Shadow Flight

The president, taking time to compose himself, propped his elbows on the table. He attempted to suppress his usual wry smile. "Sam, I don't give a damn about my political career. What office am I going to run for?" In his peripheral vision, Jarrett could see that all eyes were averted. "My responsibility, Sam, is to the American people-the people who voted me into office. Sure, there will be dissenters, as there always have been, but the vast majority of Americans know the difference between right and wrong."

The president looked at his secretary of defense, then back to Gardner. "Some Soviet faction has, with or without their government's knowledge or approval, commandeered our bomber, and we have to get it back."

Jarrett paused when he saw the reaction on the faces surrounding him. He leaned back in his chair. "What the United States government is engaged in is a recovery mission, pure and simple. When we have reclaimed our B-2, or destroyed it, the encroachment on Cuba is over."

The vice president, silent until now, swiveled to face Gardner. "Sam, we lose more than Stealth technology if we sit idle and exchange diatribe. As world leaders, we lose face and support."

The secretary of state displayed a rare show of condescension but remained silent. He had disagreed openly with Truesdell on a number of occasions.

Jarrett caught a glance from his defense secretary but addressed his remarks to Gardner. "Sam," the president said more softly, "this issue is much bigger than a single B-2 or its technical secrets. This administration is being challenged openly, and we are not going to take the bashing."

Gardner remained unconvinced but said nothing.

The president looked at his watch and focused on his defense secretary. "Bernie, I want a maximum effort from our forces, with minimum collateral damage."

"The Joint Chiefs," Kerchner replied, glancing at the JCS chairman, "and I feel confident that we can achieve the objective, and keep the situation contained."

"Very well," Jarrett responded, then stood. "I have to meet with the families of the B-2 pilots. Bernie, I want a solid, continuous blanket of air cover over our battle groups until they have returned to our coastal waters."

"Yes, sir," Kerchner replied, standing with the rest of the group. "We're concentrating our resources to provide a constant barrier."

Jarrett walked to the door, then stopped and turned to the assemblage. "Let's not forget that Cuban soldiers shot down two U. S. helicopters in Grenada, killing three Marines. Now, we have more losses caused by Communist Cubans." Jarrett stiffened slightly. "Losses because Castro is sheltering our commandeered bomber."

USS WASP (LHD-1)

The 40,500-ton amphibious assault ship, commissioned in July 1989, steamed south toward the western tip of Cuba. The carrier was the tenth navy ship to bear the name Wasp.

Embarked on board the 844-foot ship were 1,966 Marines, supported by eighteen AV-8B Harrier II jets, four LAMPS III helicopters, and four CH-53E Marine Super Stallion helicopters. On the well deck, below the 2.2-acre flight deck, three air-cushioned landing craft (LCAC) waited to transport the marine expeditionary force ashore near San Julian.

The heavy transport CH-53s, powered by three 4,380-shaft horsepower General Electric turboshafts, would supplement the air cushion landing craft. The four helicopters, each carrying fifty-five Marines, would land at strategic points around San Julian air base.

The LAMPS III helicopters, with their long-range air-to-surface radar and advanced data link, would manage the over-the-horizon assault. Two LAMPS Ills, backed by two assault LAMPS Ills, would track the amphibious landing craft, maintain communications with the LHD, and transmit the LCACs' progress to the Wasp's large screen displays in the Combat Information Center.

The eighteen Marine AV-8B close support attack fighters, armed with Snakeye bombs, rockets, and one 25mm cannon, would provide air cover for the marine landing force.

Wasp's sister ship, USS Essex (LHD-2), followed the lead assault carrier at a distance of seventy nautical miles. Essex was in the final stages of receiving her marine special landing force, along with their AV-8B Harriers from Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station. A continuous stream of helicopters landed, disgorged Marines and supplies, then flew back to shore to pick up more men.

Essex would land her assault force three-quarters of a mile north of Wasp's unit. Both assault groups would go ashore at Bahia de Guadiana, then forge east to San Julian. The USS Nassau would provide a third marine amphibious assault force. Eight CH-53s, carrying full loads of Marines, would augment the helicopters from Wasp and Essex. Nassau would also provide UH-1 Huey helicopters and AH-1 Cobra gunships for the assault.

Navy F-14s and Navy/Marine F/A-18 fighter/attack jets, operating from the decks of Kitty Hawk, America, and Abraham Lincoln, would fly high air cover for the Harrier jets and helicopters.