America Taken Hostage

By Hayden Lee Hinton

Another fictional novel with the usual twists and turns with most every turn of the page as is the writing style of Hayden Lee Hinton. How can a small Air Nation Guard Unit take America Hostage. Read and find out The mysterious events throughtout the story will keep you turning the pages to find out how such an occurrance could happen. A book you won't want to put down.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 2, 2010
• ISBN: 9781456725389

Hayden Lee Hinton

Hayden Lee Hinton was born in Tucson Arizona in 1955 a military brat.  He attended Knob Noster High School graduating in 1973.  Was by no means an academic high achiever, but did excell in sports.  Joined the Air Force at age 17 during the Viet Nam War after graduation he enjoyed tours in Germany and England.  Seperating in 1981 he obtained degrees in Psychology and Sociology.  Upon graduation he returned to the AF only with the Civil Service this time. In1997 he obtained his Master in Public Administration.  This year he received his 30 year pin for serving his country.

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Synopsis

Another fictional novel with the usual twists and turns with most every turn of the page as is the writing style of Hayden Lee Hinton. How can a small Air Nation Guard Unit take America Hostage. Read and find out The mysterious events throughtout the story will keep you turning the pages to find out how such an occurrance could happen. A book you won't want to put down.

Dedication: To All My Friends In The Air Force Over The Past 30 Years

America Taken Hostage

Hayden Lee Hinton

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© 2010 Hayden Lee Hinton. All rights reserved.

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First published by AuthorHouse 10/25/2010

ISBN: 978-1-4389-8580-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4567-2538-9 (e)

Printed in the United States of America

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any Web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

America Taken Hostiage

Rusty, the Colonel said as he walked into the General’s office. Oh, sorry General. Didn’t know you had company.

Come on in Joe. You remember our best recruiter, SMSgt Sam Snead, down in the LaGrange area? said General Rusty Plank. The sergeant stood at attention as the Colonel had entered the room.

Sure do, said the Col Joe Tibet. Just the little grey and the weight that comes with age is all that is a little different. Sorry about that Sammy, as the two exchanged hand shacks.

Good to see you ‘SKY HAWK’, as the sergeant stood in the presence of an officer even though they were in the guard. As long as Martha loves me I don’t care if I go bald old man," and they all laughed.

Sit down. I was just talking to Sam how him and his family are about make their PCS to the Dublin area. You know, what we’ve been talking about needing some of that good ole Middle Georgia blood in the Wing, the General said. You can stay Joe as Sam and I are about finished. Now Sam I want you and the Misses to think this over as I sure need a good recruiter in that area, but I understand your family has its roots in pretty good here in Atlanta. By the way, how is that boy of yours doing at Tech? asked the General.

Well Sir, looks like he’ll be starting this year. They held him back last year so he will be a redshirt freshman, but they were smart. He’s put on 30 pounds of pure muscle and has caught up with his grades, the sergeant said.

That’s great Sam. I know a permanent move will be hard on you and Martha. That’s the problem with the guard. Let’s military folks put down family roots in the local area staying in one place too long. Guess I can’t complain though looking back on the days when the Misses and I had to pick up and move every two years while in the active duty Air Force.

I understand Sir, and Martha has had time to think about moving and I think she is coming around. Give me a little more time. She knows now that with Tech being on this side of Atlanta and right off I-75 we won’t be but a few minutes further away. Anything will be safer than the back roads and the part of Atlanta we have to go through now coming from LaGrange. I swear the damn Georgia Traffic Engineers had to get a degree in drinking as that is my biggest gripe about the area. There is not a straight road in the state. Anyways, I’ll be back up soon Sir, said Sam. It is more being our age why moving isn’t as appealing.

Okay Sam. I couldn’t agree with more about the state’s roads. Damn death traps. Now we will be paying good money for your making this move so keep that in mind and let me know if there are any problems, and with that SMSgt Snead left the office.

Well Joe. What do ya got for me? asked the General.

The wait is over, as it isn’t official, but my pals up at the Pentagon told me it is a go. We are now a B-1B Bomber Georgia Air National Guard Wing, Joe told his boss.

Damn Joe, I know this is going to be a move for the best, but I’m just worried about my fly boys, as the General got up, walked over, and closed his office door. Lowering his voice, I’m just concerned we might lose some or more than some of our pilots, he said shaking his head.

Now Rusty, we’ve talked about this. I think you are jumping to conclusions. We both thoroughly loved flying fighters, and these guys are no different. Now not all of them are commercial pilots. Sure they get bored sitting in auto pilot most of the time in flight isn’t exactly the biggest thrill in the world. Ya, these young Hot Guns will be let down, but we can’t accomplish much of anything with this puny F-15 compared to a B-1B. Besides, things could be worse. The Pentagon was toying with the idea of making us a C-130, C-5, or C-17 cargo flying squadron. After all, the depot support for worldwide maintenance and repair is less than an hour down at Robins AFB for cargo aircraft. Come on Rusty, you know we were lucky ole Nunn was still in place at the last minute decision on this. He will be retiring at the end of the year, and the Colonel paused. Can’t believe I didn’t recognize Sammy. Hate to say it, but I think it has more to do with my eye sight than him changing, said Joe rubbing his eyes.

Yeah, guess we are getting older Joe. And you are right about the change in aircraft. The B-1B can fly farther, longer, about as fast, and has one hell of a pay load. Some of the guys like Paul and Tom don’t worry me as they’ve had their share of dog fighting and might not mind some R&R flight time. We have about the perfect group in place and I just don’t want to do anything to disturb things. You know what I mean, said the old man.

Ya boss, but we’ve been through a lot of changes in the past 30 some years. This will be our last one for sure, Joe reminded him.

Your right, but how did you find out before Tim or Janet. Never mind, I know that brown nosing tour you did by going to the War Planning Office down at Offutt, might have paid you some dividends in making some connections. I told you it would cost you this though, Rusty said pointing at the star on his shoulder.

That you did old man. That you did, and Joe left the room.

Pushing a button on the phone the general spoke, Janet, get me through to Tom McKinney, he asked her.

Sure thing General, she replied. Janet had been the General’s private secretary almost since he’d arrived at Dobbins AFB Georgia. That had been a little over 10 years ago. Janet had met an ROTC student at Athens Georgia while attending the University of Georgia. He was a weekend warrior stationed at Dobbins AFB as a part of the 126th F-15 Air Combat Wing for the Georgia Air National Guard. The guard was assigned as a tenant on the air base. He was a 1st Lieutenant when they arrived back at their home of Marietta Georgia from Athens. Like a lot of young men who go through ROTC in high school and college, they just aren’t cut out for much of any type of military life. Turned out he was one, but Janet, who had got a job as an Administrative Assistant with the Wing stayed on. Over the years she had progressed to being the General’s personal assistant. The two had grown to be friends as well. It didn’t hurt any that she was a true ‘Georgia Peach’, and came from an affluent family there in Marietta. Janet finished her degree in Business at Emory University, but continued to work at the guard unit. She’d never remarried. General, Tom is on the line, she told him.

Tom, how are you doing buddy, said the General.

Doing just great Rusty. Guess super snooper Joe has already told you the news, said Tom.

Yeah, he got to burst your bubble once again, he said.

He’s going to step on that tongue once too quick and let out a Congressional release and it will bite him, joked Tom knowing he’d been the one to tell Joe just to get the General’s goat.

I wanted to ask you to pass on to Sam Nunn my thanks after he makes the official announcement. I know he had to fight to get us a real flying mission, not that those cargo boys aren’t essential to us all, said the General.

Yeah, and be careful as you know that Depot Maintenance operations down at Robins in Middle Georgia is his baby, not to mention his bread and butter over the years, Tom reminded him.

I know. I know. How is Nunn doing with his time to step down approaching? asked the General.

You know Sam, General. He might not be officially sitting up here in the Pentagon, but he’ll stay busy as ever. Besides, you have been a handful the past year for him, again reminding the General.

You bet Tom, without Sam I would bet my star Dobbins would have been on the hit list for the last BRAC. Who would have thought that Base Realignment and Closure would have hit Ft McPherson? I’m sure it won’t totally shut down. Congress will just contract out their DoD mapping agency right there, he said. Tom doesn’t bother finding out all the details, he just likes to remind me he is in the know is all. I’ll wait for the official papers to arrive and the politicians to make the official announcement. I’ll probably have to tell the troops as work is going to get out and don’t want them hearing bad information. It is going to be hard enough keeping some good men with this change, but don’t want to lose any over wrong information.

Sounds good Rusty and don’t be a stranger, said Tom as they hung up.

The General pushed the phone button again, Janet, do I have anything scheduled for lunch? he asked her.

There was a pause, No General, actually your calendar is clear for the rest of the day, she informed him.

What do you say about lunch at the club, he asked her.

Let me check my calendar, she said jokingly, Nope, no lunch date today, she told him.

Fine, we’ll head over in about half an hour, and he hung up. It was surprising that Janet didn’t have a lunch date everyday as beautiful as she was. She was tall, with long red hair, hazel eyes, with long fine legs and a body to kill for. She also had the Georgia accent when she talked. Janet dated some, but kept her personal life away from the base. There were plenty of offers from officers and NCOs that were available, but after her first experience with a military man she stated away. The men all quickly learned her feelings, and knew better than to make cat calls or whistle at her while she was out and about the guard area. She had a temper and could cuss with the best of them when it came to that sort of display from any of the troops, or anyone else for that matter. At first the General had felt an obligation to step in when such an occurrence took place, after all he was the Wing Commander, but quickly learned she didn’t need any assistance when it came to taking care of herself.

__________________________________

Entering the Officer’s Club, as usual, the General and Janet were greeted by some of the fly boys and other officers already sitting at tables. National Guard Wings are different in a multitude of characteristics from active duty military. Most guard members in a Wing are civilians for the most part, or known as ‘Weekend Warriors’. One drill weekend out of the month the majority of personnel come in for formal military training and work. Most live with their families as they are not authorized to live in Military Family Housing on the installation. Most work locally in the private sector in every imaginable capacity. Some come on drill weekends from all over the country to maintain their guard status for retirement benefits.

Then there are the day to day working civilians who mostly wear their military uniform instead of civilian clothes. Though they are actually DoD Civil Servants, they wear their military uniforms with their military rank. Many of them their military rank doesn’t come close to matching their Civil Service grade. But wearing the uniform is much easier than wearing civilian clothes, and it makes them feel like they are in the military. There are the full time guardsmen or women. These personnel are no different than active duty military personnel. Lastly, there are DoD Civil Service personnel who are civilians supporting the military in whatever their function or job is. Most of these individuals usually work in an administrative capacity in the guard.

Once a year, or as required, all the members of a guard unit come together for a two week exercise to practice the units real world mission. Sometimes they actually deploy to their classified destination where, if called upon for a real world threat, they would deploy. These exercises are monitored by inspectors who evaluate and rate the units on their performance.

State guard units cannot purchase land so they are mostly co-located with a major military installation. That was the case with the 126th Georgia Air National Guard Wing, as they are co-located on Dobbins AFB Georgia. The designation of Wing is based on the size of a unit. The 126th Air Control Wing is composed of 12 F-15 Fighters, therefore the Wing designation. General Rusty Plank and Colonel Joe Tibet are full time National Guardsmen. Janet is a Civil Service employee for the DoD. Most pilots are weekend warriors, and most are commercial pilots for an airline as their professional job. Support Squadrons within the Wing such as Medical, Supply, Transportation, Medical, Security Forces and Civil Engineering are a combination of all three types of employees in order to keep the daily mission operations going, yet combining for the monthly formation of the unit. The military installation, being Dobbins AFB Georgia, provides the national guard with supply support for everything from the gymnasium, childcare, swimming pools, theater, commissary, and all the other activities that an Air Force Base consists of that the guardsmen can utilize. Since the Federal Government does not allow the National Guard to procure land of their own is the reason most all units are located on active duty military installations. Some State militias do use state funds to build small guard facilities or they lease buildings from local communities. These generally consist of a specific small single operation.

There are also cultural differences between being in the guard and active duty military. Probably the most notable are the military customs that the active duty personnel abide by. There is the saluting between officer and NCOs. During weekly duty activities going on within a guard Wing area on the base it is a ‘No Hat’ and ‘No Salute’ area. The primary reason is that though the officer and NCO uniform status is worn, most of the individual’s are in Civil Service status, consequently they are civilians working at the time. This can become very frustrating and confusing for the active duty as the only distinction is everyone’s Wing patch worn on the left side of the fatigue utility uniform. The dress uniforms for all the branches of the military do not have even this distinction to differentiate from active duty and guard personnel. Typically, sense the salute is actually an acknowledgement of respect the guardsmen and woman try to maintain a congenial rapport with their active duty counter parts by saluting.

The esprit de corps displayed by active duty is also a major cultural difference. Officers are to be treated with the utmost respect by the NCOs and airmen. This is a clear distinction when it comes to the layout of the base. Officer military family housing is totally segregated from enlisted family housing and the barracks for enlisted personnel. The clubs on the base are also segregated as there is an Officer, NCO, and enlisted club on most installations. Some Commands go so far as to prioritize who and when activities the portions of the gymnasium are scheduled, naturally with officers and high ranking civilians getting the primary time to use such facilities. The guard personnel can use the bases facilities, but tend to try to have some of their own support activities. For example, the 126th has one small club facility for all to use, but typically the segregation of ranks is not observed inside the facility. Also, only active duty guardsmen and women and their families can live on the installation. The active duty and their families are more like the old adage of ‘you work hard together and play hard together’ as most families typically live on the installation. Another aspect the guard troops tend to suffer is the lose of long time coworkers and friends when they leave the unit. Active duty personnel and families are usually rotating from base to base on 2 to 4 year rotations, where as guardsmen and their families live in the surrounding communities and that is where they have their private lives.

Another major difference between the two is a guard unit is much smaller than a major installation. Most everyone knows each other. Active duty personnel and Civil Service personnel assigned to the installation tend to feel a sense of ownership towards their work area and what takes place. Where as a guard unit is a tenant on the installation and they are only responsible for their small area on the installation. The guards personnel do not tend to do things together like bowling leagues, team sports actives, get togethers for birthday and major holidays throughout the year. They come to work and go home to their private sector homes. For most active duty personnel an installation is where they both work and live. On average a guard unit is composed of approximately 1500 – 2000 personnel total in comparison with the several thousand personnel and their dependents that live on the installation for the active duty, in addition to the Civil Service employees. The general attitude is that the guard unit is like a step child to the main base.

Hey General, called out Tom, sitting with a few other pilots. Why don’t you and Janet come join us? The two walked over and sat with the group.

So what’s up Sir? said James, one of the younger pilots at the table.

I actually have some news for a change, said the General. It’s official. We are now the 126th Bomb Wing.

Oh man, said Paul, You know how that news might affect Phil and John. I’m sure there will be more pilots, let alone other personnel, to be jumping ship.

Yeah, I’m afraid I do, but in all my years I’ve seen so many folks come and go. Funny how the Air Force seems to continue to function when someone leaves, the General sarcastically replied. He was aware, and had even talked to both men, about the change in missions. Both Capt Sanders and Capt Henson have expressed how they would not be happy flying a bomber, and would strongly consider resigning if such a change were to occur. They’re Yankees and have talked about going back up north often. I guess they will get their wish and will need to get those snow shovels out.

That’s right, said Cody. I mean the boys are good pilots and all, but they can take their Yankee asses back up north. I’m tired of their bitching about Georgia all the time. Cody wasn’t one to hold back his opinion, and being a young Major it got him more than one call into the old man’s office for a talking to.

So, what’s the word? asked Tom trying to get the discussion back on track.

Joe informed me just this morning that he’d found out and I called the Pentagon so I could confirm the mission change. I know some of you boys aren’t too happy going from a fighter, as sweet as the F-15 might seem, to a big bad bomber, but that is military life for you. Remember what I told you. Be thankful to Senator Nunn that we didn’t end up with a cargo plane. With Depot Maintenance down the road at Robins AFB we were damn lucky.

Yeah, when you put it that way General, said Johnny, a young Captain sitting at the table. If Capt Sanders and Capt Henson feel it is best for them to go back home then it is better now and get some new good blood in.

Damn straight, said Cody, and good riddens to the two Yankees. We got plenty of good southern blood to replace them.

Major Rhinehart, as the General always used their official title when he wasn’t pleased with the men for something. We know how you feel about folks from up north, but I’ve told you to keep it to yourself. Understand!

Yes Sir, sorry, said Cody knowing his mouth had once again had peeved the General. Just those boys haven’t been all that appreciative about our southern hospitality since they arrived.

So it’s a done deal huh Sir, any timeframe? asked Tom once again trying to be the peacekeeper amongst the bunch.

No idea. You know ‘SKY HAWK’, he’s always one step ahead of an official notification, said the General using Col Tibet’s call name. I expect Janet will be getting the package in a day or two and I will pick a couple of you to sit in on the VCN with the Pentagon after we go over the details. I think Janet and I will mossy over to another table or we might not get a chance to eat sitting with you boys, he jokingly said.

You guys never talk about anything interesting anyways, Janet blurted in. Hell, I’d rather hear about the Braves then always all this military mumbo jumbo. That’s why I’m single now, she said jokingly.

You know I can fix that, Cody jumping on the opportunity.

Cody, now you have two things to think about, chimed in the General also joking, as he and Janet stood to move to another table. If others were present the men would all have stood, but this was lunchtime.

__________________________________

Sitting at another table a waitress brought them water and took their order. Janet, not to get too nosey, but you’ve been single how long now? the General asked.

Now am I going to have to get on you too General, as she affectionately called him. It started when she first went to work for him. She was all of 24 years old and selected to be the personal secretary to the Wings General. Needless to say there were other women secretaries that had been around the Wing for a good while and weren’t too happy initially about his selection. All was fine now. I hadn’t really thought about how long I’ve been single in a while. We married just before I came to work here and divorced a year after. That puts my being single a little over 10 years now. Wow, how time flies. Funny how I wondered back then how I’d ever manage on my own and now I’m probably so settled in my ways I probably couldn’t stand a man in the same house all the time, she told him.

Being almost 35 years old now Janet had struggled a while, like any young divorced woman might, but she was long over any such feelings. Janet was out going and drew attention from men of all ages where ever she went. She liked doing most anything and there was everything under the sun to do in Atlanta. Dobbins AFB being in Marietta was all but down town Atlanta and just on the out skirts of Buckhead. Buckhead had much of the entertainment, restaurants, and night life in the city of Atlanta. The General and Joe were about the only two persons in the Wing she occasionally shared anything private or would ask advice on something from. Her relationship with Lt Col Timothy ‘Tim’ Cline was different. He wasn’t a pilot or ever had been. Tim and her worked near each other in the Wing Command Headquarters Building, as he was the General’s executive Officer, and they keep a congenial attitude towards one another.

Janet had her period in life where like most every woman feels the empty crib syndrome, but hers hadn’t been that strong. Neither had finding another man to marry became that strong of a need. She had a nice house, a cat, and her parents weren’t far away. She kept in contact with a few friends she’d come to know, and some high school and college friends as well. She drove a spiffy BMW convertible the same color as her long red hair. Life was good right now. It is enough keeping you in order for Norma. Speaking of which, how is Norma? Janet asked.

Norma’s doing a lot better. She is all but over last year. Losing both her parents in the same year was really hard on her as they were close. Unfortunately her younger sister also got divorced, but she is talking about moving to Atlanta so we will see how that plays out. As you know Norma has plenty of friends, but other people aren’t like family. Those two have always remained close, he openly told her.

How is her older brother doing? You mentioned he took things the hardest. They say the oldest often does, said Janet.

We sorta stay away from talking about him. I’m afraid what you just said seems to be true as Norma tells me he sounds like he’s had a few too many each time he calls. His calls have gotten to be fewer over time so hopefully that’s a good sign, he told her. The waitress arrived with their lunches.

You know I’m probably going to be taking some time off here in the near future, she reminded him.

Janet, you know the paper work will be flying between here and Washington the next few weeks with this mission change, he said almost in desperation.

I’m sure it will be General, she calmly replied. That is what Tim is for. You know he is plenty competent, saying while holding back a smirk with the General all but squirming in his chair now.

I’d give you a raise, but I’ve given you all the raises and bonuses I can Janet, all but bribing her not to go on vacation right at the moment.

Oh General, you know me better than that, she replied now smiling.

The two finished their lunches and headed back to the office.

__________________________________

For a General his building wasn’t anything special, and was actually small. There were four offices and a conference table in his office. The building itself was an old WWII structure with new siding and a metal standing seam roof. A new handicap ramp had been installed outside as OSHA now required. It made the entrance look ridiculously large compared to the size of the building. The offices were specious for him, Janet, Joe, and Tim. He made sure they were well taken care of with nice furniture and interior decorations. General Plank could all but care less what others thought, though he didn’t want them to think they were slobs or anything like that. The General’s office also served as the conference room. Tim was a computer geek and had the most modern computer system and could help with all their computer and other electronic devices without a problem. All the General had to do was push buttons to make slides go forward and backward during briefings. In all about 12 people could sit comfortably in the conference room. There was a small break room with one bathroom the four shared. Janet made coffee for the others was all it was generally what the area was used for. General Plank liked his little building, putting other functions such as his Judge Advocate, Public Affairs, Real Property, and others in their own building – Support Headquarters. This kept his building less hectic, quiet, and most important he could talk privately with others. Janet, Joe and Tim could be trusted. He also didn’t care for his Support Commander and the Support Vice Commander, so this also gave him some distance from them.

General Plank was a General before he retired from the Air Force active duty after 26 years service. The Wing Commander prior to his taking command was only a