by Jon Sedran
Hamon nodded. “Still, we need to hit them before they can make them operational,” he advised.
“Agree. We will probably need to use a one-thousand pound laser-guided weapon to be certain of destroying them. We should be able to avoid most collateral damage.” Ben-Artzi tossed the photos down. “Okay, when can you launch the mission?”
“Give me twenty-four hours general. I want to review the photos with the aircrew I select,” replied Hamon.
“Okay Colonel. One F-16 and one bomb…I will get you operational orders for the mission.”
* * * *
In run-down garage on the outskirts of Naqoura, South, Lebanon, Marid and Kasim stood looking over three drones being readied for missions. Both men had been with Hezbollah for many years and each had taken part in ambushes of Israeli military convoys patrolling along the Israel-Lebanon border.
“Commander Kasim, General Namazi has requested us to again probe Israeli air defenses,” reported Marid. “We have been sent a flash drive for uploading.”
The two men looked over one of the drones sitting on a large table. “This is Iran’s newest model,” he said proudly, adding, “It has better capabilities with real time video and sensors that measure and record levels of emitted energy from Israeli radars. It will send back real-time data on their air defense systems. And the small paved road outside is all we need for a runway.”
Marid handed Kasim the flash drive. “This drive includes the programming for the flight paths and altitudes to be flown by each drone,” he said.
“Let’s go into the control center and load it into the PC,” Marid directed. The men went into an old office attached to the garage. It looked long forgotten and the windows had been painted over. But it was cleverly set up with computers and consoles for controlling the drones, as well as an array of communications equipment.
Marid inserted the flash drive into the PC and entered his password, the information quickly appearing on the screen. He printed out a copy of the instructions and handed it to Kasim.
“Go ahead and start uploading the programming into each drone controller,” directed Marid.
“I will see to it,” replied Kasim, reviewing the instructions. “It looks like they want us to launch them tomorrow at thirty minute intervals starting at twenty-two hundred hours.”
“Make sure it happens,” said Marid, as turned to leave.
* * * *
The precision guided bomb dropped from the Israeli Air Force F-16 had gone through the roof of the Beirut warehouse housing the SA-300 surface to air missiles. Now in a secure area at Ramat-David Airbase, Ben-Artzi and Hamon stood at a table looking over satellite imagery and reviewing the damage assessment.
“Colonel, it looks like the bomb hit dead center of the building,” said a pleased Ben-Artzi, pointing to a photo.
“Yes general, secondary explosions were observed, which means the missiles were almost certainly still inside as we had hoped,” replied Hamon, adding, “Unfortunately general there was some collateral damage to the apartment building next door. It may have been caused by the secondary explosions; we can’t know for sure.”
“How much damage?” asked Ben-Artzi.
“Nearly every window on the side facing the warehouse was blown out, and several balconies collapsed.”
“Casualties?” asked Ben Artzi.
“Not certain, perhaps five or six,” replied Hamon.
“Yes, that is unfortunate,” said Ben-Artzi. “Maybe the residents will ask Hezbollah to store their missiles elsewhere in the future.”
* * * *
The news of the bombing of the warehouse was awaiting Marid and Kasim when they returned to their command center from Naqoura.
“Commander Marid, I just learned the Zionists bombed our warehouse. Many people were killed. The apartment building next door suffered much damage,” reported Kasim.
Marid slammed a notebook on the desk. “Get our rocket launchers ready,” he ordered.
“All of them?” asked Kasim.
“Yes damn it, all of them,” Marid replied angrily. “I will inform the Sheik. Tell all field commanders to refer to operational plan ‘Almighty One’.”
“Immediately,” Kasim responded.
Marid quickly phoned Sheik al-Salim and told him of the bombing.
The sheik listened. “Fire no more than one-quarter of your rockets,” he instructed, “I want to keep the Zionists off balance, but I do not want them to increase their air defenses which might interfere with our other plans.”
Marid took a deep breath. “I understand. You are right. We will only launch a small attack, but we will be ready to rain thousands more…I will contact all the brigade commanders.”
“Good,” said al-Salim. Then he hung up.
* * * *
For ten days the Iranians had continued to block the Strait of Hormuz by laying mines, while the American and British navies worked around the clock to sweep them back up. Iranian small boats periodically raked ships trapped in the area with machine gun fire. Diplomats at the U.N. continued to work feverishly trying to head off a major confrontation which seemed more likely every day. After the Israeli airstrike on the Beirut warehouse, Hezbollah rockets were now hitting throughout northern Israel on a daily basis.
Against this backdrop, the President convened another in a series of emergency meetings of the National Security Council.
Hardy handed Bingham a brief situation report. He read it and sighed, “Mr. President, we just received word Iran has laid down even more mines and they are increasing their small boat hit and run attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.”
“Great,” said Acosta, rolling his eyes. “There goes the price of oil again, to the moon.”
“Mr. President, we are have deployed our minesweepers, and will quickly clear the shipping channel,” advised Hardy.
“Their hit and run attacks and minelaying are acts of war,” declared Acosta looking up from his desk monitor. “They have severely damaged several ships and killed some sailors.
Bingham glanced over at Hardy. “Mr. President, it is only a question of time before this escalates…a lot. A full-scale confrontation is now almost inevitable.”
Acosta took off his reading glasses and rubbed his eyes. “Gentlemen, I believe they will stick to their game plan. Iran’s senior military planners know they cannot win a long and protracted war with the U.S. But the ayatollahs know that giving the U.S. a black eye while just holding their own will greatly increase their prestige at home and in the world. They will not allow themselves to get drawn into an all-out conflict. Just lay mines, use small boat hit and run attacks, and drive up the price of oil,” surmised Acosta.
“What do think Alex?” asked Acosta.
Simpson glanced at his tablet screen. “Mr. President, I tend to think the situation will lead to all-out war.”
“Cabot?” asked a worried President.
Marshall nodded. “Mr. President, NSA has taps on all the tier-one internet servers and most all Iranian communication nodes. The patterns of Google searches and volume of traffic indicate they are likely preparing a large scale attack. DIA believes they will hit critical Saudi oil and port facilities…and our bases in the region too.”
Bingham scrolled through DIA intelligence reports on his tablet PC showing the recent movement of Iranian military forces and equipment. “Mr. President, DIA has the Iranians readying their land-based surface-to-surface missiles for rapid launch.”
“I still doubt they would risk and all-out war with us, general,” said Acosta, holding out hope a major confrontation could still be avoided.
Hardy frowned. “Mr. President, as you know the current defense budget only allows the navy to keep one carrier in the Persian Gulf. I believe it would be prudent to move second carrier into the Gulf.”
“I agree,” added Bingham.
“We can have the Abraham Lincoln sail there from the Indian Ocean,” Hardy recommended.
Acosta shook his hea
d. “Too provocative gentlemen, but do move it closer.”
“I’ll get right on it,” said Hardy.
“Both sides were making good progress on implementing the nuclear agreement. They may decide to scrap the whole thing and restart full uranium enrichment…then we are back to square-one,” the Secretary of State added.
It was apparent there were few good options left and after another forty-five minutes the Security Council found itself unable to agree on any suitable course of action.
“Let’s take a short break,” Acosta recommended, as he reached for the remote and turned up the volume on the television. CNN was showing coverage of Israelis running for cover as Hezbollah missiles struck targets in and around the port city of Haifa. Israeli jet fighters were seen screaming overhead. Most members reviewed missed texted messages and then made their way back to the table. Everyone’s attention remained on the T.V. screen.
Acosta adjusted his reading glasses and muted the sound. “Okay, everyone, let’s try to keep a lid on this boiling pot. You all understand the situation is dire,” the President admitted, “Hezbollah is now firing missiles at the rate of a dozen a day into northern Israel,” The Israelis are bombing the missile launching sites and are accusing Iran of complicity…and are again threatening to launch a pre-emptive strike on Iran.”
“I think that would lead to a terrible escalation, Mr. President,” Kragen stated.
Acosta looked down at some notes. “Things are getting hot all over the Middle East. I received an urgent e-mail from President Koslov urging restraint, and urging me to use my influence to restrain the Israelis. He promised to use Russia’s influence in Syria and Lebanon to get Hezbollah to stop the missile firing. Maybe a united front could be formed if the situation can be prevented from getting out of hand.”
“Mr. President, we are pursuing every diplomatic channel possible,” Kragen assured him. “I made a direct call to Iranian President Massoud…but truthfully, I’m not sure he has the power to stop any of this.”
“If war does come Mr. President, we are ready,” declared Bingham. “We are still deploying more assets into the region and our firepower and overall capabilities are extremely impressive.”
“Good, but if we go, we will start with a limited strike,” Acosta reminded everyone.
Simpson quickly checked some information on his tablet PC and mumbled something to Bingham.
“Mr. President if kinetic operations do begin we plan to use our technological superiority, including the new AQ-190 autonomous attack drones which are being brought into the region now.”
“I’d hate to see our newest technology compromised if one gets shot down,” said Acosta.
“Mr. President, there is always that danger, but we feel the rewards outweigh the risks. While the loss of advanced technology equipment is not desirable, it is still preferable to losing our aircrews,” suggested Bingham.
Acosta nodded. “I agree,” he mumbled.
* * * *
In a little used room at the headquarters of the Republican Guard force in Tehran, Namazi confidently updated Javadi on the status of their special project. “We successfully transported the two partially assembled devices from Oghab-Three to the warehouse in Piranshahr yesterday,” he said, adding, “I used only my most trusted officers. The devices are being readied for shipment to Beirut as we speak.”
Namazi opened up a map on the table. “I have selected a route least likely to draw attention,” he said, pointing to the highlighted route. “The trucks will utilize a heavily traveled highway. It will take them from Piranshahr to Aleppo, Syria and then to their final staging and assembly point, a hangar at the Beirut airport. Their route will cut across the northeast corner of Iraq. That will enable the trucks to get to their destination in about nineteen hours of driving. Arrangements have been made at the Iraqi border for expedited inspection of the cargo, which is listed as commercial drilling equipment.” Javadi studied the map as Namazi continued. “They will cover over twelve-hundred kilometers, stopping for fuel twice at locations I have selected, and switching drivers.”
Javadi listened attentively. “Very good general, he said. “What about getting the trucks into Lebanon?”
“That has been arranged at the border crossing here at Arsal,” Namazi replied, pointing to the location on the map. “We have found four reliable drivers from Hamedan. They will leave early tomorrow morning and will be told they are carrying drilling equipment…the planes and the heroic martyr crews are ready too.”
“Blessed be Allah, the cancer will finally be removed,” Javadi declared.
* * * *
At five am at the Inslar Chemical Factory in Piranshahr, Iran, four men waited on the dimly lit loading dock in the chilly morning air. Backed up to the dock were two trucks guarded by six heavily armed IRGC personnel. Namazi came out of the office wearing civilian clothes, looked around, and then walked up to the men. It had not been difficult to recruit four experienced drivers to take a load of high-tech drilling equipment to Beirut. They would be well compensated, they had been told. Namazi handed each of them a small envelope containing a road map and some cash. Then he unfolded a map and laid it out on a table. “This is the route you will take,” he instructed, moving his finger along a highlighted line, “You are all familiar with the route?” he asked.
“Yes,” they each replied.
“You must be here at the Arsal border crossing into Lebanon by eleven-thirty tonight, Beirut time. Arrangements have been made. My men will follow in an escort car as far as the Lebanese border to ensure you cross successfully. Then you will continue on to the Beirut airport and to perimeter gate number three, here...and wait there until the gate is opened.”
The men looked at where he was pointing and nodded.
“You are to only stop twice for fuel, first in Al Qamishi, then in Aleppo, absolutely nowhere else. You will pay with the cash I have given you.” He looked at each face. “The trucks have two fuel tanks, so fill them both, and one person will stay with the truck at all times. At the second stop you will switch drivers. And if you have to relieve yourselves, stop by the side of the road, and be quick. Do you understand me?”
All four mumbled, “Yes.”
“After the load is delivered, use the remaining cash I gave you to get a room for the night, and then return the way you came. You are carrying expensive oil exploration equipment. You will all be compensated very well when you return if you deliver these loads on time.”
They all nodded.
“Who will be responsible for the phone?” asked Namazi, looking at the men.
One of the drivers, a man named Amin Haddish, stepped forward. “I will take it,” he offered.
“This is a special satellite phone with GPS tracking,” Namazi explained as he showed him how it worked. “You will only use it to call when you are five minutes from the airport, or to call me if you encounter any difficulties. The number to call is stored in the auto-dialer, pre-set one. The person who answers will say, ‘Pipeline products,’ and you will reply, ‘The drilling equipment is here,’...if he answers anything else…call me. My number is pre-set two.” Haddish nodded and put the phone in his jacket pocket. “Turn your cell phones completely off now, and leave them off,” he ordered. He watched as the four men fumbled for their phones and powered them down. “You are not to use them under any circumstances. Do you understand me?”
“Yes,” they all replied.
He pointed at two of the men. “You two get into the grey truck, and you two into the white one. May Allah keep you safe…now get going.”
The four men stepped down from the dock, got into the trucks and started the engines. Namazi signaled a guard to open the security gate. The gate swung open and the trucks pulled out from the loading dock and departed.
Namazi then gave a nod to two men waiting in a nearby car with the engine running. They followed the trucks out the gate.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Israel is a tiny country.
From Israel’s northern borders in a military fighter, it is less than fifteen minutes flying time to Haifa and twenty more minutes to Tel Aviv. The Israeli Air Force, or IAF, Northern Command, has the responsibility for defending Israeli’s northern most airspace. Radars with overlapping coverage watch the skies over both Lebanon and Syria and air defense crews are well-trained and ready to respond quickly. Two IAF fighters remain airborne at all times and a half-dozen more are on alert and can be launched in minutes from Ramat-David Airbase. The Israeli air defense plan also includes Patriot missile batteries located in areas twenty kilometers back from the borders. The ‘Iron Dome’ missile defense system is in place to bring down shorter range rockets. Coordination must be perfect or the Patriot missile batteries might inadvertently shoot down friendly aircraft. This was an unfortunate lesson learned by U.S. and British forces during the first Gulf War.
IAF Northern Command’s Commanding General, Samuel Ben-Artzi, was in charge of the air defense forces with an area of responsibility including the airspace adjoining Syria and Lebanon. He commanded from a reinforced concrete command post at Ramat-David Airbase. The daily threat briefing at the air base was underway with senior air force staff attending.
“Gentlemen, we all know we have limited resources,” said Ben-Artzi, “So, we have to focus on the greatest immediate threats. I know we receive contradictory intelligence every day, and it is hard to be sure what is correct. But one thing we can be certain of is that we have many determined enemies on our borders and right now one of them, Hezbollah, is firing rockets at us….a lot of rockets…and they are killing people.”
“And we are hitting them back, general,” replied Colonel Saul Hamon, IAF’s Northern Command, Deputy Commander.
Ben-Artzi scanned through the latest damage reports. “Colonel Hamon, so far the Hezbollah rockets have not hit anything of value here at the base, but they have done considerable damage to some areas in and around Haifa,” he reported, adding, “The Prime Minister wants their launchers taken out. They are firing them in such great numbers our Iron Dome system cannot bring them all down.”