or Ruby Ridge.”

  Lutz bristled with the citations, but Federal law enforcement agencies didn’t have a great success record in armed confrontations.

  White responded, “Okay. Steve. It sounds like you’re pretty positive about the location and these guys are all together for plucking?”

  “Yes, General, we have good intel. They’re hunkered down waiting for orders.”

  General White went on, “Peter, what’s your take on this? How tough will it be to get these guys?”

  “General, it depends on a lot of things, but it sounds achievable from what I’ve hearing, if intel is correct. I need to see the target layout and estimate the opfor (opposing force), but I we should reconnoiter and FBI SWAT make the bust. We provide backup. Mr. Sayar, how much time do we have to prep?”

  “Major, we need to strike before tomorrow morning. We can’t depend on them staying in this location for long.”

  Peter responded, “Okay. Not much time; a lot will be improvised, which is dangerous. Mr. Lutz. What are the rules of engagement in circumstances like this?”

  Lutz responded, “If the bad guys are there, I’m hereby declaring the scene hostile, and we won’t risk getting any officers killed through formalities like warrants. Let’s surround the building and give them a chance to surrender. The nation deserves results, and no one’ll morn a bunch of dead terrorists.”

  Peter said, “Okay, General. I need to get stuff coming together fast.”

  “Peter, it’s your show with Director Lutz, I’m notifying all the DCSs (Deputy Chiefs) to provide whatever resources and assistance you want. You’re dismissed to get this going.”

  All stood, but Sayar delayed his departure from the General’s office.

  Peter needed to rush things. He asked Lutz to make arrangements with the New York FBI office to have their SWAT team mobilized by nightfall. He would rely on Jim for all FBI liaisons. He then crafted a three-star email message to the New York Governor’s TAG (Adjutant General) to arrange the equipment and personnel for a night mission, asking to have the DCSOPS, Deputy Chief of Staff Operations, contact him by cellphone. The message went out under General White’s signature. He sent a separate personal message to the TAG in Illinois, whom he knew personally, asking to have Captain Stokes contact him for possible volunteer action in New York.

  He left the office shortly after noon, driving to Rachael’s house for his personal gear, calling her en route to explain that he wouldn’t see her tonight.

  He heard two rings then heard her pick up, “Hi, Rachael.”

  “Peter (there was apprehension in her voice), are you about to tell me that my evening plans have changed?”

  “Honey, I’m on my way to your place to get my gear. I’ll probably be gone over night and see you some time tomorrow.”

  “Ah, kind of sudden isn’t it? I guess you won’t tell me what’s going on, so I’ll just watch the news.”

  “Yeah, better not to ask. I probably won’t call tonight, so you might want to stay somewhere where you won’t be alone.”

  She was more worried now about his safety than hers. “Don’t worry big boy, I’ll be all right tonight, but call me as soon as you can tomorrow, I really do love you!”

  He paused for a second savoring her feelings. “You are in my heart every minute, darling.”

  After hanging up, he called the NBG transportation office to see what transportation plans had been made, learning that a Marine C130J Hercules airlift plane was standing by at Quantico for his transport to the Air National Guard base at Scotia, Long Island. It was a large airplane, but might be of other use when they got there.

  After a few minutes at Rachael’s apartment gathering his gear, he decided to drive straight down I-395, linking to I-95 for Quantico, VA. As he drove, he called the New York TAG’s office and asked for the DCSOPS. He was forwarded to Colonel Dick O’Connor.

  When O’Connor answered, Peter introduced himself and explained that he would be landing in New York in a few hours.

  “Major, what’s the operation and what resources do we need to provide?”

  “Colonel, the intel still needs to arrive, including imagery. It should come to your office by direction of the National Security Advisor, before I arrive, so we’ll need maps and GIS plots prepared, post haste. For the Op, I don’t think we can plan on a land crossing since I’m told it’s pretty wide open and sand dunes. I’m requesting jump qualified infantry if you can find volunteers on short notice. Twelve would be nice, but I’ll take what you can get as long as they’re veterans. Incidentally, I sent a query to the Illinois Guard asking for a Ranger, Captain Stokes, to contact you.”

  “Stokes is already on his way. We’ll have him here in about five hours.”

  “That’s excellent news. We worked together in the Chicago action last year.”

  O’Connor remembered. “I thought I recognized your name! Good show! Now I know why the Chief wanted you to come up from Washington.”

  “Thank you, sir. For equipment, I’m requesting infantry air assault TO&E (Table of Organization and Equipment) for all men and a qualified drop crew. A gun ship would be good for backup. Also, I’ll need body armor and weapons.”

  “No problem. All will be arranged. Have a safe flight and I’ll get this all coming together.”

  “Roger that, Colonel. See you shortly.”

  He was passing by the Pentagon heading south when Jim Lutz called.

  “Major, I called the New York office, and the FBI will be contacting the TAG to coordinate. They should have a full SWAT team and mobile command center ready by this evening.”

  “That’s great, Jim. Where are you now?”

  “I’m just leaving the office on Pennsylvania Avenue heading to Quantico. I picked up a weapons load and combat BDUs, so I should be dressed for the occasion.”

  “Sounds good, Jim. I’ll see you at Andrews.”

  Forty minutes later, Peter passed through the main gate and headed for the flight line. The Hercules crew was standing around the sand colored airplane waiting. He carried his gear from the parking lot and walked out on to the tarmac when one of the aircrew members, a female NCO, came to help. He thanked her and went on to meet the First Officer as the aircraft Commander was running through his preflight checklist in the cockpit. The pilot had filed a VFR flight plan up the east coast. It was a beautiful day for flying.

  Before entering the plane through the aft loading ramp, Peter waited until Lutz arrived. They greeted, and Peter asked Jim if he’d ever flown in a C130 before. He had not, so Peter showed him around the cavernous interior of the military’s most ubiquitous utility airplane. Four decades had elapsed since they introduced the big turboprop. The latest C-130J had major system improvements including digital avionics, color LCDs and head-up displays, the latest Nav syst
ems and radar. Although able to carry tanks and other large equipment, it could also carry up to 62 paratroops seated along the sides of the cargo bay.

  Three minutes after Lutz arrived, engines were started and everyone was strapped in. Shortly after that, they were airborne. Once settled into level flight, Peter went to the back of the cargo deck and stripped to his underwear. From his duffle bag, he put on his Army Combat Uniform (ACU), jump boots, utility belt and equipment vest, including his fighting knife on his chest and a shoulder holster. A second knife was sheathed across his lower back. The knives and shoulder holster were not Government Issue, but on active duty with the Army, as a Special Forces operative, he could choose his own weapons.

  Mission Launched

  The plane landed at the Scotia Airport and taxied to the National Guard hangers. Dozens of uniformed personnel crowded around the back as the ramp lowered,. The two passengers walked down the ramp while it was still lowering to meet Colonel O’Connor at the bottom. He greeted Peter with a salute and Director Lutz, who had changed into black FBI BDUs in flight, with a hand shake.

  O’Connor led them toward the hanger where several soldiers were assembling their gear. O’Connor introduced them and Peter was pleased to see that all were senior NCOs. From the way they handled their equipment, including parachute gear, they were professionals. O’Connor said, “Captain Stokes should be here in an hour. In the meantime, I’ll let the