Ft Campbell, Kentucky straddled the border with Tennessee, at the far western part of the state, not far from Illinois. Hilly and wooded; an hours drive from Nashville. Liz loved the look of the area; she had become addicted to green and trees. There were lakes and good sized rivers around. It was a little cooler than Rucker had been; and about as wet.
Liz checked in on Jan 5, 2007. She reported to the 101st Aviation Brigade HQ. The Brigade had just returned and personnel were changing out. The Battalion CO was in and greeted her.
"Lt Parker. Glad to have you aboard. You picked a good time to show up; lots of work needs to be done."
"Yes sir. It looks like you are having a fairly heavy personnel turnover here."
"Always do right after a deployment. You will probably get a bird right off; but flying will not come soon. We have some here for training but our operational ships will not be ready for a month at least."
"Understood sir."
Liz was put to work getting her own paperwork done and starting up. It was very busy. She was put in A Company of the first battalion. 1st Platoon. Each platoon had 4 Apache's; 2 platoons to a company; 3 companies to a battalion. Her platoon commander was a 1st Lt like her, James Winston. The other two were WO's, Ken Simpson and Jake Logan. The copilots were all WO's. She was lucky in that the two warrants had just made Pilot; so she was not so much the newbie as she had thought she could be. She had yet to meet her Copilot, who was also new as was two other copilots. So of the 8 pilots and copilots in A Company (known as Spectres), herself and 3 WO's were new to the unit. But she was the only recent graduate of the School. All the copilots were relatively new; most having graduated in the last year. The Platoon commander was the only real veteran, she found out. He had been there for almost 3 years and would probably be transferred out in the next year. It did not take a rocket scientist for Liz to realize that she was thus being slotted to take command of the platoon in the not so far off future. The other platoon was much the same; Captain ED Griffith, was also the company commander. It was interesting as that platoon also had two officers like hers did. All the rest were WO's.
The first few days was meet and greet and get to know each other. Liz would always smile when she remembered meeting her copilot, WO2 Ted Dugan. It was the third day, early in the morning. Her quarters were comfortable; she was not sure if she would stay in BOQ or find something outside. She had just got into the HQ when Griffith called to her.
"Parker, here is your copilot. Ted Dugan, Liz Parker. You two spend some time getting to know each other. There will not be any flying for at least a few weeks while they are working on your bird. We have some new Pilots that need time in the trainers; Parker since you just got out of school you are last in line."
Liz looked up to Ted. And up. He was about 6'2" at least. He grinned at her.
"Gonna need a phone book?"
"How is the weather up there?"
ED Winston watched this and smiled; they would be fine. He had not served with a female officer yet in the same platoon. But her record certainly was not skimpy even if she was a new pilot. But flying an Apache in combat was very different. She had done well at the school; 2nd in her class in Apache's. She was tiny though. But that was not a bad thing in the pilot seat of an Apache.
Liz and Ted got on like a house on fire. He treated her as his older sister and she treated him as a younger brother. He had transferred in from the 1st ID Aviation Brigade when they had too many. He had come out of Rucker in the class just before Liz's. Like her, he had not flown all that much. He had come to the 101st in hope of getting more flying time. And it looked like he had come to the right place.
Liz met her crew chief the next day, and the rest of the crew the day after. Her Chief was a somewhat grizzled Sarge named Gunt. Everyone called him Grunt. She had smiled at him.
"Sarge,is this a good bird?"
"It's pretty new; did well over there. Has fewer problems because my birds ALWAYS have fewer problems as long as you pilots don't screw up."
"Sounds like a deal, Sarge."
Liz found that she felt right at home with the people there in the Aviation Brigade. Here excellence was expected and demanded. Big change from working the ASP. Everyone knew her story and she had gotten some questions about that convoy and what had REALLY happened. At lunch the first week Ted asked.
"So, Liz, what was the REAL story about that convoy?"
Liz sort of smiled. "What did you hear?"
"Well, not long after it happened the word seemed to be that the LT was a total asshole and just about delivered that convoy on a platter to the bad guys. You got creative and managed to pull everyone out."
"That is about it. He was a total Asshole. Damn near got us all killed. No one talks about the Sergeant he took with him. From what I was able to find out he was a pretty good guy. I wrote a letter to his parents later on, telling them that he had nothing to do with the screwup and was just in the wrong place with the wrong idiot at the wrong time."
Ted blinked. "That was stand up to do."
"Everyone around there told me the LT was a joke and the sergeant was always trying to salvage the situation. That time there was no way he could. Just goes to show you what happens when you have a Moron in command. I WANTED the family to know that if anyone tried to place any blame on him they were full of crap. They wrote me back a while ago telling me thank you, and they indeed had had some who were commenting that he had something to do with that clusterfuck."
Unbeknown to Liz, right in hearing range was one of her crewmen. He quietly filled in the Sarge about that later.
Grunt was an old time soldier; never really liked having women in the military let along combat. But he had a few more years before retirement and knew he had to put up with them. Parker seemed nice enough; and competent enough. But what the crewman had told him made a difference. She was starting to move into the area of acceptance, past just someone to put up with.
The first few weeks dragged a little, until the choppers were done being refurbed. Then Liz got to fly and she loved it. Flying an Apache was complicated; but there were procedures to handle it and that always came easy for Liz. The actual stick time was what she lived for. She flew every moment she could; fired as much ammo as she could. And she was very good at that.
"Well, Parker sure does know how to shoot."
"Yeah. Top shot by a couple of points."
"How is she otherwise?"
"Well it's no surprise that she is very organized. But she also seems to be able to improvise and react well to sudden situations. I really cannot fault her on much of anything; she is green of course but she is scrounging every flight minute she can get. And Ted let me know that she really makes it a point to let him do as much as possible as well. She loves to shoot but lets him take most of the shots. Fact is she is a fair amount better. They get in serious combat she should be the one taking the shot; he is good enough with the stick to take care of that end. Not saying he is really bad but she is a lot better."
"How are her evals on him?"
"Say he is solid; needs to improve his shooting. But that is the only real gig she has on him. I have seen nothing to show that she is giving him an easy time or hard time. Just watching she seems like a natural instructor. She has Grunt on her side as well."
"Well no wonder."
"Word I got is that he was going that way even before she stood up for him."
The incident had happened a week earlier. Grunt had gone to supply and gotten some replacement ignition cartridges and when opening the box found them short. He had gone back and the supply sergeant claimed it was Grunt's mess up. As his Pilot, Liz had gotten the call when the Lt at the supply room called up to complain about her sergeant. Liz had gone right down there and laid into them. Demanded to see the magazine data cards. And the issue record. And the MDC had shown the count was off but the supply sergeant on taking them out of the ASP had screwed up. Liz's background as an 89B had come in handy. From that point on Grunt was definitely in her corner.
"The word is that the head of the ASP ordered a special inventory and found a whole bunch of mistakes."
"Yeah. Matter of fact there was some talk they wanted to grab Liz to be an observer on that since she had been an 89B. I managed to stamp on that with help from Brigade. The Ordnance company is short of good 89B's and he was afraid they would go to the division commander and grab Liz and transfer her."
"I doubt that would have happened."
"I don't know; the army has really tightened up there over the last couple of years. You know the word is, I got this from the Ordnance Company commander, is that Parker is one of the reasons behind the push for more 89B's and making them more important."
"Really?"
"Yeah. That congressman she saved was the one that put the SECDEF on the spot about the Ammunition specialists at a congressional hearing. He had visited the Stewart ASP the week before and talked to Parker then."
"If they had transferred her, I wonder if she would have dropped a dime to the Congressman?"
"I do not see her doing that. But I would not be surprised if one of her friends did."
"True. She seems to make friends easily."
"Well she is a nice girl and just seems like everyone's idea of a great kid sister."
Liz still heard from Sgt Axton who had transferred to Ft Carson. The new emphasis on Ammunition had so far been maintained and he remarked that he was seeing signs it was sinking in. The ASP there had gotten new equipment and other funding increases.
Meanwhile the Division Commander of the 101st was talking to his G4.
"DO you think this info is accurate?"
"Sir, something like this happened at Bragg two years ago. Spec Ops is Spec Ops; sometimes the attitude of we can do whatever we want gets out of hand."
"Technically this is not my responsibility."
"True sir. It is on Ft Campbell and therefore is more the Installation Commanders area since Spec Ops is a tenant organization."
"He is not liable to do anything?"
"Sir, he is about to retire and does not want the hassle."
"Your information is pretty specific."
"Yes sir. From people outside of Spec Ops who have been in their ASP."
"Have you talked to our QASAS?"
"Yes sir. They have a hunch that the info is correct; but there are only two of them and they are very busy. There really should be a third QASAS just to keep an eye on them."
"That has been pushed but shot down at higher HQ. The Berets apparently got offended at the suggestion and the brass showed yellow."
"What about me having a quiet conversation with General Brown?"
"That might be the best way to go. Pressure from their HQ would get things done a lot faster."
"How did that special inventory go?"
"Uncovered a pile of mistakes that should have been caught. Problem is that while the Army has started to wake up to the Ammunition Specialties importance, there is still a lot of dead wood and the new classes of 89B's are just now hitting the Ordnance companies and they are GREEN. Our officers are not ordnance or ammo; and the senior sergeants are not either. The QASAS is working with them but one just got deployed and the other will have all he can do with the day to day work. The LAR is on sick leave and will probably retire. There just is not anyone with experience enough to really help down there."
"We need help. Where do we get it?"
"Well sir, we do have an officer here on post that is a former 89B. Now in aviation as an Apache Driver."
"Parker."
"Yes sir."
"Will her tame congressman scream if we pull her out of her Apache?"
"If we make it short term it should be OK. Just a month should do it; the new QASAS will be here by then and I made sure the Career Office sent us an experienced and good one. Parker can get it started and straightened out."
"OK. Call her and the aviation brigade commander in."
Liz wondered what was up; as far as she knew she had not screwed up anything. Why did the Brigade Commander want to see her?
Griffith was in the dark as well; he had gotten a call from the Brigade Commander that the Division commander wanted him and Lt Parker in his office in an hour. He had looked at Liz.
"You do anything?"
"Nothing I can think of."
"Watch your six."
Liz walked into the Brigade Commanders office; he motioned her to follow into his vehicle.
"Lt, do you have any idea what is going on?"
"None sir. I know I have not done anything that would have the Division commander after me and he would not do it personally anyway."
"True. Well I guess we will find out quick enough."
Liz was racking her brain when something niggled at her. The Colonel saw this.
"What?"
"A little more than a week ago I had to back up my crew chief over a discrepancy on impulse cartridges as regards to a faulty count. I demanded we go into the Mag and check the magazine data cards. It was screwed up. I know they did a special inventory and found a lot of problems. From what I could see in that one magazine there could be more."
"That is right; you were an 89B. They might want to do a full wall to wall inventory and have you be part of it. I know there was talk of trying to pull you in when they did the special but I raised hell about it. That sounds like they found more problems than just inventory."
They got to division HQ where they were showed right into the Commanders office and in there were the commander and the Division G4.
"Colonel, LT, I will get right down to it. Our ASP is screwed up bad. And because of a variety of reasons there is no one to be had to fix it. Therefore I am detaching Lt Parker from Aviation and giving her TDY to the Ordnance Company as acting Commander. A new one is on his way but things need to be done NOW. This should be only for a month or so."
The colonel sighed and looked at Liz. She looked at him then at the General.
"Yes Sir."
The general nodded. "The sustainment brigade Commander will take you down there. You are given full authority to do whatever it takes. Chop any rotten wood. I have gotten on the horn to the QASAS Career office and a new veteran QASAS will be here in one month. He will advise the new CO that is coming in. But I want you to get the heavy lifting done ASAP."
Liz and the Sustainment Brigade commander only had a little while to talk. He was blunt.
"LT, you do what you have to. You will have full support all the way up the ladder and if anyone gives you any backtalk I want to know about it right then. That company has to be shocked into competence."
"Yes Sir. Sir I have my materials from when I was at Stewart in my Quarters. I will need that ASAP."
"Let's stop by and get that now. You will have a driver and a vehicle at your disposal."
The Brigade Commander walked into the office and the people there shot to their feet. He waved them down and headed to the Commanders office. Liz waited in the main room, well aware of all the eyes that were on her. She maintained a blank expression; all the while going through her mind what to do and what order it would come in. And how to do it. She realized she would have to come in hard and mean.
The Brigade Commander came out and looked around.
"I want every soldier in the Ordnance Company here immediately."
Those in the office area started to scramble. Liz slipped out and got all her materials and was barely able to carry it all in.
In half an hour the entire ordnance company was assembled in the only room big enough; the break room at the Ordnance HQ. Even then it was a tight fit.
"Effective Immediately Captain Jackson has been relieved for cause. Lt Parker is now acting Commander. I will be blunt: this unit is a mess and she will be starting the cleanup. She has backup all the way to the Division Commander to do whatever she thinks she needs to. That is all." He then left the building and Liz walked up and stood in front of them.
"I want all sergeants and officers in my office now."
She was glad to see that the previous occupant was already gone. She walked in and sat behind the desk while the two other officers and 4 sergeants came in. They remained standing until she inclined her head and they sat.
"I know how a good Ordnance Company is run because I was part of one at Ft Stewart a little over two years ago. You are all aware of the new climate as regards Ammunition specialists and Ammunition in general. That is why this action was taken in this manner." She calmly looked at them.
"Officers first by seniority, then sergeants alike. I want to know your responsibility and experience level in ammunition. Be brief. I will then ask each of you some questions."
Liz waited till they left the room before forcing herself to relax. The two officers were typical ordnance officers; transferred there because they had screwed up elsewhere. The sergeants were not bad; they looked salvageable. Problem was they were not 89Bs. All the 89Bs were still E3 and E4. She took out the personnel files on them and saw that they looked ok. The LTs files showed what she expected. She called the Brigade commander.
"I just got back to my office, Lt. Just how bad is it?"
"The two officers have to go NOW. Typical screw-ups hidden in ordnance. The Sergeants are salvageable; the 89Bs I think are good enough just too green and too junior to do much. I need replacements for those LTs. Does not matter where they come from as long as they are good."
"You will have two new ones by Tomorrow."
Liz got off the phone and went outside – she noticed the officers were not in sight but just about everyone else was still there. They watched her like birds watching a hungry snake.
"89Bs. In My office now." She looked at two supply techs. "Those documents on that table. Start making copies. I want a dozen ASAP."
She looked at the 89Bs then started peppering them with questions- she took almost an hour. Then she let them go. One of the supply techs poked her head in the door.
"Sir, we have those copies."
"Good work."
She looked at the clock. It was almost noon. She went out the door. They were still all there.
"OK people I have to sort things out. Get outta here and eat. Be back at 1300 ready to start working. We might be here late tonight."
Liz went back into the office and started to make notes. Her phone rang.
"Ordnance, Parker Speaking."
"Liz. What is the scoop- all the Brigade commander told us was that you were TDY and nothing else." If was Griffith.
"The ordnance company is hosed and I will be spending the next month starting the cleanup. Tell Ted to have fun flying."
"OK. If you need cover fire let us know."
"Might take you up on that. I am not going to be starting any cars or walking alone anytime soon."
At the other end Griffith blinked. This was a Liz that sounded deadly serious. Just how bad was it?
Liz made some notes; then sat back and deliberately relaxed and closed her eyes. She decided that she had to go on as she had started.
At 1300 everyone was back and Liz began.
"These documents will be your bible from this point on. Any deviation from them will be scrutinized very closely. If you are wrong my foot will be up your ass. There is no leeway here. Let me make that clear. You will all spend the next hour going over this. Meanwhile I want to see all the SOPs that have anything to do with ammunition."
Liz sighed as she looked at the last of the SOPs. None were out of date but they were all virtually worthless. Luckily she had kept copies of the ones she had had at Ft Stewart. She went out into the main room.
"OK. Here are sops from Ft Stewart that I used. You will take the current SOPs and replace them with these, making the necessary changes as regards Building numbers, phone numbers and the like. This will be done By Friday. Since this is Tuesday afternoon you will be working hard and long. I will assign the SOPs. Now- what issues are due out in the next few days?"
The supply tech that had told her the docs had been done came forward with some 1348-1's in her hand. Liz looked at her.
"What is your name?"
"Supply Tech Ava Jamison."
"OK, Ava. From now on you are the senior supply tech and you will inform me first thing each morning what is due to go out. I will be the only one signing 1348-1's for the immediate future."
"Yes sir."
Liz took the 1348's back to her office after she had assigned the SOPs to various people to do. The senior sergeant poked his head in a while later.
"Sir, the two LTs have been reassigned."
"Make sure their offices are cleaned out tonight. There will be new officers here tomorrow."
The Sergeant blinked and nodded. "Yes sir."
He went out into the area where everyone was frantically going over the SOP's. He sat next to one of the other sergeants.
"She rolled both of them already."
Everyone within hearing distance started working faster.
At 1900 that evening Liz came out of her office and looked at everyone.
"We have done all we can today. Get some sleep tonight; we will have another long day tomorrow. I want everyone here at 0600."
Liz personally locked the HQ building. She went out to find her driver waiting.
"Name?"
"Johnson, sir."
"Take me to my quarters; Pick me up at O500 tomorrow morning. You will stay at the Ordnance HQ – I will be moving around more tomorrow."
"Yes sir."
Liz kept snacks in her room at the BOQ. Luckily by chance she had a couple of MRE's there. She showered and ate them then fell into bed at 2100. She was up at 0430 and ready to go by 0500. The Mess hall did not open up until 0530 but one of the fast food places opened up then and they went there and got something for breakfast. She then unlocked the Building and went in and turned on the lights. She looked at him.
"Stick close. I will be moving a lot today."
Everyone was in by 0600. Including two new Lts. She motioned them in to her office. And closed the door.
"What have you been told; and then give me a brief of your experience in the military."
0630 she took them out of her office and introduced them to the rest of the Company. Then she told them to see to it that the two LTs read every single SOP that day.
After that she paused.
"We have some issues to make today. I will be doing them personally until I approve someone else to. Everyone but one 89B and a supply tech will stay in here working on SOPs." She then called in the 89B she selected into her office.
"Here is the 1348. Tell me what you will do with it."
His answers were acceptable and they went out into the area to pick up the supply tech and go out to the ASP.
The SOPs were indeed done by Friday Morning. She called up the Brigade commander.
"I have all new SOP's ready to be signed off."
"Have them brought to me; I will have my XO working them. How is it going?"
"Sir, for a while yesterday I got a slight glimpse at what Travis thought when Santa Anna showed up. But it's getting better. The two new LTs are good; I think they will work out. I spent the last two days either doing necessary issues or working the SOPs. I am going to go through the magazines of the ASP one by one this weekend. I will be working everyone 12 hrs at least a day until further notice."
"As long as progress is made there will be no questions, Lt."
"Thank you sir."
Sunday afternoon they closed the last magazine. There had been a fair amount of problems. The QASAS had come by on Saturday and told her that so far as he was concerned she was doing fine. He had already gone over the SOPs and had signed off; the Brigade XO had told her that by Monday they would all be approved.
They worked the rest of the week 0600 to 1800 each day. Then Friday she gathered everyone at 1700.
"People we have made a fair amount of progress. Get outta here but be back by 0600 Monday."
If she had shouted raid in a cathouse the room could not have cleared faster.
She walked out and nodded to her driver. He took her to her quarters. She got into civilian duds and left the base to eat a quiet dinner on the town. Then went back to her quarters and slept like the dead until the next morning. She spent that day and Sunday deliberately not thinking about things; she called up Maria and the girls and talked for hours, not mentioning what was going on. Sunday she called her mother for a long talk. She did tell her mother that she was busy cleaning up someone else's mess.
Meanwhile back at the Aviation brigade the rumors were trickling in from the rest of the division.
"I heard she had two Lts relieved and tossed off the installation right after the Brigade commander did the same to the Company commander."
"I heard she ripped everyone a brand new one."
"The blood was knee deep."
"They had to bring in a box of air fresheners as half the company shit their pants."
Griffith and Winston listened to this and shook their heads. They went into Griffiths office and shut the door. Winston looked at him.
"How bad is it?"
"She came in like Genghis Khan, is the word I got. Took no prisoners. Rolled the two Lts in an hour. She had replacements the first thing next morning. Worked their asses off 11 straight days. Then gave them the weekend off. Have not heard so far this week but it is only Monday morning."
"Anyone questioning if she can do the hard things won't anymore."
"That might have been the only question I had about her; was she tough enough and mean enough to act like that in a situation that required it? That has been rather decisively answered in the affirmative."
The next week Liz began to ease off as serious progress was made. The attitude of the Ordnance company began to move back from the terrified mode to the alert and watchful mode. They spent the next week cleaning up the magazines; the QASAS made time to come down and go over things. He was very happy with what she had done.
The Division commander looked at his G4.
"General Brown is going to do a surprise inspection of the Spec Ops Field ASP tomorrow. He will fly in with no notice and be at their gate. He is bringing with him an IG inspector, a CID man and a senior QASAS."
"Good."
"Sir?"
Liz looked up from the never ending paperwork at her new XO, Lt James.
"Yes?"
"Just got word that General Brown has arrived at the Field ASP for the Spec Ops with an inspection team. A no notice inspection."
Liz blinked. "Maybe they had it worse than we did?"
"If we see any bodies hanging on the lamp posts at the main gate I guess we will know."
Liz smiled, slightly. "That is my rep?"
"Yes Maam."
"I can accept that. Keep your ears open."
"Yes maam."
"General Davidson, while this is technically not your concern, I wanted to let you know."
"I take it that it was bad, General Brown?"
"Worse than your info had it. I have relieved everyone above the rank of sergeant there. I have informed Colonel Wilson. He has just accelerated his retirement to clear the way for a new installation commander. I am talking to FORSCOM now for someone to get here quickly. In the meantime, I have recommended to them that your Sustainment Brigade Commander, who was an installation commander at Ft Bragg a few years ago, be made temporary installation commander. Right now the Spec Ops Field ASP will be closed. Pending a full investigation. So any ammunition that will be issued for Spec Ops will come from the regular ASP. The QASAS here is going over the special ammunition records to see what is useable. But that will take a while. I have been informed that you shook up your ordnance company?"
"Yes sir. Two weeks ago. They have made significant progress under their acting CO."
General Brown nodded. "I think a meeting with that Co and your Sustainment Brigade Commander is in order."
"Yes sir."
Liz had her driver take her to Division HQ. She had gotten a call to get there ASAP. She left Lt James in charge and moved.
She was told to go into the conference room. She found a 3 star and the Division Commander and what looked like a civilian and a CID and an IG officer. As well as the Sustainment Brigade Commander. She stopped and threw a rigid salute to the 3 star.
He returned it sharply. "At ease Lt." Then motioned her to a seat between the Division commander and the sustainment commander. When she sat down the General began.
"I am General Brown. The results of a no notice inspection on the Special Operations command Field ASP by myself and this team (introducing them) resulted in the relief for cause of most of the leadership there. Pending a full inspection, investigation and inventory, the ASP will be closed until further notice. So any ammunition issue to Special Operations personnel will now have to come from the Division ASP. Lt Parker, I have already signed emergency authorization for you to issue for Special Operations. But only you. This authority cannot be designated. Is that clear?"
"Yes sir."
"I have been informed that you have been cleaning up the Ordnance Company. Well you will now be cleaning up the Spec Ops ordnance detachment as well. You will start training up the remaining personnel alongside your own. They will be temporarily assigned to your ordnance company. If you believe they are not competent, then relieve them. You have full authority. Is that clear?"
"Yes sir."
"They will report to your HQ at 0600 tomorrow. Make use of them as you see fit."
"Yes sir."
The remaining members of the Spec Ops ordnance detachment were gathered that night at one of their quarters. They were still shaken up.
"I heard this Parker is about the size of a Chihuahua but has six inch claws and eight inch fangs and laughs as she cuts you and bleeds you."
"She gutted the Ordnance company in one hour. Worked their asses off for 11 straight days before she gave them a break. Scared the shit out of them."
"I heard those Iraqi's she killed were begging for mercy at the end."
"I talked to a guy that was there. He said she ordered them to let some wounded ones lay there and scream to intimidate the others. Then offed them herself when she wanted some peace and quiet."
Liz sat in her quarters. She wondered what could possibly come next. Still she girded herself up for the next morning.
Liz as usual got there early and opened up. To her surprise not 15 minutes later the Spec Ops people showed up. Well this was a good sign, she hoped.
"I am glad you are here early before the rest arrive. I want to make this very clear. General Brown personally gave me the authority to relieve any of you that I felt were not up to the task. I will do so if you give me reason. I will cut your professional throat without hesitation. BUT if you do a good job and show that the reason the Spec Ops ASP was a fucking piece of shit was not your doing, then you will get fair treatment from me. I already have read your personnel files. You will be working with me today and the next week at least so I can evaluate all of you."
Liz was relieved when she was able to determine that the remaining members of the Spec Ops ASP were not incompetent or stupid. They had just been badly led. By Friday she called the acting Installation CO.
"Lt Parker, I would appreciate some good news."
"I have some, sir. The remaining Spec Ops ASP personnel were not the problem. Give them the proper training and leadership they will do fine."
"That is good. The investigation just completed and there will be dereliction of duty charges and negligence charges against those already relieved. All those concerned have already resigned from the Army; or will be terminated with a general discharge. The QASAS has been reinforced by two TDY QASAS and they will be inspecting all the ammunition in the Spec Ops ASP. That should take about one week. They will need some of your people to move ammo. Until they are done none of it will be issued and you will issue what is needed to Spec Ops from the Divisional ASP. New leadership will be arriving in two weeks from Ft Bragg. I will expect you to brief them in, and also to make sure they know what they are doing. General Brown has full confidence in your judgment. If they are not up to the job, inform me immediately."
"Yes sir." Will this nightmare ever end, Liz thought.
That Saturday night Liz was woken up at 1AM by her phone.
"Parker."
"LT Parker I understand that you are now issuing for Special Operations until further notice?"
"Who is this? "
"Cannot give you my name Maam. Delta."
That woke Liz all the way up. "I will be at the ASP in 20 minutes. I will need confirmation from higher HQ."
"Understood. You will have it."
Liz chewed her lip for a minute while she got dressed. She had gotten herself rated on a Forklift; she could do it all if she had to. If this was indeed Delta Force then as few as possible needed to be there. She called the Guard Shack and alerted them. The stopped by the office for a full planograph and picked up all the keys to the ASP; technically it was a security violation but Black Ops had a quiet back door on things like that and no one was going to squawk. She took her official vehicle which she had kept and had sent Johnson back to his quarters. She drove up to the ASP and found two black vans waiting. There was no marking outside of government plates. Par for the course for Black Ops. She walked up to the lead van. Before she got to it the passenger door opened and a man in civilian clothes came out and handed her a sheet of paper. It was a ammo request for 9MM, incendiary and frag grenades and smoke grenades. Also 50 call single rds used by snipers. She quickly checked that against the bunkers and figured out where to go. She then looked at the man.
"I will need some kind of ID."
He handed her a card. It had his picture and a bar code and chip and the name John Smith. She rolled her eyes.
"Very original. OK. Lets go." She walked up to the guard shack. The soldier on duty was warily watching the vans then looked at her.
"Maam, those guys give me the willies."
"No argument. But let's give them what they want and get them out of here."
"I heard that maam."
Liz took her Hummer into the ASP with the vans following. She got to the bunker with the smoke and incendiary items in it and started there. She quickly filled out a 1348-1 and issued it to John Smith of DF. He signed it as such. She signed it as the issuer. They repeated that at two more magazines for the Small arms and the Frag grenades. They just wanted individual boxes, so she did not have to get a forklift.
It took just over an hour. When it was done Smith said.
"Thank You maam and you never saw us."
"Understood. I will keep the 1348-1's as secret documents- they will have to be used to account for inventory purposes."
"Understood." And they were gone. Liz shook her head and went back to her quarters to try and get some more sleep.
The next day she got a call from the IOC. The Installation XO.
"LT Parker, I understand you issued some ammunition last night to Black Ops."
"Sir I can neither confirm nor deny. This is classified."
There was silence for a minute. "Oh. Those guys. Never mind, Lt. Better off not talking about them at all."
Luckily that was the only issue she had to make like that. All other Spec Ops issues were for normal training.
Two weeks later Liz had a meeting with the new Spec Ops ASP leadership. 2 Lts and 4 Sergeants. The sergeants were all veterans; and two were Lts were veterans but new to Ammo.
"I will be evaluating the 89Bs for knowledge and everyone else for attitude and ability to figure it out and make the proper judgment calls. Let's go to the ASP."
Liz had just about finished all the necessary work on the Division Ordnance Company; its new commander was already on post; he had had some experience with another ordnance company and looked good. So now she just had to evaluate the Spec Ops crew.
One week later she called up the Installation Acting Commander.
"Ready for more good news?"
"Always, Lt Parker."
"The Spec Ops guys will be OK. The 89Bs are sufficiently knowledgeable and have a good attitude, and the others have the right attitude and are smart enough to learn."
"Very good, Lt Parker."
Two months after starting it, Liz left the Ordnance Company much better then she found it. She headed back to Aviation. When she walked in the door of the Brigade HQ she stopped dead. On a table in the middle of the entrance way lay a mannequin made up with a BDU and positioned as if for burial. It was in pieces as if ripped apart and taped together. On it was a sign.
I pissed off 'Doberman Parker'
She shook her head. Well now she knew what her call sign was going to be. Before she left they had been trying to figure hers out.
The Brigade Commander was waiting for her.
"From all sources you did a real good job cleaning up someone else's mess. Glad to have you back."
"Thank you sir. I just want to get back to flying."
And she started again the very next day.
She was a little rusty and Griffith and Winston let her ease back in; Dugan had gotten a lot of flight time in those two months and it showed. It was now summer and getting hot. She had been gone from the end of March to the end of May. To make things more interesting, the word had come down that the Aviation Brigade would be deploying to Afghanistan in December. Liz was just glad she would have at least 5 months to catch up with her training. She had gotten two commendations for her TDY, but she hoped that was the end of it for a long time.
She noticed that the people at Aviation treated her differently now; some with wariness but more importantly with real respect. 'I guess acting like a Bitch on PMS and steroids impressed them' was her gloomy thought.
Liz had gone over what she had done and while it very much bothered her how she had done it, what she had done was spot on as far as she was concerned. Being the Bad Ass was very much against her nature; but that is all she could draw from when she had to go hard core. Looking back on it, it was as if her body had been hijacked and she had been an observer. Liz realized that that part was indeed inside her; and would always be there. She just hoped to never have to need it again.
Getting back into flying was absolutely the best medicine and therapy for Liz. Whirling her Apache through the air, firing at targets, that was real living.
The AH-64D Apache Longbow was a very high tech weapon system. The 30MM chain gun in the nose; the two pods of 2.75" rockets; the 8 Hellfire Anti-Tank missiles; and if needed 4 Stingers or two Sidewidners on the tips of the stubby wings gave the Apache a Lot of Bite. The pods for the hellfires and 2.75" can be changed out to have more of either- 4 pods of 2.75" or 16 hellfires (4 to a pod). It was designed primarily as an Anti Tank platform to be used in Europe if the Warsaw pact had ever attacked. The joke of it was that it was only fully deployed right at the very end of the Cold War, pretty much after there was any real threat of it happening. At
It's real baptism of fire in a serious way had come during Desert Storm; and it showed itself to be extremely effective. Now like any other Helicopter it was much more vulnerable to ground fire than any fixed wing aircraft; and that was something that had been forgotten during some of the opening battles of the Iraq war. A flak trap had been set up that caused damage to 31 of 34 Apache's used in one attack. Only 1 had been shot down and a few heavily damaged, which was something that had been lost in the fallout of that particular attack. The Apache was armored and had redundant systems to compensate for battle damage, so it could take more hits than most choppers and still fly. But you had to use common sense; if you got cocky and over confident, the Gods of War would make you pay.
As the months counted down before the deployment to Afghanistan, Liz continued to improve in all areas of flying and fighting the Apache. She also got more experience in flying as part of the platoon, company and Battalion. Though Full Battalion flights were rare. In Afghanistan the duties of Apache's were escort and fire support. They would escort other choppers in assaults or supply missions; and suppress ground fire and give support to forces on the ground. In Afghanistan the most usual fire support from the air was from Apache's; the terrain and other factors limited the use of fixed wings. That and the increasing importance of preventing collateral damage and injuring and killing bystanders and noncombatants. The fighting was low intensity; the Taliban was weak and much of the actual fighting was being done by foreign imports brought in by Al Queeda. Those and the warlords that were endemic to Afghanistan. The tribal loyalty by far trumped anything else. One other fact that made the choppers more favored for support was that since they came in much lower and slower they were able to take more time identifying the targets; and the weapons used were much smaller than the minimum 500 lb bombs used by the fixed wings.
So the Apache's of the 1st Battalion, called "Expect no Mercy", worked as much as they could to prepare for Afghanistan. They would be going to Ft Carson in October for 30 days of training in the mountains there; which would be the best place since it was the most similar to the mountainous parts of Afghanistan.
Most of their training began to focus on how to pinpoint targets and take them out; without hitting those that they would be protecting. As always the lower and slower you were the easier that was; while making you a much easier target for the enemy. The big threat was someone getting close enough to hit you with a RPG. There were few anti air missiles available to the enemy. If they could get close enough, a 12.7MM MG could down an Apache if it hit the right areas. A 23MM could do it anywhere, but they were hard to transport so only camps and such would have them.
The flight to Ft Carson was practice for the Battalion in ferry flight. All four hard points on the wings were filled with fuel tanks and the Aircraft was completely unarmed. Around 1200 or so miles was the maximum range. That varied according to height flown, speed, climate. They had calculated this fairly carefully, and the speed would be 120 Knots at 7000 feet. It would be a long flight of almost 9 hours.
The only good thing about the flight is that they were allowed to take their personal items with them as long as they could fit in the cockpits and not get in the way. Ted snarked that Liz had an unfair advantage due to her size; Lix snarked back that she, being a modern female, had more needs than a Neanderthal.
The first part of the trip was interesting, flying over Missouri and the Ozarks; then they got to Kansas and the terrain became very boring. Liz and Ted traded off every hour. Liz had let Ted make the takeoff; she would land.
They talked to each other to keep themselves awake; and to the other choppers; they were flying in a fairly loose formation about 1 KM apart. This was fairly boring; but that was not all that bad. It was good training in that it forced you to work at being alert. The weather was clear; that had been the rule before even starting out. They had a weather window of about 10 days just in case. They had gone out on day 4.
"OK, people, lets tighten it up. We will be in visual of Ft Carson in 15 Mikes. Let's not let them think a bunch of Reserves are flying these things."
The was the Battalion XO, Major Collins. He was senior flight officer of the 1st Battalion. The Battalion commander was just too busy most of the time to fly; reality of the modern military.
So they tightened up into boxes of 4, side by side, in 3 groups as the entire battalion tried to look STRAC. They did look good as they landed at the Air Field there.
They would be in Temp Quarters while at Carson; Liz was lucky in that she got a room all too herself. After getting something to eat she took a shower and crashed.
The very next day the crews, who had flown up the day before, got to work on the ships, readying them for the vigorous training to come. For Liz, she was not all that far from her former home. Nancy had settled in well in Columbus and was seeing someone; she tweaked Liz in that she might end up with someone faster that Liz did. Liz found that she did miss the mountains; and was not unhappy to spend some time in them.
The training started with familiarization in high altitude flying; which is critical for helicopters. The altitude maximum for the Apache was 21,000 feet; but that was under special circumstances. Realistically under normal conditions it was around 15,000. Which was something to think about as many mountains in Afghanistan were higher than that. Helicopters, due to the need of their rotors to generate lift, are very vulnerable to sudden changes of winds and conditions at higher altitudes where the air is much thinner. Much of the fighting surrounds mountains and their passes.
Liz could tell the difference immediately as they started to fly higher; most of the time they had flown around 7-8000 feet while at Campbell. Now they were flying at around 10,000+. The chopper was much more skittish, winds more greatly affected it, response to control moves were often sluggish. More power was needed to maintain level flight; and thus each mission would be shorter due to greater consumption of fuel. That was why they were also starting to practice flying with an external fuel tank in place of one or two of the rocket pods.
One thing that had been concentrated on was that for the first time the Longbow model was going to Afghanistan. Previously only A models were sent; as it was thought the Longbow was not needed. The British had believed that that idea was NOT correct. But the US commanders often preferred that the extra fuel allowed by not having the radar on the bird was better overall. The UK versions had the better engine and that was the biggest reason they chose to keep the radar on. The 1st Battalion was going with their own birds and the Longbow; while there they would make the decision on whether to take it off.
So they were going to train in Colorado both using and not using the Longbow. They would then get an idea of the differences in capabilities. What they probably would end up doing is having one company take off the radar while the other two keep it. Then after a while evaluate. Liz had looked at the numbers as regards estimates the difference in having vs not having the Radar. It came to about 10-15% more combat time. To Liz it seemed to be more important to have the capability. She had ended up talking to Griffith and Winston about that; they had both had a lot more time in the Apache and in combat.
"Afghanistan is a totally different world then Iraq. The needs are much different. In Iraq I wanted the Longbow. In Afghanistan maybe not. I have talked to some guys that flew Apache A models there. And who upgraded to Longbow. They are kind of split on it as well." Griffith was clearly on the fence.
"More combat time, more fuel is going to be critical in that terrain. A lighter bird makes a difference. I do not know but I am kind of leaning towards not having it." Winston was tilting to not having it.
"Reading what the Brits say, it looks to me the superior reach and radar vision the Longbow gives is very important. Especially firing the Hellfire. I kind of lean towards having it. We gain only 10-15% more time in the air without it. Is that enough to compensate for being partially blind?" Liz made her stand clear.
"Well, the Brigade is taking our birds and they have Longbow. So we can take them off if we want to. Makes sense to me; that way we can be flexible." Said Griffith.
"Maybe have one or two companies take it off; the others keep it on. That way we have flexibility each way." Liz pointed out.
That debate was to continue all the way too Deployment and beyond.
Liz gradually got the hang of flying in the mountains; and by the end of October they had all acclimated well. The flight back to Ft Campbell was just as uneventful as the flight out which everyone was grateful for. Upon landing the Apache's were immediately serviced then the weeks long preparations for deployment began. Their rotors would be taken off and the entire bodies carefully packed so as to be shipped in the C-17's. Form then until they deployed on 15 December, they would do very little flying.
The Brigade was given a week's leave at Thanksgiving to visit family. Liz went to Georgia first since the girls had decided to stay there for thanksgiving; then she would spend the rest of the time with her mother in Columbus. She was looking forward to meeting the man her mother had been seeing for the last six months.
Liz got to Georgia on the Monday; and had a ball with the girls in their apartment. Being back with them just felt right. She also got to meet their boyfriends; which was a kick.
That first night, girls only, they sat around just relaxing.
Isabelle fixed Liz with a glare.
"OK, time for you to dish on what happened at Campbell as regards you becoming your call sign Doberman."
The other girls goggled at that, and then began laughing.
"Doberman?" Squeaked Maria.
"Come on" came from Tess.
Liz looked at Isabelle. "How did you find that out?"
Isabelle rolled her eyes then pulled out a stack of papers.
"These are printouts from a couple of sites I found. They are forums where military people tend to talk to each other. I happened on them a while ago and go back now and then to get a feel at what is going on. One is from Spec Ops and the other is from a site called 'Rotorheads anonymous'."
Liz quickly read them and groaned.
"OK. These are really exaggerated. I did not have those LTs hauled out in handcuffs. I did not work them 24/7 for a month straight. Never more than 14 hours a day and only 11 straight once."
The girls looked at her. "What did you do?" came from Maria.
"Went in with a serious attitude and made them all work my way. Leaned on them hard for the first couple of weeks then backed off as they got better. Nowhere near what it is portrayed."
The girls nodded. Then Isabelle pulled one more sheet out. "What about this?" Liz read it then got very quiet. Maria plucked it out of her hands and she and Tess read it. They both then looked at her with big eyes.
"I heard those Iraqi's she killed were begging for mercy at the end."
"I talked to a guy that was there. He said she ordered them to let some wounded ones lay there and scream to intimidate the others. Then offed them herself when she wanted some peace and quiet."
Liz took a deep breath. "I did let them scream; that scared the other ones and bought us more time. I did not kill them for peace and quiet, well not that kind. I killed them so that we could listen for any more coming. Some of them were praying to Allah."
The girls were very quiet then Tess, Maria Isabelle hugged her tightly. Liz then started to cry.
"I think sometimes that I should somehow feel guilty for doing that; but I really believe I did what I had to do."
They spent the rest of the night cuddling and it was not mentioned again.
It was very relaxing as well with her mother in the house she was renting; Ed was the man she was seeing and Liz liked him. Her mom seemed happy.
When she got back to Campbell they were working on getting ready to deploy. On Dec 17, 2007 they landed at Bagram Airfield.
Liz looked around. It was cold, windy and dusty. Not a very good introduction. The Aviation brigade got fairly decent quarters; wooden buildings not tents. They had heating that was fairly good and air conditioning units that they were told could keep the temps below 90 in the summer. They were also told that was a lot better than it had been up to a year ago. Liz was placed in one of the bigger buildings with all the other female officers of the 101st Aviation brigade. There were 31 of them. From WO's to a Major. Liz noted that there were only 6 of them senior to her; the Major, 3 captains and 2 LTs with more time in grade. None of them were pilots. There were no other female pilots or copilots in the 1st Battalion; there were 11 in the other battalions. After they got themselves sorted out the major gathered them together.
"OK. First things first. No one goes anywhere alone – you go with another woman or a man you trust in your own unit. I would much rather you women stick together. This is something the brass tries to hide but there have been more than a handful of sexual assaults here at Bagram. Anyone who has been in Iraq is familiar with that situation."
Liz sat there quietly. One of the good things about her time in Iraq was that they had been pretty safe as regards things like that. She knew that this place would be different; she had no intention of being a statistic. She carried a small knife, pepper spray and would not go anywhere without her sidearm.
"The worst things first. Now remember the culture of this country and region. Take no chances. You will not leave the airbase unless specifically authorized. Stay in the secured areas; and watch out every minute. You will be given a briefing tomorrow morning that will be nowhere near as blunt. Just nod your heads and play along with the PR bullshit."
They then headed in a body to try out the mess hall. It turned out to be not bad. Liz made it a point to look around for women that she felt comfortable with. It turned out that a couple others had the same idea.
"OK. Who do we look to pair up with?
"Well someone like us. We are not exactly party animals are we?"
"The building is set up 4 to a room; there are 3 of us. Who should we look at?"
"Pilots for one. No grunts or desk jockies."
"OK. While eating let us look around."
Liz felt a little lonely. The only female pilot in the first Battalion, she had not had much to do with the rest of them.
"What about her?"
"Doberman Parker?"
"Yeah."
"I don't know. I heard she can be a real bitch."
"Well look what she got tossed into. I would have been a bitch as well."
"Well you are a bitch anyway."
"So what do you think."
"From what I heard she is ok. No problems with anyone. Her crew chief is an old time grunt and likes her. She takes care of her crew."
"That is good. She has also been to Iraq so she knows the score that way."
"Yeah. No one doubts she will rip you up if she has to. I heard what she did in that convoy fight."
"You know, from a very practical point of view it would be a good idea to get an Apache pilot on our side as a friend."
"That is true. OK let's do it."
Liz was looking for an empty table when three officers at another table waved to her. Curious she headed towards them. They were all warrants. A redhead, a blond and a brunette.
"Lt Parker, grab a seat."
"Thanks guys. You drive blackhawks?"
"Yeah 5th battalion. Eagle Assault."
"Sometimes the nicknames…"
"Yeah. We know. So wanna join us?"
"Sure. I was feeling lonely. I was real lucky my time in Iraq; I had three best buds with me."
"That helps. We feel the same way; this is still Neanderthal Central."
"Tell me about it. I am pretty lucky; no real problems in my battalion and in my platoon and company it's great. Got a top crew chief as well."
Jesse was the Redhead; Ellen was the Blonde; Vicki was the Brunette. Ellen was no classic blonde.
"Liz, you were in Iraq. What do you think of what the Major said."
Liz got very serious; the others saw this and leaned forward.
"Towards the end of my tour in Iraq, you could start to see things happening. Since then it's gotten worse. There are a lot of reasons but frankly why does not matter to us. We have to protect ourselves. I carry a knife in my boot and have my 9mm with me at all times; with a round in the chamber. I also have a small can of pepper spray where I can get it fast. Like the Major said, go no place alone no matter what."
Vicki shook her head. "Round in the chamber; that is dangerous!"
Liz shook her head decisively. "The safety is on; you cannot fire it without that off. And the hammer is down. You would have to cock it and take the safety off. You can do that with one hand. Think about it: you might only have one hand free for a moment. That is why I also have the knife and the pepper spray. You can get them at the PX even here."
The women mulled this. Ellen sighed. "I hate it but I think you are right. Did not think about the fact to chamber a round you have to use your other hand."
Liz nodded. "I know of some women who carry a small revolver in their belt; less obvious and you do not have to worry about a safety. And you can keep the hammer over an empty cylinder. Think about it. We have to watch over ourselves; we should not count on anyone else doing it."
Vicki looked at her. "I think having you around will make us all feel a lot safer."
Jesse grinned. "And considering things, having an Apache driver in our corner could be important."
Liz grinned. "Never know." She had a feeling they would be good friends.
Isabelle squealed. "Max!"
Max Evans grinned as he hugged his younger sister. They had not seen each other in over a year.
"Izzy!"
She swatted him. "Don't call me that."
"I am your older brother so guess what: live with it!"
"Now children." Came from the smiling Diane Evans, with her husband right beside her snickering. Glad to see that some things do not change.
Max had decided bothering his younger sister was fun when he had visited when Isabelle was in junior high and already starting her reign as Queen of all she Surveyed. Needless to say she had been an irresistible target. Max was almost 15 years older than Isabelle. He had been an accident when Diane and Phillip were freshmen at college. Diane had been determined that no more accidents would happen and had gotten her tubes tied. Unfortunately when the couple had graduated and wanted more children, it was found that the operation to untie them was not as simple as it should have been. Damage was done that seemed to preclude more children. So Isabelle had come along as a complete surprise.
"So, Max, just visiting?"
"Got time off for Christmas; head back after New Years."
"Where have you been?"
"Afghanistan."
"WHAT!" came from all three of the other Evans.
"Been there for a couple of months. Got bored in Kuwait and took a job with another contractor in Afghanistan. Maintenance on the flight line at Bagram Airfield."
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"Because you would have worried. It's pretty safe there; especially where I work. Security is very heavy on the flight line."
The three other Evans sighed but realized arguing about it would not accomplish anything. Max Evans had joined the Marines right out of High School; much to his parents displeasure. They wanted him to go to college. He didn't. He had stayed in and finished his twenty years only a few years earlier. He had been in Marine Aviation as a ground crew tech and other areas. He had then gotten a job with a contractor that worked for the DOD overseas. Footloose and fancy free, his parents and sister had just about given up hope he would settle down.
"So Isabelle, I hear you are thinking of getting hitched? Who is the unlucky guy?"
Isabelle rolled her eyes. "Alex is very aware of how lucky he is."
"Got the poor guy whipped good I see."
That pretty much set the tone. The family was together and that is what mattered.
"Max, you can look up Liz if when you get back to Bagram. She just got there with the 101st Aviation Brigade. She flies an Apache."
Max remembered Izzy writing about her friend. A pint sized Xena from the way she had been described in the media. He had heard about her from friends still in the military. There had been some serious stories about that fight.
"From issuing bullets to shooting them. The Apache is one mean machine. Sounds like it is right up her alley."
"Liz is a good friend and if I hear from her that you have been anything other than nice I will make sure you regret it. Is THAT clear, GONZO?"
"Peace, Izzy. I doubt I will run into her but I will play nice if I do. Promise. Promise on the bodies of all of your dead Barbies."
"VERY FUNNY."
Liz soon found that flying in Afghanistan was much tougher than even in Colorado; the fine dust and such was not a friend to electronics. Grunt had a full time job keeping her Apache up and running. So far A Company had kept their Longbow; the other two had had it taken off in the first month. But the value of the Longbow had been shown on a couple of occasions so it seemed that A company would stay the way it was for at least the time being.
She found herself really liking her room mates; while probably they would not get as close as Maria, Tess and Isabelle they were making the time here better. Isabelle had written that her older brother was with the contractor that maintained the flight line at the Airfield. Liz had not seen him; but then she had been pretty busy getting acclimated to the climate and everything else.
Max was the supervisor of the crew that was responsible for the actual maintenance of the runways and lights; taxiways and helipads. He usually had spent most of his time at the end where the fixed wing aircraft were. Not much where the choppers worked. But with the new runway finished and lights done and such; there was not that much to do there unless something happened. There was virtually no chance of damage from enemy attack; and if there was it was almost always the aircraft and not the field. The helicopter area was being expanded as more and more choppers were used in the fighting and the movement of supplies and personnel. They had built some new hangers so that the choppers could be worked on under cover and better protected from the weather and the climate. Helicopters were more vulnerable to dust and such; and Afghanistan like most of the middle east specialized in that. So now he was also in charge of maintenance of those buildings as well. And that meant he spent more time down there.
Sergeant Gunt glared at his Apache. She was a fine machine; but this lousy place played havoc on keeping it running well. That damn dust especially got into everything and electronics and dust did not work well together; and dust and turbine engines were mortal enemies. Maintenance was up over 50% from normal; and would probably go higher. At least they had plenty of spare parts.
Max was checking out the new hangers for the choppers. They were metal and had filtration systems, but since the doors had to be open so much it was questionable just how much those systems were worth. He went in the far one and saw a crew working on an Apache. He admired that bird; had seen it in action while in Desert Storm. But it sure took a lot of work. He approached what had to be the Crew Chief; he was a senior sergeant and he looked pissed. Par for the course.
"Yo, Chief. Having fun keeping that delicate bird of flight happy?"
Gunt glared at the contractor.
"And what would you know about it?"
"Was a crew chief for Crashhawks during Desert storm while in the Corps. That was not much fun but everything I have ever heard says Apache's are a lot more work."
Gunt looked at him closely – was he for real or just spouting a line?
Max grinned. "Let me guess: the avionics hate the dust; the turbines are worse; and that damn chin gun is a nightmare."
Slowly Gunt nodded. Maybe this guy was genuine.
"I never understood why they did not put that gun in a turret; it would not have weighed that much more and it would have protected it from the dust and dirt a hell of a lot better."
"Our Huey's were about the same; a little more sheltered but not all that much. Pretty much found the lightest machine oil we could get and just washed it down constantly. Yeah that attracted more shit but the extra oil kept it running a little better."
Gunt looked thoughtful. He had heard some that had tried that. "Maybe."
Max walked closer and looked at the Apache. "Maybe throwing a tarp over it whenever you are not working on it or flying it would help. Anything that keeps as little dust colleting as you can."
"Problem with that is unless you drape it over everything including the rotors it's not much good. And that could damage the rotors. Not to mention a huge hassle getting it on and off."
Max looked at the roof. These hangers had been built a little stronger than he had thought. There were overhead cranes. Something was at the back of his mind. Something he had seen or heard about, What was it? Then he remembered.
"How about this: an aluminum frame that is a couple of feet bigger than the perimeter of the bird; clear plastic hanging down; attached to the crane, you lift it up to take the bird out and drop it down when it gets back. Clear lets the light in but keeps the dust out. You can put it a kind of doorway that you can walk in and out; you can do all the work on the machine except for engine replacement and the like. 90% of your regular maintenance can be done and the only time the bird is exposed to the elements is basically when its flying."
Gunt's eyes widened as he visualized it. He looked up at the roof of the hanger. There were a dozen or more cranes; which is about the number of choppers they could put in the hanger. IF that worked it would really help; keeping the dust out was job one. He looked at Max and held out his hand.
"Damn good idea. I will see if I can get this to someone who will try. Sergeant Gunt; but everyone calls me Grunt and I have quit fighting it."
"Max Evans. I am in charge of airfield facility maintenance for the contractor here. I know where we can get the plastic; there are piles of it just sitting in one of the warehouses for some project that got canceled. The aluminum pipe or polls – that would be easy to get; lots of it laying around. Would not take much time if we got a bunch of guys working on it."
"Sounds good. Now I gotta figure out how to get to someone with the clout to make the brass listen."
"Battalion Maintenance?"
"He is a gomer that is just putting in his time."
"Bummer. OK, how about starting with your Company commander or battalion commander?"
"Well, better talk to my pilot first."
Max was looking at the Apache; below the pilot's seat was a picture of a Doberman with over sized fangs.
"That is your pilot?"
"Yeah."
Wonder what the guy is like? If that is accurate probably a real meat eater. Most pilots had more balls than brains, in his experience. All snarl and no thought.
"Come on. Let's hit the head shed; most of the pilots are probably there right now."
Max followed him into the next building which was somewhat of an office building; neither fish nor fowl. Grunt headed down the hall and stuck his head in one office.
"LT Parker? Got someone here who has a good idea on how we can keep the dust off of our birds." He then went in motioning Max to follow.
There were several desks in there; right in front was one where a pretty big dude was sitting. Bet that was this 'Doberman', well he looks the part.
"Whats that Sarge?"
A very definitely NON Doberman voice that. He looked to the right and at a desk in the corner sat a very small and very pretty young woman. Whom he recognized from pictures Izzy had.
"YOU are Doberman?" Max could have sunk through the floor at that. The whole room burst into laughter and that made it worse. But she just rolled her eyes and smiled.
"When the Battalion comedians come up with a call sign you are stuck with it. Hi. Liz Parker."
Max managed to collect his wits from the several countries they had been scattered to and shook her hand; it was a firm shake for such a small woman.
"Max Evans. Isabelle is my sister."
Her eyes got HUGE. "You are Izzy's brother Max? All she ever said that he was a pain in her butt, wandering killer of her barbies when she was a kid. Did not realize how much older you were."
"15 years between us. Had fun one summer while I was around shooting her barbies with an airgun then hanging the survivors. Iz was NOT amused."
"So what are you doing here? Iz said you had gotten out of the corps. Marine Aviation as I recall?"
"Yeah, crew chief on crashhawks in Desert Storm. So I have an idea what the middle east does to choppers."
Grunt piped up. "His idea would take some work but I think it would really cut down on our maintenance time. It should protect the birds a lot better."
"Well let's hear it."
Max quickly explained his idea to a room of very interested pilots. They had only been flying for a month so far and the dust and crap had shown itself to be a huge problem from day one. Grunt pointed out the advantages of it. Liz listened carefully. When they were done she sat for a moment.
"We could also get heaters or blowers in the summer that would help cool off or heat up the air inside the bubble; that would help your crews wouldn't it?"
"A whole lot sir. With the doors open as much as they are; and the heating system having to work hard just to compensate when it really gets cold, it would make working on the small stuff a lot easier when your hands are not frozen. And from what guys who have been here before tell me, in the heat anything can make a big difference."
Liz nodded slowly. Then stood up. "OK, let's scare up Griffith and then we go to the Battalion commander."
She led them out of that office and down the hall.
Captain Griffith was just as enthusiastic and they then went in search of the Battalion commander. He signed off quickly and the increasingly larger group headed for HQ and where the Brigade Maintenance office was.
The Brigade Maintenance officer thought about it after the proposal was made. Clean rooms. That is what they were looking at. If the material was available, it made so much sense. Every other unit that had operated here told the same story; the dust and crap was the biggest enemy; not the mountains and weather or the Taliban. He looked at them.
"I like it. I think the idea can be tweaked a little but it makes a lot of sense. Anything that can appreciably cut down on dust getting into the systems has to be looked at. Let's get this written up and brainstorm it. I want all battalion maintenance personnel on this; and we need to go to the Brigade Commander." He looked at the Battalion Commander.
"We need a formal proposal. Get on it; the Brigade Maintenance XO will work with you."
"Yes sir."
An hour later Max, Grunt, Parker, the Battalion Commander and several other maintenance officers were in a conference room working out the proposal. One of the maintenance officers was talking.
"We have the cranes; but moving those bubbles around will be a hassle; we need to measure the height that the cranes can lift something; I am not sure we can get full clearance at the top lift point."
"Then we can roll up the front; that should mean we would not have to lift it as high."
Liz had been doodling, thinking about the whole thing.
"Why do we need to keep lifting and moving the bubble?"
The rest of the room looked at her. She got up and went to the black board where the proposal had been drawn up.
She quickly drew a diagram of the hanger. Then put squares along each wall. She pointed at them.
"Make the frames go from floor to a level that clears the rotors. Not hang from the cranes. Drape the plastic over it. At the front-here- (she pointed) have it fixed so that it can be lifted or rolled up and down. We have those electric carts now to move the Apache's or any of the choppers. We wheel them in and out of the bubbles. That way we can put them side by side along both sides of the hanger. We can service and protect more choppers that way. We just need a center isle big enough to move them in and out. We can still move the entire frame plus the plastic with the cranes if need be."
The Brigade Maintenance XO was nodding.
"That is simpler. And you are correct, LT Parker. We can put more ships in and work on more of them that way."
One other maintenance officer agreed. "That would also allow us to better install blowers and heaters for the bubbles if we do not have to keep moving them around."
The XO looked around. "Any other suggestions?" There were none. "Then let's get this written up in a form that we can present to the Brigade Commander."
IT took several hours more, and Max took Grunt and a couple others out to show what was available, before they got it all put together. They were to present it to the Brigade Commander the next day.
The Apache Company had not had much to do at the moment; things were usually fairly quiet in the depths of December and January and February since not even the Taliban liked to do much in the winter. Liz had not yet had to fire a shot in anger; the only firing was practice and training. She was getting the hang of the different conditions in Afghanistan.
The Crew, as she called her room mates, made life bearable. They were a more lively bunch then her other friends; which in the conditions they were in made a difference. They stayed in a group as much as possible; and true to what the Major and Liz had said none of them ever went out alone at any time unescorted. There had already been a couple of incidents, not bad ones thankfully, that had reinforced the caution.
Max had gone out and quietly gathered all the material for the bubbles he could get his hands on. His years as a supply guy had taught him how to get things done without paperwork and without people higher up noticing. The plastic had been moved to the flight area; and the aluminum polls that would be used for frames had been collected and was a gathering pile as well. Looking over it he figured they had enough for about 20 or so bubbles already. Maybe more. He thought that there was enough plastic for 40 or 50.
He had emailed Izzy that he had met her friend. He asked her if she had told Izzy her call sign.
Isabelle read the latest email from her brother. She looked at Maria and Tess who were waiting on the latest word from Liz; who was trying to keep in touch but was busy as all get out.
"Did any of you know what Liz's call sign is?"
They both shook their heads.
"Doberman."
The room rocked with laughter.
Liz had helped right up the proposal; and had started to get to know Max Evans. He was definitely tall, dark and handsome. The fact that he was 15 years older than she was did not put her off; she found very few men her age mature enough to bother with. Being around pilots did not help; many of them had not grown up and there were signs many never would.
Max still had a fair amount of little boy about him; but anyone who had done 20 years in the Marines was a lot more mature then anyone she saw much of on a daily basis. At least anyone that could be considered eligible. Which for Liz in the current situation was a very small number. Fellow pilots were not in the mix due to maturity; dating anyone not an officer had all sorts of other problems. Of non-flying officers the pickings were kind of slim. She really had not considered civilians. Not that there were many around. But it was probably a moot point anyway; as busy as she was likely to be finding time to really date anyone would be a serious challenge; and it was time that was almost certainly better spent in just relaxing and resting.
Max meanwhile was seriously thinking about Liz Parker. Cute as a button with a great smile; what was there not to like? He also liked women who had some iron in the spine and it was clear Liz had that in spades. He had contacted one of his buds in Spec Ops on a rumor he had heard; and his bud had gotten back to him with some interesting stuff. Apparently Liz had kicked ass and taken names while rebuilding an ordnance company at Ft Campbell; and that had included a section of Spec Ops types. Which was how she got the Doberman call sign. He pondered asking Izzy for information; then decided not to. It might be more fun finding out himself.
Liz laughed as she read her email from Iz. Apparently Max had emailed her about meeting Liz. She decided that turnabout was fair play.
'Iz. Tell me more about your brother. I get the feeling that there is a lot more than appears on the surface.'
Isabelle read Liz's email and looked at the other two.
"Liz is asking for details on Max. I think she might just be interested."
Maria nodded vigorously. "Whatever it takes. We got to get Liz at least looking at guys. She might as well be a nun right now."
Tess agreed. "She needs to at least get into the game; she is almost 25 and I am willing to bet has never done more than kiss a guy. And here we are probably all going to get married as soon as we graduate."
Isabelle looked surprised. "You really think Liz is a virgin?"
Maria sighed. "She is. She kind of let it slip one day; I don't think she realized I heard. I am kind of sure she is a little embarrassed about it."
Tess shook her head. "That does not surprise me. BUT look at it from her side: Podunk town and school in Wyoming, no one there and from what she said she worked just about all the time she was not in school. No serious boyfriend there. Then she gets into boot camp and AIT – not exactly a whole lot of opportunity there unless you are in for a quickie one night stand and that is so not her. Then she gets to Stewart right on 9/11. Then Iraq; and we can all agree since we were there that the chances of anything good happening in the romance area was slim at best; and Liz once again was busier than hell. Gets back from Iraq and has to work on training her replacement. Then OCS and Flight School. Why start something there when no one knows where you will be? Then Ft Campbell and all the fun she had there before deploying, not to mention being a newbie Apache pilot. It all makes sense when you bother to think about it."
The other two slowly nodded. Maria sighed and looked at Isabelle. "Find out if he is really interested. If he is then let's see what we can do to help get things started. But let him know that if he breaks her heart he is a man who will beg for death before we are done with him."
Interestingly enough someone else had noticed potential sparks. Captain Griffith. Who then talked to Ed Winston.
"I think Max has eyes for Liz."
"Well anyone that has eyes should have eyes for Liz."
"Of course but unless my vision is fading I think there just might be some interest on her part."
"Now that is a change. She has not given ANYONE the time of day since she arrived at Campbell."
"Can you blame her? It's a tough spot she is in; the only female Apache Pilot on base. She knows damn well that people are watching her waiting for her to screw up. She was pretty high profile before she ever arrived. You can see that; she is very careful about how she goes about in public. And let's face it; would you want your kid sister dating any of the pilots here?"
Ed Winston, who DID have a younger sister, scowled. Most of the pilots were good pilots but the ones not already attached were acting like pilots have mostly acted since the days of Biplanes. Which meant no good older brother wanted any of THEM anywhere near his younger sister. Which was the way which he had started to think of Liz. He looked at Griffith.
"Not a chance in hell."
"And who does that leave? Enlisted are out for various reasons she is all too well aware of. Non flying officers; well what is there? I mean I am not a girl but there is slim pickens there for sure. Everyone that is not already attached is probably unattached for a good reason. And she is 25 and unless I have read all the signs real wrong, has never had a serious relationship. Max Evans is older and certainly more mature than most of what she runs into every day; and being a civilian has none of the other handicaps a fellow member of the military has. You put it all together and maybe it's not a surprise that she might be thinking that way."
Ed Griffith still had a scowl. "He better not hurt her or he is dead meat."
"He hurts her and there will be a line of guys and some women who will beat the living shit out of him."
Ellen looked at Vicki and Jesse. "Is it my imagination or is Liz looking like a girl thinking of a guy now and then?"
Jesse thought about it. "Maybe. I mean we do not know her that well yet."
Vicki slowly nodded. "It's possible. The question would be who?"
Ellen pondered that. "From what Liz has said she is NOT interested in dating a pilot."
The other two snorted. "No. Really."
Ellen continued. "Non flying types?"
They considered that. "Maybe. But who?"
Jess was thinking hard. "That guy that came up with the idea of plastic bubbles for the choppers? Max Evans? He has been around a fair bit working on that."
The other two pondered. "That to me might be a real thought" said Vicki. Ellen nodded. "Methinks we might have to observe this situation."
The bubble idea had been approved by the brigade commander and all available personnel had been roped in to help out. It took only a week to get most of it done. Each of the hangers had a dozen on each side; 24 to a hanger for both the Apache and the Blackhawks. The Chinooks were much bigger and they could only get 12 to a hanger. But the advantages were immediately seen and felt. The heaters that had been scrounged by Max and company were hooked to the rear of each bubble and blew air in; there had been a kind of door put together at the side for personnel to slip in and out. In cold weather it made a big difference for the mechanics and techs; it was almost warm inside. That kind of work got down a lot faster. Within two weeks of operations beginning after the birds being in the bubbles, available rates started going up and failure rates started going down. Time spent on maintenance decreased noticeably, and there were signs that usage of spare parts and the need for other repairs were going down. The early word was of the good.
It was the end of February before Liz got involved in her first combat situation; well one in which she had to fire anyway.
They were escorting 3 Chinooks who were bringing in supplies for a FOB. Company A was flying cover; 1st platoon down low for close cover while 2nd platoon flew high cover. Liz and her Wingman, Jake, was on the right while Winston and his were on the left. Things looked fine until the Chinooks took off after delivery. This was usually the time someone tried to make trouble; it took time to get close enough to shoot at them and they could not just wait all day long on the hope a chopper would show up.
Jake reported movement not far from the FOB and moved in; Liz covering. Ted, as the primary gunner, was sighting down there with the 2.75's ready. Liz had the 30MM ready and was watching closely.
Jake hosed the area with 2.75 HE and chewed it up. Liz was watching to his right and Ted to his left. Liz saw someone or something moving farther and brought the 30MM to lay on it. "something on the right, using the 30" She could see some firing and let go with the 30MM right at them. The 30MM HE exploded throwing rocks and dust into the air. She fired 10 rds and stopped and watched. Nothing moved.
"Doberman, area clear."
"10-4, Snake. Let's pull out – the others are clear."
"10-4."
And that was how she fired her first shots in anger from her Apache.
Liz did not dwell on the likelihood that she had killed someone; it was war and they were shooting at her wingman and that was the way it was.
As the weather warmed up they got busier. The bubble had really helped their operational rates climb. Liz and the others in Company A were going to keep their Longbow Radar; Liz liked it because it could keep track of lots of things at the same time.
3 weeks after the bubbles went up, Max stopped by her office.
"What you doing for dinner tonight?"
She had looked at him then smiled. "Eating with you I guess."
Max had decided to try and get to know her better and figured to start out small. They had a good time talking – the food was OK but that really did not matter. And so a couple of times a week he found time to take her to dinner or sometimes lunch. Liz did not have a Lot of down time; never ending paperwork and she was flying almost every day. But what she did have she started to spend with him.
The Crew observed this and approved. So did most of the others that noticed. Ted Dugan made a point of talking to Max the day after they were spotted eating dinner together.
"Hurt her and they will NEVER find your body." He made it short and to the point. As a matter of fact several people made it a point to give him warnings.
A week after firing her first shots Liz got in early one morning to find several of the pilots and copilots listening to Griffith.
"So they strapped themselves to the wings and she flew them in and they got to the soldier and stabilized him and stuck with him until the ground pounders got there."
Liz looked at Winston. "What happened?'
"Brit Apache driver strapped four ground pounders to her wings and flew them into rescue a trapped wounded soldier."
Liz goggled. "Wow. That must have been some ride."
"Yeah. How much you want to bet a directive will come down- NO ONE WILL BE STRAPPED TO THE WINGS OF AN APACHE UNDER ANY CONDITIONS."
Liz giggled. "No bet."
That was a good thing as two days later that directive did come down from command.
One week later a major exercise involving Spec Ops brewed up.
Winston was giving the briefing.
"6 Hawks from 5 battalion will fly them in; they will hit the target and we will hover and wait to take them out. The Air Force will hit the area around the target first. Then 1st Platoon will go in as low cover while 2nd platoon will go as high cover. They THINK there may be some Taliban higher-ups there. So they want to identify who they hit. Which is why the target is not going to get plastered. Also there may be civilians there. So DO NOT just shoot if you see movement. Identify first. 4 Hawks will bring in the Strike Force; two others as Backups. Let's get down to details."
Liz was nervous; this was her first real serious combat mission. So far in three months she had not done a lot of shooting. But as the weather got warmer the Taliban and company started to get a lot more active. So naturally their side got more active as well.
The Crew was flying three of the 4 Hawks going in; that made it a little more personal to Liz. It was almost half an hour flying time to the target; they would have only about an hour to go before they had to return. Griffith was not happy that command had nixed replacing two pods with external tanks; but he had been able to get them to go along with one. One of the Hellfire pods were sacrificed. That would give them an extra 45 minutes there. So they could wait 1hr 45 minutes after arriving before they had to leave.
A company was flanking the Blackhawks as they headed out; this was also the first pre-dawn mission Liz had been on. Night missions were rare; mostly high priority Spec Ops operations. Fact was that it was hard to give much support at night; infrared had limited use and the night goggles were not exactly as good as daytime. Add to the fact that the warming weather made finding anyone with infrared tougher; warm rocks tended to hide people pretty well.
They took off exactly 40 minutes before dawn; it was near a pass, they would be operating at around 10,000 feet. The idea was to get there just before dawn; the Spec Ops got in and found what they needed; then there would be enough light for better support and cover fire as they were pulled out; which was usually when there were problems.
"Spectre Lead, this is Eagle Assault Lead. 5 minutes."
"10-4."
"Scooter (Winston) take position"
"10-4"
"Doberman right."
"10-4"
Liz and her wingman, Jake, went right while Winston and Ken went left. Both they could all see the smoke from the Air Force doing their thing. The 4 Blackhawks went in fast and unloaded the Special Forces. They poured into the small village, moving fast. They did not appear to be taking fire. After a few minutes.
"OK People let's take them up. So far nothing for us."
1st Platoon then increased altitude from about 500 feet above the ground to where the rest of A company was; about 2000 feet up. Which had them at about 11,000 feet. Liz concentrated on her controls and flying as economically as she could; milking their time on target.
Liz kept watching the clock; the timer showing how much fuel time was left. They were down to less than an hour and a half. The Spec Forces had been on the ground for almost 45 minutes. You always had to figure you would use more than you thought; the safe margin for error was never less than 10% and 20% was much better. So really they needed to leave in 30 minutes.
With 10 minutes to go the word came.
"Scooter, get down there; Eagle Assault is moving in for pickup. We will come down to angels 10." (1000 feet above ground)
"10-4."
"OK, guys, move in as before."
The Apache's would go in first to draw any fire away from the more vulnerable Blackhawks.
They went down from 2000 feet to 500 in less than a minute. Swooping then hovering; once more Liz and Jake to the Right and Winston and Ken to the left. Liz spoke to Dugan.
"I will look right and you left; I will take the gun."
"10-4"
Liz kept the Apache hovering; trying not to think about the state of their fuel supply. It was going to get a little close as it was.
She watched as all four choppers went down and landed; then two by two the Spec Ops began to appear. One Chopper took off, then two. So far no sign of fire. Third one took off. And they waited.
"Spectre's give me bingo status" (how much flying time left)
They sounded off by platoon. Liz was a little surprised to see that she had the most left by almost 10 minutes.
One by one the Apache's began to leave as they reached 40 minutes flying time left. Liz stayed where she was when Jake had to go; Soon only she and Winston were left. Finally they saw someone moving towards the Blackhawk; but they were going slow, clearly wounded, one carrying another while two others covered them. She saw them firing down at the village.
"Doberman, I am close to Bingo."
"Go Scooter."
Liz saw some figures behind the ones heading for the Blackhawk. So did Ted. "Rockets?"
Liz looked hard. "10-4 but just a couple."
2 2.75" flechette rounds shredded the shrouded figures. Then they were at the Blackhawk and getting in.
"Doberman, this is Eagle Lead, taking fire."
Wherever it was Liz could not see it nor could Ted so she got lower and moved in. Then they could see some firing at the Blackhawk as it began to take off. Without hesitation Liz used her 30 and hosed the immediate area; smoke and rocks flew.
"Doberman we are clear and OK; thanks for the cover."
"10-4 Eagle Lead."
Liz looked at her gauge; this was going to get real close. She took her time going up and heading out; every gallon might be needed.
She saw the Two extra Hawks waiting to fly with the last one. They had a better range. She moved with them, still escorting them though that really was a formality once they were this high. She was doing the math in her head; the readout had her making it back with 5 minutes to spare. It would be close.
"Doberman, what is your bingo status."
"Eagle Lead, it's going to be close but I think we are OK."
Liz had stayed on her auxiliary fuel tank as long as she had dared; you could not run it dry or the engines could stall before you switched over. She had gotten pretty good at that; one of the reasons she had more range than the others. That and she had what she privately felt was the best crew and crew chief in the Brigade. She concentrated on flying as economically as possible on the way back. The fuel warning light came on with its buzzer at 15 minutes and she shut it off. 10 minutes to landing; she was beginning to relax a little.
"Doberman you are cleared for landing first."
"10-4"
Liz headed right to the spot and just as she set it down the right engine began to sputter. And as she began to shut it down the left engine sputtered and then they both were quiet, the rotor still spinning by momentum. Liz sighed. That was a little closer than it should have been. That gage and everything else had been a little optimistic. She figured she still had at least 2 minutes left. Then Ted said the first thing since they had left the area. "Liz, it's a good thing you are so small. I think that extra 100 lbs was the difference." Liz had to grin. "Maybe. So no more short jokes?" "Promise-no more."
Then she was out of the ship and her crew chief was there.
"I heard them cut out. Gonna have to check the pumps and everything now."
"Sorry Grunt."
"That's ok. Comes with the territory. But maybe next time you add a little string to your rope?"
"Will try."
Liz took a deep breath and then followed Ted towards operations for the mission debrief.
Winston looked at Liz as she came in.
"Liz, that was cutting it too close."
"Sir, I thought I had at least two more minutes."
That got a laugh from the whole room.
Finishing the debrief, Winston was more serious.
"That came too close. Without Liz being able to hang there as long as she did, we might have lost that last Hawk and everyone in it. I am going to make it a point to demand we have two externals for anything that takes that long from now on. Or if not we are going to have to cut things sooner than that. Several of us landed on fumes and Liz did not even have that."
The Battalion commander later on echoed that up the latter.
The next day Liz was in her office when a Spec Forces captain stuck his head in her door.
"Lt Parker?"
Liz looked up. "Yes."
He advanced with his hand out and Liz stood up and took it.
"LT, it was me and a couple of my men with a wounded man that was in that last chopper. No way we get out if you had not stayed to cover us. You really ran the string out and we appreciate it."
"Captain, that is what we are here for. I promise you we will not leave you guys hanging out to dry."
"Lt, from most I would just take those as words, but you already backed it up. You got friends in Spec Ops, I am here to tell you."
The Crew appreciated Liz staying as well, even if none of them were flying the last chopper. Jesse spoke for them all.
"5 Battalion knows you now Liz. We know you will be there for us; Eagle Assault will remember."
Winston and Griffith were talking that night after the mission.
"Liz really cut it close; though she did claim she thought she had two more minutes."
"She is the kind that will take it that extra step."
Commander, Special Forces, Afghanistan was talking to his XO.
"That mission was a little close. Command screwed up not letting them have that extra tank."
"Yes sir. The Company and Battalion commander already made that point. I think they will give their people a little more margin next time."
"They better. I heard the last one down had her engines die just as she touched down."
"That is what I hear as well. She was heard to tell her CO that she thought she had 2 more minutes left."
"Parker, right?"
"Only woman Apache driver in country now that that crazy Brit is gone."
"Is it something about being women apache drivers that make them take it closer to the edge?"
"Not sure sir but that might be something to think on."
"I hope our people made sure she knows we appreciate it."
"Captain Thomas already let her know."
"Good. It never hurts to make that known; might get us a little edge now and then when it matters."
That story made it all the way up the ladder to General Brown, who just nodded when told.
"She showed some serious cojones at Campbell; and before; no one should be surprised."
As spring began, the weather got hotter and so did the fighting. Starting in April, the Apache's of A company began to get more work as did the others. The British were switching out their Apache's and were not operational, so the 1st Battalion got more calls. While there were other attack helicopters, everyone wanted the Apache's there since they had the real muscle. First Battalion spent more time supporting the other countries as well; before the Brits took care of them.
Liz and Max were seeing each other regularly; or as much as they could when things started to get busier for Liz. Liz found herself really liking Max and starting to get comfortable with him. Max was coming to the realization that he just might be really serious about Liz. When she admitted to him that he was really her first serious boyfriend, he was startled. Iz had told him that she suspected it; but he really had not believed it. Not only extremely cute but really nice, he found it very hard to believe that she had not done any dating before. She blushed a little when he stated that, then got quiet. Finally she took his hand as they sat as they usually did together at the mess hall.
"I had to work if I wanted anything in Wyoming. Mom made a good salary but it was expensive living there. So I was a waitress and worked most weekends. That did not really leave much time to see anyone. Then I went in the Army and it seems like I just never either had the time; or the situation was just not good for even looking so I did not even try. I mean you look around here and this is not exactly a great place to try and date; but I am. So does that tell you anything?"
He held her hand a little tighter. "Yes it does. Liz, I have been a rolling stone since I left high school. Do not have much to show for it except a fat bank account. Which in the grand scheme of things means very little. But I think I might have a reason now to finally settle down."
Liz blushed softly. "Well, I guess we have to see how things go, don't we?"
"I hope so."
Liz was flying virtually every day the weather allowed it; and that was most days right now. With the other demands, multi mission days were becoming more and more common. Which was tough on the pilots and copilots, but even tougher on the crews. Liz talked to Grunt one afternoon after getting back from their second mission that day. That morning they had escorted a Canadian supply run; that afternoon a US one. They had not had to do any shooting, but it was still time in the cockpit and time on the bird.
"How is the crew doing, Grunt?"
"Hanging in there, LT. But this multi mission stuff makes it hard to get things done and get any sleep; let alone anything else."
"Don't think Ted and I do not appreciate it, Grunt. We both know damn well how good our bird is because you guys take care of it."
"It's nice to hear, LT, though the crew and I know that already."
The next week brought an incident that was to be the talk of Apache Drivers everywhere for years to come.
Another Spec Ops mission. Another high pass, another village being searched for Taliban leadership. Different area.
Once again 4 hawks in with the Spec Ops, 2 in reserve. A Company flying support. This time though they would have two external fuel tanks. One pod of rockets and one pod of hellfires. It was not quite as far away so this time no one was really worried about fuel. This was 6 Battalion so none of the Crew were here.
Yet Liz had a funny feeling as they set out; just as they were getting close that feeling got a little stronger and she talked to Ted.
"Ted, I have a funny feeling about this mission."
"What, Liz."
"Not sure. But it's getting stronger; let's be extra watchful this time."
Ted thought about this. Liz was not one to do say anything like this. She never had before.
"NO problem with that."
This time 1st Platoon was high cover and 2nd was low. Which should have meant that Liz was in the safer position. But her feeling of dread began to grow.
The hawks went in; as before the Air Force had shaken everyone up with a bombing run; the idea was that most would stay under cover which would give the spec ops the edge coming in.
2nd Platoon was down low; 1st was high; everyone was keeping a close watch. Then it began to go sideways.
"Spectre, I have multiple targets NW of dustoff."
"Take them."
"Multiple targets SW of Dustoff."
"We will take them; Scooter come on down and take close cover"
"10-4" "Doberman to the right; I will take left"
"10-4" Liz headed down with Jake right behind her; her feeling was screaming at her now. She came in a little hot; around 40 knots, faster than she would have usually.
Behind her Jake was watching for anything; she was going in a little fast. Then he saw it.
From a spider hole out popped a insurgent with a RPG. He was aiming for the lead Apache.
"DOBERMAN RPG beneath you to the right!"
Liz heard that and firewalled everything as she banked hard to the left, pushing everything as far as she could.
Jake was aiming the 30 but he knew he could not hit him before he fired. Just as he did the Taliban fighter let go. The RPG wooshed out and an instant later he was in pieces as several 30MM rds tore him apart.
Liz kept it hard left everything; in her mind she could almost see him; he would be firing right for the belly of the bird; she had to move it away. The RPG would be affected by the downdraft but how much. All this was running through her mind as she worked her ship. She kept turning; and rolling. And rolling.
A helicopter, if it has rigid enough rotors, can do a barrel roll. Apache's have done that; in early testing it was done and there have been rumors of others. But they had all been flying high and over 100 knots when they did it. Not at 500 feet from the ground doing 40-50.
Ted had just enough time to think that Liz's premonition was coming through when the chopper violently rolled left; and kept going; he could not believe it as he was on his side, then upside down; almost casually he saw the RPG round go past so close he did not know how it missed the rotors; then he was no longer on his side then upright. Liz had done a complete barrel roll.
Buzzers and warning lights lit up the cockpit like New Years Eve in Times Square. The Apache was letting Liz know it was NOT happy. She got it back upright and was still pulling away, then she eased off and slowed down, not wanting to make any sudden moves, not knowing if there was serious damage or not.
Jake had his mouth open staring up; she had done a barrel roll!
The rest of the company had finished their shooting and all were looking for Doberman. The two Blackhawks that were up several thousand feet had the best seats in the house.
"Doberman! What is your condition?"
"Scooter, not sure; got enough warning lights and buzzers to make Vegas look like nothing. Will check and let you know."
Griffith managed to get back to work.
"OK people check the perimeter; there might be more; I want everyone over Angels 10 right now."
Tense minutes ran by as everyone tried to look everywhere to make sure no one else was in the mood to try.
Liz had the Apache moving at about 30 knots at minimal power; checking everything. The lights went off and the buzzers got quiet. She took one more look and told Ted. "I think I just might have used up all my luck on this one. She seems OK."
"Well I need clean underwear."
Liz smiled at that; the adrenaline was pumping through her system and she knew she had to control herself or let Ted take the stick. Taking deep breaths she calmed herself.
"Scooter, this is Doberman. I don't know how, but I have a green board."
"10-4 Doberman. Maintain position with reserve hawks."
"10-4."
Only minutes later the Spec Ops called in for dustoff; down went 2nd platoon but this time there was no incoming. Looked like they had taken care of business. All four came down and the Spec Ops wasted no time coming out; in 10 minutes everyone was up and leaving.
"Doberman, remain on station with Hawks all the way in."
"10-4."
Liz knew that they wanted her near the reserve hawks just in case her Apache decided enough was enough. She was certainly not going to argue.
As it turned out, aboard one of the reserve hawks was a camera man; military not civilian media. They shot footage fairly often. Never knew when it might come in handy. By pure chance he had caught the whole thing pretty well.
Liz was needless to say very alert to any strange noises, vibrations or anything else out of the ordinary. But her Apache behaved itself all the way back to base.
Liz set her down and shut down. Then sat for a minute. Taking a deep breath she slowly got out to find the whole Company waiting. As one they all went down on their knees and Salaammed.
"WE'RE NOT WORTHY!"
Liz's laughter peeled out and they got up and one by one gave her a hug. They all knew just how close they had come to losing one of their own.
Her crew chief came up. "LT, are they for real? Did you really do a slow speed barrel roll at 500 feet?"
Liz took a deep breath. "Yep."
He just shook his head. "Well they are going to go over this bird with a fine toothed comb."
The Debrief was very interesting. The Brigade Commander was present as was the Maintenance Chief and the Tech chief for Apache's. They wanted her to go over everything five or six times. The normal debrief took an hour. This one took three.
"You just maintained even control?"
"Yes sir. I had reached a point where I felt it was more dangerous to try and right it and just kept the pattern going for a full roll. I was probably past 90 degrees at that point."
Finally the Tech Chief went up to Liz and shook her hand.
"Lt, the experts will say what you did was impossible at that altitude and speed. It's a given no one has tried anything like that. Your personal guardian angel has got to be exhausted."
"Sir, I think she will probably put in for a transfer."
The Brigade Commander came up and shook her hand as well.
"Well if she calls for advice I will tell her to cut and run."
That night at dinner Griffith told her that they had it on film and even then they did not believe it. He told her that her bird was grounded pending a very thorough check.
The Crew was waiting for her and all puppy piled her. She did not object at all. About half an hour later the Major came in.
"Parker, there is a guy here to see you and while normally I would run him off, I think he deserves to see you after the stunt you pulled today."
Liz went to the main door and Max grabbed her hard. She let him and rested her chin on his chest.
"Liz, I cannot believe what they said you did. That was beyond crazy. But I guess since it worked I cannot complain."
"Max, it was crazy, but at the time it seemed the thing to do."
He let her go and kissed her forehead. "Get some sleep, Liz."
Then he walked out. Liz stood there for a moment with a very dopy grin on her face until the Crew grabbed her and pulled her back to their room.
The Brigade Commander and many others were in the room as the film was shown. While the camera had been about a mile away, it had a zoom feature so that it looked like they were only a few hundred feet away. They saw just at the corner the Taliban stand up and the camera start to move his way; then he fired and just after that he was shredded by the 30MM. The Helicopter could be seen starting to bank; it started to climb while banking; then it kept banking until it was clear it was becoming a roll; then it kept on rolling, steadily, until it straightened up and continued to climb up and away. The cameraman could not follow it any more as it crossed past his view. But the roll was very well caught on film. It did not look frantic though it was fast.
The Brigade Commander looked at the 1st Battalion Commander.
"The Factory reps want a complete workover of that bird. The early view is that it's probably fine but everyone wants to look anyway."
"Not surprising sir. Any idea how long that will take?"
"Several days probably."
Liz took the word that her bird and her were grounded for a few days philosophically.
"I guess I can catch up on my sleep some."
After that she wandered down to the hanger; the rest of the company was out on a mission. So was the rest of the Battalion. The only bird in the hanger was hers. It was not in its bubble but in the middle of the floor with quite a number of people gathered around it.
She went up to Grunt who was on the outskirts of the crowd.
"Quite a draw. Maybe we should sell tickets."
"Could retire right now – and this is the beginning. Just about every chopper tech in country is going to want to come here to look at this bird."
"Well word from up above is that Boeing is sending a team here to look it over so it will be grounded for several days. Look at it this way; your guys can catch up on their sleep."
"That is what they are doing right now. I told them to just hang out until called. Matter of fact I think I might do the same soon."
"Why not chief; I think I will catch up on some sleep myself."
"Next time you want to get some time off just put in a leave slip."
She looked over to see the Battalion Commander standing there.
"But would it have gotten approved?"
"Tell them this might happen again and I think it will."
Liz grinned.
She wandered off again as it was clear the crowd was not going anywhere. Having a thought she went to see if Max was free. She went to the office of the contractor and low and behold he was there.
"Liz! What are you doing here?"
"My bird, and thus me, are grounded until Boeing sends a tech crew to look it over. Probably several days. You got any spare time?"
"As a matter of fact I do."
There were not exactly any tourist areas at Bagram; so they ended up going to where the PX was and finding a seat at the little mall that had been going up gradually over time.
Liz realized that this was a chance to really talk and she looked at Max.
"Is there somewhere quiet we can go and just talk?"
He thought for a minute then nodded. They walked back to his office and he grabbed a vehicle and they headed to the main post. There was a large conference room in the main HQ and it was pretty empty; it also had some very comfortable chairs.
"This is where VIPS come to get briefed and the like. It's not used very often."
So they just sat there and talked for hours. Then they got something to eat and came back and talked for more. Finally they got dinner and she went back to her quarters and crashed.
He told her about his time in the corps, and after. He had been to a fair number of places both in the US and outside. She told him about her life in Worland, and then at Basic, Stewart, Iraq and Benning and Rucker.
They spent most of the next three days together just talking and walking. By the time the Battalion commander told her to be at a meeting they had really gotten to know each other very well. Max had to do a few things now and then; so Liz caught up on her laundry and sent out emails to everyone. And got some real sleep.
Liz sat in the meeting with the Boeing tech team.
"From everything we can tell, there is no damage. All systems check out and nothing looks bent or stressed."
He then looked at her and asked her to go through the whole thing, which Liz did.
Finally they signed off the bird as being fully operational.
The Battalion commander told her that she was back on duty and on flight status the next day.
The next morning she ran into Ted.
"What have you been doing?"
"Sleeping."
Word of Liz's maneuver had begun to trickle out as people told people and phone calls and emails went out. It was a hell of a story so it began to attract attention. Two days after it a media rep contacted the Brigade PR officer.
"We have heard that someone barrel rolled an Apache at low speed and altitude and got away with it."
The PR officer had been told to not deny it but to not call attention to it.
An Apache did an extreme maneuver to avoid a RPG fired at it."
And that was all he would say.
More media heard of it; many hearing it second and third hand as Aviation forums gave it great play. No one would identify who did it; but even that began to leak out. 5 days after it, a day after Liz went back on flight status another Media person confronted the Brigade PR officer.
"We have heard it was done by the only female Apache pilot in country."
Trapped the PR officer did the only thing he could do beyond no comment. "That is correct."
The story probably would have garnered a little more attention if the film had not gotten out. How that happened was something that triggered a full investigation but no one was ever brought up on charges, though the film was much better secured after this.
Someone made a digital copy and found a way to get it out of country. It was thought that someone made a DVD and it got to Fox the day after one of their reporters confirmed Lt Elizabeth Parker as the pilot who found a new way to avoid an RPG.
"This is Fox News Tonight. We have some incredible footage to show you from the war on Terror in Afghanistan. One of the chief weapons used against Al Queeda and the Taliban is the AH-64D Apache Attack Helicopter. It is the most heavily armed attack helicopter in the world and it is on the front lines of the fight every day. Needless to say the Taliban hate and fear it; and try everything to shoot one down no matter what the cost. Well we have footage taken by a military cameraman who just happened to be in the right time and the right place for something extraordinary. Now we want to warn you that part of this footage is grisly. We debated editing it and decided not to. So if there are young children watching this now We advise their parents to change the channel.
The 1st Battalion of the 101st aviation Brigade, part of the 101st Airborne Division, known as the Screaming Eagles, the division that held Bastogne in WW2 at the Battle of the Bulge; the division that one unit had the incredible mini series Band of Brothers made about, is a battalion that has 24 AH-64D Longbow Apache's, the most advanced model. Company A of that battalion was involved in an operation after suspected Taliban commanders in a small village in Afghanistan. The normal procedure is that the Special Forces come in Blackhawk helicopters and make their attack while the Apache's hover nearby to give them cover fire. They usually are about 500 of so feet up moving slowly as long as the Blackhawks are on the ground.
Now a word here. There are some maneuvers that are rather easily done by fixed wing aircraft that are very difficult if not impossible to do by helicopters because of how they work.
You are about to see one.
The cameraman from what we have been told just happened to be on this side of the helicopter that was part of the reserves that waited to be called if needed. So it was by pure luck that this was caught on film. You see this helicopter going low to make sure there is no one getting close to the blackhawks on the ground. At just about this time some enemy soldiers were spotted and you can see those Apache's firing on them. More showed up so that the high cover platoon was called down to help out. You see this one coming down quickly to assist; and right THERE (freezing the film) you see a Taliban fighter coming out of a hole to fire an RPG, a rocket propelled grenade normally used for fighting tanks and armored vehicles, and if he can hit an Apache it will almost certainly destroy it and kill the crew. One of the other Apache's spot the fighter and warn the Apache being targeted (Film unfreezes) you see him firing and the other Apache hitting him with 30MM which disintegrates him and there you see the Apache banking away and beginning to roll; and it continues to roll and does a complete Barrel roll at a slow speed and low altitude and that is where you last see the Apache as the RPG just misses it and it finishes the barrel roll. And it kept right on going and made it back to base and after a careful inspection it is flying again. What is even more remarkable about this incident is that the pilot is the Only Woman pilot flying an Apache in Aghanistan, Lt Elizabeth Parker of Worland Wyoming. Lt Parker is not unknown to those who have followed the war on terror. She was the first and so far only woman to have been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism in combat in a battle in Iraq in 2003. She was also credited with the probable saving of the life of Congressman…
And so on it went. Giving an update basically on Liz's life in the military.
In an apartment in Athens Georgia, where three juniors attending the University of Georgia are sitting watch Fox news as they do most nights, looks are exchanged between three very shocked young women.
Nancy Parker also happened to be watching Fox News and sat stunned and shocked. Ed was right next to her as he was most nights and he held her as she shook and cried. Finally settling down. "God, how close can she get and still get away?"
The Congressman was not watching that night but one of his staff was and let him know. He looked at the footage and shook his head.
Liz found out the next day because as with most US Military bases they show Fox News if they can. Several of the pilots told her then she got a call from Battallion.
"Lt Parker the newsies want to talk to you."
"Well I do not want to talk to them."
"Understandable. At this time that is still your prerogative. The general may think differently. They really poured it on about you last night."
Liz hung up and shook her head and looked at Winston.
"Get me up in the air, boss, that is safer than being here hunted by newsies."
Now a bunch of reporters had the Brigade PR officer under heavy fire wanting to talk to Lt Parker.
"She does not wish to talk to reporters."
Frustrated they then went to something a couple of them had found out and spread around.
"Sometime before this we heard that there was a mission that lasted longer than it was supposed to and she was the last helicopter to land and she ran out of fuel. Is this true?"
"Yes. The mission ran over long and she was the last one to land. Just as she set down her engines quit from running out of fuel."
"Why was she the last to land?"
"She was the last to leave the combat scene."
"Why was she the last to leave?"
The PR officer prayed for strength.
"If you take ten different helicopters all of the same model and give them all the same fuel, you would have all of them run out of fuel at different times. Some are slightly more efficient then others; some pilots fly more economically then others. On that mission She was the last to leave the scene because she was able to stretch her fuel supply slightly better then any of the other pilots. She stayed to give cover fire to the last helicopter evacuating wounded Special Forces personnel."
He stopped and realized he had just given the monster more meat.
"That is all for today" and got out of there.
The Brigade commander gave him a look. "Yes sir I know I should have told them less."
"Well I think we no longer have any choice. Despite her very justifiable feelings on the matter, she will have to meet with them."
"Yes sir. BCU's or class A's?"
"Normally I would say BDU's but in this case since the monster wants to be fed badly have her come in Class A. I am saying this because I know that is what Washington will tell us to do."
Hours later he would have that confirmed.
"I have to do WHAT?"
"Liz, I hate it too but this comes from the Pentagon."
"But in Class A? In the warzone its allways BDU! I did not bring one."
He blinked at that. "Well that is good. Maybe we can delay it; or let you do it in BDU. Will have to tell brigade."
"She did not bring one?"
"Well sir it's a war zone."
"Well that is good. We can tell the Pentagon it will have to be good ol BDU."
"Yes sir." He hung up and looked at his PR officer.
"You are to call Germany and have one flown in special tonight for a Press conference tomorrow evening that will be shown live in the US; it will be midnight here and shown at 3PM Friday in the east."
Liz stared at him then shook her head and then gave her measurements. She walked out of the Brigade commanders HQ and got in a vehicle waiting to take her back to the flight line.
Winston looked at her; then again. "What is it this time?
Liz looked at him in disgust. "I just gave my measurements to a Major General in Germany. He will make sure a class A uniform gets here tomorrow in time for a midnight press conference where I will get an Air Medal and then talk to the reporters. Its timed for 3PM Friday afternoon in the US."
He blinked and shook his head. "Man, this is out of control."
Liz went back to her quarters and lay on her bed staring up at the roof. The Crew came in and saw her laying like that. They looked at each other then sat down next to her.
Jess said softly. "Liz?" No reaction. "Liz?" a little louder. Finally she turned her head and looked at them.
"What is it?"
"Liz something is wrong. Tell us?"
So she did.
They agreed she had a right to be dazed and confused.
The PR officer went over how to go about it.
"Just think your answers through. Speak steadily and carefully. Right now they love you but they can turn on you in a heartbeat and tear you too pieces. Remember what they did to Jessica Lynch and she had done nothing wrong."
She had a couple of hours before the uniform was due to arrive and she went and hid in Max's office.
Max was worried about Liz; all this attention had made her go into a shell.
"Liz, none of this is your fault. You just happen to go through some very extraordinary events."
"So do lots of soldiers and they never get one percent of what I am getting."
Winston and Griffith were talking to Ted Dugan.
"Liz is getting very depressed over all of this. She hates it and thinks people will begin to believe she is hunting for glory. Becoming a showoff."
"No one here believes that. Every bit of recognition she is getting she has earned."
"I am just worried about her."
The two officers looked at each other. Winston looked thoughtful.
"Word is that we will probably be grounded tomorrow, right?"
"Weather pretty much confirmed that an hour ago. That is why we were not flying today. Winds are too high and that storm will be in tonight. That plane bringing her uniform will get in just before it hits. Probably will not be flying Saturday either."
"OK. This is the first real break we have been able to count on since we got here 5 months ago. It's time for a party; everyone can blow off some steam. Let's talk to Battalion and make sure that everyone is at the party that we will throw right after the press conference. We can let it go till dawn and then let everyone sleep it off tomorrow. We can them make sure that Liz knows that everyone that matters knows the score. We can get some of the Spec Ops guys here as well. Maybe that guy that was wounded. He can thank her personally. That should get her back to normal; if anything could."
So out went the word. Having a blowout is a good idea in most times; being able to have one when in the middle of a combat zone is even more desirable and important. Ted went looking for Max and found him and let him know.
Winston called up the Spec Ops guys and told them a party was coming and to bring their guys; and especially the ones that Liz had saved that day. He told them that she was depressed and afraid people would thing she was a glory hound and all stuck up. They told him they would be there.
The Brigade Commander thought it was a great idea for all of the people who had been working their tales off for months.
The uniform had been delivered and Liz had it on while the Crew worked on her and primped her. When they were done they all looked at her and agreed she looked fine.
Jesse spoke for all of them.
"Liz you are a hero. Just as much as anyone is. You have been there and done that. You have as much a right as anyone to get honored. And lets be honest girl; you have a fair amount of fruit salad there."
Liz looked at the clock and saw that it was 2300. They all trooped out the door and Liz found a Staff car waiting for her.
Liz had emailed her mother and let her know about the press conference; so Nancy was at home watching.
Maria, Isabelle and Tess cut class. They were watching.
At least one congressman in DC was watching.
So were a lot of other people.
Liz stood ready in a room next to the main press room. The PR officer was right beside her as was Winston and Griffith and Dugan. Liz looked around her and smiled slightly, Winston noticed.
"Liz if you got a joke handy now is the time to use it."
She smiled and relaxed a little.
"Well look at me; the only one in Class A except the General and a couple others. And look how short I am. And how tall just about everyone else is."
The General walked up to the Mics in Class A.
"We have a small ceremony first then there will be a Press Briefing with Lt Parker."
Liz marched in with the others and stood at attention. The general moved forward. The PR officer read Liz's commendation
On March 23, 2008, while flying cover for a Special Operations mission, Lt Elizabeth Parker by flying extremely efficiently was able to stay on station after all other AH-64 Apaches had to leave to return to base and give critical covering fire as wounded Spec Ops soldiers were evacuated. She returned to base only to have her aircraft run out of fuel exactly as she landed
LT Elizabeth Parker. Liz stepped forward and saluted the General. He returned the salute then picked up the Medal and pinned it on her. Then they exchanged Salutes and she returned to the line.
The General then moved to the Microphones.
"I am certain that Lt Parker would rather be flying in combat than at this press conference but here she is."
Liz moved to the mic and the PR Officer moved to her side. He picked out a reporter.
"Lt Parker, when you made that very difficult maneuver, why did you do it?"
"I got warning from my wingman that a RPG was about to be fired at me from below and to the right. I banked left, throttle wide open, and rammed the collective to the left. I kept rolling, looking to my right and I saw the RPG just miss the rotors as it went by. By that time I was past 90 degrees and made the judgment call that correcting was more dangerous than continuing the roll. I completed one revolution and straightened out continuing to climb while I tried to sort out all the warning lights and buzzers going off. What I did was not in the book and the aircraft let me know about that in no uncertain terms. By the grace of God my aircraft was not damaged and it got us back to base in one piece."
"Lt Parker, the operation during which you just received the air medal; what did you do that allowed you to use less fuel?"
"I have what I think is the best crew Chief, Sergeant Gunt, and the best ground crew in the Brigade. He keeps my ship at peak efficiency, which is pretty hard in the dust and sand here in Afghanistan. That is a large part of the reason. Many pilots relax flying in, so as to save their energy for the fight and flight back. When at the edge of range as we were on that mission, I try and concentrate and fly as carefully as possible so as to use as little fuel as possible. And of course it helps to be as small and light as I am. That less 100 or so pounds does count as well."
"LT Parker, what is it like being the only female in an Apache Battalion?"
"Well, there never is a line outside the Ladies Room."
That got a big laugh.
And around the nation.
She took a few more questions about what it was like in Afghanistan and so on and then the PR Officer ended it and Liz marched out with the rest of them.
Nancy smiled through her tears. "That's my girl."
Three tearful girls in Georgia hugged each other.
A congressman in DC nodded and smiled.
