Power Games: Operation Enduring Unity I by R A Peters

that–”
    “Sergeant, look, they’ve already taken the AHA. They hit us here a few minutes ago.” Donaldson finally admitted it to himself.
    “Hough’s dead and they got our radio. I’m alive. I, uh, I got lucky.”
    The NCO on the other end didn’t miss a beat. “No time for that now. You made it; that’s all that’s important. What is the enemy up to?”
    Donaldson brought up the 4-power ACOG scope on his rifle. He couldn’t make out detailed shapes in the dark, but movement was clear enough. “I think they’re setting up an ambush site between the north and east gates. They can hit anyone entering either entrance from there plus cover the main road.”
    “Are they now? Want to ambush my QRF?” Donaldson could have sworn he heard a purr over the phone. “You know, there’s an artillery battery that was out doing some night fire training earlier. I wonder if they still got a few rounds left. Where is the enemy exactly, Private?”
    “Um, along the reverse slope of the safety berm. Straddling the access road about 300 meters northwest of my position, maybe a 100-200 meter front.” The fear in his voice finally gave way to adrenaline. “At least two platoons, but not a full company. I think they’re trying to dig in.”
    “Do you remember how to call in an artillery fire mission, Private?”
    Donaldson went pale thinking about this latest failure. “Ah, not really, Sergeant.”
    “Don’t worry about it, kid. You just did. Find some cover. Danger close!”



Camp Blanding Airstrip
    Two kilometers southeast of the Ammunition Holding Area
    24 January: 0430
    Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump!
    The barrage in the distance hit all at once, but you could hear the distinct explosions if you listened carefully. Alpha Company’s CO was not easy to make out on the radio over all the small arms fire and shelling.
    “Roger. That was 155mm art…casualties…enemy…about company strength, over.”
    Lieutenant Colonel Anderson’s tone held the calm and clarity that only someone not under fire could. “Gator 6, this is Eagle 6. In your assessment, can you disengage and fall back into cover in the AHA, over?” Silence from the radio, but the steady stream of semi and full auto fire in the distance told the story.
    Sergeant Major Brown practically hopped up and down. “Damn it sir, we’ve rounded up enough loose vehicles here and no one has made a move to retake the airfield. We could get a company over there to help fast.”
    Lieutenant Colonel Anderson frowned. “They’re almost two kilometers away. Our lines of communication are far too tenuous, even with mobile resources. Our force is spread thin enough as it is. I can’t risk dividing it further. Doctrine calls for fire support…XO, keep pestering higher for that close air support! No more excuses from them. Make our situation crystal clear.”
    To his credit, the colonel didn’t waste time with “might have been’s.” Nor did the sergeant major bother with “I told you so’s.”
    The radio came back to life before either could speak. A new voice called this time.
    “Eagle 6, this is Gator 3-7, over.”
    A platoon sergeant? The colonel knew the answer even before he asked. “This is Eagle 6. Where’s Alpha 6 actual, over?”
    “Gator 6, he’s KIA, break…near as I can tell, I’m Alpha 6 now, over.”
    “Gator, Eagle. Can you disengage, over?”
    There wasn’t any hesitation. “Negative, Eagle 6. Too many wounded to move and too much open ground to cross anyway, over.” The firing appeared to die down somewhat.
    “Gator, Eagle. Can you hold your position, over?”
    Again, no hesitation. “Not for long, break…they’ve already flanked us and are in the AHA in large numbers, over.”
    Colonel Anderson gritted his teeth and threw a glance at the sergeant major. Brown looked contemplative for a change.
    “Eagle 6, they’re keeping us pinned down until they get the Bradley armored vehicles loaded with ammo. It won’t be too