“Come on, I got a surprise for you,” said Knowlington, jumping up.
“Surprise?”
“Yeah. Don’t worry, it’s not a party or anything, and I promise, no more generals, or guys with cameras and dumb questions. But I had a little trouble figuring out how to get it set up, so you have to come down the hall with me.”
Mongoose followed the colonel past Cineplex and the rest of the squadron rooms, down to an office belonging to the intelligence section that was housed in the back end of the Hog Heaven trailer complex. One of the intelligence officers was on the phone.
“Here you go,” said the officer, handing him the phone. “All ready for you.”
Mongoose took it warily. “Hello?”
“Jimmy? Are you okay.”
“Kath? Kath!”
“I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“So am I,” he said, and he slipped down into the chair. In the background he heard little Robby crying. He glanced upwards and saw that Knowlington and the intel officer had left him alone, shutting the door so no one in the world would see that in certain very special circumstances, Hog drivers did cry.
A NOTE TO READERS
While this story is based on actual A-10A missions during the Gulf War, it is a work of fiction and should be treated as such. With the exception of historical figures, all characters and call signs in this book are invented and not based on actual individuals. While the bases and commands (other than the Devil Squadron) actually existed, they have been completely rearranged and reconstructed. Liberties have been taken in the name of dishing out an entertaining yarn.
Some details regarding operations and rescue procedures which could conceivably be of use to an enemy during combat have been omitted or obscured. They have not affected the telling of the tale.
The heroism and exploits of the characters in this book are but pale shadows of that displayed by the men and women who actually served during the Gulf War.