Delta Force A Memoir by Charlie A. Beckwith

Author:Charlie A. Beckwith [Beckwith, Charlie A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780062268181
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

The briefing room was up at XVIII Airborne Corps. General Warner’s large office was filled with stars. It was like a Delta class reunion. General Meyer was there, along with General Warner, General Mackmull, and General Haldane. Haldane, I remembered, had presided over the Delta brief at FORSCOM where General Meloy and General Kingston had gotten into a battle royal over the subject.

I found a seat to one side of General Meyer, and Lieutenant Colonel Whitman found one on the other side of him. Across from us sat Generals Haldane and Warner. General Meyer chided General Haldane, asking him if he still had the action officer who had screwed up a previous brief. General Haldane smiled. When this particular major walked in, Meyer said, “Yes. I see you still have him.”

After the major found a seat and the laughter had died down, General Haldane began the briefing.

“What we’ve done, General Meyer, is taken a good look at the situation and want to present our position. We believe we can help Delta Force. We can help them in personnel, intelligence, operations, and logistics.” That was the whole ball of wax. “We have carefully analyzed each area and now want to show you how our support can help Delta be a dynamic, viable force within the United States Army.”

The FORSCOM action officer cleared his throat, it wasn’t every day someone briefed the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army. “General Meyer, after close scrutiny it is FORSCOM’s belief that Delta would be a stronger entity if we became involved in their personnel selections.” He didn’t get any further. General Meyer came back immediately. “Come on, how in the hell can FORSCOM help Delta when they are being serviced directly by General Heiden and MILPERCEN? There’s no way you can do the job better than those people. Why do you want to get in their system? Delta has Department of the Army looking out for it in the people business. Really, I’m not interested in this. It’s no help. Let’s go to the next point.”

I peeked a look at General Haldane. Surely he had to be feeling, “Hey, I’m in a no-win situation here. FORSCOM’s really got nothing to offer. Who in the blazes sandbagged me into doing this?” General Warner sat staring straight ahead. Yet he must have been uncomfortable. Surely he wanted to cross or uncross his legs, or fidget just the smallest amount.

The briefing continued. “This is how we can help Delta Force in gathering and interpreting intelligence.” General Meyer spoke up again. “What are you talking about. All the intelligence FORSCOM handles is for training. Delta receives its intelligence directly from the appropriate intelligence agencies in Washington. I’m sorry. This will not wash.” There was now an edge to his voice. “What’s next?”

General Warner was becoming less stoic and more and more frustrated. Obviously he was one of the framers and backers of the planned takeover.

The staff briefer, before he even began the logistics presentation, was stopped by General Meyer.

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