B-2 Or Not B-2?

By RPG

The USAF and USN characters introduced in RPG’s first book, Intuition Prevails, are deployed in further perilous missions overseas.
Fortunately for them, political indecision in European countries, GB included, averts their involvement as Russia expands further into Ukraine, as in 2014.
After uncovering an ingeniously simple act of espionage in the US, which temporarily nullifies the B-2 spirit bombers’ stealth technology, our pilots move to senior positions in the private sector.
Here they face espionage and armed attack at their facility. As they begin to develop defence and counter-attack equipment for the new age of hypersonic missiles and artificial intelligence, interest from the media world increases.
Meanwhile, our former service men and women benefit from and cope with the events of family lives.
Subject to readers enjoying this and the earlier book, the author has ‘foreseen’ that in a third and final tale, some of the characters will enter the murky world of politics.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Apr 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9781528996181

RPG

RPG was born and ‘raised’ in NE England until the age of 12 years, then his family moved to SE England. Leaving school at 16 years, he followed a long and successful career in Personnel—always disliking the modern label ‘Human Resources’. ‘Retired Personnel Guy’ (not the military acronym RPG) lives happily in retirement with his wife in Buckinghamshire. Subject to readers enjoying his first book ‘Intuition Prevails’ and this sequel ‘B-2 or Not B-2?’ a third, final book will see some of his characters enter the murky world of politics. His ambitions are modest enough, i.e. to live long and prosper, with a good measure of personal privacy. Here’s hoping! Favourite Books: ‘Under Milk Wood’ by Dylan Thomas ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens Favourite Music: Nothing touches my soul like ‘Hallelujah’ by the late Leonard Cohen, sung by the late Jeff Buckley. Simply sublime.

Book preview

15:Celebration

About the Author

RPG was born and ‘raised’ in NE England until the age of 12 years, then his family moved to SE England.

Leaving school at 16 years, he followed a long and successful career in Personnel—always disliking the modern label ‘Human Resources’.

‘Retired Personnel Guy’ (not the military acronym RPG) lives happily in retirement with his wife in Buckinghamshire.

Subject to readers enjoying his first book ‘Intuition Prevails’ and this sequel ‘B-2 or Not B-2?’ a third, final book will see some of his characters enter the murky world of politics.

His ambitions are modest enough, i.e. to live long and prosper, with a good measure of personal privacy. Here’s hoping!

Favourite Books:

‘Under Milk Wood’ by Dylan Thomas

‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens

Favourite Music:

Nothing touches my soul like ‘Hallelujah’ by the late Leonard Cohen, sung by the late Jeff Buckley.

Simply sublime.

Dedication

During the writing of this book, my second book, our family suffered the loss of our son-in-law, David.

Our daughter and his boys miss him greatly but his memory lives on in us all.

God bless you, David. We loved having you in our lives and I wish I had said so more often.

Copyright Information ©

RPG (2021)

The right of RPG to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781528996174 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781528996181 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published (2021)

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd

25 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5LQ

Chapter 1

The Iranian Mission

Zack answered his phone—the caller was brief and to the point.

Good morning, sir, this is Colonel James Wilson, calling from Washington on behalf of General Dawson. He would appreciate your attendance at a meeting in the Pentagon, this Wednesday at 10.00 hours. The matter is important and urgent.

Zack answered, Certainly, Colonel, and please inform the General that I may bring Colonel Allen Gray, my second-in-command, with me.

Pleased to relay that—thank you, sir.

The next moment, there was a knock on his door. Enter, he called.

Al came in, looking relaxed.

Zack could not resist saying, Well, talk of the devil and he shall appear.

A little harsh! Al replied.

Zack then explained that he had been summoned to Washington and thought that Al could join him. If they went the next evening, they could stay overnight, have a few beers and return to base immediately after the meeting ended.

Unless I receive further details before our flight, we shall just have to improvise at the meeting, Al.

Sounds good to me, sir, Al replied with a grin.

Before I go, Zack, just wanted to say my report on air operations in Afghanistan will be on your desk tomorrow morning. Short version is that things are going well but the Taliban and IS are difficult to isolate and engage. They are held back but only just!

As he left, Zack said, Please tell Sandra we have been ordered from above and don’t sound as if we are welcoming a change of scene.

Al laughed. Got that.

For the rest of the afternoon, Zack went over the numerous plans and proposals for air operations (requested and ordered) of his squadrons—both from base and overseas.

He pondered on the very little flying time either he or Al could get now. He knew Al was missing the action too.

The next morning, Zack called Al to his office.

Just read your report, Al—much as expected, but the mission could drag on for months, years, if we cannot get some bigger engagements.

I agree, Zack, but to get the enemy to commit large forces, we must offer them an attractive prize.

Well, it is worth thinking about because standard plans are not working, replied Zack.

"Anyway, that can wait for another day—now to our trip this afternoon.

We have been fortunate that there is a C-21 taking some urgent items to Joint Base Andrews Naval Airbase, Washington, today. It leaves at 1500 hours and the return suits us too, departing Andrews at 1600 hours on Wednesday.

Meet you in our departure lounge at 1415 hours—dress to impress, Al.

Al laughed. As always, Zack.

Later when they met in the hanger, the two pilots for the flight met them.

One was an old acquaintance, Tony Willard. The other was a younger man.

Both saluted Zack and Al, while a third (a corporal) loaded their small cases.

Tony said, We have completed pre-flight and your taxi awaits, sir.

Thanks Tony—we will enjoy being your passengers today.

Zack and Al settled into their seats. Both commented on how they had forgotten how comfortable the military version of the Lear Jet 35A was.

They were the only passengers, apart from the Corporal, who chose to sit near the rear.

The captain’s voice announced that priority clearance had been granted for take-off; he chuckled as he added, To those infrequent flyers, I would remind you to fix your seat belts.

Zack and Al took the humour as it was intended.

The Corporal missed the joke entirely.

After a smooth take-off, the plane levelled off for the three-hour flight.

The co-pilot came into the cabin and asked if the passengers were comfortable.

More so than we are used to, answered Al.

The pilot then introduced himself, "Lieutenant David Johnson at your service, sir.

We shall soon bring coffee for you and Corporal Sam Daniel.

Appreciated David—please, can you invite Sam to join our table for ten minutes or so when we have coffee, Zack asked.

I will, sir, he replied and left to do so.

For the next ten minutes, Zack and Al chatted about their families.

Al updated Zack on the ambitions and progress of his two boys, now aged 12 and 14 years.

Bill, the eldest, now has an interest in becoming a fire-fighter in the Navy, and Dan does too!

No accounting for taste, Zack said laughing. You are really blessed with those boys.

As Sandra is with me as a husband, joked Al.

He was just about to update Zack on Sandra’s career plans when Tony Willard came with a tray containing some chicken salad sandwiches and a selection of biscuits and cakes. Laying it down, he went back down the aisle for a large coffee pot, plates and mugs.

We did not know that we would have passengers until the last moment, except for the Corporal, so no steward on this flight, sir.

That’s fine, Zack assured him.

Tony said that a steward would be assigned for their return flight.

Great, answered Al.

The Corporal then appeared at their table and saluted.

I believe you wished me to join you, sir, he addressed Zack.

Yes, Corporal, thought it might help pass time—please sit down and enjoy the refreshments with us.

Sam did so but could barely disguise his nervousness.

Tony excused himself to return to the cockpit.

Al introduced himself and Sam confirmed that he knew him, both by sight and reputation.

Zack asked Sam what had brought him to Fort Worth and how he was getting on?

I am from Missouri and have been in the USAF since the age of 20. I enjoy being an MP and came to learn from the excellent team you have here. Not just saying that, sir—it is a privilege to work with officers like Lieutenant Bill Murphy.

Zack divulged that he had known and respected Bill for many years.

Who is your immediate superior, Sam? he asked.

Sam had feared this question but he answered bravely, Sergeant Helen Coleman—sir.

Zack put him more at ease when he replied, My boss too, Corporal!

For the next few minutes, the three engaged in light conversation and then Sam resumed his normal seat. He was thankful that Zack had not enquired about the purpose of his flight, just as he hadn’t for theirs.

He had a small parcel, contents unknown to him, to deliver to the Joint Andrews Base Commander, but Bill Murphy had emphasised that covertly he should provide close protection to General Zack and Colonel Al for the duration of the flights to and from Washington. Arrangements had been made for similar covert cover while they were there too. All this was unknown to Zack and Al, but Helen knew and had reassured Sandra.

On arrival at Joint Base Andrews, they thanked their pilots and said they hoped to chat further with them on the return flight.

They were greeted by Colonel Norman, who acted as adjutant to the Base Commander. He took them directly to General Alderly’s Office, where they were warmly received.

Zack saluted, as did Al, and shook hands with Jim, whom he had known for five or so years.

Do you know Colonel Al Gray?

Jim stepped forward and shook Al’s hand. We haven’t met but you are a frequent topic of conversation with our pilots here.

First, I understand you will be attending an important meeting with General Dawson and others in DC tomorrow morning, but until then I have booked you a suite of rooms in a nearby civilian hotel. My driver will take you there and transport you to the Pentagon in the morning. I hope we have time for a drink just before you depart tomorrow evening.

Appreciate your help, Jim, you must visit us at Fort Worth soon.

Will do, answered Jim, Oh and good luck for your meeting tomorrow.

Thanks, I feel like we are about to enter a lion’s den!

With that Zack and Al were taken to their hotel. After settling in, they had a swim and adjourned to the bar and, after one beer each, enjoyed a superb dinner.

It’s like we are being ‘fattened-up’ before a trial, Zack said. I really don’t know what to expect tomorrow but no use speculating or worrying!

Conversation resumed to domestic stuff.

Al explained that Sandra was thinking about going back into nursing with a refresher course beginning in September.

The boys are becoming more independent by the day and talk of little else except attending college, then careers in the fire service of the Navy.

If you like, I can arrange a visit with our Base Fire Chief during their summer vacation, offered Zack.

Sounds good—I’ll speak to Sandra when we return, Al replied.

Zack toasted, May we survive tomorrow and every day afterwards!

They went to bed at about 2300 hours so as to be ready for the morning meeting.

Their driver was in the hotel lobby waiting for them at 0900 hours and took their overnight bags for safekeeping at the base.

They did not see Corporal Daniel outside the hotel in civilian clothes, standing hidden by some trees next to the car-park. The Corporal was content to return to Joint Base Andrews, knowing the General and Colonel were safely en-route to the Pentagon only a few miles away.

Zack and Al were met at reception by two armed soldiers, who saluted them and said, Please follow us, sir, then marched briskly forward to a flight of stairs.

At the doorway to the meeting room was a table manned by another guard.

May I ask that you leave your phones and any computers or other electronic devices and arms here, please. They can be collected on leaving.

Al and then Zack complied and walked to a portable security screen where they were scanned.

The first soldier in the detail then opened the door to the meeting room and invited them to enter, closing it firmly after they did so.

The room was circular, about ten metres in diameter.

A large round table in the centre had some 20 or so senior officers present—representing the three branches of the military.

General Dawson, along with the Commander of Whiteman Air Force Base, General Matt Elliot, stepped forward to greet them. Welcome, Zack, I am pleased Colonel Gray is with you. I believe you know Matt here.

Zack smiled and said he did. Al shook the hands of both men and all of them took their seats.

General Dawson opened the meeting. "Welcome all. Rather than make introductions now, and I know most of you have met before, please identify yourself as you raise a point during the meeting. I have decided that rather than issuing briefing papers before the meeting, we should keep open-minds and respond as we see fit during our deliberations today. So I