Chp. 6: The Toll Road
May 10, 1995
Northeast of Solis Ortus
The M551 sat at the edge of the treeline, covered in as much of the local foliage as possible. Just ahead was a handful of boulders that let it further conceal itself from anyone moving down the road below. The tank's commander checked to the left and right, then rose from behind his fifty caliber's shield and examined the road. Up the opposite slope, where he knew what to look for, he spotted two of the TOW teams. The commander checked his watch and grumbled to himself.
"Where the hell are they?"
An attempt to push on 1st Brigade's northern line was long overdue, and it was only raising the paranoia factor. Captain Gabriel Rodriguez lowered himself into the turret of his tank and swapped his kevlar helmet for his CVC (Combat Vehicle Crewman) one. He lifted a foot and nudged his gunner awake. As Private First Class Jean Kelly stirred, Gabe looked over to make sure his loader, PFC Ryan Marty, had slinked down and lowered his hatch. He stowed one of the crew's M3 Grease Guns and knelt next to one of the ammo storage racks to check them.
"Driver, wake up. All of you eat, drink or take a piss now." He ordered.
"Got a bottle for that, Cap'n." Marty replied. The company commander grimaced, wished he hadn't known that, and keyed his radio.
"Charlie 6 to all Charlie Actuals, Charlie 6 to all Charlie Actuals. Report in."
Gabe had his 14 tanks arranged on the slopes above the highway, interspersed with a company-sized task force of engineers and Humvee-mounted TOWs. He got clear radio calls from his platoons and support. It made his scalp feel cooler. He looked down the highway towards the Belkan lines and keyed his radio once more.
"Bloodhound 3-1 this is Charlie 6, anything worth reporting?"
"Charlie 6 this is Bloodhound 3-1, be advised we've been observing movement near the highway about 1700 Meters from our position. No additional movement at this time." The sniper team he had replied.
Dammit, now the Belks were just friggin toying with him! He knew they were gonna hit, so just get it over with! Bring on the Leopard 2s and stop jerking him around. Seeking immediate distraction from his growing anger, he keyed the radio once again.
"Capo, how much longer will we have CAS available?" He asked.
"Ahh, about another 15 minutes Charlie 6. Archer should have its next flight up here within ten or so minutes." His FAC calculated.
"Alright...if they're willing, I'd like to have 'em take a peek at the scouts Bloodhound 3-1 is looking for."
"Will do...want me to pass that along to CAS currently on station?"
"No, no...actually if they can, have 'em make one pass and see what they draw."
Gabe could feel his head tightening in pain as his temper boiled up and up. He opened his hatch and slinked up to get some fresh air. The last thing he needed was to go blasting off again. Keep his nickname of "Volcano" alive with his men. He ducked back down to get his canteen and steam a little more over the waiting game.
"Capo, have those aircraft standby to make wet runs. We've got eyes on enemy armor moving up. Repeat, enemy armor moving up." Bloodhound called.
Gabe swallowed his comments and took a long gulp before he set his water aside and got behind his M2. The Sherridan's engine rumbled to life while its gunner and loader went through the procedures to arm the tank's 152mm "launcher". Despite his grievances with the device, he'd had Marty load an MGM-151 Shillelagh for their opening shot. The Leo 2 was a tough bastard, but not invincible; he'd learned that during the invasion of Osea. If they could at least disable them until CAS could get here they might stand a chance. He hoped to keep the heat off the TOW teams by presenting so many threats the Belkans would be overwhelmed. He keyed his mike and cleared his throat.
"Charlie 6 to all Charlie Victors, Charlie 6 to all Charlie Victors. Crank up and standby. Bloodhound reports possible hostile forces moving down the highway. Charlie 1, move to your defensive positions and await orders to fire, how copy?"
"Charlie 1 Copies all, 6." Bergson, his First Platoon's CO, replied enthusiastically.
Gabe ordered his tank forward to its position behind the rocks and looked up as an A-10 swept down and over the mountains. It unleashed a single missile before it banked right and hurried away. A second later, a Belkan Alpha jet rose up from behind the far ranges. Gabe's jaw tightened as he watched the machine swoop over them, but it kept onwards in the same direction the A-10 had gone. He heard another aircraft and saw a second Alpha Jet streak into the valley, where it dropped two clutches of bombs on the far side. He raised his binoculars and keyed his radio, demanding a situation report. Meanwhile, the Pathfinders watching the road spotted signs that the vehicles were tanks. The imposing barrel of a Leopard 2A4 emerged from some trees, and another almost simultaneously to its left. Bloodhound's RTO was on the net the second he saw them.
"Golf 6, Golf 6 this is Bloodhound 3-1, we have eyes on enemy armor entering TRP 1. Request fire mission, HE, how copy?" He radioed.
"Roger 3-1, coordinates received, standby." The RTO for a battery of M119s replied. There was another pause before the order was given to fire.
"Shot out."
The thunder of the six guns echoed through the mountains as the blocking force's supporting battery let loose. Soon, Gabe could hear the steady growl of heavy machinery approaching. Kelly rotated the turret to the left and waited until the silhouette of a Leopard entered his sights.
"Gunner identify, tank at our ten! 1200 Meters!" He barked.
"Copy! Charlie 5, engage that lead Leo at the same time as me." Gabe radioed.
"Copy 6." His XO replied. Gabe crossed his fingers and waited until First Lieutenant Kendrick was on target.
"...Fire!" He barked.
"On the way!" Kelly assured.
The closest Leopard was swiveling its gun in their direction when they fired. Almost immediately it turned into the attack and leveled its gun up the slope. The Shillelagh struck it head on, but gave it little more than a black eye.
"Driver, back up! Loader, HEAT!" Gabe ordered.
The Sherridian scurried away, barely missing the Leopard's shot. His XO's tank fired a shot at the same Leopards and struck the machine in the right tracks. Gabe had his tank maneuver to the side of the rocks so they could get a second shot. As he emerged, 2nd Platoon moved down the slope towards their secondary positions. Gabe followed them and engaged the unwounded Leopard 2 as it took on Charlie 2. Kelly scored a hit on top of the machine's turret and it jolted to a halt. A TOW came racing out of the trees and finished the machine. Gabe watched with satisfaction as smoke poured from the Belkan tank.
"Good shot Anvil 3!" He quipped. He got two mike clicks in return.
Its partner, immobilized but not out, fired on one of Charlie 2's tanks as they closed. Compared to a hit from the Sheridans, the Leopard 2's main gun practically shattered the light tank with a single hit. Charlie 2-2's turret flew back and the back of its hull belched fire. Charlie 2-3 engaged, followed by Gabe and his XO. The Leopard ceased moving, but four of its brothers were rolling in to take up the fight.
"Charlie 2, deploy smoke and retreat back to the treeline! Anvil 3, Anvil 2 engage enemy armor pursuing Charlie 2!" Gabe radioed.
"Charlie 6 be advised we need a few seconds to reload our TOW launchers and reposition." Anvil 3's commander replied. Getting too fired up again, Gabriel...
"Charlie 6 this is Charlie 3, still got two tanks left after that strike. Moving to support." 3rd Platoon's commander, Wilan, spoke up.
"Copy, break, Charlie 5 cover us until we can move back and support Charlie 3."
"Roger Charlie 6!" Kendrick replied.
Gabe held on as his driver, Corporal Sevelinski, gunned the engine and pulled out of harm's way. When they were close to Kendrick's position, the two tanks rushed forward down the slope. The lead Belkan turned his main gun their way and fired, but missed. Kendrick's gunner shot back but missed too. The Leopard and its wingman swung towards the two Sheridans, just enough for Wilan and his other tank to engage.
"All Charlie and Anvil elements be advised, we've got eyes on a fresh company of Leo 2s moving towards the fight and IFVs moving into your immediate AOR, how copy?" Bloodhound warned.
"Copy Bloodhound, see if you can get Golf 6 to execute another fire mission!" Gabe acknowledged.
In the meantime, he ordered his driver to head south towards Charlie 3's position. As they went, Kelly engaged the newest formation of Leopards. To Gabe's quiet satisfaction, the round managed to strike the tank's primary sight. The Leopard fired back in anger, and missed by inches. Wilan and his wingman covered the two other tanks as they hurried up to get his unit back up to full strength.
"Charlie 6, Charlie 6 this is Capo, be advised that Bulldog 6 has tasked fresh CAS to you. Scythe 1 should be on station in two minutes; Archer is five." His FAC radioed.
"Copy that, Capo, break, Bloodhound 3-1 what's the status of those enemy reinforcements?" Gabe replied.
"Enemy reinforcements have slowed due to Golf 6's actions, but casualties appear light."
"Copy that...be advised we're about to pull back to better defensive positions. Are you able to remain undetected from your current position?"
"Don't worry about us, Charlie 6."
Despite the fact that they'd given the Belkans a bloody nose, Gabe's force had already played its hand. He ordered Anvil to retreat first and establish positions where they could cover the tanks when they broke contact. The Leopards who'd charged in were now moving back in order to avoid getting cut off, but made sure to harass the Osean tanks every step of the way. Gabe ordered his tanks back into the treelines, towards trails they could use to get southwards faster. As he looked back, he saw another Alpha Jet streak down into the valley. Almost immediately the man dropped into the turret and closed the hatch. A few seconds later, when it was clear the tank hadn't been seriously hit, he opened the hatch again and turned his M2 around towards the sky. A second pair of jets, F-4E Phantoms, came roaring over. They dropped a handful of bombs in the trees to the right. Gabe watched them ascend away, then bank hard left. At first he thought they were coming back around, but they hurried off to parts unknown.
The Company's HQ sat just south of the new defensive line, made up of low tents, a few Humvees and a pair of trucks. Gabe's First Sergeant O'Conner, hurried up to his tank as it approached the gaggle of vehicles. Gabe leaned over and pulled away one of the cups on his helmet so he could hear the man.
"Radio Bulldog 6 and see if they can chop us some support! Engineers, maybe! Might help us dig in...and start getting supplies to the tanks." He barked.
"Gotcha sir!" The man replied before descending to the ground once more.
Gabe ordered his driver to turn around and cross the road. He set up between two groups of trees, where he could cover the road and stay close to the Company HQ. His remaining forces filtered in and grabbed whatever cover they could find. There was a deceptive lack of wounded; Gabe hoped any that had been that lucky played dead or were world-class hide-n-seek players.
Up on the eastern slope, where he could see the entire fight unfolding, Capo and a small security detachment watched as a renewed Belkan attack pushed into the valley. Marder Infantry Fighting Vehicles followed the Leopard 2s, some dismounting their infantry to establish a line to fall back on.
"Scythe 1-1 this is Capo 62, I have eyes on enemy armor moving along the road in pursuit of friendly forces. Possible AA to the north, exact type and numbers unknown. Recommend you make passes south to northwest. Bloodhound 3-1 will help adjust fire as needed." The FAC radioed.
"Roger that Capo, request you pass along a grid reference for us."
A minute later, the first of the two A-10s swooped down into the valley and loosed two Maverick missiles. His wingman was immediately behind him with a clutch of Mk.82 bombs. The two aircraft drew fire below as they pulled away, including a pair of missiles.
"Capo be advised, enemy AA down there seems to be relegated to at least two Shilkas and MANPADS. Do you copy that, Archer 1?" One of the pilots reported.
"Archer copies all, Scythe. Capo, are you or Bloodhound able to laze targets for us?"
"Bloodhound can laze for you, Archer."
"Copy Bloodhound, we're two minutes out."...
Colonel Vittelli and his wingman raced just above the treetops towards the patch of land coined "Engagement Area Howl" alongside the rest of Archer 1's elements. The terrain rose and sank at will, it seemed, but the Colonel was loving the challenge. He weaved his attack helicopter up and down, left and right as he snaked along towards their Battle Positions. The Apache was made for this kind of flying, galloping just above the treetops and even lower when they could get away with it. The morning had been busy, and by now his blood was flowing smooth and steady as they hurried to the fight once more. Task Force Archer was bringing the pain, with only a single helo shot down. Vitelli already planned to buy the ground crews a few rounds for keeping birds available.
It'd still been strictly ground targets. Even so, his wingman trailed behind, always facing the opposite direction he was. Still no word on Belkan helos, but as a precaution his gunner, Chief Warrant Officer Jake Hudd, swept the area with their M320 chaingun. Vitelli had the aircraft's four AIM-92 Stingers under his command; whenever he had a chance, he'd glance about to help keep an eye out. He looked up as a fixed-wing aircraft appeared above the mountains in the distance. He assumed that was one of the Thunderbolts setting the stage for his six Apaches. Hey keyed his mike as they hit their second-to-final navigation point.
"Sytche 1-1 this is Archer 1-1, we're about a minute out. Request SITREP."
"Archer 1-1 this is Scythe 1-1, we've softened up what we can but enemy armor is still present in significant numbers. Scythe 1-2 is hit, probably by a missile further north of the armor. Heavy concentration between TRPs 1 and 2. Suggest you stay south of the highway and don't hang around the middle, how copy?" His faster counterpart reported.
"Archer copies all. Capo 62 this is Archer 1-1, I'm gonna have two of my aircraft make a few runs with Hydras once we fire our initial salvos. Request you confirm we're clear before you order further fires from Golf 6, how copy?"
"Capo copies all Archer, EA Howl is all yours. Charlie 6 will mop up any stragglers, but request you concentrate on the heavy armor."
"Will do, Capo."
The lead A-10 would make one final run while the Apaches eased into their positions. The east slope of the fight was mercifully full of places to fire from concealment, rather than forcing the Apaches to pop up over the peaks and hold in a vulnerable position. They rounded a hill and followed a pair of jagged slopes northwest until his navigation systems said otherwise. Vitelli nosed up and slipped into a clearing in the trees. Archers 1-3 and 1-4 passed by behind enroute to the southern entrance to the valley.
"Archer 1-2, take targets to the right of the highway and we'll take the left." The Colonel radioed while they waited.
"Roger 1-1." Captain Aaron Merrick replied.
Vitelli eased the stick and throttle forward and banked the Apache towards one of the shorter groups of mountains and delicately lowered the Apache behind some trees. He moved the aircraft out just enough to allow the Apache's Target Acquisition and Designation System (TADS) a clear view of the valley beyond. Hudd put his face down against his primary sights and swivelled the TADS towards the Belkan side of the area. Using the information that the A-10s had passed along, he managed to draw a bead on a mixed force of Leopard 2s and Marders. Archer 1-2 settled into place a bit higher up the slope before the two turned towards the threat.
"Archer 1-1, tally targets 358 at 2500 Meters." Hudd spoke up in his Onslow-area accent.
"Copy 1-1, Archer 1-2 has tally on targets at 015, 2600 Meters." Merrick's gunner, CWO Linder, agreed.
Vitelli held the Apache steady while Hudd lazed a tank coming out of the trees. He then turned the helicopter so it was facing the threat and rose enough to give their Hellfires a clear shot. Hudd let him know they had a lock before he clamped a thumb down on the launch button.
"Archer 1-1, Rifle." Hudd reported.
The Hellfire raced away from the helicopter and went into a gradual dive. Hudd kept his eyes on their first target until he saw the impact.
"Target destroyed! Acquiring the next one." He assured.
Vitelli immediately moved back while Hudd locked another tank. Their friends on the ground declared they were engaging as the Belkans made a concentrated push with about two platoons of Leopards. They moved forward again and fired a second missile just as Archer 1-2 scored a hit. Hudd could't spot any anti-aircraft weapons; just the Marders and their 20mm cannons.
"Archer 1-3, 1-4 you're cleared to make that first Hydra run after our last Hellfire salvo." Vitelli radioed.
The Colonel pulled back on his control stick and went over the top of the mountain. Hudd launched a third Hellfire before Vitelli turned the helicopter away and moved towards their second BPs on the opposite side of the valley. The two other aircraft (1-5 and 1-6) in his six-ship formation popped up and loosed missiles before they pulled back to meet up with Archers 1-1 and 1-2. Archers 1-3 and 1-4 swept in and fired off long bursts of unguided rockets into the treeline, where the Belkan IFVs and infantry were set up. Hudd and Linder gave their fellow gunners an idea of how the weapons had done as they peeled off, trailing flares every second. The small arms fire was palpable, but finally someone launched a guided missile at the fleeing Apaches.
"Fuck me there's gotta be at least a battalion down there, sir." Hudd commented.
"All the better, we can go nuts on 'em. I'm gonna make a run so you can salvo some Hydras at em, then we'll come around and occupy our alternate BPs." Vitelli replied without skipping a beat. He quickly switched to the radio and hailed his wingman.
"Archer 1-2, follow me. We're gonna soften up that Marder company moving on Charlie 6's positions. Archer 1-3, Archer 1-4 occupy secondary BPs and engage the remaining heavy armor with Archers 1-5 and 1-6."
"Archer 1-3 copies all."
"Archer 1-5 copies all."
He moved his helicopter forward and went full throttle. He angled his helicopter so they'd swoop over the Belkans and head for a minor pass to the east. He spotted the Belkan Leopards, then saw muzzle flashes down below. Big rounds, probably those 20 millimeters he guessed. They weren't able to do much more than crowd the sky a little, though. The outside blurred as they hit top speed and dove down onto the enemy position. Vitelli set the flares to automatic before he fully committed to his run.
"Archer 1-1, Rockets away!" Hudd reported.
Overlapping "chuffs" filled the cockpit and a dozen rockets cut through the trees below. Vitelli looked back both ways as they pulled off while his wingman came down on the enemy positions from a different direction. He saw something burst from the trees, then another. Missiles!
"SAMs, Archer 1-1 break!" Merrick shouted.
The Colonel banked hard right and trailed an increasing number of flares. The Apache dipped down towards the earth, then nosed up and raced over the growing slopes. He rushed through the gap between two peaks and stayed low. They were still alive after all that, and the helicopter was still responding to him. He banked to the right once more and saw nothing following them. Immediately, Vitelli came around to go back over the range and into the fight. The rest of his Apaches fell back to regroup and await their next orders. Implicity, how to deal with those shoulder-launched SAMs.
"Did anyone see who fired those? Bloodhound?" He radioed.
"Can't see anything, Archer 1-1! Probably a couple of MANPADS." The Pathfinders replied. Vitelli growled.
"Copy, what's the situation with that armor?"
"Belkan armor has stopped. Looks like they're moving in on their junked vehicles, possibly to get survivors. Standby...roger, Belkan forces are consolidating near TRP 1. Eyes on at least two ambulances."
"Copy that Bloodhound. Capo this is Archer 1-1, enemy advance has been stopped."
"Roger that Archer, thanks for the support. Are you able to remain on station?"
"We've got a handful of minutes."
"Roger, request you remain on station until then. Just wanna make sure they don't get a second wind. Fresh CAS should be on station in five minutes."
"Copy Capo."