The Arizona State Guard Trilogy

by Jeffrey M. Fortney

  Reinforcements arrived from the U.S. Army from Fort Huachuca, and the U.S. Aerospace Force from Davis-Monthan AFB as well as other units from the Arizona State Guard, Arizona National Guard, and even some local ranchers, who came armed with rifles, shotguns, and handguns. Additional reinforcements were being sent from military bases in Colorado, New Mexico and Texas!

  By the time reinforcements began to arrive, the IGC and their allies had pushed more than 15 miles into Arizona! The arrival of the reinforcements helped the defenders slow the forward momentum of the invasion. Still the casualties mounted, threatening to overwhelm Arizona’s defenders.

  Suddenly the sounds of A-20 Thunderbolts roared over the desert as wave after wave of the famous close-ground support aircraft swept in. The deadly aircraft flew nap of the earth and waded into the battle with their twin 30mm Gatling guns blazing. The invaders tried to shoot the A-20s out of the sky with limited success. Three A-20s were damaged and had to return to base. Two others took missile strikes that destroyed the aircraft and killed their pilots.

  The defenders on the ground, bolstered by the A-20s, pressed their attack upon the enemy forces. The enemy advance was all but halted when the commanders of the defending forces, ground and air alike, suddenly received an unusual command to take cover! The A-20s cleared the air space above the battlefield and those on the ground sought whatever protection they could find.

  Several dark arrowhead shapes appeared in the northern sky flying toward the battlefield. The bomb bay doors of the B-2 Spirit bombers opened and the sounds of falling munitions echoed through the air. The guidance systems on the munitions were highly accurate, putting the bombs onto enemy tanks, armored vehicles, trucks, and personnel. The screams of the injured and the dying enemy soldiers were occasionally drowned out by the sounds of primary and secondary explosions.

  The bombers completed their bomb runs and vectored away from the battle to clear the airspace for another form of attack that followed closely on the heels of the guided munitions. Dozens of C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster III aircraft came into range, flying south along both flanks of the enemy force. Personnel and pallets of vehicles and equipment began to plummet from these aircraft, their parachutes quickly blossoming above them and lowering them safely to the ground.

  As the first airborne troops reached the ground, they shucked their parachute harnesses and quickly found fighting positions from which they laid down covering fire to protect those still in the air. The next group landed and raced over to their vehicles and equipment to free them from their parachutes and put them into operation. Up-armored and armed HUMVEEs and light tanks roared to life and advanced towards the enemy forces, their weapons firing!

  With the enemy flanked, the defending ground forces in front of them opened fire again and the A-20s roared in once more. The soldiers of the IGC and PSSA were pinned down. Unable to advance or retreat, they took more and more casualties as minutes ticked by. The defenders showed the same amount of quarter to the enemy that the enemy had shown to the citizens of Nogales…none! The defenders simply cut the enemy forces to ribbons. The Battle of Nogales was bloody and costly for both sides, but in the end the defenders were victorious!

  **********

  January 24th

  North American Continent

  That day, many battles were fought along and within the borders of the United States of America. The jihadi warriors of the Islamic Global Caliphate, the agents of the National Security Forces, and the conscript soldiers of the People’s Socialist States of America drove deep into U.S. territory. The death count was extremely high among the defenders and those they defended. The U.S. Aerospace Force fought for and achieved air superiority at the cost of more than 25 percent of its aircraft and personnel.

  At each battle site, armed American citizens joined their state and national defenders on the front lines. Bit by bit the enemy forces were turned back and decimated. Where prisoners were captured, the U.S. personnel discovered that the first to surrender were the PSSA’s conscripts. These people had been drafted, often at the business end of a weapon, and forced to fight for the PSSA alongside the Islamists. Many of these prisoners admitted to their captors that they now realized the folly of the PSSA’s false doctrine and the failures of Sherrill Carrington and her party.

  The next type of prisoners were those who were members of the PSSA’s National Security Forces. These people were cruel, bloodthirsty sadists who enjoyed the power that being part of the NSF gave them. Their hatred of the U.S. and dedication to the PSSA drove them to commit terrible atrocities upon the innocent. These prisoners were taken only after being severely wounded and unable to continue to fight.

  The last type of prisoner were the jihadis of the IGC. They were ideologically rigid, bloodthirsty, and bent on the destruction of the U.S. or death in battle. Some, once injured and unable to fire a weapon, activated suicide vests or belts killing themselves and anyone standing within the blast radius of their explosives! The defenders learned this the hard way and, after many Americans were killed by these deadly devices, they simply avoided the wounded jihadis altogether. After that, if a jihadi tried to approach a defender, the jihadi was given one warning and if he didn’t halt, he would be shot and killed from a safe distance!

  One by one, the battles came to an end. In each case, the invaders were halted, turned back, and captured or destroyed. At the U.S. borders, the state defense agencies stopped and set up defensive positions while the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and Aerospace Force units pressed on into the People’s Socialist States or into Mexico. Along the PSSA’s East and West Coasts, U.S. Navy vessels took on the few ships of the PSSA and the larger fleets of the Islamic Global Caliphate. The faster and more heavily armed U.S. ships engaged the enemy vessels and sent them to the bottom of the oceans. Marine Corps amphibious units, helicopters, and aircraft took the shorelines first, established beachheads, then brought other U.S. military forces ashore. Soon, those forces advanced inland!

  Long-range Aerospace Force fighters cleared the skies above the PSSA and then massive cargo aircraft flew over, dropping thousands upon thousands of paratroopers, their equipment, and their vehicles. Once on the ground, these units converged on their assigned targets, the bases of the PSSA’s National Security Force, and a number of political prisoner rehabilitation camps. Along the way, the paratroopers were joined by small numbers of resistance fighters and U.S. agents who had been inside the PSSA under deep cover. The battle for the continent continued into the night, the next day, and for many days later.

  **********

  January 24th

  Around the World

  Thousands of fighter, bomber, and cargo aircraft appeared in the skies over Mexico and Central and South America. Many were U.S. Aerospace Force, Navy, and Marine Corps aircraft but the majority were the aircraft of nations who had sent their fleets of aircraft to the U.S. prior to their countries falling to the IGC. The few remaining IGC aircraft were shot out of the skies in flames as the Allied aircraft made quick work of them. The battles for Mexico and Central and South America had begun! A primary objective was to capture and hold the Panama Canal Zone.

  In the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and other seas around the globe, great Allied Naval Fleets met in battle with ships of the IGC. Those battles were largely one-sided affairs, with the U.S. and its allies defeating the IGC forces. The remaining Allied vessels steamed towards their assigned destinations, the coastlines of other nations held in thrall by the IGC. They continued on their voyages knowing that hundreds of supply ships were already leaving the U.S. Gulf Coast to join up with the fleets.

  A coded signal was sent out from within the United States and from the ships at sea. The signal consisted of just one word: Prepare! In each of the conquered nations, small groups of resistance fighters received the message and knew that their days of oppression would soon end!

  **********

  January 24th, 1837 hours (MST)

  Northeast of Lake Havasu City
, AZ

  For the remainder of the day, Roman’s Legion drove the enemy back towards the point where they had initially crossed the Colorado River. From time to time, the enemy seemed to gather some courage and tried to attack their pursuers, only to be routed once again. Each time this occurred, the number of enemy prisoners captured, wounded, and killed decreased.

  The remaining enemy troops crossed the Colorado by any available means: bridges, boats, rafts, and some even tried swimming across. Some made it to the California side of the river safely, many did not. Those who were severely wounded were left on the river’s eastern shore…to die or be taken captive.

  Crowds of Arizonans of all age groups lined the roadways cheering and waving Arizona and U.S. flags as the vehicles of the ASGuard and U.S. Army came rolling past, racing for Lake Havasu City. The forward units of the Arizona State Guard’s 1st Tactical Battalion entered the city followed closely by the U.S. Army’s Abrams tanks. They expected trouble but were very surprised to find none, no attacks were made upon them.

  Colonel Roman and Colonel Fowler ordered their units to fan out and position themselves along the east bank of the Colorado to monitor for any enemy activity. Fowler joined the Roman in the Legion ACV and the two senior officers were driven to city hall. Tomas Rivera, the mayor of Lake Havasu City, and several members of the city council, the chief of police, and the fire chief waited on the steps of city hall to greet them.

  Roman and Fowler disembarked from the ACV and were met by the city’s administrators. The two colonels introduced themselves then Mayor Rivera introduced his city officials. Rivera invited the two officers into city hall and escorted them to a conference room where they could speak privately.

  When Marcus asked about the absence of enemy troops in the city, Carl Emery, the chief of police, responded, “Yes sir! Very few of our citizens turned in their guns and ammo when the IGC and Pissants moved in…they just hid ‘em where the enemy wouldn’t find ‘em. The IGC and PSSA commanders left a garrison force behind when they began their advance towards Kingman. When the enemy heard this morning that you were pushing their pals back this way, things started to get ugly. So we dug out our weapons and hit ‘em before they could hit us! We lost a number of really fine folks and some of my officers, quite a few injured and at the hospital. But, by God, we took ‘em out! Captured a few, killed the rest. The Sanitation Department is out picking up the corpses and our Roads and Grounds crews are digging a mass grave in the desert east of the city. It’s better than the bastards deserve.”

  Mayor Rivera asked the two officers what their orders were. Marcus responded by saying that the ASGuard was back to guard the border. Fowler explained that his orders called for his unit to pull out early the next morning to head south for Parker, cross the Colorado River into California, and link up with other U.S. Army and Marine Corps units in taking the fight to the enemy. Then Fowler asked to be excused to return to his unit and said his farewells. Marcus and the city administrators spent the rest of the afternoon discussing the ASGuard’s role in protecting the city and border.

  **********

  January 24th, 2202 hours (EST)

  The District

  Sitting alone in his office in the IGC Embassy, Abdul Aziz Mohammed Al Zahrani received yet another distressing report from his commanders in the field. IGC units in the Western PSSA states had been routed or totally destroyed. Those in the Northeast were also failing to halt the advance of the damned U.S. military forces. Even now, U.S. Marines were swarming into The District and bearing down on the embassy. Al Zahrani looked at his situation maps and came to a quick decision…It’s time to evacuate to fight another day! Al Zahrani thought.

  The Arab pressed a button on the intercom on his desk. When a voice answered, he said, “Mustafa, come here!”

  “Yes, my amir,” Mustafa Muhammad Al-Fakeeh responded. Al Zahrani set about gathering the few items he wished to take with him. Al-Fakeeh appeared in the office a moment later.

  Al Zahrani looked up in time to see his lieutenant’s arrival. “Ah, Mustafa. Come here!” Al-Fakeeh stepped over to stand before his leader.

  “It appears that this campaign is destined for failure,” said Al Zahrani. “It is time for us to evacuate. Contact the pilot upstairs and have him prepare the helicopter then contact the airport near Barnesville and tell them to have the jet warmed up and ready to go! We must leave here immediately!” Al-Fakeeh did not move. He simply stood before Al Zahrani as if he had not heard a word the man had said.

  Al Zahrani glared at the younger man then spoke again, this time anger was evident in his voice. “Mustafa Al-Fakeeh, I have given you an order…obey me! Now!” Still Al-Fakeeh remained rooted in place.

  Al Zahrani swung his left arm swiftly and backhanded Al-Fakeeh across the face. In doing so, he struck the still red and raw burn scars on the younger terrorist’s face. Little trickles of blood ran down the scarred side of Al-Fakeeh’s face, but still he did not move. When Al Zahrani reached back to strike again, Al-Fakeeh caught the man’s wrist in a vice-like grip.

  “Release me, damn you!” Al Zahrani cursed.

  “No,” Mustafa Al-Fakeeh said. “No! I will no longer serve you…or the Caliph! It is over!”

  “What are you talking about, you traitorous fool?” demanded Al Zahrani.

  “It ends today, Abdul Aziz Mohammed Al Zahrani!” Al-Fakeeh roared, shoving his scarred face closer to Al Zahrani’s, so that the Arab sheik could clearly see the burn scars on Al-Fakeeh’s face. “You devil! My father…my brothers, they followed you…and died because of you!” Al Zahrani started to speak and Al-Fakeeh screamed, “Silence! You will listen to ME now! Widowed, my mother was raped by your men! As was my sister! You took me into your organization, molded me into a killer…just like you! But I never forgot what you did to my family…never! And now it will end. For weeks, I have worked secretly for agents of the United States. Sharing information with them. Aiding them. All for this moment, when I shall avenge my family!”

  “Release me, Mustafa Al-Fakeeh, and I shall let you live,” Al Zahrani said, his voice calm. “Release me.”

  Al-Fakeeh brought his left hand up and showed Al Zahrani a pair of handcuffs. Then moving swiftly, he locked one cuff around Al-Zahrani’s wrist then locked the other around his own wrist. He struggled to break Al-Fakeeh’s grip.

  “The key! Give me the key, you traitorous son of a dog!” Al Zahrani shouted. Mustafa Al-Fakeeh shook his head and, using his free hand, he tore his shirt open to reveal the explosive vest underneath. Al Zahrani’s eyes widen and the blood drained from his face. He screamed and struck his former lieutenant in the face with his free hand.

  Al-Fakeeh gripped the trigger device in his left hand and spat fully in Al Zahrani’s face. “May the devil take us both!” he said…and pressed the trigger detonating the vest!

  Chapter 18

  January 25th, 1317 hours (MST)

  Arizona Southern Border

  Nogales, AZ

  The Arizona State Guard CH-47 Chinook approached Nogales from the northwest. Three AH-64 Apache Longbow attack helicopters flew protective cover around the Chinook. The four helicopters reached the edge of the city while Colonel Marcus Roman’s pilot searched for the park that would serve as their landing zone. “There it is, northwest of Nogales City Hall!” she said to her co-pilot and pointed towards the park. She adjusted their course and contacted the other pilots to let them know that the Chinook was preparing to land.

  “Colonel Roman,” Major Deanell Gilbert began, “we’re about a minute out, sir! We have personnel on the ground to guide us into the LZ.”

  “Copy that, major,” Marcus responded. He looked to his right and smiled softly at his wife, Teresa. They held hands for a moment then, as the helicopter touched down, they released their hold upon each other and unbuckled their harnesses. “Thank you, Major Gilbert!” he said to the pilot.

  “You’re welcome, colonel,” she replied. “The crew and I…”

  Marcus nodded, c
utting her off before she could say anymore. Then he walked to the ramp at the rear of the copter with Teresa and Sergeant Major Tobias Cowen following close behind. The loadmaster was in the process of lowering the ramp as they approached. He nodded to the Romans as they walked past him and exited the aircraft.

  Lieutenant Colonel Bennett Garry, aide to the ASGuard’s commanding general, waited for them at the edge of the park. The man had his left arm in a sling and several cuts were visible on his face. Marcus walked up to Garry and shook hands with him. “Where?” Marcus asked simply.

  “This way, sir!” Garry replied and gestured with his good arm towards the city’s administrative complex less than a hundred yards away. The ASGuard officers and senior NCO were surrounded by a squad of heavily armed ASGuard troopers who carefully scanned the nearby buildings, looking for snipers as they walked. The Romans, Garry, and Cowen walked in silence as they made their way past the City Hall Building and into a parking lot just south of that building. A large, insulated and temperature controlled tent covered much of the lot.

  The two ASGuard troopers standing guard at the tent’s entrance snapped to attention as the Romans approached. One turned and opened the door to allow the ASGuard officers and the sergeant major to enter the tent. The inside of the tent was very cold and was kept that way for a reason. As their eyes adjusted to the semi-darkness inside, Marcus, Teresa, and Cowen could make out row upon row of what appeared to be triple-decker bunkbeds. The presence of body bags showed that the individuals lying on each bed were not asleep.

  Major Manuel Lopez, an ASGuard doctor, stepped over to greet the Romans. “Sir…ma’am, please come this way.” He led Marcus and Teresa deeper into the temporary morgue while Cowen remained near the entry point. Lopez stopped next to one triple-decker unit that held only two body bags. He paused to look the Romans in the eyes, an expression of extreme sadness in his eyes. With that, Lopez turned towards the body bag on the center shelf, slowly opened the bag then exposed the occupant’s face. He stepped back to allow Marcus and Teresa to move closer.