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SPECIAL OPS
2:37 AM…I could barely make out the time thru my bloodshot eyes. I was ushered back into consciousness by the unmistakable sound of an incoming helo approaching ever closer. I stumbled to the window where even on this previously quiet and starless night, I could clearly see the profile of a Navy Sea dragon helicopter.
The downwash from the blades quickly caused a miniature dust storm in the middle of my not so perfect lawn, as my lawn furniture was blown against the house like so many leaves tossed about in a storm.
Seconds later 2 figures clad in green nomex flight suits quickly made their way to my door. Not this again I thought as I stood before them in my boxers. “Commander, we have a mission and we have been ordered to have you return with us to the carrier immediately... They are waiting for us 127 miles south west.” I asked what this was all about, and was told it was on a need to know basis.
After a few expletives, I could see that I was wasting my breath as I explained to them that I was done with this sort of thing, and they could surely find a younger man’s yard to land in. I’d been on one too many missions and spent too much time away from my home and family. Their posture and facial expression made it abundantly clear that they were not going to take no for an answer.
I quickly threw on a pair of Bdu’s and a well worn pair of tan boots that I kept on standby in the closet for just such an occasion. Not knowing how long this deployment would be, I threw a few personal items and a couple of essential “tools of the trade” in my sea bag. Quickly searching around the room on the way out, I grabbed my white uniform, an old family photo, and my favorite knife with its seriously sharp blade, that’s been with me on every mission since basic.
Within a minute the three of us were on board, and as I was still fastening my helmet, we were cutting our way thru the darkness and already on our way out to meet the carrier group. Since I had a rough night I took this opportunity to catch a few more winks on the trip out. I quickly fell back asleep to the drone of the powerful engine and the rhythmic beat of the blades. For the second time in one night my sleep came to an abrupt end as a strong voice crackled from my com –gear as the pilot announced that we would be landing.
As much as told myself I hated this, I have to admit that my adrenaline was flowing. Landing at night on an aircraft carrier at sea is always a challenging task, even for experienced pilots. We closed quickly despite the fact that the ship was moving at over 30 knots away from us in the pre-dawn darkness. I looked out as we hovered just a few feet above the deck, matching our forward motion with the speed of the ship, and with a sudden bounce we were on board, what was to become, my home away from home.
The deck of the carrier was bustling with noise and activity as I exited the MH-53, and was escorted toward the island. A small army of deck hands and plane handlers scurried about the deck identified by their different color shirts. I was met by Master Chief Thomas who offered a snappy salute as he closed the bulkhead door behind us. Thomas was about my age, but looked like he was chiseled out of a piece of solid granite. Master Chiefs in the navy have a reputation of being tough and not always respectful to other officers. I had worked with Thomas in the past, I appreciate what he does, and he appreciates what I do, but he is all business and a true warrior. Not to mention, he’s the kind of guy you’d want on your side in a bar fight.(and I’ve got some stories to tell you about that)
“Welcome aboard sir, follow me. The place is crawling with brass and the Admiral’s got a bug up his ass. He is waiting for you in his ready room, for your mission briefing”.
As I walked into the room, the admiral was busy at work behind his desk. I stood there at attention, and offered my best attempt at a salute. “Commander PIB reporting for duty as ordered sir”, then I stood their in silence for what seemed like an eternity as he finished perusing the document he was reading, and signed his name at the end in a flourish.
“Welcome aboard commander, I’ll be brief. You were activated because very few men in today’s navy have your skills and training. I have all the top brass arriving at my flagship in a few days. I’m expecting the secretary of the Navy, CNSP (commander Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Hell, even the president may fly in, so this is big. I took the liberty of assembling your team and they arrived yesterday from Mcdill. You’ve trained with most of these guys before in Italy, Germany, France, and even Japan, they are the best of the best.
I want you to get in, take care of business, and then I’ll send you and your boys home.” And then he barely looked up and gave me a weak salute that looked more like a brush away.. “dismissed”
“Oh, by the way, the master chief will escort you to your duty station right away, so that you can get started, I’ll see you at dinner at 1700 hours.”
Thomas must have been listening at the door, because the moment the admiral finished talking the door opened. I saluted, made a smart turn on my heals and headed out of the office, with the Master chief already in full stride heading down the corridor.
“ I hope you brought your white uniform, because I’ve been ordered to take you directly to the Galley. By the way, the admiral asked if you could put some bricloe and meatballs in the sauce, tonight’s Italian night.”
I am, what I am…….
P.I.B….
2:37 AM…I could barely make out the time thru my bloodshot eyes. I was ushered back into consciousness by the unmistakable sound of an incoming helo approaching ever closer. I stumbled to the window where even on this previously quiet and starless night, I could clearly see the profile of a Navy Sea dragon helicopter.
The downwash from the blades quickly caused a miniature dust storm in the middle of my not so perfect lawn, as my lawn furniture was blown against the house like so many leaves tossed about in a storm.
Seconds later 2 figures clad in green nomex flight suits quickly made their way to my door. Not this again I thought as I stood before them in my boxers. “Commander, we have a mission and we have been ordered to have you return with us to the carrier immediately... They are waiting for us 127 miles south west.” I asked what this was all about, and was told it was on a need to know basis.
After a few expletives, I could see that I was wasting my breath as I explained to them that I was done with this sort of thing, and they could surely find a younger man’s yard to land in. I’d been on one too many missions and spent too much time away from my home and family. Their posture and facial expression made it abundantly clear that they were not going to take no for an answer.
I quickly threw on a pair of Bdu’s and a well worn pair of tan boots that I kept on standby in the closet for just such an occasion. Not knowing how long this deployment would be, I threw a few personal items and a couple of essential “tools of the trade” in my sea bag. Quickly searching around the room on the way out, I grabbed my white uniform, an old family photo, and my favorite knife with its seriously sharp blade, that’s been with me on every mission since basic.
Within a minute the three of us were on board, and as I was still fastening my helmet, we were cutting our way thru the darkness and already on our way out to meet the carrier group. Since I had a rough night I took this opportunity to catch a few more winks on the trip out. I quickly fell back asleep to the drone of the powerful engine and the rhythmic beat of the blades. For the second time in one night my sleep came to an abrupt end as a strong voice crackled from my com –gear as the pilot announced that we would be landing.
As much as told myself I hated this, I have to admit that my adrenaline was flowing. Landing at night on an aircraft carrier at sea is always a challenging task, even for experienced pilots. We closed quickly despite the fact that the ship was moving at over 30 knots away from us in the pre-dawn darkness. I looked out as we hovered just a few feet above the deck, matching our forward motion with the speed of the ship, and with a sudden bounce we were on board, what was to become, my home away from home.
The deck of the carrier was bustling with noise and activity as I exited the MH-53, and was escorted toward the island. A small army of deck hands and plane handlers scurried about the deck identified by their different color shirts. I was met by Master Chief Thomas who offered a snappy salute as he closed the bulkhead door behind us. Thomas was about my age, but looked like he was chiseled out of a piece of solid granite. Master Chiefs in the navy have a reputation of being tough and not always respectful to other officers. I had worked with Thomas in the past, I appreciate what he does, and he appreciates what I do, but he is all business and a true warrior. Not to mention, he’s the kind of guy you’d want on your side in a bar fight.(and I’ve got some stories to tell you about that)
“Welcome aboard sir, follow me. The place is crawling with brass and the Admiral’s got a bug up his ass. He is waiting for you in his ready room, for your mission briefing”.
As I walked into the room, the admiral was busy at work behind his desk. I stood there at attention, and offered my best attempt at a salute. “Commander PIB reporting for duty as ordered sir”, then I stood their in silence for what seemed like an eternity as he finished perusing the document he was reading, and signed his name at the end in a flourish.
“Welcome aboard commander, I’ll be brief. You were activated because very few men in today’s navy have your skills and training. I have all the top brass arriving at my flagship in a few days. I’m expecting the secretary of the Navy, CNSP (commander Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Hell, even the president may fly in, so this is big. I took the liberty of assembling your team and they arrived yesterday from Mcdill. You’ve trained with most of these guys before in Italy, Germany, France, and even Japan, they are the best of the best.
I want you to get in, take care of business, and then I’ll send you and your boys home.” And then he barely looked up and gave me a weak salute that looked more like a brush away.. “dismissed”
“Oh, by the way, the master chief will escort you to your duty station right away, so that you can get started, I’ll see you at dinner at 1700 hours.”
Thomas must have been listening at the door, because the moment the admiral finished talking the door opened. I saluted, made a smart turn on my heals and headed out of the office, with the Master chief already in full stride heading down the corridor.
“ I hope you brought your white uniform, because I’ve been ordered to take you directly to the Galley. By the way, the admiral asked if you could put some bricloe and meatballs in the sauce, tonight’s Italian night.”
I am, what I am…….
P.I.B….
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