While Others Sleep
by a former C130 Special Operations crewmember
This true story, written in 2004, is about a Special Operations intel flight. A glossary is included at the end of the story.
The mood of the country was "if I don't need to know about it, don't tell me." Just do the job and make sure it is done well. Problems with the Iran, Communists
in Nicaragua and Central America, support for the Contras, don't tell me how you are going to fix the problems, just do it!!
A small group of military and former military undertake these challenges with very loose direction from the highest levels of the government. I, being a very small part
of the solution, found myself about to embark on a most thrilling and dangerous adventure in a country in Central America with my Air Force Reserve Special Ops Unit.
We were supposedly sent there to "show the flag" at the beginning of the turnover of security to the host country for a strategic parcel of property located in that country.
This involved daylight flights over the strategic property and adjoining city in coordination with maneuvers of a large US Army contingent. An impressive display of force
to the host country in case any subversive groups within the government or country had ideas that the US was just going to walk away from security responsibilities
as the transition from the US to the host country was underway.
Satellite surveillance technology at the time was impressive. However, even at its best it cannot look around corners or provide angles of surveillance on "points of
interest" that a low flying aircraft with specialized surveillance and recording equipment might provide. Even though our overt mission was to "show the flag" our real
purpose in Central America was to take a look at close quarters at certain troop billeting centers in a country close by. This information would be used to gauge
troop strength and provide details of the compound layout and it's security. Specific lines of communication to/from the points of interest were also of interest and
were targeted for surveillance.
On our third day in country we were briefed that we would be taking a night flight for the purpose of recording images using our specialized surveillance equipment.
Detailed knowledge of what and why we were interested in certain areas was limited to a select few. I, being one of the operators of the surveillance equipment and
involved with the aircrew responsibilities for navigation to/from the areas of interest, was included in the brief on our target locations. The aircrew tactical group
consisting of the FCO, NAV, EWO, TV & IR crewmembers charted the best route to/from the interest areas. Our unit's mission provided us with the training
and knowledge to best covertly enter and exit the operational areas of interest. The latest intelligence was also provided to our aircrew including photos and other
information to ensure that we selected the correct targets. Of course, we were not aware of the big picture or even why we would be going to the operational area, but
because of our unit's mission and training we knew better than to concern ourselves with those details. If something went wrong it was most important to not have
high-level mission details and, of course, we must have deniability. SAR codewords and safe areas were briefed by our Intel officers and had to be memorized by the
aircrew.
After the aircrew briefing, the details of removal of all identifying insignias and personal identification documents were completed and cross-checked by fellow crew
members. The crew bus ride to our airplane did not involve the usual chatter. Most of us were still memorizing the details of the SAR brief and thinking about our
specific parts in the mission. The preflight of the aircraft and specialized equipment took on extra meaning and was more thorough than the usual training flights.
Engine start was uneventful and the familiar sounds and smells of the airplane coming to life filled the interior of the plane. Crew check-in and radio frequencies
were accomplished and the Inertial Navigation System was aligned and readied. Soon, we were at the end of the runway awaiting tower clearance. The next
thing I remember was the pilot call "peapod 72 rolling" and off we headed into the darkness.
Course direction and altitudes were changed frequently to confuse anyone interested in understanding our destination. This involved many course adjustments
and close observation with our sensor equipment to crosscheck our location with the heading and location provided by our inertial navigation equipment. Aircrew
duties and responsibilities intensified as we approached our entry point into unfriendly territory. Prior to the entry we configured the airplane and equipment for a
low-level penetration and run to the target areas. During this critical period our EWO monitored his equipment to confirm that we were undetected by any
unfriendly electronic devices and if we had been, he would have initiated the appropriate measures to render our intrusion invisible. The EWO had been briefed on
the array of detection equipment available by the unfriendly forces.
As we approached each of the areas of interest we established our approach and surveillance technique. Count-down by the navigator was provided and when
zero was announced we employed a "pop-up" maneuver above the target with sensors "blazing" and recording devices capturing the images at the correct angles
and level of detail. The final target was encountered and recorded with no unfriendly electronic encounters detected. After the last pop-up maneuver we slammed
the airplane back down on the deck and became involved with the planned exit navigation details. Soon we were out over the Gulf of Mexico taking a circuitous
route back to our host country and the friendly airfield. The last three and a half hours had been a blur and the tension experienced is evident by our
perspiration-soaked flight suits. Some crewmen said a prayer to themselves, thanking the Almighty for a safe outcome of the mission. Wheels and flaps
were lowered on final, we heard the familiar sound of tires on the runway, and we all collapsed in our seats. It was very early morning, before sunup, and all we
were thinking about was having something to eat, taking a shower, and hitting the sack.
Upon returning home to the U.S., neighbors and friends questioned me as to where I had been for the past week. My response was that the good old Air Force
paid for a weeks vacation down in a tropical paradise. More often than not, people tell me how lucky I am to get the chance to get away for awhile. "Down there
chasing a little strange stuff huh?" I would just say "Ya, you know us Air Force guys are always running after pussy."
How many others are doing similar operations in the name of this country never to be discussed or talked about again? The general population really never
understands what many of or Nation's finest do day in and day out to keep this place safe from our enemies.
God bless em all.
Glossary of Abbreviations
EWO - Electronic Weapons Officer
SAR - Search & Rescue
FCO - Fire Control Officer
NAV - Navigator
TV - Low Light Level Television Sensor Operator
IR - Infrared Sensor Operator