The commander quickly but fully informed the SEALs of Operation Persian Empire with all its implications and ramifications. The potential dangers resulting from Iranian success in the operation were immediately appreciated by the audience.
The N-3 continued. This program is being financed by their participation in opium poppy-smuggling from Afghanistan to Turkey. Obviously, this operation must be destroyed not curtailed but destroyed!
Lieutenant Junior Grade Jim Cruiser raised his hand. Why not turn it over to the flyboys? Couldn't they bomb the hell out of that route?
That won't work, Carey said. Unfortunately, the way from Afghanistan through Iran and into Turkey could run through hundreds of mountain passes. Aerial bombardment would just slow the bad guys down temporarily. Then they'd pick up the pace along another direction.
What the hell? Chief Matt Gunnarson said. If Afghanistan isn't the best place to hit them, then cream the bastards in Iran.
That is not even under consideration, Carey said. So we can forget that little tactic. Politics, diplomacy, and old-fashion chickenshit will allow us to make our attacks only in Afghanistan. As I mentioned, the flyboys won't be able to handle it, so somebody has to go in there and get down and dirty. That means DPVs. The smugglers are using trucks for hauling and machine gun'mounted Toyota pickups for protection.
They've already had some attacks from rival smugglers and even Turkish Army units, but they've shown they can handle any adversity quite effectively. You'll find your enemy consists of professional soldiers. Be on your toes!
The Skipper was thoughtful. Mmm. We know the mission and the situation. And I have to tell you, sir, I'm real curious about the execution phase of this operation.
You are going to be flown by C-One-Thirty from Shelor Field to an area we're calling the Opium Trail, Carey said. You'll be facing a dozen of those Toyotas, but you'll have six DPVs with two machine guns on each and you can go eighty miles per. It looks like you'll be involved in the same-type combat you had against the armored cars. But it should be easier.
Excuse me, sir, Senior Chief Dawkins said, but we're outnumbered two to one, and them Toyotas can go a hell of a lot faster than eighty miles an hour. And as an Alabama farm boy, I do know my pickups.
The Toyotas don't have run-flat tires, Carey said. And keep in mind that they are not armored.
Well, shit! Puglisi exclaimed. Neither are we!
Carey showed an apologetic grin. What's the name of that old song? 'I Never Promised You a Rose Garden.'
Oh, well, Puglisi said with a shrug. There's also another old song: 'You Always Hurt the One You Love.'
Carey's grin turned from apologetic to wry. Yeah. And I do love you guys.
If you're both through discussing American music, let's get back to the situation at hand, the Skipper said with a frown. There is one small potential being overlooked. You mentioned rival smugglers. Don't you think if we laid enough hurt on the main bad guys, all the smugglers are going to get together to resist us?
We don't know that for a fact, Carey said.
Now Chad Murchison joined in the conversation. I can foresee yet another situation arising, sir. Could it be that our hegemony would be willing to allow this narcotic smuggling to continue if it could be removed from the Iranian sphere of influence?
I take it that, by 'hegemony,' you are referring to our command structure, Petty Officer Murchison, Carey said. Let me answer that by saying there is no way that anybody in authority, whether it be political, military, or diplomatic, is going to condone the smuggling of narcotics to the West under any circumstances. The reason this job has been handed to you is that the situation has global implications. If Operation Persian Empire isn't completely obliterated, the domino effect will be catastrophic. It would be a disaster destined to plague the civilized world for decades.
Garth Redhawk brought up another angle. But if we take out these bad guys, what's to stop the Iranians from working with those rival smugglers?
Right, Doc Bradley chimed in. The Iranians could change outlaw organizations as fast as we could knock them off.
We'd be shoveling shit against the tide, Joe Miskoski added.
The answer to that is simple, Carey said. You have to get rid of the Iranians involved. When they are gone, then things will get back to normal after a while. The rival smugglers will shoot it out, then the winner will control everything. They'll keep all the money, meaning the Iranians get nothing for their Persian Empire. He gestured to Lieutenant Commander Berringer. Pass out the maps and photos, Ernie.
Berringer had arranged packets of satellite photographs and maps of the smuggling area for the SEALs' use. As he distributed them among the Brigands, the Skipper spoke up again. What about assets? Surely, there must be one available from among all those miscreants.
Berringer walked back up to the front of the room. We do have an asset. His code name is Aladdin.
Are we going to get a chance to meet with him and ask him some questions?
Unfortunately, Berringer said, we have never met him. He transmits his intelligence from an unknown location somewhere in western Afghanistan.
Well, hell! Brannigan said. Give us his frequency and I can have Gomez contact him.
We have never had a reply when we tried to raise him, Berringer said.
Jesus Christ! Brannigan sputtered. Isn't he working with one of our intelligence agencies?
No, Berringer admitted. He just popped up out of the blue.
What the hell! Brannigan barked. Then how in God's name do you know he's reliable?
We have been assured by the CIA that the information he gives us is accurate, Carey interjected.
Shit! Brannigan said, standing up. This Aladdin son of a bitch could be setting us up for a big fall.
All I can tell you is that it has been determined that he is trustworthy.
Brannigan was really pissed off now. That isn't good enough for me, goddamn it, sir!
Now Carey lost his temper. It's going to have to be good enough for you, Lieutenant! An OPLAN has been drawn up based on Aladdin's transmissions, and you are going to turn that into an OPORD and obey any other orders you are given! Understand?
Aye, sir, Brannigan said, sitting down but still seething.
Carey checked his watch. I will expect a briefback from you at 1600 hours tomorrow. As far as assets go, you will have Lieutenant Commander Berringer and me. That's it! If you have any questions for us, we will be here to help. If we can't answer a specific inquiry, we'll contact the SPECOPS Center on the Combs. If the SF staff on board can't get an answer for you, there's nothing else we can do. Let that be enough motivation for you to be prepared for any contingency. He paused and looked at the eighteen frowns directed at him. Turn to!
The SEALs did not have time to spring to positions of attention as the two staff officers quickly exited the briefing area.
.
THE OPIUM TRAIL
16 MAY
THE attaching of the German MG-3 machine guns to the roofs of the pickup trucks fascinated Arsalaan Sikes Pasha.
The mounts had been expertly manufactured and securely attached to the vehicles with six heavy-duty fifty- millimeter bolts per weapon. The arrangement allowed an arc of fire through 140 degrees. Although the MG-3s were belt-fed, there was no problem with belts of ammo dangling off the side. These weapons had belt drums, each holding 150 rounds, that could quickly be changed when reloading was necessary. However, with a firing rate of 1100 rounds a minute, it would take only a little less than eight seconds to empty the weapons with a continual pull on the trigger. For that reason, the gunners had spent time practicing until all could manage four-and five-round fire bursts.
The gunners were professional soldiers of the Iranian Army, and they went to a great deal of trouble to keep their weapons clean and operable. Even in the dusty atmosphere of the Afghanistan high desert, the machine guns looked as if they were ready to stand a full field inspection by a regimental sergeant major. Canvas covers were
