Page 59 - 100 Hours to Destiny

TIP OF THE SPEAR

Delta Company 3D LAI, Task Force Ripper, “Tip of the Spear”
2/23/1991 2100 hours

Over the next two hours I had tasked myself with trivial this and
that’s, double-checking straps, relooking over stowed equipment in the LAV,
cross-checking over the list of responsibilities, I had even taken off the
engine cover, started the engine, looked to make sure there were no obvious
leaks of hydraulic fluid, etc. with a red-lensed flashlight. No more had I
buttoned down the engine cover…. I realized the time was 2300 hours, Feb
23, 1991.
I sat down in my driver's compartment and put on my crewman’s
communication helmet. Gunny was already in his seat behind me. I could
hear him clearing his Comms as he dawned his own helmet. “Just leave the
engine running, how did it look in there?”
“Purring like a kitten Gunns. She looks strong. Sounds strong. All
systems are a total go. We are fueled up, oil levels are perfect, I don’t know
what else we could do, Gunny, other than pull the trigger on this deal.”
“Well, it’s time…we’re going to form it up now at OP4. I’m up in my
hatch and I’ve got my NVGs on, just listen to my direction and I’ll get you into
position.”
Gunny and I had been working together for several weeks now and
we were poetry in motion. “Roger that Gunny. Lead the way.”
“Alright, just so you know, this is how it’s going to be….
Approximately 400 yds south of the OP4 gates we’re going to have the
Captain in American Hero first in line. Second, you’re going to have the XOs
vehicle LAV-C2 behind Rock. Third you and me. Behind us, you’re going to
have 1st Platoon with 1stLt G. Sadowski. Behind 1st Platoon is going to roll
1stLt D. Kindle with 2nd Platoon. Alright, picking up behind the Platoons will
be the 1Sgt and the recovery vehicle coming in Tail End Charlie.”
“Solid copy Gunny. I got that picture in my head. Damn Gunns we’re
the tip of the spear, and you and I are number three.”
Captain Roger “Rock” Pollard began to roll in the darkness, yet I was
able to observe American Hero’s movement in the ANVVS-2 driver’s night
vision scope. He made his way directly north through two of the most
northern positioned LAV-25s, in what would be the last Company Coil of
Delta Company until after the Invasion. I observed the Captain disappear into
the darkness, now 1stLt Williams’ LAV-C2, the Executive Officer of Delta
Company began his slow roll in trace of Captain Pollard. “Alright Witcher,