Episode 73

Pacific Command HQ

Joint Base Hickam Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

“It’s started.”

“Where?”

“In the south. Kaohsiung City.”

The Admiral began to pace in his office. “I don’t like leaving the Taiwanese to hang out to dry, but I don’t see as we have any choice.”

“We could put the 101st in there.”

“We talked about that. There is just too much that can go wrong. No, we stick with Long Snap as planned. I don’t like it, but the plan is solid.”

“That means that the 101st needs the go for their part of Long Snap.”

“Yes, push it up the food chain. Let’s get them moving.”

101st Airborne Division

Fort Campbell, Kentucky

The C-5 and C-17 aircraft filling the ramp at Campbell Army Airfield stretched across the massive ramp area and spilled over into taxiways and any other paved surface that the ground crews could find. The 101st was one of two US Army divisions which were configured to allow air transport of the entire division. That didn’t mean it was easy. The 101st had almost 30,000 personnel in it all together. Moving that many soldiers plus their supplies and equipment is a major endeavor.

“I am not sure I understand the goal of this mission, sir.” Command Sergeant Major Juarez was the most senior enlisted in the 101st and as such interacted directly with the commanding general regularly. It was part of his job to make sure that the concerns of the troops were expressed to the officers in command of the division.

“I hear you Juarez. This is about making an impression. Command wants China looking at us instead of Korea.”

“Yes, sir I understand that. What I don’t understand is how we intend to invade a country of a billion and a half people with a single division. Sir.”

General Greene turned from his inspection of the embarkation to look at the Command Sergeant Major. “We’re not going to invade China. We’re going to make it look like we COULD invade if we wanted to.”

“Isn’t that the same thing, sir?”

“Not really Juarez. One is about appearances. The other is about killing people. Frankly, I’m happy to put on a show if it means less people get dead.”

“Amen to that, sir.”

“Then let’s get to it, shall we?”

“Yes sir!”

The men and women of the 101st continued to file aboard the countless aircraft parked on the ramps of Campbell Army Airfield. Troops on the C-17’s, equipment on the C-5s. The first group of C-17’s with advanced teams had left hours ago and the process would continue non-stop for the next two days as the entire division was airlifted out of the United States.

21st Airlift Squadron

Fort Campbell Army Air Field

Captain James completed his walk-around inspection of the C-17. In addition to commanding the 21st, he was also a pilot and had to perform all the duties of an aircraft commander in addition to the duties of a squadron commander. In order to do both, he leaned heavily on his co-pilot, Lieutenant Clark, who was fairly junior, but extremely capable.

“We ready to fly Jen?”

“Yes, sir. Larry has the troops onboard. Locked and loaded.”

“We have the tanker schedule sorted out?”

“Yep. We tank over California, again by Hawaii and then again over the Pacific. Should be a fun flight.”

“Think of all the tanker dudes. They’ll be passing gas and then back to base five or six times each. Pain in the ass and they don’t get to go anywhere fun.”

“You have a strange idea of fun, sir.”

“What, you don’t like the jungle?”

“Oh, I don’t mind the jungle, it’s flying into a combat zone that doesn’t thrill me.”

“Just wait until this thing gets hot. We’ll be flying into way more fun than this. Hell, this time we’re going to be landing at an actual airport. They probably got a bar and everything.”

“If you say so, sir.”

James and Clark walked up the rear ramp of the C-17, past the soldiers seated in the cargo area where the loadmaster was getting ready for departure.

“Next stop, Vietnam!! If your final destination is not Vietnam, you are on the wrong fucking plane! I am not a stewardess, I am a loadmaster. I don’t serve drinks and I don’t care if you have a nice flight. Sit your ass down and strap in!”