Gabi Halsey: Omaha Beach

By Bob Gabbert

US Navy Commander Gabi Halsey’s story continues from, The Cairo Rose is Chocolate Pink. The Secretary of the Navy reviews her court martial that forced her to resign from the Navy in Book I. He reinstates her commission. The Chief of Naval Operations uses her unique situation to be his eyes and ears to evaluate the controversial female Captain Molly Grafton, Commanding Officer of the USS Omaha Beach, CG-77.
Off the coast of North Korea with Gabi commanding the Omaha Beach, she takes dramatic action to prevent North Korean ships from capturing the Omaha Beach. Action taken that fateful night causes her to land in the Oval Office with an irate President Swinish.
In an incident right out of the 2016 Hollywood Tapes, President Ronald T Swinish grabs Commander Halsey where no woman should be grabbed. When she responds as every woman should, he kicks her out of the Navy with consequences neither of them expected.
Publicity of the incident in the Oval Office circles the globe and Gabi becomes internationally famous. It brings her to the attention of both the Republican and Democratic Parties seeking the White House in 2020 presidential campaigns.
Take the wild ride with Gabi as she goes from obscurity fishing the Long Island Sound to the biggest catch of all in the world of politics.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bob Gabbert
• Release date: Aug 12, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005924119

Bob Gabbert

Bob Gabbert has been writing novels about strong women for eleven years. Asked why his protagonist is always a woman, Bob said that generally speaking, women are physically smaller and weaker than men. Consequently, they must use their intelligence to solve important issues, and that's more interesting for a writer. Bob Gabbert is a world traveler who has lived or worked in many of the places he writes about. He graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle where he and his wife, Janet, make their home.

Book preview

OMAHA BEACH

By Bob Gabbert

Publisher: Bob Gabbert eBooks

Copyright

Copyright © 2020 by Bob Gabbert eBooks

All rights reserved, except as permitted under the US Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission by the publisher.

Publisher: Bob Gabbert eBooks

eBook Edition: August 2020

Characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

About the Book

US Navy Commander Gabi Halsey’s story continues from, The Cairo Rose is Chocolate Pink. The Secretary of the Navy reviews her court martial that forced her to resign from the Navy in Book I. He reinstates her commission. The Chief of Naval Operations uses her unique situation to be his eyes and ears to evaluate the controversial female Captain Molly Grafton, Commanding Officer of the USS Omaha Beach, CG-77.

Off the coast of North Korea with Gabi commanding the Omaha Beach, she takes dramatic action to prevent North Korean ships from capturing the Omaha Beach. Action taken that fateful night causes her to land in the Oval Office with an irate President Swinish.

In an incident right out of the 2016 Hollywood Tapes, President Ronald T Swinish grabs Commander Halsey where no woman should be grabbed. When she responds as every woman should, he kicks her out of the Navy with consequences neither of them expected.

Publicity of the incident in the Oval Office circles the globe and Gabi becomes internationally famous. It brings her to the attention of both the Republican and Democratic Parties seeking the White House in 2020 presidential campaigns.

Take the wild ride with Gabi as she goes from obscurity fishing the Long Island Sound to the biggest catch of all in the world of politics.

OTHER NOVELS BY BOB GABBERT

Search eBook source by Author – Bob Gabbert – to view all novels.

Evergreen is Moving (in print only)

Flat Rock Salvation

Black Project 10

On Point

Tess Harper: The White House Conspiracy

Journey to Another Door

Where Tall Trees Grow

Both Sides Now

Stump Speech

Miles to Victoria

The Cornwall Conspiracy

Little Faith in the White House

The Jade Greenway Series:

Flight of the Messenger

The Persian Gulf Incident

Black Seas

The Joni Tish Series:

Code Purple Zulu

The Gabi Halsey Series:

The Cairo Rose is Chocolate Pink

Omaha Beach

DEDICATION

Janet Lloyd Gabbert’s career as a registered nurse spanned more than 40 years. She was a part of the small group of doctors and nurses who founded the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. A part of Doctor E Donnall Thomas’ team when he won the Nobel Prize for Medicine for his pioneering work in bone marrow transplant, she rose to become Director of Nursing at that world famous institution.

Janet graduated from Hartwick College with a BS in Nursing. She got her RN training at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City, and met this lonely boy from Texas some 52 years ago in Seattle, and became my wife. She exemplified the strong and independent women I write about in my novels.

On June 22, 2020, Janet lost her long battle with Alzheimer’s. Her world, a world in which she shined so brightly, disappeared one day at a time. One moment to the next what she had valued so deeply waned as the sun going down. But, this sun, her sun didn’t come up as brightly the next day or the next. Each day became shorter and shorter, grayer and grayer until there was nothing left but fog.

The hole she leaves in my heart, in my life, is so much bigger than I am. The smile that lit up the room is surely making Heaven a little brighter, because there, she will have her memories, her joys, the life she lost one minute at time, one day at a time, one lifetime.

Table of Contents

Title Page

About the Book

Other Novels by the Author

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Epilogue

Acknowledgement

About the Author

Prologue

When Book I, The Cairo Rose is Chocolate Pink, ended, Commander Gabriella Halsey was found guilty in a US Navy General Court Martial and was forced to resign her commission and leave the Navy. Before the court martial, she was a US Navy fighter pilot and squadron commander who had recently been promoted to wing commander on an aircraft carrier.

The Honorable Charles R Hoffman, Secretary of the Navy, reviewed the general court martial and wrote the following letter:

To: Commander Gabriella Halsey

From: Secretary of the Navy Charles R Hoffman, Acting

Subject: Return to Active Duty Status

Commander Halsey,

At the request of the Chief of Naval Operations and Commander, Fifth Fleet, I have reviewed the military general court-martial proceedings that resulted in your resignation from the United States Navy.

After consideration by legal counsel and others, it is the considered opinion of the Secretary of the Navy that the record should be corrected in your case. While it is not possible to expunge the general court-martial verdict from your record, a letter from this office will be inserted into your permanent record indicting that it should be ignored for promotion and other considerations.

It is the wish of the Secretary of the Navy that you return to active duty status within 30 days, at the rank of commander with full pay and allowances, including back pay and allowances earned since your resignation, and with no broken time indicated in your permanent record.

Sincerely yours,

Charles R Hoffman, Secretary of the Navy, Acting

Coincidental to the letter being issued, the Air Boss on the USS George Washington, CVN-73 was killed in an accident while the carrier was operating in the Persian Gulf. A carrier cannot operate in a war zone without this key officer. Consequently, Captain Wayne Digger, the Commanding Officer of the Washington, requested that Commander Fifth Fleet, Vice Admiral Raymond Spruance cut orders for Commander Halsey to report for duty as Air Boss, with haste.

Vice Admiral Spruance hand delivered the Secretary of Navy’s letter to Gabi and was waiting on the pier when Commander Halsey brought the fishing boat, Gabi III, into the pier from fishing Long Island Sound.

After reading the letter, she told her father, "Dad, you’ll have to get another skipper for my boat. I’m going to the George Washington."

Chapter 1

Gabi used a makeup brush and smoothed makeup to cover the few remaining scars on her face from her ordeal in the desert of Nevada. With her strawberry blonde hair and freckled complexion, it wasn’t easy to find the perfect makeup that would do the job. When she had done what she could to cover the scars, she wrinkled her nose and frowned at her reflection in the mirror. She sighed and put the makeup brush down.

She picked up the Navy service, dress-blue jacket and put it on over the uniform slacks. The jacket had three gold stripes on the sleeves indicated she was a commander in the United States Navy. She stood before the mirror and checked that the ribbons, representing the medals she had won, were straight and in place. One ribbon was for the Navy Cross, which is the Nation’s second highest award for valor. Her pilot’s wings of gold were above the ribbons on the left; her nametag Halsey was on the right.

Commander Gabriella Halsey was true blue Navy all the way. She was the fifth generation of Halseys to have served in the US Navy; she was a distant relative of the famous Bull Halsey of World War II fame.

She checked that the black necktab was straight and showed perfectly under the collar of the white blouse. She put on her white hat with gold scrambled eggs on the bill. The Navy used the inelegant term ACC or alternative combination cover to describe the female officer hat. She preferred it to the unisex hat which was much heavier. She also thought the ACC was more attractive.

She picked up her leather flight bag and carried it downstairs to where her father, former Navy captain Charles Halsey, was sitting in the living room reading a newspaper.

She put the bag down and stood to attention. Commander Halsey reporting for duty, sir!

Charles Halsey turned and looked at her. He tossed the paper aside and got up. You look magnificent, Commander Halsey. He hugged her. I am so proud of you. Not many people survive a general court.

She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. I didn’t think I’d ever get the chance to go back into the Navy.

The doorbell rang.

That will be the admiral’s driver, I suspect, Halsey said.

Gabi glanced at her watch. Yes. He said he’d be back at 2100 hours. Goodbye, Dad. I wish you had gotten a second chance.

I do too, baby, but… You give ’em hell.

He watched from the porch as Vice Admiral Spruance got out of the backseat of the government sedan and stood next to the open door.

She gave her luggage to the driver who had the trunk open, and then she rendered a smart salute. Good evening, Admiral. Commander Gabriella Halsey reporting as ordered.

He returned the salute. How does it feel to be back in the Navy, Commander?

It feels great, Admiral.

She got into the backseat. Admiral Spruance said to her father, Wish you could come with us, Captain?

Halsey waved, Too many barnacles on this old rust bucket, Admiral. She’s the best of us.

Gabi and Admiral Spruance flew commercial to Washington, DC, and then they caught a ride on an Air Force C-17 Globemaster to the Persian Gulf. It was a very long and tiring flight.

US Naval Forces Central Command and the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters are in Bahrain. As the plane circled for a landing, Gabi remembered how hot it was there. She knew that it would feel like entering an oven when they left the plane.

Ironically, during World War II, the US Fifth Fleet was commanded by Admiral Raymond Spruance, and now his distant relative, Vice Admiral Raymond Spruance, commanded the Fifth Fleet.

Just before they landed, she looked over at him. He was packing up his briefcase and getting ready to land. He looked at her and smiled. The GW is in the Gulf. They’ll probably have a Greyhound for you.

I saw the carrier when we flew out over the Gulf to enter the landing pattern.

The C-2 Greyhound is a twin-prop, cargo plane that ferries people, mail, and other items between land and an aircraft carrier. It has a top speed of about 340 knots and a cruising speed of 250 knots, which is about 288 mph. A C-2 assigned to the GW was waiting for her; they had already loaded the mail.

As the Greyhound approached the GW, it entered the racetrack landing pattern that allows all airplanes to form a single line as they approach the carrier.

When she looked down on the GW, she was reminded of her first cruise as a young Navy fighter pilot on the USS Nimitz, CVN-68. The air group was involved in the war in Iraq. Over Baghdad, a Stinger missile shot down the FA-18 her wingman was flying. Another missile hit her FA-18. Although badly wounded, she managed to fly the aircraft back to the Nimitz. She remembered how frightened she was that day, because she didn’t think she would make it back to the ship and would be lost at sea.

The aircraft was too badly damaged to land on the carrier, so she ditched in the sea near the ship. The Angel—a helicopter that is always airborne during flight operations—pulled her out of the sea. For her wounds, she received the first of two Purple Heart medals. She would earn the second Purple Heart in the skies over Afghanistan.

As the Greyhound turned into the wind for the final approach, she could see the island structure when seemed huge compared with the island on the Gerald R Ford, where she served her last cruise. The GW also had a free-standing radar mast directly behind the island giving the impression of a cluttered deck when compared with the Ford. However, when the GW was commissioned back in 1992, it was considered state of the art.

She lost the view as the Greyhound lined up for the landing. Unconsciously, she tightened her shoulder belt knowing the arresting gear would bring the plane to a stop from 125 mph in less than the length of a football field.

A flight-deck director (yellow shirt) guided the plane over near the island where the wheels were chocked, and the door was opened. One of the flight crew began throwing out bags of mail. Gabi handed her flight bag to an enlisted sailor and then step down from the Greyhound.

She could see Captain Wayne Digger waiting near the entrance to the island. He didn’t come to meet her at the aircraft, because the noise on the flight deck was much too loud for conversation.

She saluted and handed him her orders. Commander Halsey reporting as ordered, Captain.

Captain Digger returned the salute and then put out his hand. It’s good to see you, Gabi. How was your trip?

Long.

Tell me about it. I’ve made it several times. Let’s get some coffee.

They went to the Captain’s Sea Cabin, which is located behind the Navigation Bridge where he commands the ship.

A culinary specialist immediate came out of the Captain’s Pantry carrying a tray with a pot of coffee and cups. Without asking, he poured a cup for the captain and then one for Gabi. Sweet rolls, Captain? he asked.

Sounds good, Dennis. Thank you.

Captain Wayne Digger served with Gabi on the USS Gerald R Ford. He was CAG, which is a term brought forward from the old days when the air wing was called the air group. He and Gabi knew each other well. She served under him on the Ford as squadron commander.

He was four years older than her at 45, and at six feet, he was seven inches taller. His wife, Karen, died of breast cancer leaving him with a young son, who lived with his mother in Ohio.

Astrologist would say that Gabi and he were very compatible. She was Pisces with a water element, and he was Virgo with an earth element. However, Pisces people like to be alone, so she was very comfortable without a man to try and dominate her.

He waited until Dennis went back to the Pantry. I heard about what you went through in the desert. That must have been rough.

"It was. There were several times when I didn’t think I’d make it. The court martial was almost as bad. I couldn’t believe how many people get away with lying, even after they take an oath to tell the truth. That’s all behind me now—hopefully. When did you get the Washington?"

"Nine months ago, but call her GW. They’ll know your green if you call her Washington."

You know I’ve never been air boss before. Anything I should know, before I start?

You could have a problem with Ben Hargrove. He was mini-boss before, and he’s been acting air boss since the accident. He’s also senior to you by a few years. If you can’t handle him, let me know.

Maybe he should be air boss and I should be mini.

No. I want you in charge. I need someone who can make a decision and carry it out. Ben is not that person—don’t tell him that.

He got up and went to his desk. Gabi got up as required when a senior officer stands. Oh, keep your seat when it’s just you and me.

He came back with several pages stapled together. "I had Master Chief Henderson prepare this booklet to get you started. He’s a chief aviation boatswain’s mate and the senior enlisted person working for you. His first name is Willard, but call him Will. He hates Willard.

So, everyone knows that I don’t know a thing about this job?

No. I told Will about you, and I told him to keep it just between us. I’ve known him for 10 years. He’s a good man. When you don’t know what to do about something, ask him. He’ll keep you straight. You should go to your cabin and unpack, and study his material. Dinner in the Ward Room is at 1800. I’ll introduce you to the other officers at dinner. Dress is working kakis. Welcome aboard, Gabi.

When should I takeover PriFly?

She was referring to the control tower that is located at the top of the island. The official name is Primary Flight Control, but it’s called PriFly. It’s where the Air Boss controls all takeoffs and landings, and all air operations out to five miles from the carrier. Within that five-mile radius, only the Commanding Officer has more power than the Air Boss. Even the CAG—Carrier Air Group Commander—takes orders from the Air Boss until his pilots go outside of the five-mile radius.

Air Ops are scheduled for 0800 tomorrow morning. I suggest you get up to PriFly not later than 0700. That will give you a chance to get familiar with everything, before Hargrove gets there. He usually goes up about 10 minutes before Air Ops. You do whatever you want, but if it were me, I’d observe this first Air Ops and take over the next one.

Good advice. Thank you. How many are going up tomorrow?

The Angel will launch first of course. The two ready aircraft will launch at exactly 0800, and then at least three or four others will launch, depending on what CAG has on the agenda. CAG is Commander Kona; do you know him?

Is that Oliver Kona?

Yes.

If my memory is correct, he and I were in the same Top Gun class.

Well, I know he finished behind you, because you were number one, weren’t you?

Yep. That’s why I got to stay on as an instructor for two years. I’d better find my cabin and look at these notes. It’s good to be back in your command, sir.

The ship’s intercom came on, Captain to the bridge.

What’s up? Digger asked.

We’ve got some Iranian gunboats coming out.

I’m on my way. I’ll see you in the Ward Room at 1800, Gabi.

Chapter 2

Curiously, Gabi followed Captain Digger to the Bridge. When Captain Digger entered, the sailor at the Lee Helm said loudly, Captain on the bridge.

Gabi held back so she wouldn’t be in the way. When she was a fighter pilot, squadron commander, and commander of the air wing (CAG), she was not a part of the ship’s company and didn’t stand deck and bridge watches. Now that she was a ship’s officer, she would be required to stand Officer of the Deck (OOD) watches on the Bridge when underway and on the Quarterdeck when in port. It was something else that she would have to learn quickly.

Captain Digger went to the wing of the bridge and conferred with the OOD, who pointed toward the Iranian shoreline. Digger looked through binoculars and saw five Iranian gunboats speeding toward them. Launch the ready aircraft, he said without turning.

The OOD pushed the ship’s intercom and said, Launch the ready aircraft and cover the Iranian boats coming out.

Ten seconds later, two FA-18s were airborne. They both turned toward the Iranian coast and gained altitude.

On the Flag Bridge directly above them, Rear Admiral Damon Munson, Commander Carrier Strike Group 16, ordered the USS Dewey, DDG-105 to block the Iranian boats.

Gabi could see the Dewey already running at top speed to get between the carrier and the boats. As soon as the Dewey pointed its five-inch main gun and its automatic one-inch gun at the boats, they turned and sped back toward the Iranian coast.

Captain Digger noticed Gabi. He motioned for her to come over. Recall the ready aircraft, he said to the OOD.

They’re still testing us, I see, Gabi said, as she went to the forward windows of the bridge where Digger was standing with his elbows on the window ledge.

Yeah, they test us about twice a week, usually with boats, but sometimes with aircraft or lately, it’s been drones. Have you been in the Gulf before?

"Yes. My first cruise was on the Nimitz here in the Gulf during the long war with Iraq."

It’s still going on.

I know. I don’t think it’ll ever end. How much time do I have to qualify for bridge watches?

You’ve been thrown into the deep end of the pool without coming up the normal way, so I’ll give you some time. He saw the chief quartermaster over near the helm. Chief Newton?

The Chief came over. Aye, Skipper? He was the same age as Gabi, and had almost the same coloring, except his hair was sandy blond whereas hers was strawberry blonde. He even had freckles and blue eyes like hers.

"Commander Halsey, this is Chief Mike Newton. He’s the senior enlisted in the Navigation Department. Chief, Commander Halsey has come aboard on short notice to take over as Air Boss. Her last assignment was CAG on the Ford, and she’s not had a chance to qualify for bridge watches. I’d like you to get her up to speed ASAP."

Will do, Captain. Welcome aboard, Commander. Have you ever stood OOD watches?

Not since my middy cruises at the Academy, and those were on destroyers. Everything since then has been in the air.

I’ll give you some of my notes. The bridge is pretty quiet during the midwatch. Do you mind working the midwatch?

Not at all. Shall we start tonight? Gabi asked.

Sure. Meet me here about 2330 and you can observe watch change at midnight.

Thanks, Chief; I appreciate the help.

My pleasure, ma’am. Anything else, Captain?

No, Mike, but keep it under your hat. She’s been thrown into the deep end and hasn’t had the same chance to qualify that most bridge officers have.

No problem, Skipper. See you at 2330, ma’am. I’ll put my notes in the mailbox by your cabin door.

Gabi went to her cabin and unpacked, then she got a cup of coffee and took the notes that were prepared for her and began to learn about her new responsibilities. First, her primary responsibility, the Air Department.

The Air Department is the largest department on the ship. It controls air operations (take offs, landings, and movement about the deck), maintains the aircraft, weapons elevators, catapults, arresting gear, and all other equipment associated with the embarked air wing. The Air Officer (also known as the Air Boss) is the officer in charge of the Air Department.

The notes went on to explain how the department was broken into divisions and the function of each division. Since there was so much noise on the Flight Deck, everyone wore jerseys of various colors, that allowed everybody to know their function by sight. For example, the grapes, wore purple jerseys and refueled aircraft. Red jerseys took care of missiles, bombs, and ammunition. Yellow jerseys were in command of the Flight Deck and directed where each aircraft was to go, and white jerseys were safety people, not the least of which was the LSO, landing signal officer.

Once she had the Air Department down pat, she went on to the other notes.

The Officer of the Deck (OOD) had his or her duty station on the Bridge while underway, and on the Quarterdeck in port. His or her primary responsibility is the safe navigation of the ship by maintaining ship’s course and speed, avoiding all dangers to the ship, and conducting all operations including getting the ship underway and bring the ship into port.

The OOD supervises all personnel on duty on the Bridge or Quarterdeck and makes all required reports to the commanding officer. He or she carries out ship’s routines, which includes flight operations, drills, and other routines as directed by the commanding officer. As a part of his or her duties, the OOD supervises and trains junior officers of the deck (JOOD), including ship handling under close supervision.

Gabi knew these were simple descriptions of far more complex jobs, and she would have to work her butt off to keep from appearing that she didn’t belong.

Later that evening, she met Chief Newton on the Bridge to observe changing the watch at midnight. They stood over in the corner and he quietly explained what everyone was doing and why.

He said, "The first thing to keep in mind is that we’re dealing with a ship that is over 1,000 feet long and 250 feet wide, so it’s not going to turn or stop on a dime. Maneuvers must be thought out well in advance.

"The best advice that I can give you is to remain calm