The Fighter Pilot and His Lady

By Donald W. Kautz

In the 1980s, Major James Chip Stevens is a seasoned fighter pilot and a bachelor on his way back to Howard Air Force Base in Panama. Amanda Ceallaigh is an executive secretary starting a new job at another military installation in Panama. With one bump of an airport tram, the two are thrown togetherliterallyand their lives will never be the same.

Following the accidental kiss that marks their meeting, Chip and Amanda find themselves in a whirlwind romance intertwined with dangerous covert missions, risking injury, international incident, or even death. They attend glamorous formal dinners at embassies throughout Central and South America, getting to know each other and serving their country along the way. But when peace in the region is threatened by Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega, the couple find themselves involved in an action that will affect lives in the region for decades to come.

Based on actual US involvement in Central America and especially Panama in the 1980s, this novel tells the story of a new love threatened by uncertainty, covert missions, and international intrigue.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Dec 30, 2015
• ISBN: 9781491773055

Donald W. Kautz

Donald Kautz currently lives in Arizona and is a retired Air Force officer who spent most of his career in the Ground Tactical Air Control System. He deployed numerous times to Central and South America. The missions consisted of host nation support, training, counter guerilla operations, and counter narcotics operations. He served as the Commander of deployed JTF-B detachments.

Book preview

The Accidental Kiss

This was not starting out as a good day. Major James (Chip) Stevens was on a scheduled Military Airlift Command or MAC flight to Howard Air Force Base (AFB) in Panama. After an 0300 wake up and bag drag, he found out that MAC had canceled the flight. It was a cold spring day in Albuquerque, and Chip was not dressed for it, which added to his discomfort. He needed to get back to Howard AFB. He had variations authorized on his temporary duty (TDY) orders, so he decided to take a taxi to the civilian airport and catch a commercial flight. He was in luck this time and caught a flight from Albuquerque to Dallas/Fort Worth with reservations for the flight to Panama City, Panama. It was still going to be a long day, but it would be better than flying in a C141 cargo plane. It was going to be a close connection, but if his bags didn’t make it, he was going home, so it wasn’t a big problem.

After what seemed a long flight with a not-so-happy toddler next to him, Chip arrived in DFW. His flight was on time, so that was a big help. Already weary, he boarded the tram to get to his gate and wasn’t paying attention to what was going on around him. The tram gave a jolt and started up. He fell headlong into a woman, and they were face-to-face when he caught the bar. They were so close that their lips actually brushed for an instant before her face was pressed against his with her lips against his cheek. Their eyes met as he started to stand up, and she held him in her gaze for a couple of seconds. Chip jumped back, and the apologies started. At the same time his heart was racing, and he felt like he had been hit by a jolt of electricity.

She was beautiful: a tall, slim, middle-aged woman. She had auburn hair with large, soft curls cascading down past her shoulders and wispy bangs curling just below her eyebrows. She was smiling at him. She stopped him midstream in his redundant apologies with a light touch of her hand on his and said, It’s okay. I know it was an accident.

Their eyes locked again. She had the most piercing and captivating emerald-green eyes Chip had ever seen. He felt like she was looking deep into his eyes, reading him past the wall he normally kept up. Chip looked down, breaking the spell.

She took a tissue and softly wiped his cheek. I doubt that you want my lipstick on your cheek.

The gentle touch of her hand again felt wonderful. Chip would probably never wash his hand or the side of his face again. She was a very classy woman wearing a pretty, light-blue, tailored business suit, and he noticed the faintest scent of her perfume. He liked everything about her but especially those alluring eyes and the soft touch of her hand. He had always liked an Irish accent, and her soft, musical voice with its slight Irish accent was the crowning touch for him. She was utterly captivating and beautiful. Chip, the Tactical Air Command (TAC)–trained, steely-eyed killer, had become a mental mess.

Amanda was very surprised at having a man end up right in her face. It was obvious that the Air Force officer was caught by surprise when the tram started up. She guessed he was about her age, possibly a littler younger. When she looked into his eyes, she saw a kind, gentle man. She couldn’t remember ever seeing a man turning so red with embarrassment, especially when she wiped off her lipstick. He looked cute—poor guy.

As they were both recovering, the tram came to a stop at the next concourse. Chip saw her turn and get out. She looked back at him and smiled. She really was a knockout. It was also his stop, so he got out, still a little shaken by what had just happened. While it hadn’t really been a kiss, he was still a little flustered. A confirmed bachelor, he had dated quite a lot, but this time he felt like a junior high school kid getting his first kiss.

He hurried to his gate, and the flight was boarding as he got there. As he wormed his way down the aisle to his seat, he saw that she was on his flight. She was sitting in a middle seat, thumbing through a magazine.

Calm down, he said to himself as he felt his pulse increase. She really was a stunning lady and obviously had a lot of class. Chip found his seat and settled in for a long flight. He tried reading a book, but it wasn’t all that interesting, and he dozed off. He woke up a couple of hours later and started reading again. Looking at his watch, he saw that there was only an hour and a half or so left of the flight. Chip loved to fly in fighters, but he didn’t like being a passenger in a commercial liner.

He was sort of daydreaming when some motion caught his eye. She was coming down the aisle. She looked at him and gave him a smile. Under her soft, loosely curled bangs were those alluring emerald-green eyes that seemed to penetrate into his soul. They held eye contact for a second, and then Chip smiled back and nodded his head slightly. One good thing: she wasn’t wearing a wedding ring.

As Amanda walked down the aisle, she thought that he really was a nice-looking man. She wondered whether maybe he was a permanent party in Panama or just coming down TDY. She was on her way to Quarry Heights in Panama. In either case, she hoped she might bump into him. Amanda smiled at the word bumped; she never knew how true that could be. After they had been jolted into each other, he had almost looked stunned. Had she had that effect on him? Maybe the old girl still had it in her. She thought Chip was kind of a rugged-looking, somewhat handsome man, and she wondered how he had gotten the scars on the side of his neck and jaw.

The accidental kiss had shaken her up a bit too. Just now, after the gentle look she saw in his eyes, she felt a little more comfortable with their abrupt meeting. Amanda wondered what a real kiss from him would be like. She had a feeling his kisses would be soft and gentle.

Chip felt the reduction of power on the aircraft, so he kew they were beginning their descent to enter the landing pattern. This had been a fun TDY. He always enjoyed going to the Energetic Materials and Research and Testing Center in Socorro, New Mexico. Being one of their experts on call, he would occasionally get a call to come up to participate in some ordnance testing.

Chip’s first USAF assignment was flying F-105 Thunderchiefs out of Thailand during the Vietnam War. Most pilots leave when they complete their one hundred missions over North Vietnam, but he extended and flew 167 missions before being shot down and medically returned to the States. His next assignment was flying the F-4 Phantom while stationed at Egland AFB in Florida.

Prior to coming to Panama, he had been assigned to the 42nd Airborne Command and Control Squadron as a forward air controller or FAC flying an OA-37B. His position at JTF-B wasn’t much of a flying job, especially with his background, but it was a good career move, and he enjoyed his role as commander of the unit. They had Dragonfly fighters assigned to the unit: five OA-37Bs and one A37B with a GAU-2B/A 7.62 mm minigun mounted in the nose. Chip was responsible to the director of operations (DO) of US Southern Command, even though he was assigned to JTF-B.

JTF-B had developed a joint unit that formed two—possibly three—special Tactical Air Operations Teams or TAOTs with some administrative personnel. The unit’s primary mission was training host nation pilots with the secondary mission of assisting US forces in their counterguerilla efforts. This was a new concept of operations designed to assist Central and South American countries.

Chip currently had two TAOTs deployed in Colombia doing close air support (CAS) training with the Fuerza Aérea Colombiana (Columbian Air Force). The CAS mission was providing close in-air cover and support to friendly troops in close contact with the enemy.

The trick was to destroy the enemy without dropping bombs on the friendly troops. Normally a FAC runs the fighter bomber aircraft in and out of the target area and gives a detailed briefing. The FAC shoots a white phosphorus (commonly called Willie Pete) rocket to mark the target so the fighter pilot understands exactly where he is to drop his bombs.

Chip’s luggage finally arrived at the luggage pickup area. He got in his car and was off to his haven in Panama City. With reservations at the DeVille Hotel, he had taken two days’ leave to relax before getting back to work. The DeVille dated back to the building of the canal and also had a great French resturaunt.

The clerk recognized him right away. Good afternoon, Major Stevens.

Chip smiled. Thank you. He received his room key and headed up to his room. After getting out of his uniform, he put on a shirt with a tie and a pair of slacks. It was time for a good dinner.

He sat down and ordered a Black Jack Daniels and water. As he was sipping his drink, she walked into the resturaunt. Chip froze; then he somehow stood up and asked her to join him. He had no idea where he had gotten this sudden flash of courage. Inviting a woman he didn’t know to sit with him was something he normally would never do—especially a pretty woman; and to him, this woman was drop-dead gorgous.

Amanda smiled. Yes, I would like that. Thank you.

Oh, crap … now what do I do? Chip was trying to calm himself after a fleeting moment of bravery. With that sudden rush of courage now gone, he was nervous as hell.

I’m Jim Stevens. I’m stationed at Albrook AFB, and I’m just taking a quiet day before returning to work. The trip to Panama is always long and hard.

It’s a pleasure to meet you … again. I’m Amanda ó Ceallaigh (pronounced like the modern Kelly). She had a soft smile that melted Chip.

What are you doing in Panama, Amanda?

I’m starting a new job Thursday at Quarry Heights in the Command Section at US Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM). I’m not sure where that is, exactly. I figured I would get here a couple of days early, relax, and find out where to go. This is the first time I’ve been to Panama. I came from Langley AFB.

I can take you to the base to see where you will be working, if you like. I have my car in the garage at the hotel, volunteered Chip. What were you doing at Langley?

I was an executive secretary for the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing Commander. It was a fun job, but I just needed a change.

Well, welcome to Panama. I’m truly sorry about our first, rather abrupt meeting. Chip blushed again thinking about it. Unlike any woman he could remember, Amanda really had an effect on him.

Amanda gently put her hand on his. Jim, I wouldn’t be sitting here if I had been offended. Actually, it was kind of fun in a way. She thought, Okay, Jim, time to drop it.

What do you do in Panama?

I’m the commander of a Tactical Air Operations Team under Joint Taskforce Bravo. I report to the USSOUTHCOM/Director of Operatons (DO). We do Forward Air Control or FAC training in Central and South America. We have OA37Bs and one A37B.

What is an OA37B?

The O is for observation, and it is a modified A37B ground attack fighter. They are used as FAC aircraft.

Amanda was quiet for a minute. She had a rule to stay away from pilots, especially fighter pilots, and the military in general. She had seen his wings, but for some reason she didn’t think he was a fighter pilot. This fighter pilot seemed special. He had a nice smile, was very gentle and soft-spoken, and had a good sense of humor. She wondered how a person like that could be a fighter pilot. The two just didn’t seem to go together.

Are you okay? You looked sad all of a sudden.

I’m fine, just tired after the long trip. Amanda thought to herself, When I looked in his eyes, I saw a kind and gentle man, but he is still a fighter pilot. I don’t know. He seems nice.

They had a quiet dinner with some small talk. Both were tired, but they made some eye contact during their dinner that sent shivers down Chip’s back each time. Amanda also touched his hand a couple of times when they were talking. That touch was so warm, soft, and gentle.

They went into the lounge to have a nightcap. The lounge was not very crowded. There was soft music playing and several couples were on the dance floor. Chip actually got up the nerve to ask her to dance. Chip seldom danced and wasn’t sure how he had mustered the courage to ask her, but she had accepted, and now he had to dance with her. He knew he wasn’t a very good dancer, but it was one way to be close to her. After a couple of slow dances, they decided it was time to say good night. They agreed to meet for breakfast in the morning, after which Chip would drive her to Quarry Heights.

Chip walked her up to her room. Amanda turned abruptly, and they ended up facing each other, very close. Amanda was thinking, Now it’s time to kiss the lady good night. She still wanted to know what a real kiss from Jim would feel like.

Chip hesitated, looking into her eyes, and then leaned forward and gave her a light kiss. Amanda kissed him back and held him tight for a few seconds. It was still more of a brother-sister kiss than a dating good-night kiss. She thanked him for a nice evening, said good night, and went into her room. She had wanted a real kiss, not a peck, and if he wasn’t going to do it, she was. Amanda was a little taken aback at how gentle his kiss was and that his lips quivered slightly when they met hers. She had never been kissed like that before.

He really was a shy one. Why am I so attracted to this man? she thought to herself. Why did I kiss him back? I acted like a hussy. Amanda was having an argument with herself about her behavior. She was a little enamored of this man, and that had not happened in a very long time. Chip was more interested in hearing about Amanda than boring her with war stories, which was a refreshing change. But serious dating was really not on her agenda.

Walking down the hall to his room, Chip was a mess again after the good-night kiss.

It was the women who usually made the first move to get him to ask them out. Being an elegible bachelor and an Air Force field grade officer, Chip had more than one woman interested in him, but he just wasn’t ready to settle down. It took a special woman to be a military wife, and so far he hadn’t found the right woman.

Military marriages are full of separations and moves. Chip had seen too many breakups, not to mention the widows and families who had lost their husbands and fathers. The hardest thing Chip had ever done was to present the American flag to the widow of a squadron mate and friend at his funeral. He really wasn’t interested in getting very involved or, even worse, getting married. After he received a Dear John letter that broke off an engagement when he was in Vietnam, Chip kept his guard up. He wasn’t going to allow another woman to hurt him like that ever again.

The next day they met for breakfast. Chip was a little more relaxed, and he took Amanda to Quarry Heights, showing her where she would be working.

Amanda didn’t want to go in, as she was wearing a light-blue cotton dress and wanted to be in a business suit. She would report to her boss properly the next day.

Chip took her over to see the Canal locks and then drove through Casco Viejo, the old quarter of Panama City. While they were walking in the old quarter, it started to rain. They quickly ducked into a small café. After lunch he helped her out of the booth, and she didn’t let go of his hand. They walked around the old quarter for a while, hand-in-hand, without talking much. Chip explained a little of the history of various buildings as they walked around. They found a bench and sat looking at the ships in the canal.

Amanda was so at ease with Jim. When she looked into his eyes, all she could see was kindness. He was actually letting her look into his eyes a little longer now. She didn’t feel like she had to talk with him; it was comfortable just being quiet with him. She put both arms around his arm and snuggled a little closer. Amanda was a hugger and toucher. It felt good to be close to him.

Cold?

Just a little chilly. Actually she wasn’t; she just wanted to be closer.

Would you like to head back to the car?

I think I’m probably ready to head back to the hotel. Amanda was taken with this man but really didn’t know that much about him. She wanted to take it slow. Besides, she didn’t know how he felt about her.

Amanda looked over at Chip and wondered to herself again: why am I so attracted to this man?

They headed back to the hotel and decided to meet for dinner later that evening.

Chip lay on his bed thinking about what had happened in the last twenty-four hours. What a remarkable woman. She was a knockout and obviously very intelligent. Chip figured she was way ahead of him in gray matter. He had long ago given up trying to tell a woman’s age. He could maybe get within ten years, but with all the modern things a woman did with makeup, it was hard to tell.

They had a lovely dinner, and the conversation flowed without the hesitation associated with having just met. After a little while they again headed up to their rooms. She wanted to get everything laid out for tomorrow, and he needed to go over his briefing on the ordnance test he had observed.

The good-night kiss, although still really initiated by Amanda, worked better for both of them. She got more than a peck, and he wasn’t so knocked off balance mentally this time.

As Amanda closed the door, she said quietly to herself, I think this man is worth getting to know a little better. There was definitely some chemistry between them. As she lay in bed, she coldn’t stop thinking about Jim. When they kissed, she felt a shiver that was comforting and warm. His kiss was very soft, and the slight quiver of his lips was there again. He was a strong man but yet so gentle. The feeling that he was someone very special was much stronger during the kiss tonight. Amanda was startled as she realized she was very lightly running her finger across her lips as she remembered his kiss.

Chip had a feeling that his life was about to change and wasn’t too sure what he thought about it. He had never before been so affected—no, mesmerized—by a woman before, and never so quickly. It had felt so good to have her close when they sat on the bench overlooking the canal. The touch of her hand and just being close to her gave him a feeling of serenity.

Chip was up early. He put his luggage in his car and went down to breakfast. Amanda showed up a few minutes later. She was wearing a very professional light-green business suit and once again dazzled Chip. Her auburn hair looked very pretty as it cascaded down against the light-green suit.

After breakfast they drove over to Quarry Heights; he dropped her off and got a thanks and a kiss on the cheek.

Chip came back to USSOUTHCOM later that morning to brief the general on the test. When Chip came in, he gave Sally, the commander’s secretary, a box of dark chocolate truffles he had picked up in the States. It never hurt to be on the good side of the boss’s secretary.

She smiled. Thank you, James. Chip was one of her favorites, and for some reason she always called him James, never Jim or Chip. Sally then told him that his briefing on the test had been canceled. Chip I would like you to meet our newest team member.

Hi Jim. Amanda with a bit of a giggle. Sally Jim and I met in the Dallas/Fortworth terminal."

Chip talked to Amanda for a couple of minutes and asked her whether he could give her a ride back to the hotel. She accepted. After Chip left, Amanda told Sally how they had met and that they had ended up in the same hotel.

Amanda, you just got a little dreamy-eyed.

Jim just seems like a really nice man. Is he seeing anyone special? What do you think of him?

James is pretty shy, especially around pretty women. I’m surprised he asked you to sit with him. He must have felt something when you first met, or I’m sure he wouldn’t have asked you to join him. There are a number of women on base who would like to be dating him, but he doesn’t seem to date a lot. He’s a bit of a bookworm. If I had a son, I would want him to be like James. He’s also a very thoughtful man.

I can’t believe he is single. Jim is so kind and gentle. He is so shy. I get the feeling he has been single for a long time. I think he’s fairly handsome, sort of a rugged look, partly from the scars on the side of his neck and jaw, but he has kind, gentle eyes. You would think some woman would have snatched him up. Has he ever been married?

I also wondered why he wouldn’t let anyone get too close to him, and one day my curiosity got the better of me, and I asked him. I think he sees me as sort of a mother figure, and he opened up to me. It seems that he was engaged after flight school, and he ended up in Vietnam flying the F-105. About half way through his tour, his betrothed wrote him and said that she couldn’t marry him because she didn’t support the Vietnam war and he was part of it. He didn’t say much more, but I got the feeling he was pretty devastated over it. I think that maybe he is afraid of being hurt again.

Sally paused then continued. "James also talked a little about living in the present because in Vietnam you may not survive the