"Key West Agreement") of 23 May 1948. However, inasmuch as the presence of U.S. Navy marked aircraft engaged in airlift operations for the U.S. Army might attract inordinate attention of the part of the press, and others, in the event such aircraft are placed under control, this memorandum further may be cited as authority to remove U.S. Navy markings from subject aircraft.
While such aircraft are under U.S. Army control, they will NOT bear U.S. Army markings. Aircraft markings will be limited to aircraft procurement number, on the vertical stabilizer, and the letters "U. S.A." on the lower surface of the left wing, and on the upper surface of the right wing.
C. James Picell Asst. Secretary for Logistics
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF
STAFF FOR OPERATIONS
Washington, D.C.
22 August 1959
SUBJECT: Utilization of Surplus Aircraft
TO: Commandant U.S. Army Special Warfare School Fort Bragg, NC..
1. The Department of the Army has been granted the temporary use of eight (8) U.S. Navy R4D aircraft surplus to navy needs, pending their ultimate transfer to non preserved storage at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. The Deputy Chief of Operations has determined that USASWS is the U.S. Army activity which can best utilize subject aircraft in the execution of its mission, and this letter assigns subject aircraft to USASWS for temporary use. 2. The aircraft are presently located at the U.S. Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, which has been directed to effect transfer, and to train four (4) army aviators in their operation to a level of skill at which they may serve as instructor pilots.
USASWS will designate two (2) aviators to undergo such training, and USAAB and USASATSA will each designate one (1) aviator. USASWS will coordinate. 3. Inasmuch as the temporary use of these aircraft might be miscontrued as a violation of the
"Key West Agreement" of 1948, certain restrictions apply to their use: a. SECDEF concurring, Commanding General, Pope U.S. Air Force Base, Fort Bragg, N. C." has been directed to service subject aircraft within his capabilities.
With the exception of Pope AFB, subject aircraft will
NOT land at, or request any services from, any other
USAF installation. b. Subject aircraft wil be marked only with the letters
"U. S.A." on the wings, and with the procurement number on the vertical stabilizer. c. Only the aviators designated in paragraph 2, above, plus those aviators subsequently designated by the undersigned, will be permitted to operate subject aircraft. d. The aircraft are NOT to be considered as available for any airlift requirement except that of the
USASWS.
e. Any questions concerning this interservice utilization of surplus aircraft are to be referred to the undersigned.
FOR THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF, OPERATIONS
Robert F. Bellmon Brigadier General Director, Army Aviation
CONFIDENTIAL
"What the hell is all this about?" Lowell asked, looking up from the sheets of paper. "If you're involved, Super Spook, there's more to this than getting the last ounce of use out of worn-out airplanes before sending them to the bone yard."
"Hanrahan has a transportation problem," Felter said. "I thought I could help him, and this looked like a good solution."
"You offered that explanation too
"Bullshit, in other words." quickly," Lowell said.
Felter was surprised at the ease with which Lowell had seen through the "official" story: that that sonofabitch Felter was using his influence to get his old pal, the head of the Green
Berets, some surplus navy airplanes.
"OK," Felter said, after a minute. "You'd make dangerous guesses anyway, if you weren't told."
"Told what?"
"We are going to assist some Cubans who have been forced out of the country and wish to go back and overthrow Castro," Felter said. Lowell considered that for a moment before he replied.
"Fascinating," he said. "Where are you going to stage them? Panama?" "I said you'd make dangerous guesses," Felter said. "Nicaragua."
"Why not lower Florida?" Lowell asked. "Wouldn't that be closer?"
"Nicaragua," Felter repeated. "General Somoza is making available what space we need."
"What's that going to cost us?"
"He gets to keep everything, the airfields, whatever else we build; but aside from that, nothing. He's doing it as his contribution to the Monroe Doctrine, and because he sees Castro as a threat to him."
"And is he?"
"Oh, yes. He's a dangerous man."
"So how does Hanrahan fit in? More important, how do I fit in?"
"He's going to send some Berets down to Nicaragua, very quietly, to do the training. And we're going to funnel the support the weapons, that sort of thing through him."
"And fly it down there on old Gooney-birds? Wouldn't it be easier to give them fewer but bigger airplanes?"
"We're going to maintain a very low profile."
"You don't think you can hide something like this from the Russians, do you?" Lowell asked.
"Who mentioned the Russians?"
"Come on, Mouse," Lowell said.
"I suppose," Felter said, "that the President had to take into account certain domestic political considerations. There's a
"Fair Play For Cuba' committee among other things. Kennedy could use it against Nixon, too, I suppose."
"Kennedy against Nixon? What's that supposed to mean?"
"Kennedy's going to run against Nixon; don't you know that?"
"Jesus, that's all we need, a bleeding-heart Harvard liberal in the White House."
"That's one of the things the President is trying to avoid," Felter said.
"Getting back to question number one, where do I fit into this?"
"Not very far, Craig," Felter said. "And that's not subject to negotiation, so don't even ask. With Hanrahan's approval, Bellmon and Jiggs decided that you are in a good position to handle the Gooney-bird logistics."
"Meaning what?" "Meaning just what I said," Felter replied. "For one thing, we're going to need pilots for these airplanes. We're going to hide them in your rocket-armed helicopter project. You're going to be in charge of having them trained, of handling their pay, and of any other personnel problems. And then, right away, we're going to have to provide these airplanes with air to ground tactical radios... the IC. and LORAN over-the-water navigation gear, and that'll be done at Rucker by SATSA.
You'll handle the procurement."
"That's pushing paper," Lowell said.
"I know. You're very good at that, I understand."
"Jesus!"
"And you're a good chess player, moving pieces around. That'll come in handy."
"Meaning what?"
"I don't want more than one and I will not tolerate more than two of these Gooney-birds on one field at one time."
"I don't want'?" "Yeah," Felter said, after a minute. "I don't want. Any other questions, Major?"
"How can I get transferred out of this chickenshit outfit?"
Felter laughed.
"Hanrahan's going to meet us at Pensacola," he said. "You have been deputized by Jiggs and Roberts to represent them at the meeting with the Action Officer."
"The
"Action Officer'? Who the hell is he?" "I thought I made that pretty clear," Felter said.
"I thought you were running errands for the President," Lowell said.
"This is in addition to my other duties," Felter said, his voice light.
And then he grew serious. "If you and by "you' I mean Hanrahan and Jiggs and Bellmon can do this without making waves, then I can keep running it. If I have to keep putting out fires, Craig, they'll put somebody else in charge."
"I don't see where there will be a problem, Sandy," Lowell said.
Felter nodded.
"What happens to you when Eisenhower leaves office?" Lowell asked.
"I want to go back to the army," Felter said.
"You don't really think they'll let you, do you?" Lowell said. "I think you're dreaming."
"Why do you say that?"
"I think there's a shit list in- the Pentagon," Lowell said. "With two names written on it in gold. The two names are Felter, S." and Lowell, C. A lot of big brass, Little Buddy, hates your ass and is just waiting for a chance to stick it in you."
"The day I met you, you were on a shit list," Felter said. "Subsequently, you have done very well."
"The mongrels are nipping at my heels," Lowell said. "Getting braver and braver by the minute. And as soon as you're stripped of that Counselor to the President business, they'll take out after you."
"I have officially requested assignment to Special Forces at the conclusion of my present assignment," Felter said.
"Good luck, Mouse," Lowell said.
He looked out the window. The Commander had begun its approach. They were coming in over the Gulf of Mexico. The sun was high, and the beaches seemed incredibly bright.
Two minutes later, they were on the ground at Pensacola Naval Air Station.
They taxied past Base Operations to a corner of the field. There were a number of R4Ds parked there, fifteen or twenty of them, a fire truck and several utility trucks, two navy staff cars, and an Otter.
A navy officer in a gray flight suit and a brimmed cap with a blue cover walked up the Aero Commander as the pilot shut down its engines.
"Commander Eaglebury," Felter made the introductions, "Major Lowell."
The two officers sized each other up and approved of what they saw.
"What did you do to make the navy mad, Commander?" Lowell asked. "And get yourself shanghaied into this?"
Eaglebury laughed out loud.
A large man, even larger than It. Commander Eaglebury, came running up. He wore a green beret and the six stripes of a master sergeant.
He saluted crisply.
"Jesus," he said, enthusiastically. "Just like old times. The Mouse and the Duke and the Polack." "How the hell are you, Wojinski?" Lowell said, warmly. "I gather you and the sergeant have met before?" Eaglebury said.
"This sailor's all right," Wojinski said. "He went through the whole damned Super Boy Scout course with sergeant's stripes on his sleeve."
"I wallow in your admiration, Ski," Eaglebury said, dryly. "I was with the Colonel and the Duke and the Mouse in Greece," Wojinski said, proudly.
"I seem to have heard that before, somewhere," Eaglebury said.
"It'll be like old times," Wojinski repeated.
"I don't think so, Ski," Lowell said.
Macmillan and Phil Parker, in flight suits, came up. It was the first Lowell had seen them since the Wedding That Wasn't, and there was a moment's awkwardness.
"If you don't mention my being left at the altar," Lowell said, "I will refrain from telling the commander that you both have the clap, all right?"
There was laughter.
"I was just saying," Wojinski said, doggedly, "that it's going to be like old times."
"And I said I don't think so," Lowell repeated.
"Why not, Duke?" Wojinski asked.
"Because I am here as a simple paper-pusher, Ski," Lowell said.
"Officer in charge of the staple gun and the Avgas credit cards, in addition to my other paper-pushing duties. Isn't that so, Colonel Felter?"
"Yes, Major Lowell," Felter said, "that's the way it is."
(Two) The Law Offices of Howard Duuon Ozark, Alabama 1430 Hours, 3 September 1959
"Mrs. Jiggs," Howard Dutton said, getting up from behind his desk to walk across the room to shake her hand. "It's a pleasure to see you, ma' am."
Dutton was stocky and ruddy faced. His hair was thin, and he was just beginning to get jowly. He was wearing a seersucker suit.
"It's very good of you to see me on such short notice," she said. "And I know how busy you must be."
"I've always got time for you, ma'am," he said. "Can I offer you something? Iced tea? Coffee? A soft drink?" She hesitated. He took the chance.
"Maybe something with a little bite in it?" She smiled at him. "By a strange coincidence," he said, "I just have some vodka that's about to go stale. Would you like it with tonic water that seems to cut the thirst but I've got both tomato and orange juice."
"The tonic, please," Jane Jiggs said.
Dutton tugged at a bookcase against the wall. The whole thing swung open to reveal a wet bar.
"That's very nice," Jane said, impressed.
"Costs a bunch of money to give the impression you wouldn't think of having a nip in your office," Dutton said. "But in a town like this..
"I understand," Jane Jiggs said. He made drinks and handed one to her.
"To Melody and Jean-Philippe," Jane said. "Thank you, ma'am," he said.
"And how are they?" "They're just fine," Howard Dutton said. "Just fine." "Craig Lowell told me Jean-Philippe called him one day last week," Jane said. "Ma'am?" "Craig Lowell," Jane said, "Jean-Philippe's friend."
"Oh, yes, ma'am," Howard Dutton said. "The one with his own airplane."
"And the one who flew the helicopter at Ed Greer's funeral," Jane said.
"That's right, isn't it?" Howard Dutton said. "He was the one."
"He was a good friend of Ed's, and he's a good friend of Jean-Philippe and Melody's," Jane Jiggs said.
"Yes, ma'am, I guess you could say he is," Howard Dutton said. He had decided "that whatever Mrs. Jiggs wanted, it had something to do with Craig Lowell. And she certainly wanted something.
Lowell was the sonofabitch who was at least partially responsible for Melody marrying her Frenchman and going off to France. Howard Dutton wasn't at all sure that he wanted to do any favors for Major Craig Lowell, even if General Jiggs's wife asked for them.
"How was France?" Jane- asked.
"Well, I'll tell you it's a good thing Melody married a rich man," Howard Dutton said. "I couldn't believe the prices."
"I hear they're outrageous," Jane Jiggs agreed.
"Lucky for us, the Janniers wouldn't let us spend hardly anything. They even tried to pay the hotel bill the day we got there. And I don't mind telling you that they really understand hospitality. All we had to do is look like maybe we wanted something, and there it was, held out on a tray by some servant or another." "I'm happy for Melody," Jane said. "I think everybody is."
"There are some who wish that she'd waited a decent interval," he said.
"They're just jealous," Jane said, and then: "And that wasn't possible, was it?"
He looked at her, as if surprised she knew that Melody was pregnant, and even more surprised that she had brought it up. He was annoyed.
"What exactly can I do for you, Mrs. Jiggs?" he asked, smiling, but somewhat coldly.
"We have a small problem," she said. "
"We' do?"
"One of our officers is involved with one of your married women," Jane Jiggs said.
"Lowell?" he asked, chuckling at the way she put it.
W E B Griffin - BoW 04 - The Colonels Page 46