East of Nakba (26)

 

(Japanese Version)

(Arabic Version)

July, 2022

Part I. Israel bombs a nuclear plant in Iran

 

Chapter 26. U.S. military embarks on (4)

The Pentagon could not understand the situation when they received an emergency call from Israel. Israel has asked the United States to help three jet fighters. They revealed two facts. The first one was that the refueling aircraft was shot down by Saudi Arabia. Therefore, three fighters were unable to return by themselves. As a result, they had to fly over the open sea of the Persian Gulf tentatively.  To rescue three Israeli pilots, the Pentagon thought that they should be guided near “Harry S. Truman”, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, in the Persian Gulf.

 

But when Israel told the second fact, the Pentagon was embarrassed. Israel informed the Pentagon that either the 2nd or 3rd jet was flying with an unused small nuclear missile. The United States had not been informed that nuclear missiles might be used in this operation. Israel has deceived even the United States, most important ally, to achieve its goals. Only a little fuel was left on the jet equipped with nuclear missiles. They could continue to fly for only one hour or so. Finally, Israel hesitantly requested to rescue the pilot on the vanguard of the formation first. They explained that the pilot was the son of famous veteran.

 

After a brief discussion, the Pentagon immediately ordered an emergency operation to the forward headquarter. Forward headquarter of the U.S. Central Command in Qatar ordered three pilots to scramble Israeli jets in the Persian Gulf. Prior to takeoff, three pilots were given no details except only to join the Israeli jets. They were told that the further instruction would be given later. They were also given no general guidance regarding their duty or the reason of the scramble. They had to obey absolutely the order of their superiors. But it also meant that soldiers would not be burdened any responsibility as long as they faithfully achieved the order. The pilots felt easy without knowing the facts. Ignorance was bliss.

 

Shortly after taking off from Al Udeid airbase, three US pilots were given new instructions. One pilot was instructed to guide a Israeli fighter in the vanguard of the formation to the aircraft carrier "Harry S. Truman". Other two pilots were instructed to escort the remaining No. 2 and No. 3 jets and guide them to the inland area of the Arabian Peninsula.

 

(cont’d)

 

Areha Kazuya

(From an ordinary citizen in the cloud)

 

To previous chapters: http://ocininitiative.maeda1.jp/OcinNovelEnglish.html