Wolverine and Chiefs

[Matt Wiser]

That's quite an extreme way to complain about the content of a radio station!

Four GBU-10s are a very appropriate way to complain about said station's programming!

[Belushi TD]

That's quite an extreme way to complain about the content of a radio station!

Four GBU-10s are a very appropriate way to complain about said station's programming!

And effective. Don't forget effective.

[Matt Wiser]

That's quite an extreme way to complain about the content of a radio station!

Four GBU-10s are a very appropriate way to complain about said station's programming!

And effective. Don't forget effective.

That, too.

[Poohbah]

That's quite an extreme way to complain about the content of a radio station!

If they're not playing arena rock, they deserve it...

[Matt Wiser]

Folks, the next segment is in work.

[Matt Wiser]

Getting set for the last mission of the day; there will be three more pieces to wrap this one up, then the RAF gets ready to head to San Diego.


335th TFS, Sheppard AFB, TX: 1450 Hours Central War Time:


In his office, Major Wiser sat at his desk, reviewing some papers. The never-ending stream of paperwork only seemed to pause when he was out on a mission. Fortunately, this wasn't anything that either Tenth Air Force or MAG-11 had sent him, but was all squadron business. Namely, enlisted evaluations from the various department heads. Soon it would be time for enlisted promotions again, and though they couldn't promote everyone eligible, there would be more than a few who would have the opportunity to sew on another stripe. And, as usual, there would be those who, though deserving of promotion, would have to wait. Then came a knock on his office door, followed by the XO coming in. “Boss.”

“Mark, what's up?” The CO asked.

“Eastbound C-141 is here, and besides the West Coast Newspapers, they've got some things for us,” Capt. Mark Ellis said, handing Guru a paper with the listed items.

Major Wiser scanned the list. He then looked up a the XO. “Two dozen kits for GBU-10s?”

“You did tell Chief Ross to find those 'by any means necessary,'” Ellis reminded the CO.

“I sure did,” Guru said. “Okay, tell him to find some GBU-12 kits. There may be times where we may have to drop the smaller ones. And there's this: mount a TER on our inboard stations, put a GBU-12 on the bottom rack, and still carry four Sidewinders.”

“That legal?”

“Dave Golen tells me they do it over there,” the CO said, referring to their Israeli AF “Observer” who did a lot more than “observe.” “It's a valid load, so why not?”

“Eglin might not like that,” Ellis pointed out, referring to the Armament Test Center at Eglin AFB in Florida.

“If I have to, I'll go through General Olds and then General Tanner. Being able to do an LGB strike and still carry four Sidewinders can only be a good thing.”

“Not arguing that, Boss,” the XO nodded as there was a knock on the door.

“Show yourself and come in!” Said the CO.

Goalie, the CO's GIB and girlfriend, came in with some papers. “Got some personnel stuff for you. Two of the enlisted airmen who work for me want permission to get married.”

Guru raised an eyebrow. “And...?”

“Before you say any more,” said Goalie. “One wants to go back to Yakima, Washington and marry his high-school sweetheart. The other wants the same thing, only he's headed to some small town in Vermont.”

“They know what they're getting into?” Asked the XO.

Goalie nodded. “They do, even though one's an inter-service marriage. The one from Washington: she's a Marine. The other? She's in the 158th TFS out of Burlington. Prewar Vermont Air Guard. They help handle air defense for New England.”

“As long as both couples know what they're up for,” Guru said. He scanned the forms, then signed APPROVED. “Here you go,” Guru said, handing back the forms.

“Thanks,” Goalie said. “What were you two talking about when I got here?” She asked. “Or do I need to know?”

Guru smiled, then told her what he had just told the XO.

“Think they'll go for it?” She replied.

“General Olds certainly will,” the Major said. “This is kind of like his ordering his entire wing being rewired to carry Sidewinders in twenty-four hours after that Falcon fiasco,” Guru continued, recalling then-Colonel Olds' disgust with the wretched AIM-4 and that weapon's failings cost him what he thought was his fifth MiG over North Vietnam before knowing his one probable was actually a kill.

“And Olds approves it, it goes to General Glosson,” Goalie said, referring to Tenth Air Force's Chief of Staff, then Tanner, then further up.”

“And knowing General Tanner,” Mark Ellis chipped in, he'll send it direct to Sundown, and that will be that.”

Guru nodded. 'That it will.” Then came another knock on the door. “Yeah? Come in and show yourself!”

The door opened to reveal Kara. “Boss, we've got a mission. Ops has the briefing packet, and before you ask, Dave and Flossy have their own.”

“We have the RAF?”

“As usual,” Kara nodded.

“Okay.” Guru said. “The XO have one?”

“Four-decimal Zero.”

Guru nodded. “All right. Mark, you might as well come with me and get yours. Goalie?” He turned to his WSO. “You and Kara round everybody up from our flight and get them to our briefing room.”

Goalie asked, “When?”

“Fifteen, and not a second over. Even if they're at the gym. Tell anyone there showers can wait.”

Goalie and Kara looked at each other and nodded. “We're gone,” Goalie said as she and Kara left the office at a run.

“Shall we, Mark?” Guru said as he headed to the door.

“After you, Boss,” the XO replied.


CO and XO went to the Ops Office, and found Don Van Loan waiting for them, though he had his own strike to get ready for. “Boss, and XO,” he said.

“What have you got for us, Don?” the CO asked.

“Ask and ye shall receive,” Van Loan said, handing a mission folder to the Major. “And you won't like it.”

Guru took the packet and opened it to get the Frag Order. Then he scanned it, then looked at the Ops Officer. “You are shitting me.”

“Boss, before you tear my head off,” the Ops Officer said, “Tenth Air Force sends these. I just-”

“I know, you just put them together,” Guru finished. “Okay, you two? Don't take any chances. This may be the last one for today, but treat it like it's the first. Complacency kills, as we all know.”

“You got it, Boss,” Mark Ellis replied.

Guru nodded. “All right. You guys have a good one.”

“You too, Boss,” the XO said.

Guru went to the former classroom his flight used as a briefing room, but before he got there, Sin Licon, the SIO, found him. “What is it, Sin?”

“Major,” Sin replied. “I have a couple of friends at Tenth AF's Intel Shop, and they do send me anything they can on any of our crews who go down and aren't recovered. They found something on the two RAF guys who went down a day or two after they started flying here.” He handed the CO an envelope.

Guru took the envelope and opened it. He read the paper enclosed, then looked at Sin. “This on the level?”

“Yes, sir, as best they can figure. And before you ask, you can show it to Squadron Leader Gledhill. That's why I found you.”

“Okay. Come by the briefing room after I finish, and I'll give this back to you.” The CO knew the document was still classified.

“I'll be there, sir,” Sin nodded.

Guru then went to the briefing room and found Buddy, the squadron's mascot, waiting for him. He must have a sixth sense, the CO thought as he opened the door for the dog, who immediately went inside, found a place to curl up, and went to sleep.

Sweaty saw Guru as he came in behind the dog. “Boss,” she said. “Time for the fourth quarter?”

“It is that,” Guru said as he put the mission folder on the table. He then saw Dave Gledhill. “Dave, I've got something for you, and I'll talk with you after the brief.”

“Understood,” Gledhill replied. “So what's on tap for this one?”

“They saved this one for last,” the CO said. “Stephenville Municipal Airport.”

“East German Army HQ,” Kara noted. “We've been here how many times?”

Guru nodded agreement. “I know what you're saying, and I'm not disagreeing with you. But, until the battle lines move south....”

“So we go back and do it again,” Hoser said, a strong hint of disgust in his voice.

“That we do,” the CO said, his own disgust coming to the fore. “Now, ordnance: No CBUs on this one, as the target's too close to the town.” He handed out several low-level photos, presumably from an RF-4C run and a few high level ones that looked to be from SR-71s. “So we all have six M-117Rs on centerline MERs.” That meant the M-117 750-lb bombs with Snakeye retarders. “And six Mark-82Rs on the wing pylons with TER. Kara? You and I have the Daisy Cutter fuze extensions.”

“That makes up for no CBUs,” Kara observed.

“It does,” the CO agreed. “Now, Sweaty?” He turned to his second element lead. “You and Hoser don't have the fuze extensions due to your targets.”

“And those are?” Sweaty asked.

“Kara and I have the west side of the field. The ramp areas-both prewar and what Ivan's built, hangars, anything and anyone on the ramps.”

Kara then asked, “And still no credit for ground kills?”

“You said it, I didn't,” replied Guru. “That won't change unless Big Air Force says so.”

“Had to ask,” Kara said, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

“Don't blame you,” Guru said. He went on. “Sweaty? You get the runway. Just angle your run so that you get a few bombs in both the runway and taxiways.”

Sweaty nodded. “Any word on more Durandals? Then this place would be out of business for more than overnight.” She was referring to the French-designed and made antirunway bombs that they had used on BOLO II.

“No, and I'm not using the ones we have left until I know we're able to get restocked. And Tenth AF has a query into Big Air Force about that.”

Sweaty nodded. She understood, but had to ask anyway.

“Hoser? The CO finished. “Fuel dump, here, east of the runway. Make that go up and away, if you please.”

“Will do,” Hoser said. “And how are we getting there?”

The CO took out a TPC and a JOG map. “We go down to Tanker Track EXXON north of Mineral Wells, then we go down low. Follow the Brazos, just inside the Nicaraguan sector as usual, and before you ask, they haven't had much attention today, so the gunners will be lax as usual.”

“We hope,” Goalie added.

“That we do,” Guru agreed. “Follow the river down to Lake Whitney, then we overfly the lake. About two-thirds of the way down, we turn right onto a Two-seven-zero heading, bypassing Meridian to the south, then pick up State Highway 6. Follow that road to just short of Hico, then we turn north and pick up U.S. 281. The IP is a farm pond just east of 281, at 32-16-59 North, 98-14-30 West. Climb, pick up the target, make your runs, and egress over the town. Then you get your asses north to I-20.”

“Air to air-ordnance and threats?” Sweaty asked.

“Four AIM-9Ps, two AIM-7Fs, full twenty mike-mike, ALQ-119 pod, and two wing tanks,” said Guru. “As for MiG threats? They're unchanged since this morning. And before you ask, if I see Dave Golen before we go? I'll touch base with him and if they're nearby. If MiG trouble comes, he and Flossy will come to the party.”

“Not that we need the help,” Flight Lt. Paul Jackson, Dave Gledhill's pilot, said.

“But it is appreciated,” Flight Lt. Karen McKay, their wingmate, added.”

Dave Gledhill nodded. “It is that,” he said. “As for us? Four AIM-9Ls, four Sky Flash, two wing tanks, and an SUU-23 gun pod.”

“Sounds good,” Guru nodded. He then noticed an Ops NCO coming to collect the briefing materials. “If that's it for questions, let's gear up. See you at 512. Dave? A moment, please.”

Gledhill nodded as the others got up to leave, but he did say, “Buddy's still asleep.”

“Let him sleep,” Guru said.

When the others had left, Guru and Gledhill were alone. “Major?” Gledhill asked.

“Sin Licon has some contacts at Tenth Air Force's Intel Shop. This is about your crew that went down on the first day here for you guys.” The CO handed the RAF Squadron Leader the envelope that Sin had given him.

Gledhill read the paper. He had been waiting for any information on Flight Lts. Ian Black and Michael Barker, who had been shot down on a strike the Major had led back in November, just after 74 Squadron had arrived at Sheppard. “Says here 'according to various sources, two RAF pilots shot down in Central Texas were sent to Cuba for intensive interrogation,” he spat. Gledhill knew what that meant.

“And that's it,” Guru said. He had read the paper. “I'll have Sin see if he can get any further information on them before you guys go to San Diego.”

“That would be appreciated,” Gledhill said. He reread the paper, then handed it back to the CO. Though he knew the material was classified, he asked, “Can I-”

“Just tell the rest of your people that you've picked up a strong hint they're alive,” Guru said. “Anything else?”

“As you're fond of saying, 'We have someplace to be.”

“That we do,” the CO agreed. “Let's go.”

They went to gear up, and Guru came out of the Men's Locker Room to find Goalie waiting for him as usual. “Ready?” She asked.

“Yep, and once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more,” Guru said.

Goalie nodded. “Just as long as that 'close the walls up with our glorious dead' shit gets left out,” she said. “What were you and Dave Gledhill talking about, or do I need to know?”

“Well, you were six feet behind me,” Guru said. “That crew of theirs who went down the first day here?” He saw Goalie nod, then went on. “Sin Licon found some indicators they were captured and then sent to Cuba.”

Goalie shook her head. “And they're in a Caribbean version of the Hanoi Hilton.”

“Unfortunately,” Guru agreed. Then Sin came looking for him. “Sin, I guess this is yours.” He handed him the envelope.

“Thanks, Major,” the Intel said. “I'll see if I can't get any more information before they go to San Diego.” Sin was referring to the RAF's departure for San Diego and turning their F-4Js back over to the Navy. Even if the Navy wound up scavenging them for parts.

Guru nodded. “You do that, Sin,” he said. “Hold down the fort until we get back.”

“Will do, Boss.”

Guru and Goalie left the squadron office and found Dave Golen and Flossy, with Oz and Jang, their respective GIBs. One thing the IDF officer liked was to have his mission briefs outside if possible. “The atmosphere is less stuffy”, Dave had told him once. “Dave,” Guru said.

“Guru,” the Israeli ace said. “Just getting set to go.”

“Okay,” the CO said. “You going to the Stephenville area?”

“Just southwest of there,” Dave replied. “You're going to the same area?”

Guru nodded. “That I am, and if you hit MiG trouble? Holler, and I'll have Dave Gledhill's element with me.”

“Good, I'm Cobra Lead on this one,” Golen said. “You call if you need a hand.”

“Corvette for me,” Guru replied. They shook on it, as they had done many times before. Then the CO turned to the other three in Dave's element. “You all be careful out there,” he said. “And don't get complacent. That kills.” He saw heads nod. “Dave? You all have a good one.”

“You too,” Golen said, both of them shaking hands again.

Then Guru and Goalie went to 512's revetment, where the rest of the flight was gathered. “Okay, people,” Guru said, ready to give his final instructions.

“Usual on the radio?” Kara asked. That was call signs between them, or even first names, while mission code was to AWACS and other interested parties.

“Always,” Guru said. “Now, no word on being diverted to CAS, but that can happen while we're in the air,” he reminded them.

Several crewers shook their heads, then Hoser said, “Nice.”

“Depending on your point of view,” Guru said. “Now, remember that complacency kills. I don't want anyone shot down because they got sloppy. This may be our last one of the day, but we treat it like the first, comprende?”

“Loud and clear, Major,” Kara said. When she-or anyone else in the squadron-used Guru's rank, it signaled they were treating that subject with full attention.

“Anything else?” Heads shook no. “Meet up at ten grand overhead. We've got somewhere to be and people and things to burn, bleed, and blow up.” Guru clapped his hands for emphasis. “Let's hit it.”

The crews went to mount their aircraft, and as Guru and Goalie went into the revetment, the Crew Chief was waiting. “Major, Captain,” Sergeant Crowley said, snapping a salute. “Five-twelve's ready to rock.”

“Thanks, Sergeant,” Guru said. He and Goalie did their preflight walk-around, then after the CO signed for the aircraft, both crewers mounted up. After getting strapped in, putting on their helmets and hooking up to the oxygen system and IC, pilot and GIB began their preflight in the cockpit.

They were nearly done when Goalie said, “Want to bet we're going to get CAS? Say, when we're either hooking up on the tankers or just coming off?”

“Don't even say it,” Guru said. “Arnie?” He was asking about the ARN-101 DMAS.

“Arnie's set and so is the backup INS,” said Goalie. “Well, somebody had to. Ejection seats?”

“Armed top and bottom, check yours,” the CO said. “Don't blame you for asking.”

In the back seat, Goalie nodded. “That's it. Checklist complete and ready for engine start.”

“So it is,” Guru said. He gave a Thumbs-up to the Crew Chief, and Crowley gave the “Start Engines” signal. First one, then both J-79 engines were up and running. When the warm-up was finished, he called the Tower. “Tower, Corvette flight with six, requesting taxi and takeoff instructions.”

A tower controller replied immediately. “Corvette Lead, Tower. Clear to taxi to Runway Three-Five-Lima. Hold prior to the active, and you are number two in line.”

“Roger, Tower. Corvette Lead rolling,” replied Guru. He gave the “Chocks” signal to the crew chief, and the wheel chocks were pulled away. Then Crowley gave the “Taxi” signal, and after Guru released the brakes, he began taxiing out of the revetment.

After clearing the revetment, Sergeant Crowley snapped a salute, which both Guru and Goalie returned. Then Guru taxied the F-4 towards Runway 33L. As he taxied, the rest of the flight fell in behind him. When the flight got to the holding area, a Marine flight of four F/A-18s was ahead of them, while a Special-Ops C-130 was landing. Once the Herky-Bird taxied off the runway, the Hornets then taxied onto the runway, and Guru taxied into the holding area.

The armorers removed the weapon safeties as the Hornets thundered down the runway and into the air. Once that was done, Guru called the Tower. “Tower, Corvette Lead requesting clear to taxi for takeoff.”

“Corvette Lead, Tower,” the controller replied. “Clear to taxi for takeoff. Winds are Two-eight-zero for ten.

“Roger, Tower,” Guru said. He taxied onto the runway, with Kara's 520 taxiing behind them and tucking in on the right. Guru glanced at 520, and both Kara and Brainiac gave thumbs-ups, which Guru and Goalie returned. Then it was time.

“Tower, Corvette Lead requesting clear for takeoff.”

As usual, the tower didn't reply on the radio, but flashed a green light. Clear for takeoff.

“Ready?” Guru asked Goalie on the IC.

“Ready,” Goalie called back. “We need to be someplace pretty soon.”

Guru grinned beneath his oxygen mask. “And so we do.” He firewalled the throttles, released the brakes, and 512 thundered down the runway and into the air, with 520 right alongside. Thirty seconds later, it was Sweaty's element, and after that the RAF. They formed up at FL 100, then headed south for the tankers.

[jemhouston]

Someone is getting a very five o'clock surprise

[Wolfman]

Candygram for Mongo!

[Poohbah]

Candygram for Mongo!

Mongo like candy...