The anchorman looked into the camera. "Cuban President Fidel Castro, moments ago, issued a declaration of war aimed at the United States. Speaking from his home at Varadero Beach, Castro lashed out vehemently at President Jarrett and vowed to confront any military threat to Cuba."
The newsman paused to adjust his earpiece, then continued quickly. "Castro has dispatched his brother, Army Commander Raul Castro, to personally take command of Cuban army troops advancing toward the San Julian Air Base. San Julian is the purported location of the missing B-2 Stealth bomber. White House sources have refused to comment."
The commentator, seeing new information being rushed to him, followed the director's cue. "CBS will continue our coverage of the Cuban crisis after this word."
Lasharr and Ridgefield looked at each other in astonishment. "Dave, get in touch with Hamp," Lasharr instructed, "and put a priority on getting Wickham out."
"Yes, sir," Ridgefield replied as he reached for his SecTel 1500 secure phone.
"I'll be at the White House," Lasharr said as he closed his thin attache case. "Dave, I don't want any screwups. Keep a lid on it."
The situation room was crowded when President Jarrett and the secretary of state entered. "Gentlemen," Jarrett began, grim faced, "Secretary Gardner and I have issued a statement to world leaders. As you know, the Kremlin is denying any involvement in the hijacking."
Alton Jarrett adjusted his glasses carefully and read the dispatch.
"The president of the United States of America denounces Cuba's refusal to release our B-2 bomber and crew.
"The government of the United States recognizes the declaration of war issued by Cuban President Fidel Castro.
"The United States of America is, and will continue to be, committed to recovering our commandeered Stealth bomber and her crew."
Jarrett removed his glasses and placed the message faceup on the table. "This episode is a tremendous embarrassment for Castro. The Soviets — Ignatyev — are sidestepping the issue and leaving Castro caught in the middle. There may be a rogue faction operating in the KGB, but Ignatyev apparently isn't going to admit it.
"The dictatorial society that Castro has created is undergoing a major economic and ideological crisis. Moscow has withdrawn support, and Castro is feeling the pressure."
The president looked around the table before speaking again. "It is my opinion that we can expect stiff resistance from Castro. He is a desperate man, caught standing alone or with whatever support he can muster in this hemisphere."
Jarrett sat back. The Joint Chiefs, the CIA director, and the cabinet members waited to see who would speak first.
"Mister President," the secretary of state said solemnly, "may I have a word with you… in private?"
Jarrett paused, then looked at Gardner. "Sam, if you have a comment — any comment — you can speak candidly to the entire group."
Gardner, displaying a twinge of irritation, leaned on the table and clasped his hands together. "Sir, if we — if you insist on pursuing your plan to invade Cuba," Gardner said cautiously, then stopped and shifted in his seat, "the ramifications — the Vietnam syndrome — will be devastating to your political career."
The president, taking time to compose himself, propped his elbows on the table. He attempted to suppress his usual wry smile. "Sam, I don't give a damn about my political career. What office am I going to run for?" In his peripheral vision, Jarrett could see that all eyes were averted. "My responsibility, Sam, is to the American people-the people who voted me into office. Sure, there will be dissenters, as there always have been, but the vast majority of Americans know the difference between right and wrong."
The president looked at his secretary of defense, then back to Gardner. "Some Soviet faction has, with or without their government's knowledge or approval, commandeered our bomber, and we have to get it back."
Jarrett paused when he saw the reaction on the faces surrounding him. He leaned back in his chair. "What the United States government is engaged in is a recovery mission, pure and simple. When we have reclaimed our B-2, or destroyed it, the encroachment on Cuba is over."
The vice president, silent until now, swiveled to face Gardner. "Sam, we lose more than Stealth technology if we sit idle and exchange diatribe. As world leaders, we lose face and support."
The secretary of state displayed a rare show of condescension but remained silent. He had disagreed openly with Truesdell on a number of occasions.
Jarrett caught a glance from his defense secretary but addressed his remarks to Gardner. "Sam," the president said more softly, "this issue is much bigger than a single B-2 or its technical secrets. This administration is being challenged openly, and we are not going to take the bashing."
Gardner remained unconvinced but said nothing.
The president looked at his watch and focused on his defense secretary. "Bernie, I want a maximum effort from our forces, with minimum collateral damage."
"The Joint Chiefs," Kerchner replied, glancing at the JCS chairman, "and I feel confident that we can achieve the objective, and keep the situation contained."
"Very well," Jarrett responded, then stood. "I have to meet with the families of the B-2 pilots. Bernie, I want a solid, continuous blanket of air cover over our battle groups until they have returned to our coastal waters."
"Yes, sir," Kerchner replied, standing with the rest of the group. "We're concentrating our resources to provide a constant barrier."
Jarrett walked to the door, then stopped and turned to the assemblage. "Let's not forget that Cuban soldiers shot down two U. S. helicopters in Grenada, killing three Marines. Now, we have more losses caused by Communist Cubans." Jarrett stiffened slightly. "Losses because Castro is sheltering our commandeered bomber."
The 40,500-ton amphibious assault ship, commissioned in July 1989, steamed south toward the western tip of Cuba. The carrier was the tenth navy ship to bear the name Wasp.
Embarked on board the 844-foot ship were 1,966 Marines, supported by eighteen AV-8B Harrier II jets, four LAMPS III helicopters, and four CH-53E Marine Super Stallion helicopters. On the well deck, below the 2.2-acre flight deck, three air-cushioned landing craft (LCAC) waited to transport the marine expeditionary force ashore near San Julian.
The heavy transport CH-53s, powered by three 4,380-shaft horsepower General Electric turboshafts, would supplement the air cushion landing craft. The four helicopters, each carrying fifty-five Marines, would land at strategic points around San Julian air base.
The LAMPS III helicopters, with their long-range air-to-surface radar and advanced data link, would manage the over-the-horizon assault. Two LAMPS Ills, backed by two assault LAMPS Ills, would track the amphibious landing craft, maintain communications with the LHD, and transmit the LCACs' progress to the Wasp's large screen displays in the Combat Information Center.
The eighteen Marine AV-8B close support attack fighters, armed with Snakeye bombs, rockets, and one 25mm cannon, would provide air cover for the marine landing force.
Wasp's sister ship, USS Essex (LHD-2), followed the lead assault carrier at a distance of seventy nautical miles. Essex was in the final stages of receiving her marine special landing force, along with their AV-8B Harriers from Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station. A continuous stream of helicopters landed, disgorged Marines and supplies, then flew back to shore to pick up more men.
Essex would land her assault force three-quarters of a mile north of Wasp's unit. Both assault groups would go ashore at Bahia de Guadiana, then forge east to San Julian. The USS Nassau would provide a third marine amphibious assault force. Eight CH-53s, carrying full loads of Marines, would augment the helicopters from Wasp and Essex. Nassau would also provide UH-1 Huey helicopters and AH-1 Cobra gunships for the assault.