part five
Major Nelson's F18 was flying at an altitude of about 2,000 meters with a speed just under MACH 1. At this altitude and speed, the pine trees below them looked like a nice plush carpet. He could see the beginning of a small mountain range in front of them and they were about 750 meters above the highest mountain top visible. It had only been a few short minutes since they one of their planes was confirmed as shot down as they all made the trip to the target. The full effect of the loss wasn't waying down upon him yet since the mission was not complete. There was too much to think about right now. Too much to do to make things work. However, experience told him there would be plenty of time to reflect on it later. Just then, Ducky made radio contact with the recon team on the ground who were responsible for tagging the target with the laser spotter.
"Lemons, the team is all set and ready to light up the target". Ducky switched back over to talk to the Recon team. "Recon group 4 this is flight team A. We are ready to receive laser guided munition signal now."
Meanwhile a few dozen kilometers away and a few thousand meters below them...
US Marine 2nd Lt. David Hogan, squad leader of Bravo company of the 3rd Recon Platoon, was laying prone about 3,000 meters west of the Pobedino bridge on Skira Island. His eighteen man Recon team had been inserted via Sea knight helicopters from the LMS Peleliu about 24 hours ago. This bridge was their first mission they had received. They knew they were going to have a few over the next few days. To Hogan's right was Sgt James Bilko, an eleven year veteran who saw action in both Afghanistan and Iraq as a Recon Marine. The Sgt was using the platoon's AN/PEQ-1A laser marker to paint a target on the Pobedino bride. The marker was aimed at the main support structure. The support started in the water and stretched out about 300 meters into the air. The bridge's span joined the support structure about 200 meters above the water. This was going to be one heck of a show.
The marines were situated just on the downward slope of a small mountain range overlooking the central valley. The most predominant structure visible was the Pobedino bridge that connected the north and south parts of the island and was situated just at the opening of the valley. There was also a train and a natural gas line that connected the two sections. But this bridge was the main thoroughfare. Without it, the Chinese would have great difficulty driving north and capturing any high valued targets.
Lt. Hogan, Sgt Bilko and Corporal Wayne Smithers, the radio operator communicating with the F18 fighter group, were only about 50 meters from the rest of the platoon, who were hunkered down in defensive positions guarding the site. From here, they could see the entire valley opening before them. However, they were slightly visible and had to remain low to make sure no aircraft would spot them. The rest of the platoon was currently armed to the teeth. They had sights on every possible method of approach to their temporary mountain top lair. They had three M249 SAWs set up scanning the perimeter and a M82A3 Special Application scoped rifle. Although the chances of needing the SASR, given they were about 500 meters up on a mountain, seemed pretty scarce. The Marines that weren't manning or spotting for these weapons were carrying Grenade launchers on their M4s. Anyone stumbling upon their location was sure to meet enough fire power to knock them back off the island and into the Pacific!
The Corporal spoke into the radio, "Roger Flight, we are tagging the target now". Smithers turned to Bilks and let him know it was time.
"Tagging the target now" whispered the sergeant. There was a few seconds of absolute silence interupted only by the sound of grass swaying in the breeze before they could hear the jets coming in from behind the mountain. Smithers looked up to see two F18s swoop in a few hundred meters above them. It was hard to see when they released the payload but a few seconds later and before they were even over the bridge they abruptly turned to fly directly north and away from any hostiles Chinese forces.
It was quite a sight to see the two GBU-24's make rubble out of the bridge's main structure. There were two great flashes of light followed by dust, rocks debris and water causing an enormous dark cloud that dwarfed the bridge. The next part of the show was watching both sides of the bridge that formerly connected to the main support structure crash into the river below. It was easily a 200 meter drop. The weight of the steel crashing into the water caused an enormous splash. Huge waves shook out from it and were moving towards each bank.
Sgt. Bilko broke the silence first. "Let's get the hell outta here." Smither's eye's lingered on the disaster site for a few seconds more before the Lieutenant's urging brought him back to focus on his duties.
"Excellent work as usual." Smithers heard Lt. Hogan say.
Smithers congratulated the flight crew and then the three men packed up the gear and head back up hill towards the rest of the men. Smithers heart was still racing. He was relatively new to the Recon squad and had spent only a few years in the corps. He hadn't seen anything like this before. This "trip" was turning out to be the most exhilerating 24 hours of the young man's life.
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