"Morales," Gutsy Olson said.
"Halonen," Monty Sturgis announced.
"You two guys will go for a look-see and bring back any helpful intel you can get," Cruiser said. "Do a good job, because at oh-five-hundred hours we attack the place. We'll stay engaged only long enough to get them to respond, then we haul ass straight across the valley and up the slope to our home positions."
"Will we be making a fire-and-maneuver withdrawal, sir?" Monty Sturgis asked.
"No," Cruiser replied. "We're going to be running as fast as we can. Minimum time is of the essence when we cross that two hundred meters of no-man's-land."
"Damn, sir!" Dawson exclaimed. "Those Persians or whatever they are will shoot us in the back!"
"Every weapon in this detachment will be covering us," Cruiser said. "We'll also take advantage of the cover and concealment given us by the rock formations and tall shrubs while we haul ass. The Skipper wanted me to emphasize that it's important that we keep running. However, if anyone is hit, we bring him back with us. Buddy up for that purpose and keep your eye on your partner during the withdrawal."
"What are we taking with us, sir?"
"We'll be lean and mean," Cruiser answered. "One bandolier of ammo each, two canteens, personal medical kits, rations for one meal, energy bars, and any other small items you prefer for this sort of operation. All that goes into your rucksacks. It won't be a heavy load. You'll wear your pistols and knives on your belts. The grenadiers will bring along their M-two-oh-threes with six rounds each. Benson will have three bandoliers for the SAW. And don't forget your NVGs. We'll use the One-twenty-sixes with LASH headsets for commo. Usual call signs." He looked at his watch. "Get your gear together. I'll check it when you're ready. Then we'll take it easy and store up some energy until twelve-forty-five hours. That's the time we'll head for headquarters to leave. Turn to, guys."
.
SEAL HEADQUARTERS
1255 HOURS
FRANK Gomez, the detachment RTO, had built a sturdy ladder from some lumber he pried off a supply crate. It made it easier to ascend the fifteen feet to the opening in the cavetop than having to climb up the rock ledges that led to the exit.
Now the nine men of the First Assault Section were lined up to ascend to the opening to begin the first leg of their patrol. Gutsy Olson led the way, with his Alpha Team members Pete Dawson and Rick Morales following. Lieutenant Jim Cruiser and the SAW gunner Tex Benson were aligned behind the Alphas. Monty Sturgis was the last man, with his rifleman Andy Malachenko and grenadier Wally Halonen just ahead of him. Everyone had his rucksack in his hand rather than on his back, since it was impossible to wear it and fit through the narrow opening above.
Lieutenant Wild Bill Brannigan stood beside the men. "We'll be keeping an eye out for you guys tomorrow morning. And don't worry. There'll be machine guns, grenade launchers, and M-sixteen rifles laying down covering fire while you rush across the valley back here. Good luck." He glanced up to where Gutsy stood. "Alright, Petty Officer Olson. Lead the way."
"Aye, sir!"
Gutsy went up the rungs until he reached the top. He pushed his rucksack through the opening and followed, rolling into a covering position with his rifle when he was through the hole. Pete Dawson quickly appeared, crawling a short distance down the rear slope before rising to a crouch to move farther from the top of the mountain. One by one, the others followed. When Monty Sturgis appeared, Gutsy teamed with him and the pair made their way to the spot where the rest of the team waited. Now everyone slung their rucksacks on their backs, and Cruiser gave the word to move out. The order of march was the same as used for climbing the ladder--the Alphas, Cruiser and Benson, then the Bravos.
Gutsy put Pete Dawson on point as they began their northerly trek. Everyone immediately settled into the rhythm of the movement, instinctively covering their area of fire with strict vigilance. The last man in the formation was Andy Malachenko, who would periodically turn completely to check the rear as they progressed toward the objective.
The most likely direction of an ambush was from the higher ground to their left, but if some of the bad guys were out on a patrol of their own and had managed to make their way around the SEAL positions, they might be lower down the hill. If the enemy was out for combat, they would not hesitate to fire upward at the section. The terrain made for a slightly uncomfortable walk because of the slant, but those SEALs who had tender ankles--a shared malady gotten from dozens of extremely hard parachute landing falls--had carefully applied Ace bandages to those sensitive lower joints to keep them from feeling too much of the strain.
This area they descended was already known to them. It was just a short time before that they had pursued a combined force of Pashtun rebels and Arabs up that same steep terrain until forced to break off contact because of tactical disadvantages.
.
1720 HOURS
THE section reached the first turning point ten minutes ahead of schedule in spite of taking a break to readjust their equipment. No matter how careful a man was, there was always a strap or two that somehow slipped or drew tauter during the first kilometers of a hike. It was also a good time to take a piss, enjoy a deep swallow or two from a canteen, and for the two smokers in the section to take a few drags off cigarettes.
When Cruiser saw that everyone had caught his breath and was ready to continue, he reversed the two fire teams' positions, and now the Bravos took the lead as they turned west.
.
1940 HOURS
WHEN the patrol came up to the second turning point, from where they were to change to a southerly route, Cruiser called another break. The SEALs had been on the move for two hours and ten minutes, and while not really stepping out, their hike had been steady. The terrain was flat with only gentle rises now, and they would be switching back in the opposite direction from the first leg of the trip. This meant the most physically demanding part of the operation--the ascent back up into the Gharawdara Highlands.
"This final stage is going to be the most difficult," Cruiser reminded them. "We should reach the ORP a bit before zero-one-hundred hours. Not only will we be negotiating steep terrain, but there'll also be security issues to deal with. That means flankers out as well as a point man and a Tail-End Charlie. Bravo Team will be in the front. Sturgis, your team takes the lead. Put out a point man and a flanker for the right side."
That was an easy request, since there were only two other men in the team; it was only a matter of who did what. "Andy will take the point and Wally goes on the flank."
Gutsy Olson spoke up before being asked. "I'll put Rick on the left side and let Pete bring up the rear."
"Then we're set," Cruiser said. "Take another ten minutes, guys, and I advise you to treat yourselves to an energy bar and some swallows of water. This is going to be a hard climb."
.
MIDNIGHT
THE fatigue had set in, but the superbly conditioned SEALs could deal with it through a combination of spiritual and physical conditioning. It was a matter of concentrating on the job to be done while letting the discomfort sink so deep into the subconscious that the conscious mind was not aware of it. The seeming chickenshit demands put on them in BUD/S back at Coronado had drilled this primeval instinct into their psyches without them having any awareness of acquiring this remarkable capacity.
In spite of the interruptions and several delays, the flankers kept their areas under ceaseless surveillance, as did the two men on point and rear guard. The movement across the rocky terrain was silent, with each step a measured, separate act of making sure the foot did not come down on a loose rock or dry vegetation to give off sounds.