HOGS #6 Death Wish (Jim DeFelice’s HOGS First Gulf War series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

target is somewhat south of As-Samawah.”
    “ ‘Somewhat south’ meaning how far, exactly?”
    “Not that far,” answered Hawkins. The Delta Force
captain clearly had little use for Paddington, and even less tolerance for BS
or Padding’s circuitous route to the point. “It’s damn close to the Euphrates.
No bullshit, Colonel. Serious Indian country. That’s why we need Hogs with us.
Delta’s going to lead the mission,” added Hawkins. He put up his hand to keep
Paddington from interrupting. “At least this assault. According to the latest
intelligence, the target has a few Zeus guns for air defenses and nothing else.
But we’re thinking that may change.  Old airstrip, couple of buildings; it was
used briefly during the Iran-Iraq war, hit by Iranian missiles, and then
abandoned. Some troops there now, but no planes. The Brits want to check it
out. Sir Peter’s here to give us the layout and report back to the general, if
it’s a go.”
    Paddington cleared his throat ostentatiously.
    “You’re looking for Scuds?” asked Knowlington.
    “No,” said Hawkins. “SAS lost two commandos.
There’s a chance they’re being held there.”
    “A small chance,” said Paddington. “Nonetheless,
it cannot be dismissed.” He touched his hand to the side of his sport coat. It
occurred to Skull that he must keep a flask there.
    If the bastard took out the flask, Skull would
throttle him.
    Why did Paddington’s drinking bother him? The man
was just a drunk, like him.
    “Two other operations are planned at
higher-probability sites,” said Wong. “SAS is conducting them itself, with RAF
support. Captain Hawkins will lead a small team of Delta and SAS men on this
operation. The A-10s would strike a total of six ZSU-23-4s at the target, then
remain for any necessary support during the duration of the operation.”
    Paddington’s nose seemed to float above the room. “The
operation must be surgical, precise, and brief.”
    “No shit,” muttered Hawkins.
    Skull smiled at the Delta captain. “ How many planes?”
    “Two at a minimum. They clear out the antiaircraft
guns, then mop up if necessary. We’re in and out in an hour, no more.”
    “Four planes would be better,” said Wong, “since
there is a possibility of additional defenses being moved into position. There
has been considerable radio traffic, and several Iraqi units are in the general
vicinity.”
    Knowlington reached to his desk and opened the
single drawer, removing a large Michelin paper map of Iraq that he’d gotten in
the States before deploying. As-Samawah was about midway between Baghdad and
Kuwait, right on the Euphrates. If the scale at the bottom of the map was to be
believed, it lay about 175 miles north of the Saudi border.
    A long ride over nasty real estate.
    “Can you sketch out the defenses for me, Wong?” asked
Skull.
    The intel officer leaned over the map.
    “From memory,” said Wong, “there would be a triple-A
all along this approach that must be avoided. The Republican Guard facilities
closer to the border have been mostly neutralized, but even so must be
respected. An SA-6 battery is believed to lie somewhere north of the base, but
has not been definitively located; its radar has never been activated so far as
is known. Additionally, Humint sources have rumored several Roland batteries in
this general vicinity, but again, no radars or other hard indications have been
recorded. Even if they do exist, the most serious obstacle would be an SA-2
site here, twelve miles south of the base. Its radar covers nearly the entire
approach. It has operated intermittently, for only a few moments at a time,
undoubtedly to avoid targeting from HARM-equipped SAM killer. Perhaps it is
working with human spotters. There is also a possibility that it is not
actually functional, as the intercepts have never been strong or of long
duration. Nonetheless, it can be avoided if the A-10s travel a very precise
path, breaking sharply parallel to the