Rolling Thunder (2007)

by Jack - Seals 04 Terral

  Carey checked his watch. I will expect a briefback from you at 1600 hours tomorrow. As far as assets go, you will have Lieutenant Commander Berringer and me. That's it! If you have any questions for us, we will be here to help. If we can't answer a specific inquiry, we'll contact the SPECOPS Center on the Combs. If the SF staff on board can't get an answer for you, there's nothing else we can do. Let that be enough motivation for you to be prepared for any contingency. He paused and looked at the eighteen frowns directed at him. Turn to!

  The SEALs did not have time to spring to positions of attention as the two staff officers quickly exited the briefing area.

  .

  THE OPIUM TRAIL

  16 MAY

  THE attaching of the German MG-3 machine guns to the roofs of the pickup trucks fascinated Arsalaan Sikes Pasha.

  The mounts had been expertly manufactured and securely attached to the vehicles with six heavy-duty fifty-millimeter bolts per weapon. The arrangement allowed an arc of fire through 140 degrees. Although the MG-3s were belt-fed, there was no problem with belts of ammo dangling off the side. These weapons had belt drums, each holding 150 rounds, that could quickly be changed when reloading was necessary. However, with a firing rate of 1100 rounds a minute, it would take only a little less than eight seconds to empty the weapons with a continual pull on the trigger. For that reason, the gunners had spent time practicing until all could manage four-and five-round fire bursts.

  The gunners were professional soldiers of the Iranian Army, and they went to a great deal of trouble to keep their weapons clean and operable. Even in the dusty atmosphere of the Afghanistan high desert, the machine guns looked as if they were ready to stand a full field inspection by a regimental sergeant major. Canvas covers were kept over the MG-3s at all times, except when dismounted for preventive maintenance or during firing exercises. At any time they were exposed to the elements, the Iranians continually wiped and brushed them to make sure no foreign debris worked down into the mechanisms.

  The Toyota pickup trucks were just as well maintained. The drivers were also career military, justly proud of their status as driver/mechanics. They came from a society where such skills, while not rare, were still beyond the comprehension of the average person, and their jobs gave these soldiers a prestige that did not exist in Western society. They even received extra proficiency pay.

  All in all, even in comparison with the Royal Regiment of Dragoons, Sikes Pasha felt he was in excellent company.

  .

  1400 HOURS

  THE ride across the firm desert was not too uncomfortable. The ground was firm and fairly flat, making traveling fast and easy. Sikes sat on the passenger side of the Toyota cab, dozing a bit as the journey toward Iran continued. The Iranian soldier driving the vehicle had little to say since he knew no English and Sikes had hardly any knowledge of Farsi.

  The monotony of the trip lulled Sikes into his private world of fantasy. He settled back and closed his eyes as images of his glorious future floated through his mind. He could picture the lounge of the Royal Regiment of Dragoons' officers' mess:

  THE large-screen TV is tuned to the BBC evening news, in Sikes' imagination, and the rankers sit around in the easy chairs and sofas, their eyes worriedly glued to the images being presented to them as they sip their after-dinner brandies and whiskeys.

  The Middle East is lost! the announcer declares in his upper-class accent. The Iranian Army under the command of Field Marshal Sikes has struck its final blow in defeating coalition troops and consolidating the countries of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Yemen, Oman, Afghanistan, and Pakistan under the control of Iran. Western influence has been effectively tossed out of the most oil-rich area of the entire world! What a calamity for the West! The question is, what will be Field Marshal Sikes' next action? The Prime Minister fears this great commander Sikes will turn his military ambitions toward the oil fields of the Russian Federation!

  At this point a major declares, Sikes? By Jove, chaps! That name is familiar to me for some reason.

  And to me, says a captain nervously, his brandy snifter shaking in his trembling hand.

  The dragoon regiment's commander, a crusty brigadier, speaks up. Now why the devil does the name Sikes mean anything to you chaps?

  Before they can answer, the image of Field Marshal Arsalaan Sikes with his name on the screen is seen. He is wearing a field uniform with medals pinned across the front, while epaulets bearing the Iranian national eagle over a wreath with crossed batons show his rank. As he begins speaking, every officer in the room suddenly realizes who the man is.

  I say! the brigadier exclaims. Wasn't that chap a sergeant in this regiment at one time?

  Yes, sir, replies a nearby subaltern. I believe he went before some of our officers for approval of his application for a commission and to become a member of this very mess. I believe his request was disapproved.

  And who were the bloody fools who turned him down? the brigadier roars. My God! The man is a military genius! There's probably been no one like him since Wellington at Waterloo!

  The major and captain quietly get to their feet and slip out of the room.

  SIKES was close to falling asleep in the cab of the pickup truck, a slight smile on his lips.

  .

  SHELOR FIELD

  SEALS HANGAR

  16 MAY

  1600 HOURS

  TWENTY-FOUR hours had passed since Commander Thomas Carey's presentation of the OPLAN directing Bran-nigan's Brigands to take on the opium smugglers in northwestern Afghanistan. Now, after long hours of work and little sleep, the detachment was ready to present their briefback to Carey and his fellow staff officer, Lieutenant Commander Ernest Berringer. Carey and Berringer were seated in the front row of chairs, their own pens and notebooks ready for use during the presentation.

  Brannigan was the first up. He went to the podium at the front of the room. We're going to conduct this antismuggling operation in three phases. The first is the transportation from Shelor Field to the OA. He turned to the blown-up satellite photo mounted on the wall behind him, flashing his laser pointer on a location. That will be our LZ. We'll need two C-One-Thirties to transport the six DPVs, personnel, weapons, and gear. Vehicles Alpha One, Alpha Two, and Charlie Two will be in the first aircraft. Bravo One, Bravo Two, and Charlie One will be in the second aircraft. Upon landing, we will quickly unass the aircraft to allow the two Hercules to remain on the ground with engines running for the minimum amount of time. As you can see from the map, the LZ is long enough that the airplanes will not have to turn around. They'll be able to make a straight run and get back up in the air as soon as we and our vehicles are disembarked. They will be back to Shelor less than forty-five minutes after leaving.

  That should go smoothly enough, Carey said. Now let's get into Phase Two.

  Right, Brannigan said. Phase Two will be the elimination of the smuggler rendezvous point. Once more he used his laser pointer. As you can see, it consists of three mud-wall buildings. We are going to assume the worst-case scenario and act as if they are well defended and have perhaps a dozen fighting men quartered there.

  Great! Berringer said. And you're probably right. I am positive they have experienced attacks on the facility from smuggling rivals.

  Exactly, Brannigan agreed. We are not going to make this raid in our DPVs because of the noise factor. We want this to be a surprise attack, so we will leave the vehicles here once more, he used the pointer and go on foot to the objective. I am planning a three-pronged attack, leaving an opening for escape.

  Good God, Brannigan! Carey exclaimed. Are you going to let some of them get away?

  No, sir. Puglisi and Miskoski will be in position with their AS-Fifty sniper rifles to knock down anyone who breaks out of the compound.

  Berringer wasn't sure about that one. Don't you think Puglisi and Miskoski might have trouble if they have to shoot a half-dozen or so individuals making a run for it?

  Brannigan shook his head. No,
sir. Our two snipers are going to be close enough to have easy targets. I estimate the range to be no more than seventy-five meters at the most. Also, the AS-Fifties are semiautomatic.

  Great, Carey said. Now you're on the ground, you've begun your operation, and knocked out the meeting site. What's next on your agenda?

  We'll take down the main column of smugglers during their return from their run, but before they're within sight of the rendezvous point, Brannigan said. They'll be out in the open and roll into our ambush. Things will be simple. We'll be fully mounted and will engage them in a running battle. It will be a repeat of our fight with the armored cars, except these will be Toyota pickups and unarmed transport trucks.

  You say things will be 'simple,' Carey remarked. Just what degree of simplicity are you going to employ? I'm referring to your basic tactics.

  We'll kill them, sir, Brannigan replied. One thing I've learned on Operation Rolling Thunder is that these vehicle battles have to be played by ear. It's impossible to know how the fighting will evolve. So, we'll primarily concentrate on simply killing the sons of bitches, then adapt to any situation that arises.

  Mmm, Carey said. Yeah. That ought to do it. Okay, Lieutenant, your basic plan is approved.

  The next SEAL up was Senior Chief Petty Officer Buford Dawkins. We're planning on a three-day mission, sir. So we'll have enough MREs for five, just in case things don't go as planned.

  They never do in warfare, Senior Chief, Berringer said. Your CO just said so.

  Exactly, Dawkins agreed. Everyone will carry their basic load. These are all big boys with lots of experience, so each man will determine what he'll need, applying the two-day pad I already mentioned. We estimate we'll be putting about three hundred miles on each vehicle. I know that's a lot, but again, I'm employing a pad here. Anyhow, each DPV will burn every drop of fuel going two hundred and ten miles. That leaves ninety more to go, and that will require an extra nine gallons per vehicle, or a total of fifty-four for all six. That makes a grand total of one hundred and eighty gallons. That's already been taken care of with the Army transportation comp'ny here at Shelor Field. Since the jerry cans hold five gallons each, the DPVs will carry two for an extra ten gallons instead of nine, so we'll have an additional six gallons. This is all applied to my built-in pad.

  Yeah, okay, said Carey getting a bit confused by the presentation. I'm sure you've worked this out to the last drop. Now let's get into ammo.

  Yes, sir, Dawkins said. We'll have a total of three thousand, six hundred rounds of five-point-fifty-six for the M-Sixteens; there'll also be three thousand, six hundred rounds of seven-point-six-two for the M-Sixties and three thousand for the M-Twos.

  Why the six-hundred-round difference between the two machine guns? Carey asked.

  The M-Sixties shoot more rounds per minute, sir, Dawkins answered. And both sniper rifles will be supplied with six magazines each of five-rounds. That'll give Puglisi and Miskoski a grand total of sixty rounds between them. Also, each M-Sixty gunner will have an M-Two-Zero-Three grenade launcher. These are for the attack on the rendezvous.

  Carey turned to Brannigan. By the way, Lieutenant, there are some people who are a bit miffed that you turned in those HK-Four-Sixteen carbines for M-Sixteens. They were hoping for some test results and evaluation from you.

  Piss on that, Brannigan said candidly. We're going into combat. I didn't want the guys stuck with some new brand of shooting irons.

  Okay, Carey said wearily. I see your point. He turned his attention to Dawkins. What about the Javelins, Senior Chief? You haven't mentioned them.

  We won't be able to employ them effectively in this situation, sir, Dawkins said. You have to stop, dismount, and sight 'em in. Too much trouble.

  That's your call, Carey said. Thank you for your briefing, Senior Chief.

  After Dawkins was dismissed, Doc Bradley covered the medical side of the mission, such as medevac through the Marine choppers at Shelor Field, and Frank Gomez announced that the call signs of Operation Rolling Thunder would stay the same. The last presenter was Lieutenant Junior Grade Jim Cruiser. His briefback was given quickly and efficiently. We do not expect to require resupply. However, we have made arrangements with Randy Tooley to have such services available through the Air Force.

  Who the hell is Randy Tooley? Carey asked.

  He's the Shelor Field coordinator of all things important, necessary, and of great consequence to keep things rolling, Cruiser replied.

  Carey frowned. Is he that weird kid driving the Air Force-blue DPV?

  Yes, sir, Brannigan interjected.

  I want to talk to you about that, Carey said. This missing DPV you reported leaves many unanswered questions.

  I'd appreciate it if you would wait until after this operation, sir, Brannigan said. I really have a lot on my mind right now.

  Uh, I suppose I could, Carey said hesitantly. But you're going to have to give an explanation sooner or later. At any rate, your briefback is approved, so it is now an OPORD etched in stone. Go to it, guys!

  Aye, aye, sir! Brannigan's Brigands answered in unison.

  Chapter 20

  NORTHERN OA

  18 MAY

  0545 HOURS

  THE two C-130s bearing Brannigan's Brigands and the six DPVs made an early morning landing in the reddish illumination of dawn, their props stirring up a miniature but violent dust storm off the hard-packed desert terrain. The unyielding ground provided a perfect landing and short-taxi platform as the pair of large aircraft came in side by side. The Air Force loadmasters immediately turned to lowering the rear ramps as the pilots kept the engines running.

  As soon as everything was ready, the SEAL driver/ commanders with their gunners rolled off the airplanes onto terra firma and sped eastward toward the rising sun under Lieutenant Bill Brannigan's leadership. By that time, the pilots had their aircraft running across the desert, quickly picking up speed for the liftoff and return to Shelor Field. Frank Gomez, the M-2 gunner in Charlie Two, impetuously turned and waved at the departing C-130s in an unseen gesture of farewell.

  Brannigan would have preferred making the landings at night, or at least late the previous evening, but the Air Force had balked at this. They did not want to risk lives and aircraft by touching down during hours of poor visibility. Since that part of the OA was unpopulated and the enemy had no flyover capabilities, the SPECOPS Center on the USS Combs could not talk the USAF out of the landing-time restrictions that forbade operations in the dark.

  Now, as the SEALs mentally prepared for the upcoming battle, the DPVs sped across the desert. Everyone's face showed a grim demeanor as the Brigands instinctively gripped steering wheels and machine-gun handles, unaware of the tightness of their fists. The detachment rolled along in column formation toward their jump-off point. That would be the coordinates from which they would launch the attack against the opium rendezvous site. This was another portion of the mission that the Skipper preferred to do at night, but no one was sure when the smugglers would be returning from their run. Thus, it was determined that the quicker the attack, the less the risk of running into Murphy's Law.

  Guy Devereaux, sitting beside Brannigan, who was driving Alpha One, had his GPS out, constantly monitoring their exact grid locations. Now and then, he would announce a slight change of direction over the LASH headset, and Brannigan would respond to the instructions that went, Starboard three degrees...starboard five degrees...port four degrees. It was not an exercise in exactness, but the Skipper could estimate the proper bearing reasonably well by sighting across the vertical spoke of his steering wheel. Within forty-five minutes of leaving the aircraft, Devereaux announced, This is it, sir!

  Brannigan braked to a stop, and the other DPVs did the same. Immediately, everyone was off the vehicles and standing with weaponry in hand. Brannigan spoke softly out of habit even though they were still out of sound range of the objective. Assad! Leibowitz! Front and center!

  Aye, sir! came the simultaneous responses. The tw
o scouts left their assigned Alpha Two vehicle and reported to the Skipper. After a quick consultation over the map laid out on the hood of Alpha One, the correct azimuth toward the rendezvous was established.

  You'll have to be quick since we don't know the bad guys' schedule, Brannigan said. Just give the place a looking-over and figure out what we're facing there. We need to know if they have a heavy-weapons capability.

  Aye, sir, Leibowitz said.

  The Odd Couple moved out on foot across the desert, with Assad on alert while his buddy referred to the magnetic compass in his hand. It took only twenty minutes to reach the objective, and the scout team's transmission from Assad was a welcome one: It's kick-ass time, Skipper.

  .

  0710 HOURS

  THE detachment had left the DPVs back at their jumping-off point and was now in position to begin the assault. They observed vehicle assignment integrity, lying flat on their bellies as they gazed across the flat terrain toward the objective. Bruno Puglisi and Joe Miskoski, toting their AS-50 sniper rifles, had reported that they were ready for the show to begin on the opposite side. Both SEALs were mentally set to deal with any potential runners who might try to flee the scene of the coming battle. This would consist of close-range, deliberate taking of human life. Back at the DPVs, the M-60 gunners had M-203 grenade launchers on their M-16s, and each carried a load of six additional rounds apiece to put into the tubes.