November 13th, 2012/ U.S. Military Base/ 0600 Hours
Kilo Company (1st Platoon, Bravo Squad)
I chuckled to myself as my spotter, PFC. Haag, threw up his lunch into the grass. Throughout the entire flight he looked as though he would spew at any moment. So as everyone walked out of our AC-130 Gunship, they let out a comment of their own, just to mess with him. I was just about to yell something at him, when Staff Sergeant Broushet yelled for us.
"Men fall in behind me!" He ordered. We all knew he was taking us to a briefing room to provide more information on our mission at hand. As we followed behind him, single-file, I noticed the rest of the company following the same procedure. Each squad went to a different part of the base, to go over the mission. We continued to follow Broushet, and he led us into our briefing room, more like a shack, where we all sat down.
"Well men, tomorrow's the day we attack." The Sarge said. As he was talking a few of the men looked almost eager. I wondered how they would look when the real fighting began.
"And since you all asked so nicely, here is the plan of attack." As he spoke, he put up a map of Baghdad that had marked locations.
"Our company is to be brought into the city by UH-60 Black Hawks. Each squad will have one to act as transportation, and fire support. Also, there will be an extra "Hawk" to provide tactical information during the operation." He continued.
"Sir, what about enemy anti-air weapons?" Asked Pvt. Henry
"Being taken cared of as we speak by Cobra attack helicopters." Sarge replied with a grin.
"Now, as I was saying, we will have Black Hawks for transportation and support for this mission. Along with that, 1st Platoon will be dropped off in the middle of the city, near the capital building. Alpha squad will cover the left flank, while Charlie covers the right. Both squads will watch the flanks as we go into the building. Also, 2nd Platoon will be dropped off near the west side of the city, while 3rd Platoon is dropped off near the east. Each Platoon will act as our defense against any enemy counter-attack." He explained. "Now men, here's the run-down of our part of the mission."
"After being dropped off in front of the capital, I want you Corporal Jacobs, and your spotter to find a place to provide sniper support for Alpha and Charlie squad."
"Roger that sir." I replied.
"As for the rest of us, we clear the building, diffuse the weapons, and get the hell out of there before the enemy knows what happened. Hoorah?"
"HOORAH!!" We all yelled in confidence.
"Good, now let's go over gear for this operation. I want everyone equipped with two fragmentation grenades. Yet, everyone going into the building, I want you also equipped with two flash bangs. Also everyone gets an M-4 Carbine, except Henry, who I want to have an M249 "SAW".
"Aye, Aye Sir" Henry answered.
"Marksman, you get M-4s as your secondary, and Jacobs, I want you to make sure your M40 is in working order." He ordered
"Roger sir." I replied.
"Same goes for you Haag." He said
"You got it, Sir." Haag answered.
"Ok men; let's go get some chow b-." The Sarge was interrupted by a large blast, which shook the room. Sarge was about to curse, when all of a sudden a soldier burst through the door.
"SIR, THE BASE IS UNDER ATTACK!! Your squads needed on the west end of the perimeter!" The trooper yelled.
"Roger that son. Men, let's go get us some guns." The Sarge ordered. We all ran outside towards the armory. As we ran, I noticed the tent that housed 2nd Platoon's Delta Squad, was now replaced by a large crater. As was most of the base. We kept running, until we reached the armory. Everyone grabbed an M-4 Carbine, except Pvt. Henry, who grabbed a "SAW." Some of us also grabbed an M-9 handgun, while others grabbed an M-1014 Combat Shotgun. I also noticed that the sergeant grabbed an AT4 Rocket Launcher. I wondered if we would be facing tanks. After everyone was armed, Sarge ordered us to run to the west end of the perimeter. When we got there, things were not good. The squad that had originally defended it, 3rd Platoon's Lima Squad, had only three fully healthy troops left. Four were wounded, and two were dead.
"Binx, see what you can do for these men." The Sarge ordered. Binx immediately started to bandage a troopers arm.
"Alright men, take up defensive positions. Henry, you're with me, set up that M249 now! Jacobs, take Hultenius, and Poulson and cover the left end of the bunker.
"Roger that sir! Hultenius and Poulson, ON ME!" I ordered. As we headed down the bunker, I heard Broushet order Trimble to take Haag and cover the right. When we got to our destination, I ordered Poulson and Hultenius to take up their positions. We all had our M-4s locked and loaded, when the fighting seemed to have stopped.
"Sir, I don't like this one bit. It's too quiet, they're planning something. I just know it!" Poulson exclaimed.
"Stow it Marine, we can handle what ever they throw at us." I answered. I noticed Hultenius had binoculars that were on his chest, against the bunker's dirt wall.
"Hultenius, what do you see?" I asked him. After I asked, he put up the binoculars, and peeked over the edge.
"Nothing Nick……. Wait….. Oh, God… Sir, you need to see this." He said, with a hint of fear in his voice. I took the binoculars from him and peered up, over the edge. The first thing to catch my eye was what had scared the private. Through the binoculars I saw around twenty tanks moving in towards our position.
"Poulson, double-time to the armory NOW!! Get rockets, were going to need them A.S.A.P.!!" I yelled. Poulson immediately jumped out of the bunker, and ran to the armory. As the tanks moved in closer and closer….. I wondered if he would make it back in time…