Platoon Leader
April 25, 1995
OFS Bana City (LHA-8)
Revenge was a delicate, unforgiving business. Young, hotblooded men on the eve of their baptism of fire were especially vulnerable to its temptations. The loss of Kirwin Islands and the 16th MEU had been a temporary setback, and a rallying cry. One of Bana City's sister ships, Kanahari, had been dispatched with replacements to bring the assault force back up to two MEUs. Lieutenant Colonel Bob Wilcox, commander of the Battalion Landing Team for the 19th MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit), had decided to gather both his company and platoon leaders to make sure they got the point he had in mind. It helped that time was in short supply, and that people knew when Bob Wilcox said "jump", you jumped. You didn't even ask how high; you jumped as high as possible.
"Marines, I understand we're going in without our brethren from the 16th. We're all riled up; I'm riled up. But remember, we're the elite. No other force on this planet can bring to bear the agility and raw power that we can. More importantly, our discipline is what sets us apart as well."
Second Lieutenant Rodney Calvin watched as a pair of AH-1W Super Cobras circled overhead as he thought about the Colonel's words. Dawn was rapidly growing across southwest Sapin, just enough to not need NVGs. OFS Bana City circled endlessly just a couple of miles south of the shore. Him and the men of 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 1/7th Marines were going in with the first wave. The Belkans had a battalion of Panzergrenadiers on each side of the canal, and Alpha had the honor of smashing their HQ on the west end. They expected infantry and light armor with fire support. Possibly enemy aircraft, definitely some sort of artillery.
His thoughts were interrupted when he had to shift about again. He was getting annoyed that he couldn't stop moving his arm. He blamed the "freshly" starched pair of chocolate chip-pattern fatigues. The heat riding on the sea breeze didn't help, either. He and the rest of his first squad hunkered against the island of the Bana City while four CH-46E Sea Knights started their engines. He looked at his platoon headquarters, namely his senior NCO, Staff Sergeant Kevin Hinahara.
"Feeling good to go, sir?" The NCO asked.
"Feels like it'll be a bit hard for me to hide when we land. I'd roll my sleeves down but it's too damn hot!" He replied over the surge of engine noise.
"Whyzat, El-Tee?" PFC Ian Puldo, who'd turned 18 maybe three months ago, asked. Rodney snorted and pointed out his bronze features to the cornfed radioman.
"Sand is pale as hell, Puldo. What am I?" He remarked.
"...Ohhh."
"Just make sure you stay close, alright?"
"Yessir!"
Puldo nodded and took his new M4 in both hands, which looked like a toy given the man's size. Rodney nodded in approval and looked to the helicopters as the first one's ramp dropped. They probably stuck out more, he thought, since they still had their splotches of green and black camo across their bodies. A crew member trotted down the ramp and pointed at the Lieutenant.
"First two chalks on your feet! Follow me!" He shouted.
Rodney hunched over and bolted across the deck with the rest of the first helicopter's load. He didn't stop until he reached the very last seat in the cabin, sitting down almost as fast as the others did. His rucksack went between his legs along with his M16A2 and he jammed himself as far back into the nylon crash seat as he could. The crewman from earlier hurried down the center aisle to make sure everyone was secure, then said something into his helmet's boom mic. The rear ramp came up and he manned his M2 Browning mounted at one of the front doors. No sooner had Rodney gotten comfortable did the helicopter leave the deck. He looked out the window as the aircraft turned left and ascended. One of the Cobras formed up on its wing, and another CH-46 fell in on the left. All Rodney and his Marines could do was sit and wait while the formation moved in on the coast. They made another left turn, then came to the right. Through the windows on either side, the Marines could see what felt like dozens upon dozens of "Amtracs" swimming towards the shore. Rodney tried to see the coast, but couldn't get any good glimpses. Only the tendrils of smoke wafting up into the purple sky.
"Two minutes!" The Crew Chief yelled.
As the words echoed down the cabin, Rodney readied his M16 and pulled down the goggles sitting on his helmet's front. For a second he felt like he should check everything, but his instincts and training met and told him he was as ready as he'd ever be. All that mattered were his rifle and its magazines. He made sure the one already in was in tight, then touched the two pouches on either side of his stomach, where six more magazines were waiting between his grenades. One minute to go, according to the Crew Chief. The rear ramp lowered as the CH-46 dropped its nose and came to the right. Rodney couldn't see the Cobras anymore, but now he could see out of the back of the helo as the ramp dropped. At thirty seconds out, the men got on their feet, shouldered their rucksacks, and held onto ropes above their heads.
"Oh shit RPG!" Someone behind him yelled breathlessly.
Rodney looked over his shoulder just as the helicopter dipped violently to the right. His eyes widened and he tightened his grip on his rope while the CH-46 came back to the left. Someplace outside he thought he heard something scream by. The same voice started calling out RPGs every other second as the whole world outside erupted in chaos. The door gunners opened up with their fifties, dipping and springing up while shouting out targets to one-another. The desert was whipped up into a sandstorm as the CH-46 flared and came in for landing. Rodney flinched as he heard something glance off the fuselage.
"Get 'em moving, sir! We're on the ground! Go!" The Crew Chief yelled from behind.
"Go…GO! GO GO GO! MOVE IT, DEVIL DOGS!" The Lieutenant shouted.
Both lines surged forth into the shroud beyond, bowing as the rotors beat down the air around them. Rodney turned to the left once he was off the helo and counted the steps he bounded until he was far enough away. He hit the ground and brought his M16 to bear, waiting for his field of view to clear. Tracers rushed by overhead, going both ways. The CH-46 lifted off and moved to the right, still taking fire. Rodney watched it long enough to make sure it was flying away from him before he returned to what was ahead. Puldo crawled up next to him and tried to say something, but a nearby explosion cut him off. Rodney looked around and saw one of the Sea Knights was listing. It was aloft for an instant before it suddenly plowed into the ground. Rodney took the handset for the radio while Ian started laying down fire.
"Alpha 1 Actual to all Alpha elements, all Alpha 1 elements report in." He called over the firing.
All four of his squad leaders piped up and a new speaker interjected. It was one of the CH-46 pilots.
"Alpha 1 Actual this is Rhino 1-1, that was Rhino 2-1 that augered in."
Which meant it was a bird from 2nd Platoon. Rodney saved his emotions regardless of the situation.
"Roger…all Alpha elements, maintain the perimeter until we have fire superiority! Break, Shooter this is Alpha 1 Actual. Do you read?"
"Copy that 1 Actual, go ahead." An upbeat country accent replied.
"Are you able to spot some of those positions keeping us fixed?"
"Ah copy, we've got eyes on a few sources of tracers. Keep your men inside the perimeter and we'll make a couple of gun runs."
"Much appreciated, Shooter."
Rodney raised his M16 again and fired off three shots at what appeared to be a machine gun nest. One of the M60 teams attached to his platoon finally got into action and started laying down suppressive fire on the Belkans. A few sporadic mortar rounds landed, but for now it seemed like they were still trying to get a good bearing on the Osean force. The terrifying rate of fire from the Belkan positions was plenty for now, Rodney thought. The MG3 was a monster like that.
"Puldo, keep checking in with the squads. We're exposed out here and I wanna know as soon as we've got some breathing room." He barked after another three shots.
"Gotcha El-Tee!"
The man heard a snap go within a few inches of his ear and instinctively flattened down on the ground. He shouldered his weapon and fired several times in the direction he'd thought the bullet came from. When he didn't get any return fire, he rose to his knees again and looked back at the wrecked Sea Knight. One of the Cobras passed by overhead, chin-mounted cannon chattering away. He followed its tracers towards the MG nests that'd been engaging them since they landed. His wingman made a run straight from south to north, braving all kinds of fire as they rounded the LZ.
"Alpha 1, this is 6, come in Alpha 1." Captain Howze, Alpha Company's CO, spoke up over the radio. Puldo hailed his commander and let him know who was phoning him.
"Go for Alpha 1." Rodney replied.
"Alpha 1 your platoon has point now. Move forward and secure those positions. We need to get close enough to their guys before enemy fast air breaks through."
Puldo once again had the honor of relaying the plan. The M60 teams would move up and lay down a base of fire while his infantry flanked the Belkans. He looked back as another mortar round landed. Elements from Second Platoon had set up around Rhino 2-1 to start pulling out casualties. A second Sea Knight was sitting on the ground nearby, perfectly still and covered in bullet holes. Fired up, Rodney raised his arm the second the gun teams were hammering away.
"First and Second, move up! Cut 'em loose!" He roared.
His squad and fireteam leaders echoed the motto of 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines. It sent a charge like electricity through the platoon. Rodney and Puldo leapt to their feet, charging just behind 1st Squad towards the side of the Belkan lines. Rodney kept his M16 close to his hip, squeezing off bursts every few steps at the nearest foxholes. The dozen Marines quickly overpowered the handful of Belkans, prompting the next line of defense to engage as the Oseans moved towards the fence surrounding their objective. Rodney took a knee and poked his rifle's barrel through the chainlink barrier while Sergeant Peter Watkins got to work cutting open a hole. The Belkans had a shallow trench from which they were firing. The parking lot next to it had been dotted with ad hoc defensive positions made up of cars, dumpsters, and any junk available. He centered his sights on a man with an HK21 and fired until the Belkan went still.
"Status, Watkins?" He barked as he ejected the empty magazine.
"Almost through, sir!" The man replied, flinching every time a round zipped past.
Julian Pates, commander of 2nd Squad, was going at the same pace. When 3rd joined, they could move a little faster. Just fast enough to make viable holes, and so far without anyone being hit. The small Belkan force seemed to be nothing more than a stalling effort. Rodney took one last look at the scene ahead, then crawled through the gap in the fence and moved to engage the next group of Belkans. Despite the aforementioned positions, there was still a huge amount of open ground. Rodney bounded and bounded until he came to a palm tree and berm between two rows of parking spaces. He slammed onto the ground and huddled down as low as he could. Puldo hit the sand right behind him and fired a burst in the direction of the building.
"I want 203s and 60s on that position! Follow my tracers!" The Lieutenant yelled.
He rose up and started hammering a bunker made from a dumpster and piles of pipe. The mortars picked back up again, but they remained light. Rodney hoped it was because they were so close to the Belkans as he took a second to get a good bead on the HK21 spraying all about. A grenade round landed short of it, then it turned its attention towards Rodney. He curled up best he could behind the tree as the light machine gun chewed through it. One of the SAW gunners decided to duel the Belkan LMG from behind another tree, which let Rodney move as the palm started to fall. He doubled back when it was down and leveled his M16 to help suppress the MG nest. One of his grenadiers delivered a final round from his M203, and Rodney led the nearest Marines to the new piece of cover.
The whole of Alpha Company's assault force was now pouring through the fences into the parking lot. Rodney ordered more smoke deployed as his command braved the wall of enemy fire. Muzzle flashes covered most of the two buildings ahead, but there wasn't much between the Marines and their adversaries. Though there wasn't enough to prevent another bombardment by those Belkan mortars. Most of them fell further out, near the LZ.
"Puldo, try and get some close air for us. Been watching all of it go to those guys in Charlie." Rodney decided.
While the PFC grabbed the handset, Rodney climbed up the front of the emplacement and peeked around the side. There was a courtyard between the two buildings, each of which had a veranda leading in. There were a couple of sandbag positions where the parking lot and walkway met. With all the shattered glass from broken windows there were plenty of ways in, but the Belkans had a commanding view of the entire area. He slid out of sight as a few bullets passed by too close for his liking and looked at the Marines gathering parallel to him.
"Watkins?! Pates?! Ferrini?! Anyone?!" He called.
"Here sir!" Pates replied.
"Same sir!" Sergeant Dennis Ferrini added.
"Get over here!"
Rodney poked up again, ordering covering fire for his squad leaders. He raised his M16 and concentrated on a pair of windows near the corner of the building ahead. He turned around as he heard footsteps approaching. Pates appeared first and dove as an MG swung its fire in their direction. Watkins came second, with a familiar face in tow. Third Platoon's leader, Al Lorenza, dropped to the ground and crawled up next to his fellow officer.
"Heya Macho Man!" He exhaled, riding high on adrenaline.
"You come by to say what's up or what? Whose got the LZ?" Rodney replied.
"Staff Sergeant Hill has what's left of 2nd Platoon holding the perimeter with one of my squads. FAC is calling out for anything more they can get. I've got two squads using the smoke for cover, but if the Belkans get a good eye on the lot again we know it won't be good."
"Hill? Where's Lambert?"
"He was in Rhino 2-1."
"...I'm trying to get fast air. You or your RTO try anything?"
"Yeah…where'd he go? Hammond!"
As if it were a response from the Belkans, one of the MGs raked the top of the dumpster behind them. Reminding the Marines who was pinned down and who wasn't. Rodney threw up a middle finger towards the enemy in sheer frustration.
"Sir, I've got us some close air! Four Cobras and a pair'a Harriers!" Puldo shouted. His commander held out a hand and accepted the radio.
"Go for Alpha 1 Actual." He said.
"Alpha 1 Actual this is Shooter again. Understand you've got mortars and MGs in those buildings?" A familiar twang asked.
"Copy, understand we've got four of you plus fast air."
"Roger, we can guide the Harriers in."
"Much appreciated. I need at least two runs against two office buildings east of my position. Danger close, friendlies will be west of the red smoke. Need the Harriers on mortar positions somewhere east of the buildings."
"Copy, friendlies west of the red smoke."
Rodney eased towards the opposite edge of the bunker and watched a Cobra come in. The attack helicopter loosed an AGM-114 Hellfire at the far building's upper floors. As it moved on, a pair of missiles from behind the buildings raced up to meet the Cobra. It deployed flares, but not fast enough. Rodney clenched his teeth as the attack helicopter jerked violently to the right and spun about a few times before crashing into another building. Its wingman raced over despite the risk and turned towards the beach.
"Shooter Lead is down, Shooter Lead is down. All aircraft be heads up for MANPADS down there. Shooter aircraft, push out further and stick to Hellfires." Shooter's wingman called.
"Copy, copy, Komodo 2 is still rolling in. Alpha 1, standby while we get some altitude. Don't worry, we ain't gonna leave you!"
Rodney thanked The Maker for Marine pilots. He rose as the fire from the Belkans slackened again. A Belkan soldier poked his G3's grenade launcher out a broken window and landed a round to the Lieutenant's left. He fought his instincts and fired two bursts in return. Another Hellfire flew over and punched a large hole in the office building. Two of the Cobras raced by, flying over their crashed leader. Rodney got a hold of the radio again while the Harriers passed by from the north.
"Alpha 6 this is Alpha 1 Actual. Shooter Lead went down near my position; request permission to take a fireteam to secure the crash site." He asked.
"Copy that Alpha 1. Standby for relief from Alpha 3, then move." Howze ordered.
His words had to compete with the explosion of two laser-guided bombs. Dust and debris floated about aimlessly, but it didn't stop the roars and laughs from the Marines.
"Yeah, get some!"
"Fuck yeah!"
"Fuckin' sweet, man!"
"Get some, baby!"
Rodney chuckled as he lowered his goggles and zeroed in on another muzzle flash. Shooter 1-2 swung into position at the far end of the lot and ripped into the buildings with its cannon. Puldo crawled over and threw a grenade towards the ground floor before he held out the handset again.
"Sir, think y'all should hear this!" He explained over the cannon's reports.
"Alpha 6, Shooter will cover Alpha 1's approach to Shooter Lead." The pilot spoke up.
Rodney adjusted his position and looked at the crash site. It was across a lot of open ground, but it was facing away from the center of the fight. He checked his equipment and got on the radio.
"Alpha 1 Actual to all Alpha 1 elements. I need six marines to join me; we're gonna secure that Cobra's crash site."
"Alpha 1-3 can spare a fireteam and an M60, Actual. We found Doc Warrington; want him too?" Ferrini radioed.
"If he isn't busy, yeah."
"Alpha 1 Actual this is Alpha 6, I just got in contact with some LAVs from the landing team. Callsign Mustang 2; they'll meet you at the crash site if they don't get there first." Howze reported.
"Copy that, 6."
Rodney tossed a smoke grenade towards the buildings, then looked to Puldo and signaled for him to do the same. As soon as the M60 team was with them, he ordered them to set up and cover the advance to the corner of the building.
"Cross in pairs and don't stop." He commanded.
Rodney bolted forward with Puldo an instant later as another Cobra came in to tear up the buildings. As it peeled off, the rotor wash pushed the smoke away in an instant. Rodney simply kept running, though he whispered a sarcastic thank you to the helicopter. He knelt behind a pillar and leveled his M16 at the far corner of the building while Puldo covered his back. When the next two men came over, he moved down the walkway to another pillar. The sudden lack of fire had him weary. He looked at a pair of doors between him and the backside of the structure, then pointed them out to his RTO. The man crept up to the entryway and peeked around the corner; he mounted "all clear" to the Lieutenant.
Rodney sprinted down the rest of the walkway to the opposite end of the building, where he came upon the results of Komodo's handiwork. Part of the far building had collapsed and thrown its contents all over the parking lot. The mortar positions were indistinguishable from the rest of the rubble. His eyes were drawn to what appeared to be a construction site, then muzzle flashes from the concrete skeleton of a building. He adjusted his M16 and returned fire; Puldo stood over him and followed the man's shots.
"Get that 60 up here!" The Lieutenant ordered.
Besides the machine gun, Ferrini came up with his M203. A round caught him in the thigh as he moved to get a clean view. The assistant gunner for the M60 grabbed him and dragged him back before the gunner took the Sergeant's place. He let the "Pig" go to work so the rest of the fireteam could fan out and join the shooting. The Belkans replied with an MG3, though in short bursts. It became immediately obvious that they were moving after every burst. Rodney ducked back and pulled a fresh magazine from his gear.
"Puldo, get on the horn to those LAVs." He ordered.
"On it, sir!" The young man replied, enthusiasm unbowed as he grabbed the handset.
"Mustang 2, Mustang 2 this is Alpha 1. What's yer current position?" He asked.
"Alpha 1 this is Mustang 2-1, we've got a visual on your situation. Check fire to your right." A voice spoke up over the whine of a vehicle's engine.
"Copy…El-Tee, they're just about to us!"
"Good!"
As if to indicate that, some of the fire shifted away from Rodney's force. A Belkan soldier appeared with a Panzerfaust, but was toppled over by a machine gun. It was followed by the heavy knocking of a 25mm Bushmaster. Two LAV-25 armored vehicles appeared on the main road, moving quickly as they continued to lay down suppressing fire. A second pair swung around to shield the crashed Cobra.
"Same thing, cross in pairs! Doc first this time!" Rodney barked.
Rodney peeled away as part of the second pair to cross. He leapt over a small drainage ditch without losing speed and practically crashed his back against a piece of wall that was intact. The LAVs nearby disembarked their scouts to set up a firing line. The other Cobras rejoined the fight, making gun and rocket runs against the new Belkan positions until the LAVs' commander took to the airwaves.
"Shooter this is Mustang 2, cease fire. Hostiles are no more. Repeat, enemy fire has ceased."
"Copy that Mustang, break, Alpha 1 have you reached Shooter Leader yet?" Shooter 1-2 replied.
Puldo gave them a quick "standby" in response while Rodney hurried inside the destroyed building. Doc Warrington was busy prying open the rear cockpit while the pilot unstrapped himself from his seat. The gunner was pushed up against his controls, albeit with his neck at an unnatural angle. Rodney sighed and hurried back to Puldo to pass along the news.
"Copy, we've secured the crash site…Shooter 1-1's pilot is still with us."
The Cobra pilot simply acknowledged, much like everyone had for each death this morning, and Rodney switched his attention back to his original mission.
"Alpha 6 this is Alpha 1 Actual. Crash site is secured, we'll hand things over to Mustang as soon as the pilot is out of the bird."
"Alpha 6 copies all, 1. Rally your platoon and prepare to move back to the LZ to provide security for CASEVAC."
"What about the buildings, sir?"
"Buzzsaw 6 advises we avoid them until they're deemed safe to enter."
The roof of the building near him had apparently collapsed at some point. The holes from Hellfires, 20mm and rockets spilled out paper and soot. A testament to the love Marines had for overwhelming firepower, and plenty to convince the young Lieutenant.
"Copy that Alpha 6, we should be back to you in about ten. Many thanks to Shooter for taking that off our to-do list."