Sgt. Collins walked across the airfield at Da Nang and into the building known as Central Command North. He stiffened in expectation of a battle of words before knocking on Capt. Phillips’ door.
It doesn’t matter the reason; any kid who gets called to the principal’s office will have butterflies flying around in his stomach. It didn’t matter how hard he tried, this Jake Collins felt them. By the time he reached the building that housed Central Command North, Collins had already prepared an explanation for getting Fourth Squad fed before the mess hall was opened.
Captain Phillips heard the knock and looked up as Sgt. Collins walked in.
“Good, I’m glad you responded so quickly to my message.” Capt. Phillips said.
Sgt. Collins stood in front of the Captain’s desk. “Am I in trouble at the mess hall?”
“Na. Your guys were hungry. I called you in here for a totally different matter.”
Collins remained silent.
“I have a rather simple, three-day mission for you and Fourth Squad.”
“Sir, we haven’t been together for no more than a few hours. I still have to access each man’s strengths and weaknesses.”
A grin of approval came over Capt. Phillip’s face. “Look at you talking like a seasoned officer already.”
Phillip’s face took on a more hardened expression. “You’re in the Army, and we are at war. So, suck it up. You will take your squad on a little three-day assignment. On day one, you and your squad are to travel to the lower Ashou Valley. On the morning of day two, your squad is to secure an L.Z. At roughly zero nine hundred hours, a joint force of the Army and Marine Corps will fly in via Hueys and set up a base of operations. On the third day, you and your squad will make your way back here. It should be a good mission to test Fourth Squad’s stuff.”
“When are we to leave on his mission?”
“Tomorrow,” Phillips pointed to the clerk sitting outside his office. “My clerk will give you all the details you will need. Now you are dismissed.”
After feeling more confident over Capt. Phillips’ dismissal of the mess hall incident, Sgt. Collins decided to ask for a change and an addition. “Before I leave, sir. There are a couple of things I would like to discuss with you.”
“What are they?”
“We would like to change the squad’s designation to C4.”
“Do you realize the paperwork and approvals involved in changing a squad’s designation?”
“No sir. But it would make for quicker and clearer radio communication. If we use C4, then we won’t waste precious time in our communications.”
Capt. Phillips pondered the request, then asked. “Did your explosive expert talk you into wanting the change?”
“He did make the suggestion, sir. If you think about it, it does make sense. It would be good practice for other squads.”
Phillips tilted his head in various angles as he looked at Collins. Finally, he said, “If I do this for you, I expect your squad to perform over and above my expectations. Do you read me?”
“Yes sir. Thank you. You won’t be disappointed with our results.”
After a moment of silence, Phillips asked, “You said you had two requests. What’s the second?”
“There is a Latino soldier who is currently assigned to the mess hall. I would like to bring him into C4.”
“Why?”
“He’s short and thin. That would make him perfect for chasing the enemy down their tunnels. Besides, he hates working in the mess hall.”
“You must understand squads have a limit of four to five men. If I add this soldier, any other additions will require a current member to transfer out or get killed.”
“Sir. I believe if C4 has a wide range of soldiers with a wide range of abilities, we can accomplish more than most other squads.”
Capt. Phillips put his hands together and stared at the soldier whom he thought could be his puppet. Now he has to go along with his ideas. At least for now. “You’re pushing it, Sergeant. If I give you this man, you and your squad will have to do me a few favors from time to time.”
“You know what my limitations are when it comes to human trafficking of any age.”
“I was wanting to get away from that, anyway.”
“Then you won’t be disappointed at what C4 can do.”
“Tell my clerk the soldier’s name, and he will start the paperwork.”
“Uh, sir, there is one thing you need to know.”
“What’s that?”
“He’s already in C4’s hooch.”
Capt. Phillips raised his eyebrows. “Okay, give his name to my clerk, anyway. Make sure you tell him that he’s at your house. My clerk will also have the details about your mission. Good Luck.”
***
The sky over Southeast Asia had darkened by the time Sgt. Collins arrived back at C4’s hooch. All the members of C4 didn’t waste any time surrounding their leader.
“What did the captain want?” Mick asked.
“We’ve got our first mission.”
“What is it?” Dave didn’t wait for their sergeant.
“Do I get to blow something up?” Sparky interjected while rubbing his hands together.
“Relax,” Sgt. Collins didn’t expect such enthusiasm out of his squad. “Sparky, you’ll get your chance to blow something up. We are going on a three-day field trip. Two of those nights we’ll be camping under the stars.”
“Hey, Sarge, how about giving us more details than a camping trip?” Mick asked.
“I’ve arranged for us to take a Huey tomorrow morning at zero five-thirty. It will drop us off by a village we control and then we are to hike another five clicks into the lower part of the Ashou Valley. Once there, we are to secure a clearing for some hush-hush platoon who will fly in and set up a base of operations. On the third day, we will make our way back here.”
“We need a radio.” Mick said.
“I thought I saw one in the storeroom.”
“It doesn’t work.” Dave said. “I tested it while you were gone.”
“Oh,” Sgt. Collins felt a loss for words and what to do about it.
“Why didn’t you get us one when you were at that end of the base?” Mick asked.
“That’s your job, Sarge?” Sparky added.
“Since I didn’t. Mick, do you have any ideas where we can get one before tomorrow morning?”
“It’s late. There is no one at supply who can issue us one until zero eight hundred hours.”
“What about checking with one of our neighbors and borrowing one from them?” Dave said.
“If we get one from another squad, we can’t use their verification codes.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll make up ours.” Collins said. “And drop them off at Central Command before we leave.”
“I need to put together some C4 and Claymores,” Sparky offered.
“I don’t think we’ll need them.” Sgt. Collins thought for a minute. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt if you brought along one or two of each.”
Collins turned to Dave and Ruben, “You two have the assignment to put together enough food and ammo. The captain talked as if we should not run into the enemy, but I want to be prepared just in case.”
“Hey Sarge,” Mick interjected. “I’ve been in country longer than anyone here. Why don’t I work with Ruben and get the gear set out for us? Then you can go next door and see if we can borrow their radio.”
Sgt. Collins thought for a minute. “You’re right. But I’m not carrying that radio. You are.
Mick reluctantly gave the thumbs-up.
