Randy continued to use the misappropriated desert patrol vehicle that a grateful Lieutenant Brannigan had given him for past services rendered. The young airman, knowing well when guile and subterfuge were necessary, immediately had it painted Air Force blue and stenciled with some phony registration numbers across the hood. He happily zipped around in the purloined conveyance as he tended to his duties.
The new SEAL arrivals, after disembarking from the C-130, were ushered quickly to the hangar Brannigan's Brigands used as a headquarters, living quarters, and warehouse. The newcomers found bunks and mattresses waiting for them, but no blankets or sheets. That meant they would be slumbering in sleeping bags and/or poncho liners. Senior Chief Petty Officer Buford Dawkins had chow passes for them through the efforts of Randy Tooley, which meant the newcomers could get hot food in the base mess hall rather than have to consume MREs in the hangar. All the facilities at Shelor Field were open to them: BX, base theater, NCO and enlisted men's clubs, and the swimming pool. The only downside to their stay was being confined to the base. For reasons of the tightest security, no one was permitted to wander off the Air Force property unless on official duty.
As soon as things were down to a dull roar, the senior chief called a formation. He and Chief Petty Officer Matt Gunnar-son formed up the thirty-six enlisted men for a roll call to make sure that everyone assigned to Operation Battleline was all present and accounted for. The two chiefs were relieved to find that each man listed on either the manifests from the aircraft or the original roster for Operation Rolling Thunder was exactly where he was supposed to be. Nobody was AWOL, lost, or wandering aimlessly in a haze of ignorance and uncertainty. The detachment, now with three officers and two chief petty officers, numbered a grand total of forty-one romping, stomping Navy SEALs who were available for the coming combat.
While the enlisted men were being checked in after the arrival of the last C-130, a new officer, Ensign Orlando Taylor, went inside the hangar to find the detachment officers. Brannigan and Lieutenant Junior Grade Jim Cruiser were in the corner cubicle used as a headquarters of sorts, going over the roster and beginning to organize the assault sections for the coming operation. Ensign Taylor dropped his gear by the door and knocked. The Skipper looked up and noted the somber young African-American. You must be our newly assigned Ensign Taylor. Come in.
Taylor stepped inside the office and rendered a faultless salute. Sir! Ensign Taylor reporting to the commanding officer as ordered.
Welcome, Taylor, Brannigan said, offering his hand. This is Lieutenant (JG) Jim Cruiser. Take a seat and join the party.
Thank you, sir, Taylor said. He took a chair as invited, sitting stiffly and formally.
Cruiser gave him a friendly smile. How was the trip over?
Everything moved on schedule, Taylor said. I am anxious get into the program. When will I be able to meet my men?
Right now, Ensign, Brannigan said, you don't have any men. Jim and I have been mulling over how to reorganize the detachment for the new operation. We went from a total strength of eighteen men to forty-one. Besides the increase in personnel, we also have some added weaponry. All that has to be married together into an effective fighting team. I know that sounds melodramatic, but it's fact. He pushed the rosters and other papers aside. Well, now, tell us a little about yourself.
Sir, Taylor said. I received my commission through NROTC at college. I attended a mostly African-American institution of learning in Georgia. I have only recently completed BUD/S, and this is my first assignment.
Cruiser smiled. Well, I guess you really don't have too much to tell us.
No, sir, Taylor said. But I look forward to this auspicious beginning of my Naval career. Although I hold a reserve commission, I plan to make a career of the U.S. Navy.
Fine, Brannigan said, reaching back for his papers. I've got a couple of ideas to discuss. Jump in any time you feel froggy.
Yes, sir, Taylor said. Thank you, sir.
Okay, Brannigan said. The first thing I want to do is organize a patrol team.
I take it you'll start with the Odd Couple, Cruiser said. And don't forget Redhawk. He's a natural.
Right. And I think I'll put Connie Concord in charge of it.
He's a first class and about ready for chief. It's time to start grooming him, don't you think?
Yes, sir, Cruiser said. And I noted that there's a Petty Officer Matsuno on the roster. I know him. He'd make a good addition.
Brannigan wrote down some notes. Done! And I'll leave Gomez and Bradley in headquarters with me. He sank back into thought for a moment. Another thought has just this instant occurred to me. This coming operation will be perfect for a sniper team.
Puglisi and Miskoski, Cruiser said. That goes without a second thought.
It shall be done, sayeth the gods of war, Brannigan said, writing down their names. Okay. I can see we'll be able to have three assault sections with two fire teams each.
Don't forget a SAW gunner for each one, Cruiser urged him.
Right, Jim. You take the First Section, he said, writing down the assignment. He glanced over at Taylor. The Second Section is yours, Ensign.
Aye, sir, the young man said.
And, of course, the Third will be honchoed by the intrepid Senior Chief Petty Officer Buford Dawkins, the pride of Alabama.
You have some guys left over, Cruiser pointed out.
It's all part of my cunning master plan, the Skipper said with a wink. That will be our support section of machine guns. Seven-point-six-twos, as a matter of fact. I'll let Chief Gunnarson run that particular show. He gave Taylor another look. Any suggestions, Ensign?
Negative, sir.
Have you been in combat before, Ensign? Cruiser asked.
Negative, sir.
In that case, I have some advice for you, Brannigan said. You'll be the leader of an assault section, understand? You are the commander, but you listen to the advice of the senior petty officers. Developing that habit will be invaluable to you not only in the beginning of your career, but even after you're a salty old dog yourself.
Yes, sir.
When Brannigan slid the diagram of the organization over to Cruiser, the impassive Ensign Orlando Taylor gazed steadily at the two veteran officers. The one thing he wanted to conceal from them was his fear; not the fear of death or injury, but the fear of failure. He had been raised in a family headed by a capable, ambitious father. The outcome of this paternal supervision was a fierce rivalry among the four Taylor brothers, who had been taught that anything short of success was not an option.
Cruiser handed the quickly sketched manning chart to Brannigan. I'd say it's good to go.
Fine, the Skipper said. So let's put it into reality, shall we, gentlemen?
Lead on, sir, Cruiser said.
The three officers got up to go outside. Taylor followed the two seniors, his apprehension growing.
.
GLOSSARY
2IC: Second in Command 2-Shop: Intelligence Section of the staff 3-Shop: Operations and Training Section of the staff 4-Shop: Logistics Section of the staff AA: Anti-Aircraft AAR: After-Action Report ACV: Air Cushion Vehicle (hovercraft) AFSOC: Air Force Special Operations Command AGL: Above Ground Level AKA: Also Known As Angeclass="underline" A thousand feet above ground level, i.e., Angels Twois two thousand feet. APC: Armored Personnel Carrier ARG: Amphibious Ready Group AS-50: .50 caliber, semiautomatic sniper rifle with scope ASAP: As Soon As Possible ASL: Above Sea Level AT-4: Antiarmor rocket launchers Attack Board (also Compass Board): A board with a compass, watch, and depth gauge used by subsurface swimmers AT: Anti-Tank ATV: All-Terrain Vehicle AWOL: Away Without Leave, i.e., absent from one's unitwithout permission. AKA French leave. BBC: British Broadcasting Corporation BOQ: Bachelor Officers' Quarters Briefback: A briefing given to staff by a SEAL platoon regarding their assigned mission. This must be approved before it is implemented. BDU: Battle Dress Uniform BUD/S: Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL training course BX: Base Exchange, a military store with good prices for service people. AKA PX in the Army, for Post Exchange. C4: Plastic explosive CAR-15: Compact model of the M-16 rifle CATF: Commander, Amphibious Task Force CDC: Combat Direction Center aboard a ship Chickenshit: An adjective that describes a person or a situation as being particularly draconian, overly strict, unfair, or malicious CHP: California Highway Patrol CLU: Command Launch Unit for the Javelin AT missile CNO: Chief of Naval Operations CO: Commanding Officer Cover: Hat, headgear CP: Command Post CPU: Computer Processing Unit CPX: Command Post Exercise CRRC: Combat Rubber Raiding Craft CRT: Cathode Ray Tube CS: Tear gas CSAR: Combat Search and Rescue CVBG: Carrier Battle Group Dashika: Slang name for the Soviet DShK 12.7-millimeter