Patrick McLanahan Collection #1

by Dale Brown

  The president turned toward Patrick, switched on the speakerphone, then said, “Go ahead, General. General McLanahan can hear you.”

  All eyes were on Patrick. “What is it, General?” Patrick asked.

  “I know it was you who planned that strike on Engels Air Base, McLanahan,” Gryzlov said. “You spoke with General Kasimov and told him precisely which Russian targets in Turkmenistan were going to be struck and when—you could know all that only if you were in direct command of those attacks as well. This is the same McLanahan who participated in the air attacks against Russian forces in the Balkans and near Zhukovsky Flight Test Center recently. This is also the same McLanahan who participated in attacks against Russian military forces in Lithuania and, I presume, even participated in the attack against the Kavaznya laser ballistic-missile defense site in Siberia some years ago. I am sure that, with a little analysis, we can probably trace your involvement in many other significant covert military actions by the United States over the years—China, Taiwan, Iran.”

  The surprised expressions turned into shocked expressions. Most of those in the room knew a little about a few of Patrick McLanahan’s military adventures—but no one, not even former president Kevin Martindale, knew that Patrick had participated in almost every major wide-scale conflict throughout the world over the past fifteen years.

  “We could go on and on about your past, General,” Gryzlov said. “In Russia you would be a national hero, perhaps even president. Why in your own country you are nothing more than an insignificant Air Force officer with no real responsibilities or authority is a mystery to me, but it matters not.

  “I am here to tell you here and now, General Patrick McLanahan, that we are enemies, you and I,” Gryzlov went on with an amused but ominous sneer in his voice. “You have used your bomber forces masterfully over the years, and you may have a technological edge. But you are weak because of weak commanders like Thomas Thorn. As long as you are led by men such as him, you will be powerless to stop me when I move against you. I will see to it that you are destroyed, General. Your friends, your bases, your crews, your aircraft—even your precious son, Bradley—will all be destroyed before finally you, too, will be destroyed. You will be destroyed because you mindlessly follow weaker men, thinking it is your duty to obey their orders. It will destroy you and all those around you that you love.”

  “Listen, you son of a bitch, if your own officers and people don’t get you first, we sure as hell will!” Vice President Busick shouted. “You’re nothing but a two-bit generalissimo.”

  “It will be my bombers against your bombers, General McLanahan,” Gryzlov went on, ignoring Busick. “The battle will be on my terms, on my home court. You cannot choose where and when the battle will take place, because you are too weak to do so, and you are weak because you follow weak leaders. So gather your planes and drones and missiles together like a child in his playpen, General, and get ready for the showdown.”

  “Bring it on, General Gryzlov,” Patrick said, but the line had already gone dead.

  For several long moments everyone in the Oval Office was stunned into silence. They had never heard someone openly and so brazenly threatened like that before during an official government phone call. Finally Vice President Busick said, “Mr. President, I’d like to discuss this idea of paying reparations to the Russians—”

  “The attack on Engels Air Base was not approved,” the president said. “General McLanahan may have misinterpreted directives from Secretary Goff, but I don’t think so. I believe that the attack on Engels was deliberate and calculated. Whatever the final outcome, the mission was not sanctioned. We have a moral obligation to repay the Russians for the damage.”

  “Like hell, Mr. President!” Busick shouted. “We don’t owe them squat! They started this whole thing—we just helped finish it. The general may have jumped the gun a little, but he did exactly what he thought was needed to be done to protect our guys out there.”

  “General, is that the way you see it?” Thorn asked.

  Patrick looked at Thorn, then at Martindale, and finally back to Thomas Thorn. “No, sir—there was no misunderstanding,” he replied. Both Martindale and Busick closed their eyes in frustration, and even Robert Goff shook his head sadly. “I was ordered by Secretary of Defense Goff directly to get my forces out of Turkmenistan after Deputy Secretary of State Hershel’s flight was safe. My ground forces were only fifteen miles from the Uzbek border—they could have been picked up easily, before or after the attack on Charjew. Instead I kept my ground forces in place and planned an air attack on Engels.”

  “Because you knew that Gryzlov was going to launch more attacks on you.”

  “Yes, sir, but mostly because I wanted to hurt Gryzlov,” Patrick admitted. “I wanted to defeat his bombers on the ground. I wanted to strike into the heart of Gryzlov’s bomber force. I had the weapons and the opportunity, so I took it.”

  Thorn looked at each of his advisers in turn, then said angrily, “That’s why we’re paying reparations to the Russians, folks. America might be accused of being a bully every now and then, but when we screw up like that, we should at least have the guts to admit to it and pay for our mistake.” He and everyone in the room fell silent. “That will be all, everyone.”

  Kevin Martindale stepped up to Thomas Thorn, looked him in the eye, shook his head, and said derisively, “You’re going to be a pushover next fall, Mr. President.” He turned to Patrick and said, so everyone including Thorn could hear him, “Don’t let him get to you, Patrick. Gryzlov is right—but it doesn’t mean it has to stay that way. Keep on fighting the way you know how to fight.”

  Finally it was just Thorn and McLanahan left in the Oval Office. Thorn looked at the two-star general. “You’re dismissed, too, General,” he said. Patrick looked as if he was about to say something, but Thorn held up a hand. “Don’t say anything, General—I know you won’t mean it anyway. Just get out. Go home and give your son a hug. Take him to the beach. I’ll decide what to do with you later.”

  Patrick left the White House and made his way to the West Wing gate. As he waited to be let out, he heard a car horn beep behind him. Maureen Hershel rolled down her window in the backseat of her limousine. “Give you a lift somewhere, General?” she asked.

  Patrick looked at her, then stood and looked back toward the Oval Office—and was surprised to see Thorn looking back at him through the window, the phone to his ear but still watching him intently. Patrick took a deep breath, confused and, yes, a little uncertain.

  “C’mon, General,” Maureen said. “I could use a drink right about now—and you look like you could use one too.”

  Patrick McLanahan stood at attention and saluted the Oval Office. The president saluted back, then returned his attention to his phone call. Patrick dropped his salute with a snap, smiled, and nodded. “I’d love to, Maureen,” he said. “I’d love to. Let’s go.”

  Acknowledgments

  Special thanks to Brigadier General Stanley Gorenc, commander of the Ninth Reconnaissance Wing, Beale AFB, for a great tour of his Wing and for setting up the orientation of the future Global Hawk and Predator unmanned reconnaissance aircraft units soon to be located at Beale. Born in Yugoslavia, Stan Gorenc is, I believe, at the top of the new generation of air warriors with the vision, determination, energy, and style to lead the United States Air Force boldly into the twenty-first century.

  Special thanks as well to Colonel David Fobian, commander of the 940th Air Refueling Squadron, Air Force Reserve, at Beale AFB. When I served in the Air Force many years ago, I pulled strategic alert at Mather AFB with the 940th, and to be perfectly honest, we active-duty guys resented the laid-back style of the Reservists. In stark contrast, on this recent research trip I found every member of the 940th at Beale to be sharp, professional, and dedicated.

  I especially want to salute the crew of the 314th Air Refueling Squadron’s “Petro Pony,” the most beautiful forty-two-year-old KC-135 aerial-refueling tanker I have ev
er seen, which flew us to Air Force Plant 42, Nellis AFB, and Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field on this incredible research trip. It was a perfect example of the vital and professional way the Reserves fly and fight these days.

  Thanks to Major Bob Couse-Baker, chief of the 940th Air Refueling Wing public affairs; and especially to Captain Mike Strickler, Second Lieutenant Tawny Halvorson, and Second Lieutenant Brady Smith of Ninth Reconnaissance Wing public affairs.

  Thanks to Lieutenant Colonel Celeo Wright, commander, and Master Sergeant Jim Koharik, public affairs chief, Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale, California, for leading the tour of the U-2 Dragon Lady spy plane and B-2A Spirit stealth bomber depot maintenance facilities and the Global Hawk assembly facility.

  Thanks to fellow B-52 crewdog Colonel Bill Percival, commander of the Ninety-eighth Range Wing, Nellis AFB, Nevada, for inviting us to view the incredible CAPSTONE airpower live-fire demonstration; and to Ms. Martine Ramos, public affairs officer for the Air Warfare Center, Nellis AFB, for her attention and support.

  Thanks to Lieutenant Colonel Paul Geier, commander, and Lieutenant Colonel Michael Hake, deputy commander for operations, Eleventh Reconnaissance Squadron, Indian Springs, Nevada, for the orientation and tour of the Predator unmanned reconnaissance aircraft formal training unit.

  Thanks to Chief Master Sergeant Bill Wayment, 555th RED HORSE Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nevada, for his pride and professionalism. Definitely a topic for a future novel!

  Thanks to Dean and Meredith Meiling for their friendship and generosity.

  Raves for the novels of New York Times

  bestselling author

  DALE BROWN

  “A master at mixing technology and action. He puts

  readers right into the middle of the inferno.”

  Larry Bond

  “Brown puts us in the cockpits of wonderful machines

  and gives us quite a ride. . . . [His] flying sequences

  are terrific. Authentic and gripping, they will

  have you breathing a bit heavily.”

  New York Times Book Review

  “Dale Brown is one of the best at marrying high-tech

  military wizardry with a compelling plot.”

  Houston Chronicle

  “A master at creating a sweeping epic

  and making it seem real.”

  Clive Cussler

  “Nobody . . . does it better than Brown.”

  Kirkus Reviews

  “One of the premier writers [of] techno-thrillers.”

  Virginian-Pilot

  “Dale Brown has an uncanny talent for putting his

  millions of fans into the middle of his action stories. . . .

  His knowledge of world politics and possible military

  alliances is stunning. . . . He writes about weapons

  beyond a mere mortal’s imagination.”

  Tulsa World

  “Brown is a master . . . bringing life to his characters

  with a few deft strokes.”

  Publishers Weekly

  “[His] richness of detail will appeal to the many

  readers taken with military weaponry, air combat,

  and the Byzantine secrets of military command.”

  Chicago Tribune

  “Brown [writes] consistent page-turners.”

  Booklist

  “Brown can spin a suspenseful yarn.”

  Richmond Times

  Credits

  Cover design by Richard L. Aquan

  Cover illustration by Chris Moore

  Copyright

  AIR BATTLE FORCE. Copyright © 2003 by Air Battle Force, Inc. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.

  “E-Book Extras.” Copyright © 2003 by Air Battle Force, Inc.

  EPub Edition © JUNE 2003 ISBN 9780061739200

  FIRST EDITION

  10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  Dedication

  This novel is dedicated to the men and women serving as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and to their families and loved ones. Thank you all for your service and sacrifice.

  This is also dedicated to the peacemakers of all nations who are still wise and bold enough to know that free nations must still keep their swords sharp, their eyes open, and their resolve strong in order to be prepared to combat the evil in the world.

  Contents

  Dedication

  E-book Extras:

  Dale Brown: The Novels

  “Death of the Dogfight”: An Interview with Dale Brown

  Author’s Note

  Cast of Characters

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgments

  Credits

  Copyright

  E-Book Extra

  Dale Brown: The Novels

  Air Battle Force; Wings of Fire; Warrior Class; Battle Born; The Tin Man; Fatal Terrain; Shadows of Steel; Sky Masters; Day of the Cheetah; Flight of the Old Dog; Night of the Hawk; Storming Heaven; Chains of Fire of Command; Hammerheads; Silver Tower

  With Jim DeFelice: Dale Brown’s Dreamland; Date Brown’s Dreamland: Nerve Center; Date Brown’s Dreamland: Razor’s Edge

  Visit Dale Brown online at Megafortress.com

  ˜

  Air Battle Force (2003)

  On America’s newest combat base, U.S. Air Force aerial warfare expert Major General Patrick McLanahan and his crew of daring engineers are devising the air combat unit of the future. Known as Air Battle Force, it can launch concentrated, stealthy, precision-guided firepower to any spot on the globe within hours. And soon McLanahan and his warriors will have their first target.

  Chased out of Afghanistan, Taliban fighters are planning to invade the neighboring oil-rich Republic of Turkmenistan, an isolated and incredibly wealthy Central Asian state. As unsteady alliances form and forces collide, the impending battle for control of the world’s largest oil deposits threatens to tear apart the tenuous peace created by America’s victories in Afghanistan.

  Now it’s up to McLanahan and a handful of American commandos half a world away, aided by an untested and unproven force of robotic warplanes, to win a war in which everyone—even “friendly” Wings of Fire at home—wants them to fail.

  “[An] absorbing technothriller…Brown fans will declare this a page-turning delight.”—Publishers Weekly

  “Dale Brown is the best military adventure writer in the country.”—Clive Cussler

  ˜

  Wings of Fire (2002)

  Ostracized by the government, the Air Force, and even by his own family, Patrick McLanahan has reached rock bottom. Or so he thought. While testing cutting-edge weapons in the skies over Libya, he and his private team are drawn into a power struggle between North Africa’s rulers.

  In the face of tragic loss, unexpected defeat, and ultimate betrayal, the ex-USAF general must quickly decide where his loyalties lie. For it may be too late to stop the destruction rolling across the Sahara. And this could be McLanahan’s final battle.

  “Brown has the technothriller down cold.”—USA Today

  ˜

  Warrior Class (2001)

  The world is falling apart, and there are plenty of people willing to take advantage of the fact. One of them is Parvel Kazakov, a Russian oilman with close tie
s to organized crime and an audacious idea: build a huge pipeline through the Balkans, get the Russian army to back him, and everybody gets rich.

  Though NATO will object, the new American president’s emphatic policy of isolationism will guarantee no effective opposition. Russia will dominate Europe. Kazakov will dominate the oil supply.

  But he hasn’t reckoned with Patrick McLanahan. The young Air Force general leads a combat mission deep into Russia—until he is put in check by the president himself.

  As Kazakov and Russia continue their unrelenting drive towards European hegemony, McLanahan and his team find themselves faced with a dire choice. Which is the greater threat: the dangerous empire in front of them—or the dangerous president at home? Which ever way they choose, there is no turning back…

  “Dale Brown is a master at mixing technology and action. He puts readers right into the middle of the inferno.”—Larry Bond

  ˜

  Battle Born (1999)

  Patrick McLanahan has been sent to a B-1B Lancer unit in Nevada to train a new tactical strike unit. He has his pick of the most aggressive personalities in the flying game, yet he knows it may take years to pull his bunch of mavericks together to fight as a team.

  But the training days are abruptly over when the fragile peace in Asia is shattered. What was supposed to be a joint U.S.-Japan-South Korea mock bombing raid turns lethal as South Korean fighter-bombers abandon the script and attack key North Korean centers in support of a massive people’s revolt against the Communist regime. To the world’s surprise, the raids are a complete success. The North Korean military surrenders, the borders are thrown wide open, and the United Republic of Korea is born.