Book 2: Episode 37

221st Cavalry Regiment (Nevada National Guard)

National Training Center, Fort Irwin, CA

“Crystal Palace, Wildhorse Six, say again.”

“Wildhorse, 221st Cavalry and attached units from NTC are directed to deploy to a blocking position fifteen clicks west of the intersection of I-10 and Highway 111.  You are to defend the pass against hostile forces at all costs.  Readback.”

“Crystal Palace, 221st is to defend the Los Angeles basin and ensure that nobody makes it past us on I-10.  We are to defend the pass at all costs.”

“Wildhorse, readback correct.”

With that, the circuit went dead.  With all satellite-based communications dead and most of the UHF radio constellation down, communications were chancy at best.  Aliston had been stunned when Northern Command located at Cheyenne Mountain (referred to as “Crystal Palace”) had contacted him directly.  That shock paled in comparison to the news that someone was trying to invade Southern California from Mexico.  It was insane.

He gestured to Ziffren who had been standing next to him with a look of shock on his face that probably mirrored Aliston’s.  “I want all officers and senior NCOs in the briefing room in ten minutes.”

The audience in the slightly battered conference room on the grounds of Fort Irwin was a mix of confused, focused and worried faces.  While nothing had been officially announced, the rumor mill on an Army post moved at lightning speed.

“I have been informed by Northern Command that we are to deploy south to defend Southern California against a possible attack from parties unknown but currently sited in Mexico.  There have been a series of attacks degrading US military responses and things are pretty confused right now.  Northern Command has reverted to Crystal Palace.  To my knowledge, we are the only armored unit in the field in the entire state at the moment.  We do not know exactly what is going on, we do not know if we will have to fight and we do not know who we will fight if it comes to that.  I am sorry to tell you that we do not have the type of intelligence that I would normally expect to have before going into combat.  However, I fully expect that each and every one of you will do your utmost to defend the United States, if necessary.”  Aliston paused and looked around the room.  He knew his people, they had been under fire in Afghanistan together.  They would be nervous, but they would do their duty.  There were a few other random officers and sergeants in the room who were NTC staff.  “As senior combat officer present, I am taking command of the task group on direct orders from Northern Command.”  He caught the eye of a captain who was part of the NTC staff and thus technically out of his chain of command.  This meant he wasn’t subject to Aliston’s orders.  The captain nodded, indicating that he would follow Aliston who would command the mission.  “At this point, that is the entire mission brief.  I am very open to suggestions.”

The NTC captain raised his hand and Aliston pointed to him.  “Sir, we have two entire shipping containers full of Javelins.”  There was a general murmur of excitement.  “There is a shoot-ex planned next week so we have been taking them into inventory.”

“That’s great news, Captain, thank you.”  He turned to his logistics officer.  “Tony, how are we set for TOW reloads for the Bradleys?”

Captain Lenard answered from memory.  “We have two missiles per vehicle and ten reloads per troop.”  221st had three “troops” of Bradleys.  The term “troop” was a holdover from the horse calvary days.  Each troop was actually a normal Bradley company of fourteen vehicles and associated soldiers.  This meant that the 221st had forty-two regular Bradleys in addition to the command vehicles.  They also had a full company of Abrams tanks which was also fourteen.  They had also picked up an additional platoon that was normally attached to the NTC for an additional four tanks.  Eighteen tanks wasn’t going to hold off an army, but it was a powerful force.

Aliston turned to his ops lead.  “Captain Teller, have you been able to study the maps yet?”

“Yes sir.”  He activated the projector at the front of the room.  “As you can see from the map, San Gorgonio Pass necks down here to less than twenty klicks.  The mountains on either side are extremely high—it is unlikely that any armored units will get around.  If we block I-10 and have spotters on the slopes, we should have an excellent defensive position.”

A lieutenant at the back of the room muttered, “It would be easier with a dozen Apaches.”

“It would be easier with a dozen A-10s too.  Don’t forget to ask for the entire 101st airborne while you’re at it, son.”  Aliston pointed to the town of Cabazon.  “We will center our defense here.  I want as much fuel and ammunition as we can find staged and hidden under cover.  Let’s assume the enemy will have ISR assets in place, probably drones.  We need equipment to build revetments.  The locals probably have bulldozers.”  He pointed to his civil affairs lead.  “Sandra, get us some earth-moving equipment.”

“Yes, sir.”

“OK people, make it happen.  I want the entire task force dug in and ready for anything in 24 hours.  Move it!”

“YES, SIR!”