by Jason Kramer
Chapter 1
Day 1: 1400Z: Sakhir Air Base: Kingdom of Bahrain
“A6-FIN, cleared flight plan route, A791 KFA, UM691, Flight Level 360, squawk 2590.” First Officer Scott Wilson reads back the route clearance to the Sakhir Air Base Ground Control as Israeli Security Officer Captain Yosef Rabin observes the preflight procedures.
“Captain, show me the route on the MAP display,” asks Captain Rabin. Captain Frank Pierce pulls up the flight plan route on the instrument panel’s multi-function display unit navigation page. Captain Pierce has been flying this route since it began six months ago and has been in the Middle East for three years after he took an early retirement from a major US airline.
Previous to his airline career, Captain Pierce served as a Major in the United States Air Force. He ended his Air Force career, flying the E-3C AWACS, so he is very familiar with this part of the world. He was offered a pilot position with the airlines and left the Air Force to pursue his lifelong dream.
When the economy declined after the terrorists’ attacks on September 11, 2001, in the United States, Captain Pierce flew for about six more years. He took his pension payout and left for the Middle East to do contract flying for a European jet charter company operating from the Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates.
Captain Pierce scrolls through the flight plan on the MAP display. The requested and planned flight plan route takes the Boeing Business Jet northwest over the Persian Gulf, west across Saudi Arabia to Cairo, Egypt and then northeast to Larneca, Cyprus. Yosef makes sure that the planned route avoids the airspace of Iraq, Syria and Jordan. “OK, let me know if there are any changes” as he picks up his backpack, pulls out the portable satellite telephone and returns to his seat in the cabin. The Cabin Attendant offers a cup of tea and a tray of dates as Yosef begins to dial his satellite phone.
“Echo 21, ready for departure, route as briefed, ETA approximately four and a half hours from now, over”, Yosef speaks into the sat phone. “Control copies; have a safe flight.” Yosef puts his satellite phone back into his backpack and relaxes in his seat as best as he can.
Yosef is a Captain in the Israeli Defense Force’s Sayeret Golani, a trained Special Forces commando. He has been assigned security of this round trip flight from Bahrain to Larneca, Cyprus. Yosef and his team have been in the Kingdom of Bahrain for six months. Their responsibilities are to ensure the safety of a team of Israeli aerospace engineers.
Tonight, he escorts this group from the residential compound on the US Naval Base to a private hangar at the Sakhir Air Base. A chartered private Boeing Business Jet aircraft transports the engineers to Larneca, Cyprus. No passports are stamped and no x-ray security checks are performed. These passengers do not exist and the flight appears to be a normal private chartered flight but these activities have not escaped the attention of some other interested parties in the region. These engineers have been working with United States military contractors to help build a new Theater Missile Defense System. This missile defense system is designed to help defend the United States Naval Support Activity base in Bahrain and the oil fields off shore in the Persian Gulf. The contractor would like the other Persian Gulf states to buy this system for their protection from an aerial attack from their enemies in the region. Its development has been watched closely by the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security.
In Larneca, a special El Al Airlines flight will arrive at the same time to bring another group of engineers. Then it will take this group back to Tel Aviv to their families and friends.
Captain Pierce asks First Officer Wilson to request engine start-up and taxi clearance.
Chris calls Ground Control and says, “Sakhir Ground, A6-FIN, request engine start-up and taxi clearance.”
“A6-FIN, start-up approved, taxi to the holding point K2 for Runway 17, via Kilo taxiway, Contact Tower at position K2,” instructs the Ground Controller.
First Officer Wilson reads back the taxi clearance and performs the Before Engine Start-Up Checklist as Captain Pierce starts the Boeing’s General Electric CFM-56 turbofan engines.
The cabin attendant, Carol Thurman, comes to the flight deck and tells the Captain that the cabin is ready for take-off. Captain Pierce gives her the OK signal.
Captain Pierce begins the short taxi to position K2. After completing the Taxi Checklist, Chris informs the Tower Controller that they are fully ready for takeoff.
The Tower Controller replies, “A6-FIN, cleared for takeoff, wind 130 at 10”.
Captain Pierce advances the throttles and engages the autothrottles and announces, “My flight controls”.
The BBJ lifts off and climbs to three thousand feet. The Tower Controller says, “A6-FIN, contact Bahrain Radar: 124.4.”
First Officer Wilson checks in with Bahrain Radar, “A6-FIN, maintaining altitude three thousand.” The Bahrain Radar Controller issues a clearance to climb to Flight Level 150 and to contact Bahrain Control 120.9.
Outside the perimeter fence of the Bahrain military airbase on the street, a non-descript Toyota Hilux pickup truck starts its engine and leaves. Its occupant dials a local mobile telephone number to report the departure of the Boeing Business Jet.
“The airplane has departed” is the only message that is transmitted. The receiver of this message is located in an apartment in downtown Manama. He sends the same message to an untraceable internet mailbox. The person that receives this message is located in Tehran, Iran. He relays the message to his contacts in Larneca, Cyprus and to his superiors in the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS).
The MOIS, Russians, North Koreans and the Chinese have been monitoring the development of the new Arrows 3 (Theater Missile Defense System). The Arrows 3 was developed from the Arrows 2 by the Israeli Aircraft Industries with the support of the American government.
The Arrows 3 missile system is the latest development of a mobile tactical fire unit. It was developed to counter the threat of the ballistic missile development by “rogue states”. It will be used to shoot down medium and intermediate range ballistic missiles. It uses a direct fragmentation warhead approach that intercepts exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric threats. This new upper tier weapon will be complemented with the Patriot (PAC-3) Missile System that is already in place at the US Naval Base in Bahrain. Most of the Persian Gulf States have already bought and deployed the Patriot. They need an upper tier missile system for a “layered defensive shield”.
Through its network of informants and agents in Bahrain and in Larneca, the Iranians have documented every flight that has transported the Israeli engineers from Bahrain and Larneca, Cyprus. Tensions in the area have risen due to the rhetoric that has come from the Israelis, the Americans and from certain Arab states in the Persian Gulf about the possibility of the Iranian development of nuclear weapons. Whether or not the possibility is valid or not, the perceived threat has got the region preparing for a confrontation of some sort. The Iranians have decided not to wait for an attack on their facilities.
1830Z: Larneca, Cyprus
The flight to Cyprus has progressed normally and lands in Larneca on time. It is directed to a remote parking stand where it is met by the local handler and Israeli security agents. The Boeing is unloaded, refueled, cleaned and a new group of engineers and their luggage is loaded. First Officer Wilson completes his exterior inspection and climbs back in his seat to prepare for the next leg back to Bahrain.
An hour and thirty minutes after landing, the flight crew receives a clearance for the reverse route from Larneca back to the Bahrain. Again, Captain Rabin verifies the route on the MAP display and checks in with his superiors in Tel Aviv.
It is half past midnight in Bahrain so the crew is starting to feel the effects of acute fatigue. The flight crews at the charter company do not like to fly these all night flights but they are a steady source of revenue.
The powerful General Electric engines are started and Captain Pierce taxis the aircra
ft to the holding position for take-off on Runway 21, while Chris performs the checklists. The flight back to Bahrain should not take quite as long due to favorable upper level winds across Saudi Arabia. They should be touching down at Sakhir Air Base at approximately 0020Z.
After completing all the checklists, Chris advises the Larneca Control Tower, “Tower, A6-FIN, is ready for departure.” They are ready to get going.
The Tower Controller responds, “A6-FIN, cleared for take-off, wind 250 at 10.”
All this activity was observed by a couple of Iranian intelligence agents (MOIS) sitting in a vehicle outside of the airport’s boundary fence. As they depart the airport, one of the men uses his cell phone to call his contact in Larneca to report the departure of the BBJ and the tail number on the aircraft. This information is relayed to Tehran.
After lifting off Runway 21, the BBJ is cleared to the route and told to contact Nicosia Radar, frequency: 130.0. Since First Officer Wilson is the flying pilot on this leg, Captain Pierce calls Nicosia Radar and checks in.
Nicosia Radar clears the BBJ to climb to its flight plan cruising altitude of thirty-five thousand feet and to contact Nicosia Control. Everything is going as planned for the crew of the BBJ and also for the two agents that were observing the exchange of passengers for the chartered jet.
2045Z: Cairo, Egypt
About forty-five minutes after departing Larneca, the Boeing Business Jet crosses over Cairo and turns toward the Red Sea and the Saudi Arabian airspace. “I never get tired of looking at the pyramids when we come through here. It is really clear tonight and Cairo is very spectacular,” comments Captain Pierce.
Everything appears to be going as planned and on schedule. The Iranians are depending on this.
2100Z: Tehran, Iran
At Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport, an IranAir Cargo jet is being dispatched on its weekly scheduled cargo flight. IranAir Cargo Flight 144, an Airbus A300B4F, will depart Imam Khomeini International at approximately 2120Z. It is a scheduled cargo flight to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
2100Z: Vahdati Air Base: Iran
At Vahdati Air Base at Dezful in western Iran, the Supreme Leader of Iran has issued orders to the Commander of the Imperial Iranian Air Force for preparations to be made for what he believes will make the world take notice. Two vintage Imperial Iranian Air Force F-14A fighter jets are being armed, fueled and their flight crews have been briefed. Their flight will depart in about in about fifty minutes for a mission that will change the world.
It is a high stakes gamble but one that the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) and the Commander of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have determined must be made to preserve their nuclear development program and their authority in the Islamic communities in the Middle East. The President of Iran has been advised of their intentions but has no authority to dispute the plans of the IRGC. He is an elected official that was an authorized and approved presidential candidate of the Velayt-e-Faqih (Supreme Religious Leader/Guardian).
The IRGC, through the authority of the Faqih, has a tight control over the development and deployment of the ballistic missiles that threatens to hold the Israelis and the rest of the Middle East hostage. The IRGC’s influence extends to the political, military and commercial areas of the Iranian society. The Islamic Republic of Iran does not intend to wait for the Israelis and Americans to follow through with their threat to attack the nuclear development plants at Qom, Natanz, Darkhovin, Arak and Isfahan. They feel that they must protect themselves from a possible attack.
2110Z: Western Saudi Arabia
“Jeddah Control, A6-FIN, checking in position KITOT, Flight Level 350, Squawk 3122,” reports Captain Pierce.
“A6-FIN, Jeddah Control, radar identified, maintain Flight Level 350, say estimate for RASMO,” says the Saudi Controller.
“A6-FIN, estimating RASMO, 2230Z”, replies Captain Pierce.
“A6-FIN, report RASMO, to Riyadh Control, 125.9, Ma’asalama,” instructs Jeddah Control.
“Roger, 125.9 at RASMO,” Captain Pierce reads back to the Saudi Controller.
“I guess he can go back to sleep, now,” comments Pierce. “I am getting pretty tired myself. I couldn’t take a nap this afternoon due to all the paperwork that I had to fill out from our trip last week. These flights really mess up my sleeping patterns. Did you get a nap this afternoon?”
“No, I wasn’t able to sleep either. I’m looking forward to getting back to my apartment in the morning. At least they can’t touch us for twelve hours”, says Chris. “Are you ready for some coffee?”
“Yes, I‘ll see if Carol will fix us a double espresso,” offers Pierce. He rings the call button for the Cabin Attendant.
When Carol gets a moment, she checks in with the pilots. “How’s it going? Are you guys ready for some coffee and snacks? I think that everyone is resting comfortably and will probably be asleep soon.”
Captain Pierce replies, “If you have time, could you make us a double espresso? I would like one sugar and no milk in mine.”
Chris says, “Please make mine with two sweeteners and milk. Thank you!”
Carol walks back to the galley and prepares their coffee. All twenty-four VIP seats are filled in the BBJ, and most of the passengers are asleep except for Yosef. He has to stay alert on these flights, no matter how painful that it can be at this time of night. His training in the Israeli Army Special Forces has prepared him for the hardships and inconveniences that come his way. His loyalty to his God and country is the motivating force that helps keep him focused. He knows that he is in enemy territory and must maintain vigilance at all costs.
2150Z: Vahdati Air Base, Iran
Approximately thirty minutes after the IranAir Cargo aircraft leaves Tehran, the two Imperial Iranian Air Force F-14s takeoff from Vahdati Air Base for a routine patrol mission. A pre-arranged transponder code has been given to the flight of the F-14s but only one aircraft will be using it tonight. They are flying in a very tight formation that they have been practicing for months.
To the US Air Force Air Traffic Controllers monitoring this activity from Bagdad Control; these two aircraft appear as one target on the radar screen. This flight appears to be a normal and expected routine patrol flight that the Iranians have performed each night at about the same time for the past 6 months.
As the big Airbus freighter climbs to its cruising altitude of thirty-four thousand feet, the two F-14s are being vectored by the Imperial Iranian Air Force Air Traffic Controller at Dezful for a “practice” intercept course to the Airbus. Unknown to the crew of the IranAir Cargo aircraft, the pair of F-14s are approaching the Airbus from behind and under the giant aircraft.
2210Z: Western Iran
The two Iranian Air Force F-14 pilots are speaking to each other on their discreet radio frequencies. At a practiced coordinated moment, the first jet closes into position on the Airbus and switches off his transponder and navigation lights. The second F-14 switches on his transponder, dives down and away from the Airbus. This F-14 continues the “patrol” and calls the Iranian Air Force Controllers for clearance back to the Imperial Iranian Air Base at Dezful.
In approximately ten minutes, the IranAir Cargo Airbus A300 freighter will cross into Kuwaiti airspace. At this time of night, all is quiet and the Kuwaiti Air Traffic Controller’s screen scale is increased to cover a larger area, so the radar target that is displayed shows only one aircraft entering from the Iranian airspace.
2220Z: Kuwait
“Kuwait Control, IranAir 144, Position MESVI at 2220, estimating SIDAD at 2230, Flight Level 340, Squawk 1432,” says the IranAir Cargo pilot.
“Roger, IranAir 144, radar identified, cleared into Kuwait airspace, maintain Flight Level 340, cleared direct KFR, contact Riyadh, 125.9 at KFR, Ma’asalama”, the Kuwaiti Controller replies.
“Direct KFR, Maintain Flight Level 340, Riyadh on 125.9, Ma’asalama,” says the IranAir Cargo pilot.
&n
bsp; 2230Z: Saudi Arabia
“Riyadh Control, A6-FIN, check position RASMO, Flight Level 350,” announces Captain Pierce.
“Roger, A6-FIN, Riyadh, descend to Flight Level 230 initially, contact Bahrain at ASPAN, 132.5”, replies the tired Saudi Air Traffic Controller.
“Roger, descend to Flight Level 230, Bahrain on 132.5 at ASPAN, A6-FIN,” Captain Pierce reads back.
First Officer Wilson begins a descent to Flight Level 230.
“Well, once we turn the corner at ASPAN, I always feel that we are on the home stretch back to Sakhir,” comments Captain Pierce.
“I do too, and I am looking forward to getting back to Dubai after we drop these passengers,” says Chris.
The two Iranian F-14A pilots are listening to the Boeing BBJ check in with Riyadh Control on the same frequency that was given to the IranAir Cargo Airbus.
“That is the Boeing jet. We should arrive at MUSKO intersection at the same time, Enshallah! When we get within ten nautical miles of the intersection, we will turn on our search radar. Since it is so late, we should not have a problem finding the Boeing,” says the F-14 pilot to his Radar Intercept Officer.
2240Z: Saudi Arabia
“Riyadh Control, IranAir 144, Position KFR, Flight Level 340, estimating ALSAT 2255, Squawk 1432,” says the IranAir Cargo pilot.
“IranAir 144, Riyadh Control, radar identified, Report ALSAT, Descend to Flight Level 220 initially,” instructs Riyadh Control.
“Roger, descend to Flight Level 220, Report ALSAT,” replies the IranAir Cargo pilot.
The two pilots in the F-14 are also monitoring the transmissions of the IranAir Cargo aircraft above them and start to prepare for the next phase of their mission. They know that they have about ten minutes until they break off the formation with the Airbus and intercept the Boeing Business Jet. Then they will have about twenty minutes to “persuade” the BBJ into Iranian airspace.
Their plan is to close in on the rear of the BBJ and at the right moment, pull along the right side of the Boeing, using international intercept procedures and if necessary…force. If their plan goes well, they will be back in Iranian airspace before the American jets in Iraq can respond.
