marriage of convenience between Muscat and Tel Aviv. By helping each other, they further their respective aims in the region.'
Miller jotted down the salient points for inclusion in his briefing. Like a careful professional, he would be sure to distinguish between hard intelligence and that which was supposition and opinion. But all considerations would be available should the president wish a more detailed analysis.
Glancing up from his writing, the general explained, 'I'm adding a reference to previous Israeli dealings with Arab nations through back-channel and third-party means. You recall their sale of Phantom parts to Iran during the war with Iraq, and they even advocated that we sell military hardware to Kuwait after the Brits copped that huge deal with the Saudis.' Miller shook his head in wonderment. 'At least ten billion dollars worth! The president asked recently how many U.S. jobs that would have meant. I heard the Labor Department estimated four-hundred thousand. No wonder Arnold's willing to buck the Israeli lobby. If he could get back some of that foreign trade, the labor unions would elect him king.
'Okay,' Miller said, 'so much for the poetry. Now what about actual operations in Yemen?'
Kaufman checked his papers. 'Press reports, intel, and info from attaches in San'a are pretty much in agreement. Company-size operations in some spots, shooting back and forth across the border, and more recently South Yemen has launched air strikes along the border, which is ill-defined.'
'Any aerial combat?'
'Evidently not yet. There's only been a couple of quick hit-and-run affairs. But it seems the South Yemenis have used Saudi airspace to make an end run. If the Saudis get involved, I imagine that would suit the Israelis just fine.'
Miller stared at Kaufman's coffee cup. 'It sure would.'
The DeHavilland I25 taxied to a stop and the engines were cut to idle. As the vacuum-cleaner sound wound down, the business jet's door opened and Safad Fatah descended the steps. He was closely followed by Mohammad Tuqman, a specialist in foreign affairs.
Bennett greeted the two ministers at large and showed. them to the waiting limousine. He turned around in the front seat to talk to them during the short drive to the Tiger Force operations office.
'Mr. Fatah, arrangements have been made as you asked. Colonel Lawrence is occupied with scheduling for the third class but he will attend our conference. I've also arranged for two of our prospective squadron commanders to be there.'
Fatah nodded. 'You have selected ranking Saudi pilots to lead the F-20 squadrons, then?'
'Yes, sir. We coordinated with air force headquarters, and we've agreed with Riyadh that two experienced F-5 pilots will perform those duties as soon as they finish the transition phase to Tigersharks. It doesn't take too long.'
'That is good,' Safad said. 'We do not have very long.' Minutes later, the two Saudi ministers seated themselves in the operations office. Joining Bennett and Lawrence were Major Ali Handrah and Major Mohammed Jauf, who would command the first two Tigershark squadrons in due time. But the current crisis had caught them unprepared for operations. Both men knew they were there to listen.
The ops office was clear of everyone but the four Saudis and two Americans. It was an austere, businesslike room. Navigation and weather charts hung on the walls, with aircraft status boards and pilot training rosters neatly arrayed. The only nonfunctional item readily visible was a sign over the door: EXCEL OR DIE.
Safad Fatah came directly to the point. 'Gentlemen, you must be aware of the situation with Yemen and South Yemen. I fear it is not improving at all.'
Bennett said, 'Yes, sir. I understand there's been border clashes recently. Sounds like the South Yemenis mean to stir up more trouble. '
Mohammad Tuqman interjected. 'Worse than that. They are involving us. South Yemen troops and aircrafts have crossed our borders to attack their neighbor.'
The Americans were familiar with the situation. The two countries had border disputes dating from at least I934. South Yemen-formerly the British crown colony of Aden-was perhaps the poorest nation in the region. The British had closed their naval base in I967 and, despite severe differences following British departure, the YAR, Yemen Arab Republic (usually called Yemen) and the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (usually called South Yemen) attempted consolidation. The effort had violently been curtailed in I978 when both presidents were killed in a two-day upheaval. In South Yemen a pro-Soviet Communist, Abdul Fattah Ismail, seized power by military coup and executed his predecessor. Ismail may have ordered the death of the YAR president as well. However, Ismail's regime was toppled by an even more radical element seven years later.
Ed Lawrence leaned forward. 'Excuse me, Mr. Fatah, Mr. Tuqman. But I know the borders in that area are not well marked. Is that part of the trouble?' He visualized JNC-35, the jet navigation chart for the area. Most of central Arabia was uncharted, the section a blank white space on the map. Navigation warnings were printed along the unmarked Yemen border.
'Just so,' Fatah replied. 'That part of the peninsula is sparsely populated and the boundaries have never been properly defined. Much of the terrain is rocky desert. But clearly our sovereignty has been violated. Again and again.'
Tuqman waved a bony finger. 'And there is much to evidence that South Yemen is causing trouble in Oman.'
Tiger Force knew about Oman. Long ruled by a despotic, incompetent sultan, the nation gained more enlightened leadership in I970 when the sultan's son displaced him. British aid helped suppress rebels aided in part by South Yemen, but Britain closed its base on Masira Island in I977. The government remained relatively unstable, and defense was directed almost exclusively by British officers, though Israeli assistance had been reported. Bennett and Lawrence knew some of the RAF pilots flying Omani Jaguar fighter-bombers.
Though he guessed what was coming, Bennett asked, 'Where does Tiger Force fit into all this?'
Fatah reached into his briefcase, compressing his paunch as he leaned over in the chair. 'These are reports of South Yemen violations of our airspace. I also appended a status report on the People's Democratic Republic Air Force.' He handed the documents across the table.
Bennett and Lawrence already were acquainted with the PDRY air arm. They maintained current files on all military forces in the region as a matter of course. Flying MiG-21s, Sukhoi 22s, and one squadron of fast MiG-23s, the South Yemenis were looping north into Arabian airspace by staging from bases at Shibam and Seiyun I50 miles east of the Y AR border. By approaching Yemen from the northeast, they had eluded detection until almost the last moment and caught their opponents by surprise. Through human and satellite sources, it was known that the Soviets operated SA-2 and -3 missile batteries in South Yemen, and Cubans were believed leading some of the MiG and Sukhoi fighter-bomber formations.
'Would you like us to patrol that area?' Bennett asked.
'Yes. Our diplomatic efforts have had no effect,' said Fatah. 'As you know, we have only minimal contact with Marxist regimes, as a matter of faith.'
Bennett clasped his hands, leaning forward. He fixed each Saudi with an intent gaze. Speaking softly, he said, 'Mr. Fatah, Mr. Tuqman. You realize that Tiger Force is not fully operational. Our first class is nearing completion of its first six months of squadron formation and the operational training that goes with it. But neither squadron has been expected to be combat-ready yet. That's two months away, with Majors Iauf and Handrah slated to take command.'
Fatah nodded. 'Colonel Bennett, Colonel Lawrence, we recognize that it probably would be necessary for some of your instructors to provide… advice… during this period.'
'Do you mean flight lead, sir? Tactical leadership?'
Fatah regarded the two Americans. 'His Majesty takes a personal interest in your safety. As American citizens, none of your instructors could possibly cross into foreign airspace.' His dark eyes flashed.
Lawrence said, 'We don't mind taking on this job; in fact, it'll give our people some good experience. But why not use the regular Royal Saudi Air Force? You have F-15s down there at Nejran and Khamis Mushayt, two hundred fifty to three hundred fifty miles from the Yemen border.'
Bennett interrupted. 'Unless you need fighters closer to the borders. Smaller, less complex airplanes that don't need the ground support equipment of the Eagles.' He tapped the chart on the table. 'We could stage Tigersharks to these smaller strips and react a lot quicker.'
