Wolverine and Chiefs

[Matt Wiser]

The new day begins:



335th TFS, Sheppard AFB, TX, 16 February, 1988. 0530 Hours Central War Time:


Major-Matt Wiser walked over from 335th Officer Country to the Squadron's HQ. He glanced at the sky, and though there were still stars visible, the first faint hint of dawn appeared to the east. Now, will today be like yesterday, with Ivan's ground and air attack half-hearted, or would they be more prepared. Whatever happened, his squadron would be ready. All because of whoever decided that Chebrikov would do the world a favor by pushing up daises, and had missed his target. So that bastard decided to lash out, though they hadn't been real busy in terms of flying until the afternoon. Still, it could be a repeat of PRAIRIE FIRE, where in the first three days they had flown six or seven sorties a day, and had been so tired at the end of the third day people had to be lifted out of their cockpits. The same had gone for PRAIRIE FIRE II a few weeks later, he recalled.

When he got to the Squadron HQ, the bullet holes and other scars were still there. He had told Colonel Purcell, the base commander, his idea that scars such as those should be left, for when the war ended and the base resumed its Air Training Command mission, that reminders of the price of being unprepared for war should be there for the ATC people to take notice. Purcell, to his surprise, had been very welcome to the idea. He smiled at that as he came in and found 1st Lt. Kyle Potter, the night-shift SDO. “Kyle,” the CO said.

“Boss,” Potter replied. He had had some good news, as his pilot's case of the flu had improved, and two or three days from now, both would be back in the air. And this SDO shift could go to somebody else. “They had a second wave at the UK, AFN said. They missed Buckingham Palace again, and had a missile come down in the Thames across from Parliament. One did take out a building close to 10 Downing Street, though.”

“What kind?”

“CNN said it was the UK's equivalent of the IRS.”

“Well...maybe Dave Gledhill and his friends will have something to say about that,” Guru noted. “Anything happen on the East Coast?”

“Not yet,” said Potter. “And before you ask, the XO's in.” He nodded at the CO's office.

Guru nodded approval. “Good. Now, when your shift ends, Kyle? Find something to eat, then find your bunk. You'll be back flying in a couple days or so.”

“Doc told me.”

The CO nodded again, then said, “Good. Just remember this, though: you're not missing out on anything because you're grounded.”

“You've told me that before, Boss.”

“And I'm glad you remember that, Kyle. Part of being a CO is to give out reminders like this. Learned that from Colonel Rivers, when I was pissed about being grounded with a cold last March. Goalie, too,” Guru said, recalling their grounding due to colds, and both his and Goalie's frustration with being grounded.

“Thanks, Boss.”

“Anytime.” Guru then went to his office, and found Mark Ellis, the XO, waiting with clipboard in hand. “Morning, Mark.”

“Morning, Boss,” the XO said, handing Guru a steaming cup of hot cocoa. “Got the usual here.”

“Lay it on me,” Guru said, starting to down the hot chocolate.

Ellis nodded. “First off: Morning Reports for MAG-11 and then Tenth Air Force.” He handed the CO his clipboard.

Guru signed the reports, then asked, “Weather?”

“Good flying weather here and down south for two days. Then we get another storm coming in.”

“For which we can be grateful,” a voice from the office door said. It was Goalie. “For the usual reasons.”

Guru nodded as she came in with a pair of steaming cups of hot chocolate, and handed one to Guru. “Catching up on paperwork, maintenance, and sleep.”

“Among other things,” Goalie said, a coy expression on her face.

“And other things,” nodded Guru. “What's next?”

“Supply requisitions,” said Ellis. “Most of it's the usual.”

The CO scanned the papers. Mostly things for aircraft like brake fluid, hydraulic fluid, brake shoes, avionic components like radar parts, and so on. Then something caught his eye. “Prestone?”

“Spring will be here before we know it, Boss,” the XO reminded him. Having that coolant for their trucks and Hummers could only be a good thing.

Guru nodded as he went down further on the list. He found another piece of paper. “And someone's confused us with a medical unit again.”

“What?” Goalie said. “Again?”

“Again,” Guru nodded. “Among other things, there's some wound dressings, sulfa, and even some Benadryl.”

“What are we going to do with allergy meds?” Asked Goalie.

“Glad I don't have to worry about that,” said Guru. “But there are people in the squadron who do. Mark, have Doc go through this stuff and see if there's anything he can use.”

“And after that?” Ellis asked.

“Have Ross deliver it to the nearest civilian hospital. A donation from the squadron.”

“Got you.”

“Anything else?” The CO wanted to know.

“Guess you heard about that attack on London?” Goalie asked. “Looks like Chebrikov doesn't want to give up just yet.”

Ellis nodded. “He's still pissed that somebody tried to get him to push up daisies, and he's out for revenge.”

“Both of you are right,” Guru said. “Some folks serve the world best by leaving it, and he's definitely at the top of that list.” He looked at both of them. “And he's still lashing out.”

Goalie nodded. “That he is. And if yesterday's any guide, we're going to be busy.”

“Not PRAIRIE FIRE busy,” Ellis said. “Hopefully.”

“Hopefully,” the CO agreed. “Anything else?” Both heads shook no. He glanced at the clock on his office wall, which read 0550. “Let's go eat.”


When the trio arrived at the Officer's Mess Tent, the usual crowd was already there, and they found Colonel Brady chatting with Erica and Colonel Hardegen. “Morning, Major,” Brady said. “Just offered our guest here a ride with the Marines.”

“Did you-” Guru started to say.

“Did I say 'no thanks' ?” Erica replied. “No. Colonel Hardegen offered to fly me, and I couldn't turn him down.”

“Tomorrow morning?” Mark Ellis asked.

“Yep, because I'll be leaving tomorrow afternoon. Going up to Oklahoma City and then Tulsa.”

Guru and the others nodded. Those two were the largest cities, apart from Fort Worth, that had been liberated, and were starting the process of getting back to some resemblance of normality. Both had another thing going for them: there had hardly been any fighting as PRAIRIE FIRE went, and both cities had each fallen to a coup de main. Both had fallen so quickly the local KGB, or DGI in Tulsa's case, along with the PSD, had just managed to escape with their skins, leaving their archives behind intact. Those papers were now being used to identify and arrest collaborators and locate mass graves. More than one TV commentator or Op-ed writer had said that the war-crimes people would be pretty busy with all that material. “So, one more day in paradise,” Goalie said.

“You could say that,” said Erica. “That PAO who goes with me on these things wants me to go down to a few towns that have been liberated. Bowie, Decatur, Jacksboro, Mineral Wells, Graham. Maybe this afternoon, but he left it up to me. I might go to the first three, just to make him happy.”

“Ah,” Guru said as Kara came up. “Morning, Kara. Ready to earn your flight pay today?”

“And give back forty-five cents of each dollar to Uncle Sam on April 15th,” she laughed. “Hear the latest on the news?”

Guru nodded. “More cruise missiles aimed at London. They blew up the head office for the UK's counterpart to the IRS.”

Dave Gledhill heard that as he came up. “Heard that also on the BBC Shortwave. So some people on this side of the pond and over there are actually going to be thanking Ivan for that.”

“Getting back at the Tax Man?” Brady asked.

“Something like that,” Gledhill grinned. “Even if we still have to pay.”

“Even if,” Guru said. “Anyone know about Philly or Ottawa?”

Brady shook his head. “Not yet, Major. We'll know soon enough. Even if Ivan was supposed to to do a simultaneous time-on-target shoot. Besides, we got our corner of the war to worry about.”

People nodded, then Colonel Hardegen said, “We getting a PRAIRIE FIRE day, Colonel?”

“Hope not, because we flew six or seven missions a day each for the first three days,” Brady replied. “And people were so tired,” he nodded at Guru and the other 335th people, “aircrew were being lifted out of their cockpits. Those first three days were all-out.”

Guru then said, “They were, Colonel. Day Four we had to stand down for crew rest and let the maintenance folks take care of the birds. Then it was back at it.”

“That it was, Major. We're still on the ATO for now. If Ivan's ground troops move forward, though? We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

Right then, the Marine Mess Officer came out of the tent and flipped the sign from CLOSED to OPEN. “Chow's ready, people!”


After breakfast, Guru went to the squadron's Ops Office. There, he found Capt. Don Van Loan, the Ops Officer, waiting. He already had mission packets all set to go, and was waiting for the flight leads to come. “Morning, Boss.”

“Morning, Don,” Guru said. “What's on the agenda this fine morning?”

“Ask, and ye shall receive, Boss,” Van Loan said. He handed the CO a mission packet. “For what it's worth, there's two other packages from this squadron going after airfields.”

The CO opened the packet and scanned the Frag Order. Then he scowled at the Ops Officer. “You are shitting me. I've been there several times, and so have you.”

“I shit thee not, Boss-man.” Van Loan replied. “Somebody thinks that the FOLs for Ivan's CAS birds need to be hit. Today.”

“And with Chebrikov still pissed that someone tried to take him all the way out, this shouldn't be a surprise,” Guru observed. “Okay, Dave Golen's coming, and so are the Brits.”

IDF Major Dave Golen came in right after that. “Guru,” he said to the CO. “And Ops,” nodding at Van Loan. He saw the CO looking at him. “Let me guess: I'm coming with you.”

“That you are,” Guru said. He handed his IDF “Observer” the Frag Order. “And it's a place we're all familiar with.”

“Again?” Golen asked as he read the order. “When?”

“Get your people to the briefing room we use in ten.”

“Will do.”

“Be careful, Boss,” Van Loan said as the CO turned to leave himself. “Don't want to be XO just yet.”

“And we all don't want Kara as Ops,” Van Loan added as the object of the conversation came in.

Kara went into her fake “livid” mode. “Major, I resent that!”

Guru laughed. “Well, we all know paperwork's not your strong suit.” He paused, then added, “Get our flight together with Dave Gledhill's element. Briefing room in ten.”

His wingmate nodded. “On it and I'm gone.” She headed on out.

“Okay, Don,” Guru said as he turned to leave. “You be careful your own self. Don't want to have Kara as Ops just right now.”

“Always, Boss,” Van Loan said. “Good Luck.”

“You too,” the CO said, then he went to the squadron's briefing room. When he got there, he found the squadron's mascot, Buddy, sitting patiently outside. He smiled, then opened the door for the dog, who went in and found a place to curl up and nap. Just like Roscoe back in the day at Korat, Guru thought. Then he saw his flight waiting. “All right, people. Hold onto your breakfast, because they gave us an airfield straight out of the gate.”

“Which one?” Sweaty wanted to know.

“Stephenville Regional,” Guru said, opening the mission packet. Photos, maps,and the strike order came out. “I know, we've hit it quite a few times, but with this push, they don't want Ivan's CAS birds to have any working FOLs. For a while, anyway.”

“Boss, this is too much like Southeast Asia,” Hoser said. “You've said that yourself. We strike, they repair, then we hit it again.”

Guru nodded. “I didn't say it; you did. Anyway, here's how we get there: We hit the tankers at Track SHELL, west of Mineral Wells. Then we get down low, cross the I-20, then pick up State Highway 16, then find the Leon River.”

“Boundary for the East Germans and the Soviets,” Brainiac noted.

“It is that,” said the CO. “Going on, we follow the river to Proctor Lake, then turn east. Find the town of Purves on F.M. 219. Go northeast to Alexander on Highway 6, and keep going northeast. There's a hill south of Stephenville east of F.M 914 that's on a straight line from Alexander. That's the IP and pop-up point. Climb to attack altitude, make your runs, then get your asses north. Pick up your wingmates, then get to the I-20. We then hit the tankers and come on home.”

“And two hours after that, we do it all over again somewhere else,” Goalie observed. It wasn't a question.

Guru nodded. “That's about it.” He then picked up an SR-71 photo that showed the airport-and several aircraft on the ramp. “Kara? You and I each have a dozen Rockeyes. I'll take the north ramp area-the prewar one, while you take the south. Kill anything on the ramp.”

“Will do,” Kara said.

“Sweaty?” Guru said, seeing he had his second element lead's attention. “You've got six Mark-82 Snakeyes and six M-117Rs. Take the hangars west of the ramp area.”

“The ones they build out of wood, sheet metal, and roofing tin?” Sweaty asked. Seeing the CO nod, she added, “They'll rebuild those by tomorrow afternoon.”

“I know, Sweaty,” said Guru. “They want them gone anyway. And you might just get a Frogfoot or a Hind in those.” Sweaty nodded, then he went on. “Hoser? You and Dave Golen have the same target and the same ordnance as Sweaty. The Runway's yours.”

Hoser and Dave looked at the photos. “How do you want it?” Hoser asked.

The IDF Major thought for a moment. “I'll take the south part of the runway.”

“And I'll get the north,” Hoser said. They shook on it.

“Fair enough,” Guru nodded. “Flossy? You and Jang get the best for last.” He looked at Dave's wingmate. “Fuel dump's yours.” He tapped a camouflage-netted area east of the runway.

“Same ordnance as the others?” Flossy asked.

“It is.”

“We'll take it out,” Flossy said, and Jang nodded.

“Good,” Guru said. “Now, defenses,” he went on, and saw he had everybody's attention. “MiGs are at TSTC still, both -21s and -23s. And that also includes Libyans.”

“They replace what we culled out on BOLO II?” Kara asked.

“Nothing here to say that,” Guru admitted. “So assume they've gotten at least some. MiG-23s are also at Temple Regional, while there is a regiment each of -23s and -29s at Gray AAF, Fort Hood.”

“Where's the Flankers?” Dave Gledhill asked.

“Good question,” Kara said.

The CO checked the intel summary. “Bergstrom is still Flankertown.”

“Nice,” said Gledhill. The RAF was still hoping for at least one fight with Su-27s. Even with the admonition that nobody in an F-4 should hassle with a Flanker.

“Now, Ground Defenses,” Guru added. “This is still the East German Army-level HQ, so expect SA-4s. The field proper has two batteries of 57-mm, one southwest of the field, another northeast. Then there's several 23-mm around the field, and expect MANPADS as well.”

“Lovely,” Brainiac said. “And this is just the first round.”

“It is that,” KT said. “We still on the ATO?”

“For now,” Guru said. “We'll find out if and when they pull us into CAS. Other than the listed air-to-ground, we've got four AIM-9Ps, two AIM-7Fs, full load of twenty-mm, ALQ-119, and two wing tanks”

“For us,” Dave Gledhilll added. “Four AIM-9Ls, four Sky Flash, wing tanks, and SUU-23.”

The CO nodded. “We're Mustang Flight on this one. Anything else?” He asked as an Ops NCO arrived to collect the briefing material.

“Yeah,” Jang nodded. “Buddy's still asleep.” That could only be a good thing, everyone knew.

Guru nodded. “Let him sleep. If that's it, gear up and I'll see you at 512.”


The crews went to gear up, and when Guru came out of the Men's Locker Room, Goalie was waiting, as usual. “Ready?” He asked.

“Let's go do it,” Goalie replied. “Just as long as they keep us off the CAS shift today.”

Guru nodded as they headed out the door. “You and me both.”

The Sun was just starting to come up as they got to 512's revetment, where the rest of the flight had gathered to get the CO's final instructions. “Usual on the radio, Boss?” Sweaty asked.

Guru nodded. “It is that,” he said.” That meant call signs between them, and mission code to other parties such as AWACS.

“And if we don't get CAS,” Hoser asked, “Just three more after this one?”

“That depends on Tenth Air Force and Comrade Chebrikov,” the CO reminded them. “I know, it's not our bread and butter, and we do get our share of 'Attaboys' for doing it, but...”

The crews understood what was left unsaid. If the call comes, we take it. “Maybe somebody in Moscow told him they went forward yesterday and got burned,” Sweaty said.

“And have your will probated and sins confessed before doing so,” Preacher added, and everyone nodded at how accurate the ex-seminarian turned WSO was.

Guru nodded. “You got it. Okay, time to go to work. Usual bailout areas apply.” That was anyplace rural and away from roads. “Any other questions?” Heads shook no. Then Guru clapped his hands for emphasis. “Time to hit it. Let's go. Meet up at ten grand overhead.”

The crews went to mount their aircraft, and as Guru and Goalie went into the revetment, and found 512 ready to go. Their crew chief was waiting. “Major, Captain,” Sergeant Crowley said. “Five-twelve's ready to rock this morning.” He snapped a salute, which both crew returned.

“Thanks, Sergeant,” Guru said as he and Goalie did their preflight walk-around. The CO then signed for the aircraft, then both of them mounted the aircraft and got strapped in. They plugged in their headsets and donned helmets, then began the cockpit preflight.

As they went through the Checklist, Goalie asked, “How soon do you think they'll move us into CAS? And Ejection Seats?”

“Noon, my bet,” Guru said. “Armed top and bottom, and check yours.”

“I'll take that bet,” replied Goalie. “Arnie's all set.” She meant the ARN-101 DMAS system.

“Roger that,” said Guru. “Backup INS?”


“Set as well. Checklist complete and ready for engine start.”

“That we are,” Guru said. He gave a thumbs-up to Crowley, who gave the “Start Engines” signal. First one, then both J-79 engines were up and running. When the warmup was finished, Guru called the tower. “Tower, Mustang Lead with eight, requesting taxi and takeoff instructions.”

“Mustang Lead, Tower. Clear to taxi to Runway Three-Five-Lima. Hold prior to the active, and you are number two in line.”

“Roger, Tower,” Guru called. “Mustang Lead rolling.” He then gave the “Chocks” signal to Crowley, who waved to the ground crew. The wheel chocks were pulled away, then Guru released the brakes and began taxiing out of the revetment. When he cleared it, Crowley snapped a salute, which Guru and Goalie both returned. As they taxied to the runway, the rest of the flight fell in behind them.

When Guru got 512 to the holding area, he found a Marine four-ship of F/A-18s ahead of him, and he knew that it was Colonel Brady in the lead Hornet. The MAG-11 CO was dual-qualified in both the F-4S and the F/A-18, and it wasn't unusual to see him going out. The Marines' armorers pulled the weapon safeties, then the four-ship taxied onto the runway. A minute later, the four Hornets rolled down the runway and into the air. Then it was his flight's turn.

After taxiing into the holding area, armorers from the 335th pulled the weapons safeties from their own aircraft. Once they cleared, Guru called the Tower. “Tower, Mustang Flight requesting taxi for takeoff.”

“Mustang Lead, Tower. Clear to taxi for takeoff. Winds are two-seven-zero for five.”

“Roger, Tower.” Guru taxied 512 onto the runway, with Kara following in 520. A final check, then he and Goalie glanced over to 520, where Kara and Brainiac gave thumbs-ups. All set over there. Then he made another call. “Tower, Mustang Lead ready for takeoff.”

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

“Ready?” Guru asked Goalie.

“Ready back here,” she replied, adding, “Canopy coming down.” She closed and locked her canopy.

Guru did the same, and glanced over to 520. Their canopies were down and locked. All was ready. “Then let's go.” He firewalled the throttle, released the brakes, and 512, with 520 right with them, thundered down the runway and into the air.

The rest of the flight followed by pairs, meeting up at FL 100. There, they formed up and headed south for the tankers.

[jemhouston]

Until you put boots on the ground, you don't own it. Which is why the same airfields keep getting bombed.

[Poohbah]

Until you put boots on the ground, you don't own it. Which is why the same airfields keep getting bombed.

The time Roberta's platoon grabbed an entire airfield in a ten-minute coup de main--the first warning a Blinder doing an emergency landing received was when the crewdogs realized that was a Wolverine breaching vehicle rolling up after they got out of the bird. Didn't even have time to wipe the KEYMAT.

[jemhouston]

Until you put boots on the ground, you don't own it. Which is why the same airfields keep getting bombed.

The time Roberta's platoon grabbed an entire airfield in a ten-minute coup de main--the first warning a Blinder doing an emergency landing received was when the crewdogs realized that was a Wolverine breaching vehicle rolling up after they got out of the bird. Didn't even have time to wipe the KEYMAT.

How embarrassing. I hope nobody shot it up.

[Wolfman]

Until you put boots on the ground, you don't own it. Which is why the same airfields keep getting bombed.

The time Roberta's platoon grabbed an entire airfield in a ten-minute coup de main--the first warning a Blinder doing an emergency landing received was when the crewdogs realized that was a Wolverine breaching vehicle rolling up after they got out of the bird. Didn't even have time to wipe the KEYMAT.

How embarrassing. I hope nobody shot it up.

I think it was sent to Edwards AFB intact…

[Matt Wiser]

Guys, I have had RL be a bear the last couple of weeks, but the next segment is in prep.

[jemhouston]

Sometimes you get the bear, other times the bear gets you.

[Wolfman]

Sometimes you get the bear, other times the bear gets you.

Race Bannon in The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest, though I forget which episode…

[jemhouston]

Sometimes you get the bear, other times the bear gets you.

Race Bannon in The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest, though I forget which episode…

Also Riker in ST:TNG Data's Day.

[Wolfman]

Sometimes you get the bear, other times the bear gets you.

Race Bannon in The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest, though I forget which episode…

Also Riker in ST:TNG Data's Day.

That’s where I first heard it! I’d forgotten about that!