Baghdad or Bust (10 page)

    It’s odd how you block things like that out of your mind because you don’t want to feel the pain and how because of that, a part of you becomes numb. On that last flight with Tennessee Jim’s crew, I’d heard such a scream: an Iraqi radio operator screaming to Allah, the merciful; Allah, the benevolent; Allah, the forgiving, his last sound a muffled screamed mixed with an explosion followed by a silent and empty carrier.

    The rain continued its onslaught outside my window. I watched it fall relentlessly. I listened to it slap at the land and at the windowsill. I listened to the howling of the wind, realizing something right then that had been a long time in coming: war was not always glorious though it was immersed in death, devastation, and destruction.

    Instead of turning away from the window—away from the pain—I continued to watch the downpour. After a time, it cleansed my mind as it cleansed the earth. I couldn’t turn back now. I’d come too far. I’d endured days and weeks, some just this side of living hell, but I’d weathered them just the same. The same way the earth weathered a violent storm. Someday the storm would end and the sun would shine. I was waiting for the sun to shine.

The bad weather remained throughout the day and late into the evening. By 18:00, all the day’s lines had been cancelled. It looked as if the clouds were here to stay for a while. Instead of time off, the rainy weather meant it’s back to plan A. I had to report at 19:00. I didn’t mind, though; that’s the breaks.

    Word spread quickly that we’d flown into Iraq supporting missions that had flown “all the way to Baghdad,” and everyone wanted to know what it was like. I told Cowboy and Chris, “It was even better than that very first mission. I saw explosions you wouldn’t believe! The AAA was so close I could’ve reached out and touched it.”

    Something good did happen on Sunday. I got a care package from home from Katie. A Valentine’s Day present. Even though it was late in arriving, the timing couldn’t have been better. I really needed something to boost my spirits. She sent me all kinds of things. More clothes, another pair of jeans—still not the ones with the worn-out knees—a few shirts, socks, underwear and underneath it all was a heart-shaped box of candy filled with two-pounds of chocolates, a loaf of her delicious banana-nut bread and another tape.

    I put on my headphones, listened to Katie’s voice, ate, and blocked out the world for a time. Eventually I did share the banana-nut bread and candy with my roomies but not right away.

The story continues with

Boots on the Ground: Air War #4.

Thank you for reading this book!

Learn more at
www.robert-stanek.com

AAA

Anti-Aircraft Artillery. Most Iraqi AAA ranged from short range 23mm to long range 130mm artillery. Small caliber weapons fire vast amounts of rounds and rely largely on this high number of shells to destroy the target. Large caliber weapons fire large shells, which contain an explosive charge (detonated at altitude) to scatter a great number of fragments. Most AAA systems rely on command and control communications and radar to help target enemy aircraft and are largely mobile.

AAM

Air-to-Air Missile. Most fighters are equipped with AAMs, which are used to destroy enemy aircraft.

AIM

A type of air-to-air missile. The AIM-7 (radar-seeking missile) and AIM-9 (heat-seeking missile) are widely used by US fighters.

Alarm

There are four conditions of alarm associated with possible nuclear, biological, chemical and/or conventional attacks. With the exception of the all clear signal, the alarms require the donning of protective gear and assuming defensive posture. See All Clear, Alarm Black, Alarm Red, Alarm Yellow.

Alarm Black

Nuclear, biological or chemical contamination is expected or present.

Alarm Red

Alarm condition that means an attack is imminent or in progress.

Alarm Yellow

Alarm condition that means an attack is probable.

All Clear

Alarm condition that means to resume normal wartime activities.

ASM

Air-to-Surface Missile. Smart ASMs launched from fighters are very effective in destroying their targets.

AWACS

Airborne Warning and Control System. Refers to the E3A Sentry aircraft and/or its associated airborne radar system used to detect enemy aircraft and direct friendly aircraft to intercept them.

Bandit

An enemy aircraft. Usually a fighter.

Bogie

An unidentified (possibly hostile) aircraft/fighter.

Buff

Refers to the B-52. A heavy bomber capable of delivering a substantial payload.

C3CM

Command Communications and Control Counter Measures. Tactics for denying enemy command and control communications through jamming and other electronic means.

CAP

Combat Air Patrol. Normally a group of one to four F-15C, which provide air support and are directed to intercept enemy aircraft by AWACS.

Control

The ground controller at the operations center.

Dogfight

Aerial combat with friendly fighters pitted against enemy fighters.

Eagle

Refers primarily to the F-15C, an air superiority fighter used for air support. Could also refer to the F-15E Strike Eagle which can be used for deep interdiction missions. The F-15C and F-15E are very similar and it is difficult to tell the two aircraft apart. However, the F-15E normally carries a payload along with its air-to-air missiles.

EC-130

Electronic Combat configured C-130, the Gray Lady. One of the most capable electronic warfare aircraft in the US inventory, it is primarily a communications jammer. The many different EC-130 configurations are denoted with a suffix. The experimental models flown in the Persian Gulf have since been decommissioned due to budget issues.

Egress

Exiting the sensitive/critical area where enemy activity can be expected.

Environment

The targeted area where most enemy activity can be expected to originate from.

EW

Electronic Warfare. Primarily the use of counter measures (like jamming) and other electronic means to detect and counter enemy communications and radar.

Falcon

F-16. A superior air-to-air/air-to-ground capable aircraft. Excellent for close-in dogfights.

Ingress

Entering the sensitive/critical area where enemy activity can be expected.

Jam

To deny/degrade enemy command and control communications through electronic means. Effective against AAA, SAM sites, and enemy aircraft by blocking communications and/or radar.

Jam window

Refers to times when the EC-130 aircraft must jam to support an inbound wave or package group.

JP-4

Jet fuel.

KC

Refers to the KC-130, KC-135 or KC-10 aerial refueler. US fighters such as the F-15 and F-16 use KC for aerial refueling. Aerial refueling is vital for fighters that provide air support and conduct long-range missions.

Life Support

Group responsible for maintaining aircrew gear, which includes helmets, oxygen masks, and air chemical protection gear.

MCC

Mission Crew Commander/Controller. An officer who controls the mission crew of an aircraft such as the EC-130 or AWACS.

MCS

Mission Crew Supervisor. A senior enlisted crewmember who often coordinates with other EW assets.

MiG Sweep

A forward CAP dedicated to intercept enemy aircraft.

MPC

Mission Planning Cell. Performs auxiliary duties such as planning, coordination and duty driving.

MRE

Meal Ready to Eat. Field or combat rations consisting of packaged and largely dehydrated foods. MREs contain a main item such as barbecued pork, hot dogs, or ham; a vegetable item; and a dessert such as a brownie. Also usually included is instant coffee or hot chocolate and crackers with peanut butter, jelly or cheese.

Nomex

The material flight suits, flight jackets, and flight gloves are made out of. It is designed to resist flames.

NVG

Night Vision Goggles. NVG are very similar to binoculars except they allow you to see in the dark. Small and distant lights can be reflected through the green of the viewer. Afterburners reflected in NVG are normally a very bright green.

Ops

The operations center. A center of control for missions and crews.

Package

A group of friendly aircraft, which usually includes fighters, bombers, and radar jammers projected to enter enemy territory. A package normally refers to more than one wave (or groups) projected inbound into enemy territory.

Pad

An aircraft’s hardstand or parking area.

Raven

Refers to the EF-111. A capable radar jamming aircraft.

RC

Refers to the RC-135. A reconnaissance aircraft.

SAM

Surface-to-Air Missile. Iraq’s SAMs ranged from handheld Stingers, to mobile SA-13 air defense units, to fixed sites such as SA-2 sites. SAMs are fired at enemy aircraft. SAM sites/units depend on radar and command and control communications for their effectiveness.

SCIF

Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility, a high security, restricted access facility.

SP

Security police. A security police officer.

Splash

Knocking an enemy fighter/aircraft out of the sky (destroying it).

Squawk

Refers to an aircraft’s channel or radio frequency.

Thunderbolt

Refers to the A-10, a ground attack aircraft.

Tower

The air traffic controller at base.

Wave

A group of friendly aircraft, which usually includes fighters, bombers, and radar jammers projected to enter enemy territory. Part of a package.

Weasel

Refers to F-4G fighter. A capable fighter that can locate and then destroy enemy electronic emissions. Also used for reconnaissance.

Window

(see Jam window)

Start of the Persian Gulf War

Wed., 16 Jan  Alert

Thursday, 17 Jan  Fly to Turkey

First week deployed

Friday, 18 Jan  1
st
combat flight

Saturday, 19 Jan  2
nd
combat flight

Sunday, 20 Jan  3
rd
combat flight

Monday, 21 Jan  4
th
combat flight

Tuesday, 22 Jan  5
th
combat flight

Wed., 23 Jan  6
th
combat flight

Thursday, 24 Jan  7
th
combat flight

Second week deployed

Friday, 25 Jan  8
th
combat flight

Saturday, 26 Jan  9
th
combat flight

Sunday, 27 Jan  10
th
combat flight

Monday, 28 Jan  11
th
combat flight

Tuesday, 29 Jan  12
th
combat flight

Wed., 30 Jan  13
th
combat flight. First major ground offensive

Thursday, 31 Jan  14
th
combat flight

Third week deployed

Friday, 1 Feb  No flight

Saturday, 2 Feb  15
th
combat flight

Sunday, 3 Feb  16
th
combat flight

Monday, 4 Feb  16
th
flight ends

Tuesday, 5 Feb  17
th
combat flight

Wed., 6 Feb  18
th
combat flight

Thursday, 7 Feb  no flight

Fourth week deployed

Friday, 8 Feb  19
th
flight

Saturday, 9 Feb  20
th
combat flight

Sunday, 10 Feb  20
th
flight ends

Monday, 11 Feb  21
st
combat flight

Tuesday, 12 Feb  22
nd
combat flight

Wed., 13 Feb  MPC

Thursday, 14 Feb  MPC

Fifth week deployed

Friday, 15 Feb  23
rd
flight, Baghdad

Saturday, 16 Feb  Bad weather

Sunday, 17 Feb  Bad weather. MPC

Monday, 18 Feb  25
th
flight, Baghdad