Chapter 15 Excerpt
Clark Air Base, Philippines- As the
shortage of security personnel lingered on in this important strategic PACAF military base, a giant C-5 Galaxy transport was
making its final approach at the North end of the flightline in Clark Air Base, which was home to the 13th Air
Force and the 3rd SPG. Cobra 18 and 18A were the Security Response Team assigned at the North end all the way up
to Base Operations, which was located at the halfway mark of the flightline. Cobra 19 and 19A were assigned to the South end
up to Base Operations. Sgt. Tony Briggs and Senior Airman (Sra) Mike Hanlon were at the C-5 parking area watching the approach.
Sgt. Briggs grabbed his radio and informed Central Security Control about the incoming C-5.
“Cobra Eighteen to control. Come in control,” Briggs said.
“Go ahead, Cobra Eighteen,” the deep voiced controller replied. Sgt. Dan Baker, a Security controller,
was assigned to the Central Security Control Operations located near the SPG and LES barracks.
“Roger. Be advised that we have an inbound Bravo. Do you have anyone posted for the aircraft?” Briggs asked.
“Stand by, Cobra Eighteen,” responded Baker.
After five minutes, an announcement was made over the net. “Control to Foxtrot One. Come in Fox One.”
“This is Fox One. Go ahead, control,” SSgt. Ben Hicks said as he wiped the sweat from his brow.
“Fox One, we need you to pick up one law enforcement personnel by the name of Dale Lewis and have him posted
at the incoming Bravo. Do you read, Fox One?” instructed Baker to Fox One leader Hicks.
“We copy, control. Pick up one law enforcement personnel and post same at the Bravo,” repeated Sgt. Hicks
to control for verification of instructions.
One minute later, there was a radio call transmitted from every security personnel that was stationed at every entry
control point gate leading to the flightline.
“Way to go!” replied Airman Brookes, Cobra 36 South end Entry Control Point.
“Yahoo! ‘Bout time LE was posted on the flightline,” replied Airman James Stevens, Cobra 31 ECP to
the LE desk.
“Fox One pick up Airman Lewis at the armory. He’s turning in his nine-millimeter for an M-16. Copy that,
Fox One.” ordered Control.
“Roger that, I copy, control,” Hicks replied. Fox One at the time of the call was stationed at the Main
Gate by a fast-food restaurant buying cold drinks, since the temperature at Clark was between 95-100 degrees during days. SSgt. Hicks got back on the driver side of
the hummer and waited for the rest of his team to return. The C-5 has just landed and the plane was on its way to its parking
area.
“Let’s go people! We gotta get that LE posted,” Hicks said, yelling to his people. When the team
got back, Hicks sped back to CSC and within ten minutes arrived at the armory to pick up Airman Lewis, who waited for Fox
One at the street entrance of the clearing barrel.
“Are you Airman Lewis?” asked Hicks as he stopped his hummer.
“Yeah! I guess so,” replied Airman Lewis as he looked inside the Humvee.
“Well, get in, Airman…I guess you know where we’re takin’ you, right?” asked Hicks.
“Brother, do I ever. The C-5 that just came in, right?” replied Lewis as he got in and sat on the empty
seat.
“Listen,” said Hicks as he started his vehicle and began to move the vehicle forward.
“Don’t let the other guys get to ya. They know it’s a rivalry thing between security and LE, besides,
they’re just in a good mood because none of ‘em are being posted on the bird. Know what I mean?”
“Oh, I know. Don’t worry ‘bout a thing, Sarge. No offense taken,” replied Lewis as he removed
his beret and wiped his forehead.
“Good. I thought you’d be a little upset after what was said on the radio earlier about posting LE on the
C-5. Who knows? If the bird takes off in a couple of hours, you may get to ride with us for the rest of the day.”
“Thanks, Sarge, I think I’ll enjoy that. So I do hope the bird flies again in a couple of hours. And by
the way, I had a good laugh when I heard those radio transmissions ‘cause everyone in LE knows Security is a little
bit short on personnel these days. Besides, I’m not the only one having a chuckle about this. The whole LE side’s
having a field day regarding your shortage of personnel on day shift,” explained Lewis as he stuck his head out of the
window and let the wind dry the sweat off his forehead. Lewis chuckled outside the Humvee’s window while cars were passing
by in the opposite direction. The Humvee continued to speed its way to the flightline to meet the plane that had just landed.
The Humvee entered Cobra 30’s ECP and into the helipad. He then made a left turn and proceeded slowly to Leghorn 101, the C-5 parking area.
At this time, the giant cargo plane with massive wings and four humongous engines stopped at Leghorn 101. SSgt. Hicks once again picked up his radio and informed CSC that the Bravo was
parked at Leghorn 101, so the Security controllers could mark
their wall chart.
Cobra 18 and 18A were also standing by with their blue Chevy S-10 pickup with emergency lights on the roof, ready to
place bright orange cones around the aircraft and a rope around the plane. An ECP was set up between the front left wing and
the nose of the plane. At the back of the plane, supplies were being taken off the aircraft. Airman Lewis got off the hummer,
faced SSgt. Hicks and asked how long the aircraft was going to stay.
“Not sure right now. It may stay for a couple of hours or a couple of days. We won’t know for sure until
later on.”
“What happens when the plane departs in two hours?” asked Airman Lewis.
“Like I told you earlier, you’ll be riding with us for the rest of the day or LE may pick you up in one
of their cruisers. But most likely, you’ll be riding here with us due to shortage of Security personnel.” answered
Hicks sarcastically as he prepared to give Airman Lewis his posting instructions. “By the way, if you get thirsty, call
for Cobra Eighteen or Cobra Nineteen. Either one will have a Kool Aid or iced tea at the back of their vehicle for you to
quench that thirst of yours.”
“Who’s Cobra Eighteen anyway, and what’s my call sign?” asked Airman Lewis.
“See those guys placing rope around the plane?”
“Yeah,” Lewis said as he looked around the area.
“That’s Sgt. Briggs and Sra Hanlon. They’re Cobra Eighteen and Eighteen A; they take care of the
North end of the flightline. Your call sign is Cobra Ten from now on until the plane is airborne. Another thing, if this bird
takes off today during your shift, call it in to CSC so they can update their chart. If it stays past your shift, brief your
relief, most likely he’s going to be from LE also,” Hicks said as he instructed Airman Lewis to his post.
“How do I know when it’ll take off?” asked Lewis as the engines of the plane finally quieted down
and Hicks spoke on his normal tone.
“Ask one of the flight crews. Most likely, they’ll give you that info and you can pass that along to CSC
as well, and your relief,” Hicks said as he prepared to leave the area by starting his engine.
“Thanks guys,” Lewis said, tapping the Hummer twice with the palm of his right hand. Airman Lewis then
walked over to his post, where Briggs and Hanlon were waiting.
Hicks drove past Cobra 18 and 18A, honking his horn twice and waved. “Take good care of him, fellas.” Hicks
yelled as he drove away. Briggs gave Fox One a thumbs-up in response. While Briggs and Hanlon continued to rope the bird,
Lewis gazed in amazement at the plane which he was to guard. He’d seen promotional pictures hanging in his recruiter’s
office and on TV during air shows, but to actually guard one was a momentous occasion for him.
“Big bird isn’t it?” asked Briggs as he was at the front of the plane, almost done roping the aircraft.
“Awesome! I haven’t been inside one yet. I’ve seen it on TV during air shows and in pamphlets, magazines
and newspapers…but to see one inside, oh man…I definitely have to see one inside.” Briggs knew that Lewis
was giving him a hint.
“Tell you what. Why don’t you go over to the back of the plane and get acquainted with the crew. Maybe
they’ll let you go inside-if you ask ‘em. I’ll watch your ECP ‘til you get back. How does that sound?”
offered Briggs.
“Deal!” Lewis replied as he walked to the back of the aircraft.
“Where’s he goin’?” asked Hanlon as he approached Briggs after finishing his job of roping
the rest of the plane.
“To the back, see if he can get a mini tour,” answered Briggs as both of them took a paper cup from the
inside of the cab of their pickup. “Being Law Enforcement, they don’t get too many chances of guarding any type
of aircraft everyday, priority or non-priority. So partner, are you done ropin’ this bird?” Briggs asked as they
headed to the back of the pickup and poured some grape-flavored Kool-Aid from an orange igloo container into his cup.
“Yeah, take a look. Pretty good, eh?” Hanlon replied as he poured iced tea into his cup from the other
container.
“Good, we’ll give him ten more minutes for his mini tour, and then we’ll start watering down the
flightline. Somebody’s bound to be callin’ for us soon, considering this heat that we’ve got today,”
Briggs said as he quickly gulped down his drink, looked at the North end of the flightline and saw heat rising from the ground
up.
“ What do you say we go mobile, Sarge? Looks like he’s done with his tour. It’s too hot to be in
one place right now,” Hanlon said as he saw Lewis get off the plane’s rear cargo entrance. Lewis started to chat
with the aircrew and Briggs decided to give him more time. Five minutes passed.
“Yeah. ‘Bout time we leave for other patrols. I’ll get Nineteen and Nineteen A to work on the FODS
and we’ll get the flightline,” Briggs said, picking up his radio from its holder, bringing the radio a few inches
from his mouth and pressing the mike button of his radio. “Cobra 18 to Cobra 10,” Lewis stopped his chatter with
the aircrew, picked up his radio and answered. “Go ahead, Eighteen.”
“Roger that, Cobra 10. Be advised I need for you to rendezvous at the ECP. Copy that?”
“Roger, en route,” replied Lewis, placing his radio back in its holster, and walked back to the ECP. “What’s
up fellas?” Lewis asked as soon as he got back.
“Listen, we gotta get goin’ to water down the rest of the flightline, so we need you back here at your
post. By the way, how was the tour?”
“It was alright. It’s a big bird inside, that’s for sure.”
“Well, don’t worry about those guys; they’ll come up here if they want to talk. Want something to
drink before we leave? Your choice of Kool-Aid or iced tea,” Briggs said as he got in on the driver’s side.
“No thanks, not right now. They gave me a cold soda over there.”
“Give a holler when you need something, alright…”
“Gotcha,” Lewis replied as Cobra 18 left the ECP. Lewis then took out a bag of sunflower seeds from the
thigh pocket of his camouflage pants. He opened the bag and placed a handful in his mouth. He started cracking the shells
of the sunflower seeds by placing them between his middle teeth, then took the seed out and spit the shells on the ground.
He never did find out what time the plane was supposed to takeoff from the aircrew. He looked at one of the engines, where
the blades were still turning, caused by the wind.
Meanwhile, Cobra 19 and 19A asked for a rendezvous with 18 and 18A at the Base Ops ramp to discuss who was to relieve
who. Security 19 leader was Sgt. Jane Watson. Her partner was Sgt. Chuck Bronski, a tall, slim, semi-muscular GI who wore
BCGs (Birth Control Glasses, 1960’s style eyeglasses). Cobra 19 parked her vehicle facing the North end of the flightline
and waited for Cobra 18.
“We’ll wait here for ’em. They should be here any minute now,” Jane said as she placed her
pickup in park. Five minutes passed and Cobra 18 arrived and parked his pickup facing the South end of the flightline and
next to Cobra 19’s left so the drivers faced each other.
“Hey Janie, what can I do for you?” asked Briggs as he removed his beret, cooling off the top of his head.
“Nothin’ important, just wanted to find out if you have the flightline or the FODS,” sighed Jane
as if she knew what his answer was going to be.
Briggs smiled. “What do you think? Didn’t you have the flightline yesterday?” he asked her.
“Yes, come to think of it I did relieve the flightline yesterday.” Jane said as she hastily agreed.
“Well then, that answers that question. You get the FODS today. Oh, by the way, you’re coolers are ready
for pickup. We’re havin’ grape Kool-Aid and iced tea today. Pick up your coolers from the in-flight kitchen and
Alex is waiting to be picked up as well. So take him back to CSC and fuel up if you have to. We’ll take care of the
FODS ‘til you get back.”
“I do have to fuel up. I’m just about on empty,” replied Jane, as she started her vehicle.
“Get going then.”
“Be back in about forty-five minutes. Think you can handle the FODS and flightline at the same time?” Jane
said as she returned Briggs’ smile.
“Funny, real funny!” Briggs said as he drove away to Cobra 36’s post. As he drove past the C-130
and F-4 Phantom parking areas, Briggs noticed a Jeep Cherokee with emergency lights on the roof driving on Taxiway C, heading
north.
“Take a look on the left. Looks like we’ve got company,” Briggs said.
“Is it Cobra One or the Flight Chief? Can you tell?” asked Hanlon.
“Nope. Can’t tell from where we are. Hopefully one of the FODS can tell us.” Briggs continued to
drive at fifteen mph to Cobra 36’s post. They were driving past construction personnel who were repaving parts of the
flightline and were waving to Briggs and Hanlon. Some were wearing flip-flops and torn combat boots. A majority of them were
wearing torn t-shirts and dirty baseball caps full of dirt and tar. These were locally hired construction workers who were
hired because of the Military Base Agreement signed by the Philippine and U.S.
governments years ago.
As Briggs and Hanlon moved closer to the South end, they could smell the tar on the breeze of air that went inside
their vehicle. Briggs was careful not to drive on any area that was just paved for fear of his tires getting some of the tar
and also on the body of the vehicle, not to mention that rocks could be stuck to the tires as well. He knew it was tough to
clean tar from vehicles.
The two finally arrived at Cobra 36’s post and parked about ten feet away from the ECP. Briggs got out from the
pickup while Hanlon remained inside, but not for long though, because of the heat. Briggs put his beret back on and walked
to Airman Phil Hickman who was posted as Cobra 36.
“Did the Flight Chief go through here by any chance? I thought I’d seen him North bound on Taxiway C,”
Briggs said as more construction people showed up and stopped at the ECP to exchange ID cards for construction flightline
badges. Hickman went back in his ECP to take the ID cards and placed them in specially made slots that had the badge for each
construction personnel. While all this distraction was going on, Hanlon got out of the pickup to direct traffic and checked
IDs on every vehicle that was entering the ECP.
“Why are you askin’, Sarge?” Hickman said as he took an ID card.
“Nothin’. Just curious. Who knows? He might pull an exercise on the flightline, and you know he’ll
do it too. Be ready,” warned Briggs as the last of the construction personnel entered the flightline.
“Hey, Sarge, it’s Cobra One and the Flight Chief who came through in that Jeep Cherokee,” Hickman
said as he was about to burst in a laugh.
“Damn! Cobra One and the Flight Chief! Hey Hannie, I was right, it was the Flight Chief and Cobra One. Be ready
guys, they’ll definitely pull something today!” yelled Briggs to Hanlon as he ran over to the pickup. He picked
up his radio and called 19.
“Cobra Eighteen to Cobra Nineteen. Come in, Nineteen.” No one answered.
He tried again.
“Cobra Eighteen to Cobra Nineteen. Come in, Nineteen.” repeated Briggs.
“Nineteen, go ahead,” replied Watson.
“Give me a landline ASAP x3219” Briggs said calmly as he knew
the Flight Chief and Cobra One were listening to radio transmissions.
“Roger that. Two minutes,” answered Jane.
Briggs ran to a building across from Cobra 36’s post. The building was painted camouflage. It was the building
for the 3rd Aggressor Squadron, whose aircraft of F-5’s were painted in Soviet colors including a Red Star
on the tail fin and wings. These aircraft were used for dogfight training, to simulate the Soviet style of flying and made
them as real as possible. These aircraft were used during Cope Thunder and Team Spirit exercises. Briggs entered the building
and was met by the receptionist, who was locally hired also. Her name was Belen Yumul, and she knew Briggs right away. Belen,
who had shoulder-length hair, a light tan complexion, stood at 5’2”, and was very friendly. She was often called
“Belle” by friends and co-workers.
“Hey Dan, how’s your morning so far?” she asked in broken English as she was about to enter the Colonel’s
office and put some paperwork that needed to be signed, on his desk.
“Not so good, Belle. We may have a flight exercise anytime and I’m not feeling too well right now. I knew
I should have called off today.” Briggs said while waiting by a phone hanging on a wall next to Belle’s desk,
waiting for Cobra 19 to call. He moved his eyelashes up and down at Belle and she felt shy, let out a slight giggle and went
in the office. As soon as she went in, the phone rang. Briggs picked it up as fast as he could.
“Janie?” he asked.
“Yeah,” she replied.
“Where are you now?”
“On my way to CSC to drop off Alex, then to refuel. I don’t even know if I have enough fuel to get to the
station! What do you want anyway?”
“Oh, nothing. Just Cobra One and the Flight Chief, about to do a flightline exercise on any one of us. I think
we’re due. You know how strict Cobra One is. Guy does everything by the book,” Briggs reminded Jane, just as the
Flight Chief called for Cobra 19 over the radio.
“Cobra One Alpha to Nineteen. What’s your location?” SMSgt Burke asked.
“On my way to refuel. Should be back in about twenty minutes,” answered Jane, taking the phone away from
her ear and keys the mike on her radio to answer the Flight Chief.
“Roger. One Alpha out.” Captain Stan Richards, the Section Commander for Cobra Flight looked at Burke.
“Something tells me she’s still on land line with Eighteen. Get back on the net and give her a warning.”
“Yes sir!” Burke replied, picking up his radio again. “One Alpha to Nineteen, come in, Nineteen.”
Jane stopped her conversation with Dan when she heard her call sign over
the net again.
“Hold on a sec, Dan. Flight Chief’s back on the net. Can you hear him?”
“You bet. Better answer him.”
Jane took out her radio and answered. The Flight Chief just wanted for her to get off the phone and be back on the
flightline.
“Off the phone, Nineteen. You’re raking up some phone bill,” Burke joked. Laughter broke out from
some of the patrols and FODS.
“Ten-four, One Alpha. I’ll be mobile.”
“Hear that Dan gotta go. I’ll see ya later. Let ya know when I’m back from refueling.” Jane
said just before hanging up. Dan got off the phone and headed back outside when Belle stopped him. “See ya later, maybe?”
she asked.
Dan went out the door as if he didn’t hear Belle talking to him. It was as if he was in a daze, unable to think
straight. Maybe he was nervous about the flightline exercise that was about to happen. He didn’t know how the flight
would do; being short of personnel and that his promotion to SSgt. could get affected if he failed on his part of the exercise.
Jane also noticed while they were on the phone that he did seem a little nervous, not to mention paranoid. Briggs called Hanson
back to the truck and asked Cobra 36 if he needed anything else before they left. Airman Hickman just waved his hand from
side to side, meaning “good for now.” Cobra 18 and 18A drove to each FOD until 19 and 19A got back.
Cobra One and One Alpha were driving on the flightline, checking each post. In some instances some patrols were hidden
from view and out of sight. Cobra 12 was hidden among the portable lights. It was a good place to camouflage your vehicle
from unsuspecting eyes. He could see who was on the F-4 parking area and they couldn’t see him. A few minutes later,
Cobra 19 got back on the flightline from refueling and Jane asked Chuck to let 18 know they were back relieving the FODS.
“Cobra Nineteen A to Eighteen. Be advised, we are mobile and checking on the FODS. How you copy?”
“Roger that,” answered Briggs quickly. Cobra 12 and Cobra 14 were each making notations on a slip of paper
regarding the tail numbers of the aircraft that were on their post. They would turn those slips of paper to Fox One or Fox
Two, whoever was available and they would in turn bring them to CSC so the controllers can update their board. If a plane
left, the information would be radioed to CSC for further updates.
Briggs was expecting a radio announcement for the flight conducted exercise but so far…nothing. Briggs at this
point was a little relieved. He had just seen Cobra One and One Alpha leave the flightline. “Maybe it’s not the
flightline,” he said to himself out loud.
“You never know, Sarge. They could still hit us anytime, so I wouldn’t be that relaxed yet.” Replied
Hanlon as he put his arm out the window. Briggs shook his head lightly in response.
“Never thought about that,’ he whispered.
About an hour later, Cobra 10 called for 18 to rendezvous at his post. He got the scheduled time for the C-5 to takeoff.
He radioed the info to Control. Control then acknowledged the transmission. Cobra 18 arrived at Leghorn 101.
“Guess you heard the transmission. I’ll be here for the whole shift,” Lewis said disgustedly. Briggs
smiled and gave him a paper cup so he could get something to drink.
“Thanks, I’ll definitely need this drink now.”
“When is she supposed to takeoff again?” Briggs asked.
“Tomorrow, at sixteen-hundred,” Lewis replied.
“Well, let’s put it this way, at least you’re not the only law enforcement that’s gonna be
on this post. Most likely, they’ll post another LE to this bird but he gets off at sixteen-hundred,” Briggs said.
While 18 conversed with 10, the Flight Chief arrived at CSC/JSOC which was the back-up for CSC should anything happen at the
main CSC. JSOC stood for Joint Security Operations Control which was manned by a joint USAF and Philippine Air Force personnel.
One and One Alpha entered JSOC and sat on two empty chairs. Cobra One faced SSgt. Ken Wilston as he was about to take over
for CSC. JSOC was used at least once per shift for different reasons.
“Did everyone do a radio check Sergeant?” asked the Captain, resting his index finger under his chin.
“Yes sir, all mobile patrols and all FODS have checked in. Cobra Ten’s advised us that his bird is due
to takeoff tomorrow at sixteen-hundred.” SSgt. Wilston said as he faced Captain Richards.
“Very well Sergeant, answered the Captain as he turned to SMSgt. Burke and whispered something to him. SMSgt.
Burke nodded in agreement. The Captain then gave the order for a flight conducted exercise at the 6922nd Communications
Complex, not too far from CSC, about five minutes away. Cobra One and One Alpha got up from their chairs, exited the building
and got in their vehicle. They headed straight for the exercise area. Sgt. Wilston got on the phone and advised CSC that the
Captain authorized a flight conducted exercise. He received the o.k. from CSC and hung up. Sgt. Wilston then pressed the button
to activate the mike on his radio and made an announcement.
“Attention all posted personnel, attention all posted personnel. Be advised at this time, we have a flight conducted
exercise at the 6922nd ECP. We have one armed, unauthorized personnel who forced their way through the gate and
entered the compound. Cobra 6 needs to respond to the ECP asap,” announced
Wilston.
Cobra 18 who was still with Cobra 10 heard the announcement and a great sigh of relief was seen on Briggs’ face.
“Not in the mood for an exercise today, huh Sarge?” Lewis said as he tried to lean on the vehicle but couldn’t
because of the heat.
“Not today. Too much sun out here. Cobra Five is in an air-conditioned ECP; let him have all the fun. By the
way, who’s Cobra Five today?” Briggs asked Hanlon.
“I think it’s…” Hanlon tried to complete his sentence but was cut off by Briggs.
“Never mind. I know who it is, it’s Sergeant Joe Stewart. He loves that post so much; he’ll kiss
anybody’s ass just to get it. Besides being air-conditioned, the ECP is so close to a snack bar. No wonder he likes
that post.” Hanlon and Lewis let out a loud laugh. Briggs smiled.
“Aren’t you qualified for that post?” Hanlon asked.
“Shit yeah!” hopefully, I get that post tomorrow,” said Briggs.
At this point radio transmissions were constant, non stop between patrols and CSC. Cobra 6 and 6A were on a tower with
Cobra 7 when the exercise was announced.
“Cobra 6 to Cobra 5. En route to your location,” Sgt. Rod Williams radioed Stewart.
“Roger that, Cobra 6. Also be advised, Five, your Alpha’s location is on the roof and he’s got visual
on the individual. So far only one individual has been spotted. Copy that.”
“I copy. Six out.”
Williams and his partner Johnson ran down the stairs and sped off to 6922 in their Jeep Cherokee to assess the situation.
Cobra 6 and 6 Alpha arrived and parked their Jeep Cherokee by Cobra One’s, exited their vehicle, and ran through the
turnstile gate. Cobra 6 headed toward the east side and 6 Alpha headed on the west side. Cobra One and One Alpha were standing
by the ECP watching the whole scenario. Cobra 6A had the individual and was challenging. Cobra 6 ran to where his partner
was located and when he arrived, he was breathing heavily from running. Both partners had their weapons at port arms. Cobra
6A gave orders for the intruder to produce an ID card and to lie stomach down on the ground for a ground search. The individual
could not produce an ID card but complied anyway and 6A started his search. Cobra 6 stood a few feet away from his partner
as a back-up should the intruder make any sudden moves for an escape. Cobra 5A made his way back down to the ECP by climbing
down a ladder on the side of the building. The Flight Chief called a halt on the exercise, Cobra 6 and 6A who were the Security
Response Team for that facility did pretty well. As for the intruder, he went back to his desk job as Quality Control for
the 3rd SPG.
“Thanks for the help, Jim.” I couldn’t do it without you guys.” Burke said as Jim brushed the
grass and dirt from his clothing. Tech Sgt. Jim Murphy, a 210-pound walking brick wall with no hair worked in Quality Control,
whose function was to test every security and law enforcement personnel in Clark and once
in a while would volunteer as a bad guy to test each personnel on flight conducted exercises.
“No problem. Your people know what they’re doing, they’re excellent at it,” Jim said to SMSgt.
Burke.
“Yeah, right,” Burke replied.
Jim nodded.
“Well, thanks again big fella,” Burke joked.
Jim got in his vehicle, waved to the enlisted and saluted the Captain. A trail of dust emerged behind Jim’s hummer
as he drove on the unpaved dusty road back to the mobility office....
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