Hornet's Nest by William H. LaBarge

Author:William H. LaBarge [Labarge, William H.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Action & Adventure
Publisher: Crossroad Press

The Tanker

The pilots for the 0100 launch filed into the VFA-22's ready room for the 2300 flight brief. Commander Slick Morely was the flight leader and he briefed the mission. It was the first night of flying after the raid on the oil platforms and the sinking of the Iranian frigate Sahand. Everyone was still riding high, ready to kick more ass if called on to do so.

As the brief began, Morely explained, "Tonight's mission is not a particularly demanding one. However, gentlemen, the weather is probably going to be our worst enemy and we'll be operating 'blue water.' As you know, that means that we don't have any divert fields available . . . we have to land back aboard the ship. We have been tasked to search for more Iranian mine-laying ships. Intell has information that an area north and south of the Strait of Hormuz is going to be mined. Sweetwater and Sundance, I want you to set up a search north of the Strait from two-seven-zero to zero-nine-zero. Gunny Leonard and I will cover the south portion. Lieutenant Commander Boots Costello will fly the refueling tanker. Boots, I want you airborne five minutes prior to the launch. Climb to seven thousand feet above the nest and get a good system-package check from the off-going tanker. If you can't pass gas we will launch the standby tanker. Once we know the tanker is sweet, we'll refuel overhead before we go on the mission. With the weather the way it is, I want to ensure we can get back and have a couple looks at the deck before we have to tank again. Recovery time is 0300. Be in the recovery stack ten minutes prior to push. Boots, after everyone is aboard you will then be cleared to land. Conserve your fuel while you're waiting for our return. Any questions?"

"What are the tops and bases of this weather?" asked Sundance.

"Reported tops are fifty-five hundred and bases are eighteen hundred around the nest. The thunder-bumpers are near the Strait, tops are thirty grand. All the Hornets are configured for FUR tonight. There are thunderstorms near the Strait and there is no visible horizon. It's going to be dark as a well digger's asshole out there tonight and I don't want anyone flying into the water. Check your radar altimeters. I don't want anyone below one hundred feet. Understood?"

A loud "Yes, sir" came from the flight crews.

"Okay, gents, we have an hour before man-up. Get your nervous head calls out of the way and give your flight gear and aircraft a good preflight. Remember, we're professionals, so let's do it right, but most of all let's be safe. See you in the air."

Sweetwater and Sundance went back to their squadron's maintenance control to look over the logbooks for the aircraft they would be flying that night. Each pilot-in-command must review all discrepancies in the logbook for the aircraft he is flying. Once satisfied the plane is in an up status, he signs the white acceptance sheet acknowledging responsibility for that aircraft.

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