The Kidd Incident

MV Cape Hudson (T-AKR 5066)

Hanjin Incheon Container Terminal

Captain Loweston carefully watched as the Abrams tanks rolled off the ship.  While technically the operation was under the supervision of army loadmasters; as Captain, he was still responsible for everything that happened.  Until the last tank rolled off, he was responsible for their safety along with the safety of the ship and her crew.

He spoke into the radio he was holding.  “OK Bill, looks like the last group can crank up.  Looking good so far.” 

The tinny voice of his XO came back from the other end of the ship.  “Yes sir, no problems.  These guys have done this before.”

While delivering an entire division of tanks to Korea would certainly give the Chinese pause, Loweston wasn’t sure if this move was anything short of window dressing.  It seemed unlikely in the extreme that China would invade South Korea or even allow North Korea to do so.  The risk of all-out nuclear war seemed too great for both sides.

No, Loweston felt that his next mission would be much more directly tied to the success or failure of the USA’s goals in the conflict.  Sitting quietly on the dock, just down from where the Abrams were marshaling there was a long row of US Army trucks.  These seemingly innocuous trucks were going to tip the balance in the South China Sea, he was certain.

“Colonel, I am Captain Loweston.  I am in command of the Cape Hudson, welcome aboard.”

“Thank you sir.  I am Lieutenant Colonel Rutgers and this is my Top Kick, First Sergeant Briggs.”  As the three men traded handshakes, the Captain turned to look out at the assembled trucks.

“I think we can embark your vehicles easily.  As you can see, we have plenty of room.  I think getting you to our destination safely and onto the island may cause more difficulty, however.”

“Agreed.  Top Kick, get the men moving.”

“Yes, sir.”  With a crisp salute, Briggs jogged down the gangplank and began shouting orders.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a THAAD system before.”

“Not many have.  There are only about a dozen worldwide.  Until two days ago, I thought we would be in Okinawa for the duration.”

The distant roar of diesels could be heard from the bridge wing where the two officers were standing.  Trucks began to move.  Additional trucks began to arrive on the dock.

“And those additional trucks?”

“Reloads.  We have two complete sets for every launcher.”

“Someone is expecting you to be very busy.”

“Indeed.  However, what concerns me the most is why we are aboard ship and not in an aircraft.”

“Someone thinks a ship is safer for you.”

“Yes, that’s what bothers me.  Considering the amount of anti-ship missiles the Chinese have already deployed, ‘safe’ isn’t the adjective that I would use.”

“We will be in good company.”

“Let’s hope so Captain, let’s hope so.”

Task Force Archie, 200 NM North of Brunei

USS Kidd (DDG 100)

In theory, the mission was very simple.  Place the task force BETWEEN the Chinese mainland and the rapidly building US forces within the Kingdom of Brunei.  This meant that any ballistic missile attacks against Brunei or the forces there would need to go OVER the task force.  Simple geometry.

The reality was quite different.  Intercepting a ballistic missile in flight was a very difficult task.  In addition, they needed to be constantly on the move to avoid anti-ship missiles like the one which had missed the Kidd a month earlier. Just to add to the excitement, there were several Chinese submarines operating in the area who would love to bag a couple of US warships.

The Chinese were clearly aware of the US task force.  The ships continued to detect Chinese aircraft at the limit of their radar envelope. At the moment, the cruiser Shiloh (CG-67) was almost one hundred miles from the rest of the Task Force, radars completely dark, trying to tempt a Chinese aircraft to stumble into her engagement envelope.  The operational concept was to keep her dark until the other ships detected an aircraft and then light up to acquire the target.

Having a cruiser play the role of bait wasn’t exactly in the manual, but the Captain of the Shiloh had agreed that his command had the best chance of taking out any aircraft and also avoiding any possible Chinese response.  Again, in theory.

“Captain, air contact. Two zero zero miles, bearing due north, target is bearing 160.  Estimate target is a Chinese surveillance aircraft.  Perhaps a Y-8X.  Estimate that she will acquire the Shiloh in ten minutes or less.”

“Range to Shiloh?”

“One five zero miles.”

“Long shot for her.”

“The aircraft is moving deeper into the engagement envelope.  Recommend firing at one hundred miles.”

“Concur, pass tracking data to the Shiloh.”

Now the waiting game began. Would the aircraft track the Shiloh? Would they veer off?  The Shiloh was completely dark, so the aircraft may take some time to identify her.  Meanwhile, the aircraft was coming deeper and deeper into engagement range.

“Sir!  Raid warning!  We have multiple early warning alerts, it may represent a DF-21 launch.”

“Order the Shiloh to engage.  Light her up.”

The tactical display erupted in colors.  Light red icons representing the possible anti-ship attack, a bright red icon representing the Chinese ship, blue icons representing the US task force and new smaller blue icons representing the SM-6 launches from the Shiloh.

“Vampire! Vampire!  We have multiple ballistic tracks inbound.  Confirming, ten tracks inbound.  Range two zero zero, bearing three two zero, time on target five minutes.  Positive track towards the task force.  Say again, the missiles are tracking the task force.”

“Send to all Task Force members:  Weapons Free Anti Air.”

“Aye, weapons free, anti air.”

“Track is firming up, we have multiple inbounds on the Shiloh.”

“Is the new code working?”

“Affirmative, sir.  The task force has launched twenty SM-3 interceptors so far. Zero SM-6 launches against the missiles.  Shiloh is launching SM-6 against the aircraft now.”

“How much magazine depth?”

“We are only ten percent expended on SM-3.  Ten more launches.  Aegis is triple targeting each inbound.  Good tracks outbound.  Vampire! We have a second set.  Much larger group.  Estimate four zero additional inbounds.”

“Let’s get Shiloh back here.  Triple tap the Chinese aircraft and withdraw.”

“Tracks firming up.  All forty tracking on Shiloh.”

A blizzard of missiles erupted from the task force.  Harris could hear and feel the interceptors leave the Kidd and the display showed a similar eruption of missiles from the other members of the task force.  It wasn’t going to be enough.

“Hit!  Sir, the Shiloh is reporting major damage.  She is taking on water.  Hit! Shiloh is off the air.”

“SAR!  Get me some helos up there!”

In the end, only forty of the Shiloh’s crew were rescued.  She took three missiles, the last one breaking her in half with a direct hit amidships.  The ship sank in under ten minutes.