The Vaults of Heaven (AU)

[clancyphile]

IC/Jeb Pruitt:
Sobel actually put in for transfer to the F-20 - kind of like Frank Carson, only he saw it as a chance to get out of a F-16 unit where, to put it mildly, he did not fit in too well, and was (almost) universally despised, despite a not-too-shabby war record (eight kills, a Silver Star, and three DFCs).

He was rejected - Yeager just didn't think he had the charactr to lead any unit, much less an ANG or Air Force Reserve unit, which the F-20 was being assigned to post-war.

[Matt Wiser]

You guys must be confusing this guy with somebody with the same name: The 388th's CO never saw combat. He got into F-16s right at the same time as Fidel throwing in towel and accepting the Armistice.

[Poohbah]

15 October 2010
VOQ, Hill AFB
Ogden, UT

Josh said, "Debs, my love . . . you got your shit together faster than I did. You had minutes, and you used them wisely--my gunny had to chew my ass at one point to get me focused and dialed in on the mission. And you stopped that attack dead in its tracks. You had nothing but shit options, and you made the most of them. Honestly, I'm humbled."

Debs blinked. "Really?"

"Really. You know what everyone with the gong says, right? 'I did what I had to do.' That's the entire truth. You did what you had to do in that minute."

Debs sighed. "I'm going to take your word for it--"

The phone rang--short-short-long.

Josh said, "Oh, crap, that can't be good."

He picked up the phone. "Colonel Mantell."

"Sir, we have a poacher. In Chicago."

Josh felt his face go cold. "Understood, I will be there in five. Contact Group and let them know what's going on,"

Josh hung up and said to Debs, "Something has come up."

Debs said, "Get off your dead ass and do your job, honey."

She gave him a quick kiss.

* * *

11th Special Reconnaissance Squadron

Josh said, "SITREP!"

Jorgensen said, "CHICAGO'S knob turner picked up an old-school HF zip-squeal, signature looks like an R-350M. It was a direct-path signal, pretty close in at that."

Well, that answers my damn question, doesn't it?

"All right, people, let's assume it's a recon team from the special mission unit from their Parachute Brigade."

Major Jerry Holcomb said, "Going to be their varsity team. Almost certainly trained by either the Cubans or the Norks--and those training missions have not gone home."

Jorgensen said, "The Norks don't have a home to return to."

Mantell said, "Understood. All right. Clare, call the 419th, have them contact their CC and get him to call me back on a secure phone. I'm calling the 705th. Jerry, you get Team ALBANY spun up ASAP, get them prebreathing for a possible insertion, live ammo. Execute now-now-now!"

Mantell spun on his heel and went to his office.

* * *

"705th Strategic Missile Squadron, Captain Waldeck speaking, this is an unsecure line."

"Captain Waldeck, Colonel Mantell at the 11th Special Recon Squadron. We need to go secure."

Mantell inserted the crypto key into his STU and rotated it. A few seconds later, the display lit up with "SECURE."

"How can I help you, sir?"

"Captain, please listen carefully and don't interrupt. Ready to copy?"

After a few seconds, Waldeck said, "Yes, sir."

"Very well. One of my recon teams is shadowing a missile convoy southeast of Pilot, Nevada. This was a training mission, done under my authority, and I take full responsibility. Got that so far?"

"Yes, sir."

"My team's signals intelligence operator detected an HF signal, direct path, not skywave, make sure you get that. The signal's characteristics match those of a Soviet-issue R-350M HF radio set, of the type used by Soviet SOF during the war. The Russians no longer use this equipment. I am forced to conclude that this is likely a Mexican special operations reconnaissance team that is stalking your missile convoy. Be advised that any such team is likely to be one of their better ones. I am working on getting TACAIR support for my team and dispatching a fully armed team to support. Do you have that?"

"Yes, sir."

"Notify your CC immediately, I am standing by at extension 1701. I have to make some more calls."

Josh hung up, and his phone rang almost immediately.

"11th Special Reconnaissance Squadron, Colonel Mantell speaking."

It was Berkeley. "Josh, what the fuck is going on out there?"

"Sir, we seem to have the Mexican Army's special mission unit stalking a Midgetman convoy."

Berkeley said, "Copy all. How'd we find out?"

"My people picked up an HF burst signal."

"How?"

"They're holed up in a mountain cave watching the missile convoy."

Berkeley chuckled. "It was nice knowing you, Josh. I'm pushing it to Eglin now."

"Understood, sir."

The phone rang again. It was Guru Wiser.

"Josh, what's going on?"

"Let's go secure."

After they went secure, Josh explained, "We have a poacher out in Wendover."

"A poacher?"

"Wartime codeword. Meant hostile forces in a training area, generally considered in extremis because most training missions don't have live ammo. How fast can you generate two Beagles, live ammo, anti-infantry, with full IRCMs?"

After a quick pause, Guru said, "45 minutes, once I get approval from General Reynolds. We have to get him to a secure line--"

"General Officer quarters include secure phones, Guru. It's good to be the King."

"Hope he's home, then."

In less than five minutes, Reynolds was conferenced in. Guru and Mantell briefed him in.

"Do those cocksuckers down in Mexico City know that this could be considered casus belli?"

Mantell said, "Sir, this is going to be their varsity team. They're probably as sterile as they can get. Weapons from anywhere but the Combloc, they probably have Australian desert boots--those are the best--hell, they have full denture sets to avoid showing Mexican dental work. About the only gear that might be questionable is the radio, and there's plenty of those available on the global market."

After a few seconds, Reynolds said, "Do it, Guru. My authority. Liaison with the 11th for comms."

"Yes, sir."

Mantell's phone display lit up with "LRAFB-SAC HQ."

"Gentlemen, it's time for me to face the music--SAC is on the other line. If I don't answer up after this, Major Jorgensen will be at extension 1705."

Reynolds said, "Chin up, Colonel."

Guru said, "You've got this."

"Thank you, gentlemen."

Mantell clicked on the button for SAC HQ.

"11th Special Reconnaissance Squadron, Colonel Mantell speaking."

[jemhouston]

On one hand, he didn't notify SAC he was using their assets for training purposes. On the other hand, he found out someone was planning on attacking said assets with live weapons.

[Johnnie Lyle]

On one hand, he didn't notify SAC he was using their assets for training purposes. On the other hand, he found out someone was planning on attacking said assets with live weapons.

The latter may be a worse sin in their eyes.

[jemhouston]

On one hand, he didn't notify SAC he was using their assets for training purposes. On the other hand, he found out someone was planning on attacking said assets with live weapons.

The latter may be a worse sin in their eyes.

1. He'll get a court-martial.

2. He'll get a medal.

3. He'll get promoted.

4. All the above.

Johnnie, I believe you're correct. The call will be made someone higher up in the chain of command. Probably the person that lives in the best public housing in the US.

[Johnnie Lyle]

On one hand, he didn't notify SAC he was using their assets for training purposes. On the other hand, he found out someone was planning on attacking said assets with live weapons.

The latter may be a worse sin in their eyes.

1. He'll get a court-martial.

2. He'll get a medal.

3. He'll get promoted.

4. All the above.

Johnnie, I believe you're correct. The call will be made someone higher up in the chain of command. Probably the person that lives in the best public housing in the US.

Item #1 is the least likely option because doing so will require information that is embarrassing to key players be presented to the court.

Item #3 is more likely than #1, but with three caveats:

• 1) His enemies may sit on the promotion board and decide that is the appropriate avenue to administer punishment
• 2a) Members of the promotion boards for colonel and especially brigadier general may decide they don’t want senior field grade or flag officers who contribute to intercommand friction by getting caught or providing an insufficiently face-saving way out
• 2b) Members may conclude this was a wasted opportunity to accrue markers from SAC
• 3) Members may conclude this was a “good job, don’t ever do it again” situation

Item #2 is a given. Which one is subject to similar caveats as those stated above.

[clancyphile]

You guys must be confusing this guy with somebody with the same name: The 388th's CO never saw combat. He got into F-16s right at the same time as Fidel throwing in towel and accepting the Armistice.

IC/Jeb Pruitt:

You're right. Turns out it was a second cousin.

[Poohbah]

11th Special Reconnaissance Squadron
Hill Air Force Base, Ogden, UT

The voice on the other end of the phone wasn't friendly. Nor was it unfriendly.

"Colonel Mantell, this is General Wasley, CINCSAC."

"Good evening, sir."

"Not really. Right now, I need you to get me up to speed on the situation."

I explained Team CHICAGO's mission, and stressed that I had given the mission orders, and then reported the current situation, the likely enemy, and the measures I had helped put into motion.

Wasley said, "I see."

Must be absolute hell playing poker against this guy.

After a moment, Wasley asked, "Mind explaining why you didn't notify this headquarters what you were doing?"

"Sir, the point of this exercise was to conduct realistic training, as I believe this mission may become crucial on or before January 1st."

There was a long silence, finally broken by General Wasley saying, "Expand."

"Sir, TBMs landing on United States soil are absolutely intolerable. However, the force package required to stop it can easily be portrayed as Yankee imperialism. We'd be caught between a rock and a hard place, sir."

"I see. Very well, we will dispose of your decision-making later. Right now, my primary concern is with the safety of both the missile convoy. Would it be possible for your team to assist in capturing the enemy force?"

"Sir, my operators in the field are not carrying live ammunition."

Wasley sighed. "Damn it, that's completely obvious once you say it. Never mind. What armed forces do we have?"

"None ready at this time, sir." Mantell checked his watch. "I have a second team getting ready to insert, but it's going to take about an hour for them to be ready to go, they need to finish prebreathing." Mantell checked his watch. "Sir, the 419th should have 2 aircraft loaded with Rockeyes, 20mm, and full IRCMs in approximately 40 minutes."

There was silence on the line for a few minutes. Wasley then said, "My ops chief wants to use those F-15s to shepherd the team toward the convoy so the CSPs can engage them. Can your team assist if they stay out of direct contact?"

And the missing piece of the puzzle fell into Mantell's brain.

"Sir, they can, but I must strongly urge you to do no such thing. I recommend conducting lethal engagement as far from the convoy as possible."

"Why?"

"Sir, the entire Mexican Air Force working together couldn't possibly get one strike aircraft into northern Nevada. That means the recon team is likely carrying something able to kill a Midgetman launcher."

"Such as?"

"Javelin with the new lightweight missile can reach out 4,000 meters; an 81mm mortar firing Merlin antitank rounds can reach a comparable range; and Spike LR can reach 5,500 meters. I would use 6,000 meters as a must-keep-out range, sir."

"How much damage can antitank weapons do?"

"Sir, any of those missiles can penetrate 25 to 30 inches of rolled homogeneous armor, and they're top-attack weapons. I'm assuming the Midgetman TEL doesn't have two feet of armor plate on top, sir."

Wasley said, "You assume correctly, Colonel. Dropping one of those on top of an launcher would certainly get through the launcher, the missile container, and into the missile itself. It would ignite the missile's fuel, and that would be enough to vaporize the launcher and anything within a hundred yards or so--wait one."

Five minutes later, Wasley came back. "Colonel, I am formally requesting Team CHICAGO's assistance with engaging and destroying the enemy force. I'm going to need the 11th to coordinate the engagement, as we do not have the required skill sets here at SAC."

"We will do the deed, sir."

Wasley was quiet for a few seconds that seemed to last a brief eternity.

Finally, he said, "I know you will, Colonel."

* * *

419th Tactical Fighter Wing
Hill Air Force Base, Ogden, UT

Captain Melissa "Shadow" Bryce smiled as Guru entered the ready room.

"Hey, boss, hell of a drill we're running."

Guru said, "This isn't a drill. We're flying a live combat mission."

Shadow felt her jaw drop--and saw Major Kelly Ray and her WSO, Captain Jody Tucker do likewise.

Guru said, "The Special Recon team that inserted into the missile box for our exercise picked up a burst HF transmission--old-school Soviet equipment. There's a SOF team, likely Mexican, stalking a missile convoy. We've been assigned to engage them. Specifics are being worked out now between the 11th Special Recon Squadron and SAC Headquarters."

Kelly said, "Mantell's going to be lucky to avoid getting cashiered over this."

Guru said, "That may be . . . but he's 100% Air Force blue to the end." He looked at the other three officers. "He did the right thing, knowing the likely cost. I imagine we're going to be using this as a case study in ethics. All right, let's brief the situation . . . "

* * *

Guru smiled behind his oxygen mask. "Just like the war, Shadow."

Shadow asked, "How's that, Guru?"

"Zip-lip launch, just waiting for the green light--"

The light on the tower went green.

"And away we go." He pushed the throttles forward, and the F-15E Strike Eagle accelerated quickly. Behind him, Major Ray and Captain Tucker were rolling as well.

* * *

Once they reached altitude, Guru made sure he was on the secure HAVE QUICK channel and called, "Blackhorse, this is Cougar flight, how's this going down, over?"

Josh's voice was steady. "Engage and destroy, I say again, romeos are engage and destroy. That is from CINCSAC Actual. That team probably has ATGMs as well as MANPADS."

Guru said, "Copy all, Blackhorse."

Mantell said, "CHICAGO is on Tac 2, they know you're coming and have eyes on the target. Good hunting, Cougar flight."

* * *

Hunter Jackson spoke quietly and clearly into his headset. "Cougar flight, this is Chicago Actual. IP is Four Zero Degrees Five Three Minutes Five Six decimal Four seconds North, One One Four degrees Zero Seven Minutes One Four decimal Nine West."

Shadow read the lat/long figures back.

"Cougar Lead, affirmative. Heading One Six Niner, Offset East, distance Six decimal Nine miles, elevation Five One Five Eight."

"Confirm heading One Six Niner, offset East, distance Six decimal Nine miles, elevation Five One Five Eight."

"Cougar Lead, affirmative. Target is infantry squad in open, Four Zero Degrees Four Seven Minutes Five Six decimal Four seconds North, One One Four degrees Zero Seven Minutes One Four decimal Nine West."

"Confirm infantry squad in open, Four Zero Degrees Four Seven Minutes Five Six decimal Four seconds North, One One Four degrees Zero Seven Minutes One Four decimal Nine West."

"Cougar Lead, affirmative. Mark is laser, code Eight Niner Two Four, Laser line to target is Two Six Three, friendlys are Two decimal One miles bearing Zero Eight Three, Egress South, threat is probable MANPADS, type unknown, requesting Charlie Bravo Uniform ordnance, over."

* * *

Melissa was punching buttons on the LANTIRN controls. "Confirm laser mark, code Eight Nine Two Four, Charlie Bravo Uniform requested, we are turning inbound now."

"Cougar lead, affirmative, cleared in hot!"

Guru called, "Cougar flight, turn one-six-niner now-now-now!"

Kelly Ray called, "Two!"

The F-15s were racing south at over ten miles a minute.

* * *

Jackson watched the nine men moving along on foot, heading north. Tough bastards to haul that much stuff across the desert. Those aren't lost tourists.

He shouldered the laser designator and peered through the thermal imaging scope.

"Cougar flight, Chicago, illuminating now-now-now."

* * *

Shadow said, "I have the target, your steering cue is up!"

Guru steered the Strike Eagle to the release point.

"And . . . HACK! Bombs away!"

* * *

Jackson watched in horrified fascination as Rockeye cluster bombs landed among the men on the valley floor. There was a brilliant flash on top of one man.

Afterwards, he used the thermal sight to examine all of the bodies. None were in one piece, and one looked particularly torn up.

"Cougar flight, Chicago, good drop . . . no survivors, there was at least one high-order secondary explosion, over."

"Copy, Chicago, we are RTB, Cougar Flight out."

"Chicago out."

* * *

16 October 2010
Wendover Range Complex

Mantell jumped out the door of the HH-60G Pave Hawk into the early morning light. The EOD technician accompanying him held his arm out. "Hold on, sir, let's do this right."

Mantell said, "Understood."

The EOD tech was a barrel-chested tech sergeant. He walked carefully through the mess, then called, "Clear, sir."

Mantell walked over slowly and looked at the bodies. All had been carrying G36 rifles; two were carrying Stingers; and one carried a weapon he recognized as an FGM-148 Javelin.

"Army CID is going to shit themselves when we hand this in," he said.

The EOD tech nodded. "Yes, sir. I think the guy who really got blown to hell was carrying the other Javelin."

"I thought Javelin used insensitive explosives."

"They do, but that's more a matter of degree when a Rockeye bomblet physically hits the damn missile and goes bang, sir."

Mantell nodded.

An AFOSI forensic technician opened the mouth of one of the dead men, reached in, and pulled out a complete upper and lower denture set.

Mantell sighed. "All right, I've seen enough."

* * *

Wasley sounded as tired as Mantell felt.

"Colonel . . . if nothing had happened, what would you have done?"

"Sir, I would've submitted a full report to AFSOC in Eglin with a request to pass it to SAC, with recommendations to improve missile security."

"I see." Wasley was quiet for a moment, then asked, "What would've happened if my people had caught yours?"

"The first thing that would happen is that they'd take the walk of shame from the 705th to the 11th, and then they'd have to requalify on all mission elements from scratch."

Wasley let out a tired chuckle and said, "LeMay would approve, Colonel."

There was a long silence.

"By any chance, should I be checking out the Mountain Home and Davis-Monthan deployment areas?"

"Yes, sir. Where there's one, there's likely to be more than one."

Wasley asked, "You could've ended your career last night, you know that?"

"Yes, sir. And it may yet end in the immediate future, sir."

"You sound like you're okay with that."

"Sir, my conscience is clear; I have done my duty to my airmen to give them the toughest, most demanding training I possibly could; and I have done my duty to my country and the Air Force by alerting you to the situation. What happens next is a matter for the Air Force to decide, not me, sir."

"Understood. What are we doing wrong?"

"Sir, SAC's mobile missile force has gotten extremely predictable. I can see places where Midgetman HMLs have worn tracks across various features, just casually looking in Google Earth. And the missile convoys are blind to important parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. The threat marched on, and the Air Force marked time, sir."

"I see. I like that turn of phrase; I should be able to use it when I testify." Wasley paused, then asked, "When's your command tour end?"

"Assuming 23rd Air Force doesn't relieve me for cause over this . . . April, sir."

"Colonel, I'm calling him to let him know you did absolutely nothing wrong. It's not as if the Mexicans called ahead and gave me a heads-up, I shouldn't expect one from you. My people should've been on alert, and they weren't alert enough. You showed me that I need to make some changes around here. I just fired my missile ops guy because he was hung up on not being warned you were doing this, and sort of ignoring the fact that we damn near got caught flat-footed. That's a peacetime 'wargaming' mentality, not a warfighting mindset. I want you to drill here at Little Rock, helping us put our house in order."

"Hoo-ah, sir."

"In the meantime . . . any ideas you might have would be appreciated."

"Sir, you're going to need to buy some more equipment, and obtain some more people."

"I figured as much. But what can I do today?"

"Attach a couple of hunter/killer teams to each convoy. Each team is a few jeeps apiece with CSPs and heavy weapons. They scout ahead and force the bad guys to stay low while the convoy's moving, and when they're stopped, they patrol further out, moving randomly. The idea is to keep any adversaries on the defensive and make them react to our moves, sir."

"You ever read Sun Tzu, Colonel?"

"Yes, sir."

"You obviously believe in compelling others, and avoiding being compelled." Wasley sighed. "I'll pass your idea to my CSP experts for refinement. I'm looking forward to working with you, Colonel."

"Thank you, sir."

* * *

The phone rang again, and this time it was Lieutenant General Pete Falkner, the commander of 23rd AIr Force.

"Colonel, how in the hell did you get CINCSAC to give you an alibi?"

"Sir, I fixed his problem."

"Well, that always covers a multitude of sins. Listen, there's something I need to seriously talk to you about. You've got to clear your yardarm with your chain of command before you do this."

"Sir, I sent an email on October 8th to CC 2nd Special Recon Group, and I copied 26th Special Operations Wing and your A-3, sir."

"UNODIR?"

"UNODIR, sir. And I waited a full five days before anyone stepped off the ramp."

"Forward those to me, please."

Mantell clicked "Send" on the email he'd drafted.

"Done and done, sir."

Mantell heard Falkner's computer ding to signal he had email.

"You knew I was going to ask?"

"I knew you were going to ask, sir."

Falkner chuckled. "Good lad!"

Falkner was silent as he read the emails.

"All right. Sound discussion of the issues, good. You got it approved with Berkeley, good. 26th Special Tactics Wing concurred, good. And then it went to my A-3's inbox, which is where too many action items go to die. I am sorely tempted to curtail your command tour and have you backfill as my A-3, but I agree with you--we're probably going to war on New Year's Day. I can't afford to have the 11th breaking in a new commander. But I can't afford an ops guy who thinks he knows better than I do what's really important. One question I do have: what's your assessment of Major Jorgensen?"

"Sir, she's a damn good XO. I've been running exercises where I'm a casualty and she has to come up with a plan of action. She will acquit herself well if I'm out of the picture for whatever reason."

"You know, Colonel, you can take the boy out of the Marine Corps . . . but you're never taking the 'Semper Fidelis' out of the boy. That's your real secret, isn't it? Loyalty up, down, and across?"

Mantell considered Falkner's question for a moment.

Dad, if you could weigh in here, I'd appreciate it.

As always, his father held his counsel.

Gotta make sure I'm a man, I guess.

"Sir . . . it's the only way to live a good life. But it's not just loyalty that makes me say that about her; she's given 110% since she got here in 2009. I couldn't have asked for a better exec. Sir, you know I'm willing to fire anyone who isn't carrying their weight. She's doing a fine job."

"Understood. All right, all's well that ends well, I am going to poll the remaining SRS commanders to make sure they know to report in, et cetera. Understand this: you've raised some important questions. Important people may ask you for answers. Be ready to give them. And you're going to SAC in April. No arguments. You've shown that you have the ethical framework to lead on a higher plane, and you need to gain a wider perspective on the Air Force and the rest of the defense establishment. Don't get too comfy at SAC, though; JSOC wants you as well. You're going to have to leave the Special Recon bubble if you're ever going to make general."

"Hoo-ah, sir."

"Very well. The Blackhorse is getting a new CC, and I think we both know who it will be."

"Yes, sir. She's ready."

"If you have any ideas for who I should bring in as my new A-3, now's the time."

"Sir, except for the fact that she already has a job cleaning up the Brave Rifles, Colonel Lodge would be good. After her . . . what about Brigadier General Dan Melnik? He's drilling at 24th Air Force in their ops shop."

"Sharp guy, very organized, and yet he can be a visionary . . . and he always knows who the boss is. All right. I'll activate him. Have fun running your squadron. Squadron command is one of the most enjoyable jobs there is in the Air Force, Colonel. Enjoy every minute you have left."

"Damn straight, sir."

[Matt Wiser]

And all the 419 crews were expecting to do was catch up on their night-flying time. One way to get it, and some green ink in the log book.

[jemhouston]

CINCSAC was actually thoughtful about this. I'm hoping the missile convoy commander sent beer to all.

[Wolfman]

Very nice work there, Poohbah.

[jemhouston]

One thought, Mission, Men, Self.

[Matryoshka]

One way to get it, and some green ink in the log book.

Huh. I presume that ‘green ink’ is USAF policy for recording time flown on combat sorties? (I know there’s a similar thing in cricket — a batsman whose innings ends ‘not out’ has his score recorded in red ink.)
I have learned a new fact today. Thank you for that, Guru.

And it’s heartening to see that the various chains of command taking this whole wrinkle with the right spirit (with the exception of CINCSAC’s missile-ops guy. Dude, you almost lost a missile-convoy for real, and your first response is whinging about not being notified about a training evolution? Seriously?).
One hears the horror-stories about how CDR. Marcinko and his SEALs used to run the RED CELL penetration tests, know his targets’ command-staffs were primed to dismiss and ignore his demonstrated results through bureaucratic inertia, then promptly shoot the message by, erm, handling the AARs with less than professional bearing. (Honestly: how can anyone treat a man as a sober military professional when he turns up to a debrief in shorts and jandals!? Attire sets a tone, and that... [shakes head]) I don’t recall if ‘Demo Dick’ survived WW3 [OOC: which holds true for both the baseline RD+20 and this ATL], but if he did, I wonder how he’d take this little demonstration of ‘how a unit that isn’t high on itself conducts a RED CELL-style mission’....

[Matt Wiser]

Not just the USAF, but all services mark combat time in pilot/aircrew logbooks in green ink.

Marcenko definitely made his mark in the baseline TL as head of Team 6. No reason why not he couldn't have done the same in this one. And he'd likely say, "Now you blue-suiters are doing what I did when I ran Red Cell." Then again, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

[Poohbah]

A brief update . . .

16 October 2010
Clovis, NM

Kathy Mantell jolted awake as her phone emitted a warble tone.

Becky groaned.

Kathy grabbed her phone and swiped up.

"Airman Sergeant Mantell."

"Sergeant Mantell, this is Captain Schraeder. We are initiating a squadron recall. Please give your location."

"Ah, State Route 209 and County 16, sir. I'm about 30 minutes from the base once I get dressed."

"Copy. Time on is 0717, we expect you no later than 0800."

"I'll be there, sir."

Kathy hung up, then turned to see Becky's concerned expression.

"If I'm lucky, it's a recall drill. It might be a flash deployment exercise. though."

Becky nodded, then said, "I understand. Call me when you can."

* * *

10th Special Reconnaissance Squadron
Cannon AFB, Clovis, NM

When Kathy climbed out of her car, she knew it was going to be more involved than she'd thought.

She sent a quick text to Becky: Looks like an ORI. Sorry. ILY <3

Becky sent back: Better thee than me, sweetie! (J/K) ILY <3

Mantell went into the squadron's main building. Captain Schraeder said, "Phone, please."

Mantell handed it over, and Schraeder said, "Team IDAHO is going into isolation. You're in Ops Bay Three."

"Yes, sir."

* * *

Master Sergeant Barnes met her at the entrance to the ops bay. "Good, you're here, we're full up. Where were you?"

"209 and 16th."

"Pricey part of town."

"Staying with a friend."

"I see."

Inside the ops bay, Lieutenant Fowler said, "And the prodigal returns. Saw you and your squeeze leaving the Cattleman's Club last night."

Mantell said, "Good morning, sir. I see Thibodeaux and Martinez are here; have we located Pardo and Schettler?"

She gave Barnes a brief glance. Barnes said nothing.

Damn it.

"I sent them to grab our 'chutes in case we're jumping."

"What's the scenario, sir?"

"Scenario?"

"For the ORI?"

"Ah. Well, there's no ORI team. So I don't know what's going on."

Outside the bay, she heard Major Lantree yelling, "Where's Fowler?"

Barnes said, "Sir, Major Lantree doesn't sound particularly happy."

"He'll get over it. Sorry to interrupt your recreational activities, Sergeant."

Fowler walked out of the bay, and Mantell exhaled, trying to force the tension out of her body. "Sergeant Barnes . . . that was . . . damn it, he's supposed to be a gentleman."

"I'll talk to Chief Plumley."

"Thanks."

For nothing, she thought, as she turned to her equipment locker and spun the dial on the combination lock.

[clancyphile]

One way to get it, and some green ink in the log book.

Huh. I presume that ‘green ink’ is USAF policy for recording time flown on combat sorties? (I know there’s a similar thing in cricket — a batsman whose innings ends ‘not out’ has his score recorded in red ink.)
I have learned a new fact today. Thank you for that, Guru.

And it’s heartening to see that the various chains of command taking this whole wrinkle with the right spirit (with the exception of CINCSAC’s missile-ops guy. Dude, you almost lost a missile-convoy for real, and your first response is whinging about not being notified about a training evolution? Seriously?).
One hears the horror-stories about how CDR. Marcinko and his SEALs used to run the RED CELL penetration tests, know his targets’ command-staffs were primed to dismiss and ignore his demonstrated results through bureaucratic inertia, then promptly shoot the message by, erm, handling the AARs with less than professional bearing. (Honestly: how can anyone treat a man as a sober military professional when he turns up to a debrief in shorts and jandals!? Attire sets a tone, and that... [shakes head]) I don’t recall if ‘Demo Dick’ survived WW3 [OOC: which holds true for both the baseline RD+20 and this ATL], but if he did, I wonder how he’d take this little demonstration of ‘how a unit that isn’t high on itself conducts a RED CELL-style mission’....

OOC: In "Meltdown," set in the "prime" RD+20 universe, Marcinko survived WW3, and rose to command SOCOM as a four-star.

[Belushi TD]

I think Mantell is going to have to reevaluate how she deals with teasing, particularly from higher ranks.

Those of you who served in such units, please correct me if I'm wrong, but if it was a guy with a rich woman in a high end part of town, they would have said the same thing, correct? And the guy would probably have shrugged it off?

Yes, it was not conduct becoming an "officer and a gentleman", but I don't think Mantell has any particular reason to get upset about it. Particularly if it turns out that Fowler was NOT teasing her and was actually serious about being sorry about interrupting her "recreational activity". I mean, he's a 1LT, right? He's no longer a butterbar, right? So he should have SOME situational awareness about how, who and why people under his command are shaping up.

Belushi TD

[jemhouston]

So he should have SOME situational awareness about how, who and why people under his command are shaping up.

Some people never get that.

[Poohbah]

I think Mantell is going to have to reevaluate how she deals with teasing, particularly from higher ranks.

Those of you who served in such units, please correct me if I'm wrong, but if it was a guy with a rich woman in a high end part of town, they would have said the same thing, correct? And the guy would probably have shrugged it off?

Yes, it was not conduct becoming an "officer and a gentleman", but I don't think Mantell has any particular reason to get upset about it. Particularly if it turns out that Fowler was NOT teasing her and was actually serious about being sorry about interrupting her "recreational activity". I mean, he's a 1LT, right? He's no longer a butterbar, right? So he should have SOME situational awareness about how, who and why people under his command are shaping up.

Belushi TD

There are some very hard limits. Particularly when it crosses both officer/enlisted and male/female boundaries, in front of your immediate supervisor, within earshot of your subordinates, and you haven't told the rest of the team. Fowler blew right past all of them.