'As it turned out, our concern for their safety was unfounded, but we should remain vigilant and cautious. I trust our guests will understand that we were motivated solely by concern for their well-being. '
Bennett lifted his right hand to indicate his appreciation.
Then the monarch began in earnest. 'All of you have met Commander Bennett, but some of you do not know Commander Edward Lawrence. ' The king acknowledged the American, who rose briefly, then resumed his seat. 'Commander Lawrence is an experienced warrior and fighter pilot instructor from the United States Navy. He will serve as Commander Bennett's second in command. Gentlemen, I have the honor to inform you that you are being granted equivalent positions of colonel and lieutenant colonel, respectively. We understand that your American citizenship does not allow you to hold rank in a foreign military, but within the confines of my kingdom and for purpose of authority you should find these titles sufficient to your needs.'
Bennett, in his thorough way, had studied this potentially sensitive situation. He knew that Douglas MacArthur had served as a field marshal in the Philippine Army before World War II, and he personally knew veterans of the Flying Tigers and Eagle Squadrons who held military rank in the Chinese and British armed forces- clearly in violation of American neutrality, but with full knowledge and permission of the Roosevelt Administration. With that precedent, Bennett felt on safe ground. Bennett's attention was drawn back to the meeting when the king introduced him.
''Thank you, Your Majesty. We appreciate this significant honor. Now, gentlemen, a brief summary on the advisory personnel. We have forty instructor pilots under contract, following careful screening by Mr. Fatah's people and our own evaluation. Most of these pilots are personally known to us, except the British, of course. Seventeen are former U.S. Navy pilots, one former Marine Corps, and fourteen former U.S. Air Force. The remaining eight are from the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. Of these forty, eighteen have combat experience, including two of the British from the Falklands War of 1982. All are well-qualified flight instructors and combat tactics instructors in jet aircraft. Each has been screened not only for professional competence, but for maturity and stability.
'The contracts provide for a pay scale averaging a hundred and ten thousand dollars per instructor annually, with thirty days off each nine months. All transportation and living costs will be absorbed by the Saudi government. The funds will be deposited in a Swiss bank account on a monthly basis, with a three-month advance upon each man arriving in Saudi Arabia. In addition, the government has purchased a million-dollar life insurance policy for each individual with Lloyd's of London.' Glancing down, he continued, 'Each contract runs for two years, at which time it may be renewed.'
Bennett looked up from his notes, aware that he had the undivided attention of everyone in the room. 'As for the maintenance and other personnel, their expenses will be met either by their employers such as Northrop and General Electric, or by the Royal Saudi Air Force in the event we bring current Saudi pilots into the program. It is our intention to push qualified individuals into leadership positions as fast as possible. The instructor pilots will remain airborne mission leaders and tactics advisers beyond the second year, but maintenance and support-the all- important aspect of an air force-could be fifty percent Saudi in less than three years.
'Now, we also have developed a third community which will have much importance in determining how fast the F-20 program develops. Mr. Fatah has hired two flight surgeons from the United States and a British psychologist and a Lebanese psychiatrist. These gentlemen have devised entrance examinations for the Saudi applicants, based upon a time-proven system which rates psychological, personality, and other traits. We believe this should allow the highest possible number of graduates per class-approximately sixty-five percent.'
Bennett did not discuss the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that had led to this system. It had taken some hard talking to convince all the Saudis involved that applicants for the F-20 program-already a prestigious assignment before the first class convened-would be rated wholly on merit. As in many third world nations, military aviators largely came from the politically well connected upper class.
Bennett and Lawrence had bluntly told Fatah that not even royal blood would ensure a seat in the course. However, the number of well-educated Saudi males with 80 percent proficiency in English automatically meant that young men from privileged backgrounds would fill most of the classes.
Bennett continued. 'Gentlemen, you all realize that the investment of this many of your brightest young people in this type of program will limit their usefulness elsewhere. The individuals we seek are high school graduates between eighteen and twenty-two years of age. They will be selected from only about six percent of your national population. This is the same ratio in most countries. Only this proportion is found in the general populace with the attributes necessary to become a successful fighter pilot. We are looking for youngsters in excellent health with perfect vision and superior motor skills. They must be highly motivated, willing to work long and hard toward their goal. As I noted, about thirty-five percent will not finish the course, but we can make good use of those who make it to the halfway point, provided they wish to do so.'
General Maila interjected. 'What uses do you foresee for such students? Would they remain in the F-20 program?'
'Yes, if they had aptitudes for maintenance or operations. But those who make it to the halfway point in Tigersharks will be fairly accomplished aviators. Their problems are likely to be spatial orientation in dogfighting or poor G-tolerance, things of that sort. If any of them want to fly less demanding aircraft, I would recommend transferring them to units better suited to their abilities.'
Bennett referred again to his notes. 'Mr. Fatah's organization has identified an initial group of nearly a thousand young Saudis who meet the eligibility criteria for age and education. Others will be similarly identified as each group of young males approaches age eighteen. Our first class involves sixty-five candidates, who already have begun extensive remedial English instruction. We expect this to continue for one month, with language tests at intervals throughout the academic and early flying portions of the syllabus.
'Preflight training stresses physical fitness, with emphasis on those physiological traits needed to withstand the high-G environment of aerial combat. Cardiovascular training will be stressed, as well as upper body development, which provides a sort of built-in resistance to blackout-up to a certain point. The F-20, remember, is a nine-G airplane. It will require a pilot in peak physical condition to fly it to its limits.
'Ground school will last six months. The course outline and the methods are explained in your handouts. In addition to such topics as aerodynamics, mathematics, engines, and airframes, the students will have classes in the Koran and Arab history. Each barracks will be named for an Arab martyr or hero. We wish to impress these students-and they are at an impressionable age-that they are being groomed as warriors. Toward that end they will live under strict military supervision. They will learn the manual of arms and close-order drill to instill pride and discipline. But I hasten to note that as Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence and I have learned, this training must be tempered with encouragement. The students will be allowed to visit their families at regular intervals as well.
'We think that all sixty-five who begin preflight training probably will complete it. Normally only those who fall ill or cannot keep up academically will be left behind, but in many cases these individuals can fall back to the next class.
'Hands-on experience will come at the end of preflight when the students learn to start and run jet engines in a test cell. They will also learn ejection seats and desert and water survival.'
Bennett stopped to sip his lemon-flavored water. 'We envision a graduation ceremony at the end of six months, with all family members present. His Majesty has agreed to attend, but the publicity will be minimal. The event is mainly for the benefit of the cadet and his family, with two weeks leave at that time.' He knew the next revelation would concern some of the men around the table.
Bennett stopped to let the impact sink in. 'Are there any questions?'
The senior Saudi general, Mustafa Halabi, raised a hand. 'Colonel Bennett, I remember you mentioned this before. But is it absolutely certain this will work? Obviously, placing young boys in high-performance aircraft could involve great risk.'
'Yes, sir, I am absolutely certain it will work. As you know, it's easier to fly a jet than a piston-powered aircraft. The key is training-thorough, intensive training until the students know each procedure reflexively. We'll
