“They’ll be HQ Company’s responsibility. We’ll do our best disarming them as we move through their positions,” said Marcus. “But you and your troopers will need to stay alert as you approach any of them. Watch for weapons, suicide vests, and any obvious sign of some type of disease. Word is some of the IGC have infected themselves with a wide range of highly communicable diseases. When in doubt, stay away from ‘em! They attack, take ‘em out!”
“Yes sir!” answered Thompson.
The assembled officers and noncoms examined the map of the valley closely and there was some quiet discussion amongst small groups within Colonel Roman’s senior staff. Some suggestions were made and discussed; the ops plan was critiqued, modified, and improved upon. After an hour, Marcus asked if there were any other suggestions. There were none!
“Alright, then! Roman’s Legion…gear up and prepare to move out!” Marcus said with obvious pride in his voice. He had selected the best personnel for his battalion and had helped them hone their skills to peak performance. These men and women were the best the Arizona State Guard had to offer. Damn, these are some great troopers! Marcus thought. I’m honored to serve with and lead them!
**********
January 23rd, 2229 hours (MST)
8.7 Miles Northeast of Castle Rock Bay, AZ
ASGuard CH-47 Chinook and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters hovered into position below the northern ridgelines of the mountain ranges on either side of the valley. By remaining below the ridgelines, the copters reduced the odds of being detected by the enemy forces nearby. Each helicopter delivered its load of ASGuard troopers, weapons, and supplies, then flew back to their assembly area to pick up their special ordnance.
Hebert and Dillon assembled their personnel in their respective drop zones, gave them their final orders, and had them move out. Using their night vision goggles, the ASGuard troopers moved quickly and stealthily to the south, remaining behind the ridgelines. At predesignated points along both ranges, troopers would cross the ridgelines and make their way down the mountainsides to find positions of cover and concealment. Once in position, they set up passive observation equipment and additional camouflage then settled in for the night.
**********
January 24th, 0819 hours (MST)
7.5 Miles Northeast of Castle Rock Bay, AZ
The combined IGC and PSSA forces were moving northeast into the valley. The column was spread out over a mile from front to back and extended into the desert on both sides of the paved road that ran through the valley. At the front of the column were two dozen light and heavy tanks and light armored attack vehicles. These were followed by vehicles equipped with anti-aircraft weapons in the middle of the convoy. The enemy infantry soldiers rode in trucks, buses, and armored personnel carriers at the rear of the wide column.
Once the IGC/PSSA forces were within the valley, seven of the ASGuard’s armored Stryker vehicles suddenly appeared in the pass at the north end of the valley and accelerated towards the advancing enemy forces. The ASGuard vehicles came in fast, their 50 caliber machine guns and light cannons firing as fast as they could. The nimble Strykers began to weave erratically, making it difficult for the enemy to lock their weapons on the defenders’ vehicles.
The IGC/PSSA personnel transports raced forward to locations just behind the tanks, halted, and began to deploy their troops. Those troops quickly fanned out east and west, seeking cover from which fire upon the incoming ASGuard Strykers.
The IGC/PSSA attack vehicles accelerated in an attempt to close on the Strykers and began firing their weapons. The ASGuard Strykers suddenly turned in broad arcs back toward the north and accelerated. Some incoming rounds glanced off the armor of the Strykers while others exploded around the vehicles. One Stryker took a hit on its right rear corner. The explosion was low enough on the vehicle to lift that corner up and roll the vehicle over onto its left side. It ground to a halt in a cloud of dust.
Another Stryker pulled up next to the damaged vehicle and two ASGuard troopers clamored out to assist their fallen comrades. The five remaining Strykers turned back towards the advancing enemy, firing everything they had to provide cover for the rescue attempt. The two rescuers entered the damaged Stryker, pulled one person from the vehicle, and carried her to the waiting Stryker which quickly accelerated away. The remaining occupants of the damaged Stryker were dead.
The six remaining Strykers raced northward zigging and zagging. Explosions continued to go off all around them as they sought to escape. The enemy pressed their attack while closing the distance between the two forces.
Suddenly, eight white dots could be seen in the air to the north, moving south at high speed in two flights of four. Within seconds they passed over the ASGuard units along the northern pass. Those looking up at the F-22 Raptors saw the stylized blue mythical bird painted on the belly and the distinctive red on the nose and vertical stabilizer of each white plane. Someone keyed his microphone and exclaimed, “My God, it’s the Thunderbirds!”
It was indeed the U.S. Aerospace Forces elite demonstration team out of Nellis AFB. The pilots who flew with the team were experienced combat fighter jocks and with the need for all possible crews and planes, they had stepped back into combat mode. The fighter aircraft they used in their aerobatic demonstrations required little modification to restore them to full combat readiness.
Two F-22s in each flight fired their 20 mm M61A2 Vulcan cannons while the other two launched two missiles each. The lead tanks of the IGC and PSSA took hits and exploded. The 20mm rounds that were fired by the F-22s flying over the Colorado River found their targets, a variety of boats and ferries being used to transport enemy soldiers across the river to Arizona. At the end of their passes, the F-22s nosed upward, kicked in their afterburners, and corkscrewed into the upper atmosphere. They then executed a loop and came streaking back down to continue their attack runs southward along the river.
Another series of sounds came from the north…loud growls, like those of the wild and angry javelinas of Arizona. The growling sounds were indicative of another Aerospace Force aircraft, the A-20 Thunderbolt III, close-ground support aircraft. They were the modern day descendants of the old A-10 Warthogs…tank killers extraordinaire!
The enemy’s anti-aircraft batteries were still trying to track the stealthy F-22s and had not yet acquired the A-20s. The A-20s, however, had weapon locks on the various armored vehicles used by the IGC and PSSA. The guns and missiles of the tank killers were effective in decimating tanks, AA batteries, armored personnel carriers, and troop and cargo transports. Explosions filled the air with flames, smoke, shrapnel, and body parts from the dead and dying. Within seconds, the A-20s had ripped through the combined IGC/PSSA forces within the valley and, with their job there done, flew south looking for more targets to acquire…and destroy.
Colonel Marcus Roman watched all of this from the front seat of an AH-65 Apache Longbow attack helicopter high in the sky to the north. The flyboys certainly shook ‘em up and took out some of their heavy hitters, he thought. Let’s see what our special munitions do to them! “Okay, Chinooks and Black Hawks! First wave, roll in!” Roman called out over the radio.
A moment later, the first wave of ASGuard helicopters flew westward across the enemy column’s rear. Steel drums rolled from the personnel compartments of the Black Hawks and the cargo compartments of the Chinooks. Some drums burst on impact with the ground and their contents ignited, throwing flaming fuel in all directions. Other drums exploded several feet above the ground, set off by altimeter-actuated detonators. Men, vehicles, equipment, and supplies were suddenly engulfed in flames and destroyed. The heat of the flames caused minor explosions as external fuel tanks ruptured and their contents ignited. Explosives cooked off, causing more minor explosions.
As the first flight of ASGuard helicopters cleared the rear of the enemy column, it turned south then east, heading back into Arizonan territory. “Second wave…now!” Marcus ordered. This time, the Black Hawks and Chinooks came
in from the north, dropping their containers of explosives and napalm along the center of the enemy column. More explosions and fireballs erupted amongst the enemy.
Two anti-aircraft batteries opened up and one of the Black Hawks took a hit mid-ship. It burst into a fireball, killing all aboard instantly. The flaming remains of the helicopter and those aboard rained down upon the enemy below. A shoulder-launched missile streaked upward striking a Chinook before it had time to drop its deadly cargo. The containers, along with the helicopter’s fuel tanks, exploded and more flaming debris fell from the sky. The remaining ASGuard cargo aircraft completed their bomb runs and banked eastward to return for refueling and rearming.
The IGC/PSSA column ground to a halt. Shouting matches became common place between the members of the different contingents. On more than one occasion, shots were fired between the two groups! Many wanted to turn back; others, particularly the jihadis wished to move forward, believing to die valiantly in battle would earn them their place in Heaven and 72 virgins.
In the lead Apache, Colonel Roman keyed his microphone. “Apaches…roll in and attack!” The thirty Apache helicopters tilted downward, losing altitude and gaining speed as they began their attack runs on the enemy column. As the helicopters came within range, they fired air-to-ground missiles at the remaining tanks, anti-aircraft batteries, and personnel carriers. More of the IGS/PSSA armor was severely damaged or destroyed. This attack destroyed the remaining anti-aircraft batteries and most of the armored personnel carriers.
The Apaches continued forward until they were within machine gun range and then those weapons began to fire. The 30mm rounds fired from the Apaches wreaked further havoc on the enemy’s vehicles and personnel.
Suddenly, two shoulder-launched missiles streaked from the ground and directly at two of the ASGuard Apaches. Both ASGuard pilots tried to launch countermeasures and jink out of the path of the incoming missiles but were too close and too late. The missiles each found the engine they were targeted at and exploded. The engines and rotors of the two Apaches were heavily damaged by the explosions and disintegrated. The Apaches fell from the sky and exploded upon striking the ground.
“Ground units,” Marcus said into his microphone. “Attack! Attack! Attack!” Machine gun fire and anti-tank rockets flew from the walls of the canyon down onto the enemy column! The enemy could not decide which of the defender’s units were deadlier, those in the air or those on the ground. The jihadis and their PSSA comrades fired into the ASGuard positions along both walls, inflicting many casualties.
“Centurion, this is Patton Leader,” came the voice of Colonel Eldred Fowler, U.S. Army 3rd Armored Division. “Sir, if you’d be so good as to give us some clean airspace, my Abrams would like to send our warmest regards to those goatherders and their Pissant pals!”
Marcus chuckled as he responded, “With pleasure, Patton Leader! We’re going to bounce up and give you top cover!” In the mirror on the console before him, Marcus saw his pilot behind him give him a thumbs-up. Their Apache accelerated forward and upward followed closely by the remaining Apaches in the flight then turned northward. Reaching their desired altitude, they went into hover and turned the noses of their aircraft towards the enemy to monitor the battle. “Sky is clear, Patton Leader! Give ‘em hell, sir!”
“Will do, Centurion! Just sit back and watch the fireworks!” Fowler responded over the radio.
North of the pass into the valley, twenty M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tanks rolled south and into view. Their 105mm main guns opened up and their massive projectiles burned through the air between the Abrams and their intended targets! The remaining enemy tanks took hit after hit as did many of the other remaining transport vehicles.
As the Abrams tanks rolled into the valley, the remaining jihadi/PSSA forces broke ranks and turned south. Those afoot tried to clamor aboard whatever remaining trucks or personnel carriers they could reach. Others turned and ran while even more simply threw down their weapons and knelt down with their hands on their heads. Only a few die-hard jihadis continued to press the attack against the ASGuard and the U.S. Army’s 3rd Armored Division…and they didn’t live very long!
Marcus keyed his microphone and said, “All units, this is Centurion…we have them on the run. Mop up those still fighting and take prisoners with extreme caution. Friendly forces to the north, move into the valley, pick up our personnel, and keep the enemy on the run. ASGuard units east of the valley, proceed south to link up with our personnel and press the advance!” He received a chorus of acknowledgements.
Suddenly, he heard a series of requests for medics come over the radio from personnel on the ground. Just as quickly, the 1st Battalions Medical Company responded that helicopters and personnel were on the way. “Centurion to Legion Exec, give me a sitrep!”
Major Tommi Thompson quickly responded, “Centurion, we have seven KIA and nineteen other casualties, ranging from minor to major. Medics and Dustoff helos are inbound, sir! We have not begun triage of prisoners yet as we are still ensuring they are unarmed and restrained, colonel!”
“Copy that!” Marcus replied. “Legion Exec, I’m coming in. Have my ACV meet me in the LZ!”
“Roger, Centurion! Will do!”
Marcus spoke with his pilot over their intercom and ordered her to find a landing zone near the Headquarters Company. She acknowledged his order and radioed her wingman to follow them down and provide cover just in case. The AH-64 began to drop toward a bare spot within the canyon and a moment later had flared to a perfect landing. Marcus thanked the pilot, disconnected his comm line, removed his helicopter helmet, and released his restraints. He opened his cockpit hatch and climbed out, pausing for a moment reach back into the helicopter’s forward cockpit to grab his battle helmet, M-4 CQBR rifle, and battle harness before closing the hatch and dropping to the canyon floor. His armored command vehicle pulled up and stopped well outside the reach of the helicopters rotors.
Once clear of the Apache’s rotors, Marcus turned and waved to the pilot then turned again and ran over to his ACV. The rear hatch popped opened and SGM Tobias Cowen extended a hand to help the colonel into the vehicle. “Welcome aboard, sir!” Cowen said cheerfully.
“Good to be aboard, sergeant major!” answered Marcus. He moved forward in the vehicle until he reached and dropped into a seat next to Major Thompson. “What’s our status, Tommi?”
“Welcome back, sir!” said Thompson. “Our medics have begun treatment of the wounded and our ambulances are arriving any second. We’ve had trouble with some of the more…zealous prisoners. Several failed to fully disarm and had to be relieved of their weapons forcibly, not before they inflicted some damage on a couple of our troopers. Two had on suicide vests and blew themselves, and quite a few of their comrades, up rather than surrender.”
Marcus paused to consider what he was hearing then made a decision. “Scroom! If they don’t want to surrender, put a couple of rounds into the ground at their feet. If they still don’t surrender, drop ‘em! Wound them, if you can, but I’ll be damned if we’ll take any more casualties if we can avoid them!”
“Yes sir!” said Thompson. She quickly relayed the order over the ASGuard’s primary battle frequency.
“Tommi,” Colonel Roman began, “I’m going to leave you with a dirty job. I want you to stay here and take charge of the medical evacuations and the prisoners. Don’t take any more risks with the enemy troops! I’m going to take the ACV and the sergeant major and join in the pursuit of the enemy forces!”
Major Thompson acknowledged her new orders and began to gather her gear. The ACV slowed down and stopped as it reached the triage and treatment site set up by the ASGuard medics.
Colonel Roman stopped his exec as she prepared to leave the vehicle. “Tommi, I meant what I said earlier. Don’t take any chances with the prisoners! If they try to resist, knock ‘em down with extreme prejudice! Good luck!” Thompson acknowledged the orders she’d received then stepped through the rear hatch then closed it from t
he outside.
Marcus moved back towards the front of the vehicle and spoke with the driver. The young woman nodded and put the ACV into motion, turned it in a southerly direction, and accelerated rapidly. “Sir, at this speed we should catch up with the rest of our force in a few minutes.”
“Excellent!” Roman replied. He waved SGM Cowen over to his command station and punched up a reconnaissance satellite photo of the area. “Tobias, we need to keep those enemy troops on the run and bunched up together as much as possible. We don’t want any of them slipping away from the larger group and getting away from us. I want Strykers roaming out along the enemy’s flanks to keep them boxed in. Just like herding cattle! As far as prisoners go, detail as few personnel as possible to control them, exercise extreme caution, and deadly force is authorized if they try to attack our personnel. Figure out which of our units is where and pass the word.”
SGM Cowen responded, “Yes sir! I’ll get right on it!” He turned to another console and began contacting the units of the 1st Battalion that were pursuing the fleeing enemy.
**********
January 24th
Arizona Southern Border
Nogales, AZ
The jihadis of the IGC, assisted by their comrades in the Mexican drug cartels and the Mexican Islamic Army, had broken through sections of the wall along the Arizona border in and around the city of Nogales. A force of over 50,000 men, hundreds of tanks and armored personnel carriers, along with support aircraft struck the city on the Arizona side of the border.
Units of the ASGuard’s 2nd Border Defense Battalion, the Arizona Highway Patrol, and the county sheriffs’ offices fought a delaying action to slow the advance of the enemy force until reinforcements could arrive. Casualties were high amongst the defenders and the attackers alike. They were higher still amongst the citizens of Nogales, who the enemy slaughtered whenever and wherever they found them.
The Arizona State Guard Trilogy Page 57
