Combat Alley (2007) (3 page)

SHARIF GARRISON, PAKISTAN

4 OCTOBER

1030 HOURS

THE military post, built by the British Army in the 1880s, was located five kilometers south of Karachi on the coast of the Arabian Sea. It was not an important facility now as it had been during the days of Queen Victoria's reign. In modern times it was being used for extracurricular activities such as a beach resort for officers and their families, hostelry for important military visitors, and most important of all the stables and headquarters of the Pakistani Army's polo team. This sport was the most popular in the northern areas of the nation and was a traditional pastime that many believed dated back to pre-Christian times.

Brannigan's Brigands, along with Wallenger, Krafton, and Chinar the interpreter, had been flown down from Shelor Field the previous evening, and after settling in, were fed a late dinner of fried paratha bread, marinated baked chicken, vegetables, and a traditional dessert of custard made of rice and milk. The meal was consumed in the officers' mess without regard to rank, so that the officers, petty officers, and the three civilians all dined together. This broke with normal tradition, but the unexpected training mission had caught the garrison staff shorthanded.

The next morning, after arising at 0630 hours, they were once again taken to the officers' dining facility to eat. This time they were served a Western-style breakfast of steak and eggs. This was followed by a tour of the garrison, conducted by Lieutenant Sidiqui, who pointed out several historical sites of the post. He also delivered a short lecture on the background of the area and its functions during the glory days of the British Empire. It had been an embarkation and debarkation site for troops going to and from colonial postings.

After a visit to the garrison's small but impressive museum, the SEALs and their companions were bussed out to the stables to begin their lessons in the fine art of equitation, which Puglisi now knew meant horseback riding.

The classroom was a modern chamber complete with tables and chairs, a combination DVD and VHS player, whiteboard, and small library with books, pamphlets, and magazines pertaining to horses and polo. Lieutenant Sidiqui waited while his students settled down at the tables. Each seating place had a notebook, a textbook regarding horses, and an array of ballpoint pens.

Chief Petty Officer Matt Gunnarson, sitting with his good friend Senior Chief Petty Officer Buford Dawkins, leaned toward his companion. This Pakistani Army is gonna spoil us, Buford.

Dawkins, looking around at the near-antiseptic learning environment, nodded in agreement. The ready room back on the Daly looks like a pigsty compared to this place.

Sidiqui went to the front of the room and stood by the combo DVD and tape player. I welcome you to the training facilities of our army's champion polo team. We are most pleased to be able to help you prepare yourselves for your upcoming mission.

Excuse me, sir, Monty Sturgis said, raising his hand. Are we gonna be riding polo ponies in the field?

Oh, heavens, no! Sidiqui exclaimed with a laugh. We have other horses here at Sharif Garrison. There is a ceremonial cavalry troop stationed here that goes about the country giving riding demonstrations in the old traditions. They have an excellent stable of trained military mounts from which you will draw your animals.

Chad Murchison had a question. Sir, I have ridden a great deal at several local stables back home and am familiar with show horses and polo ponies. What I would like to learn is the criteria for a cavalry mount. What does one look for in these famous and traditional warhorses?

That is an excellent question, the Pakistani officer replied. And after I have explained it to you, you will appreciate more the horses you will take on your mission. He paused for a moment of thought, then said, A cavalry horse must be sound and gentle under the saddle. He must possess a prompt action at the walk, trot, and gallop. And, of course, be free of vicious habits.

Tex Benson, who had done less-than-genteel horseback riding during his Texas youth, was also curious. What are them calvary horse supposed to look like?

In the Pakistani Army we prefer geldings from fifteen to sixteen hands high, Sidiqui explained. They should not weigh less than nine hundred and fifty pounds or more than fifteen hundred. An age between four and eight years old is also preferable. As far as appearance goes, he should have a broad forehead with large eyes, shoulders sloping well back, a full, broad chest with forelegs straight and standing well under. He paused, then asked, Do you require more information?

Benson shook his head. No, thanks, I was just looking for a casual description.

What's a 'hand' when you talk about how high they gotta be? Gutsy Olson asked.

A hand is four inches, Sidiqui replied. And the measurement is from the withers to the ground.

Brannigan now spoke up. You'll have to excuse us, Lieutenant. Most of us are in complete ignorance about horses. What are the 'withers'?

Oh, pardon me, please, the Pakistani said. The withers of a horse is where the back meets the neck. Thus, the average horse for military service would be five feet high from that point down to the ground. He looked around. If there are no more questions, we shall turn to the DVD player. You will see an introduction and description of the things you will learn during your training here. After this, we will have another question-and-answer period, then go to lunch. When you have eaten, you will be taken to the riding hall where you will be introduced to the horse that will be yours during your operation.

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LOGOVISHCHYEH, TAJIKISTAN

LUKA Yarkov and his gang of ex-military prisoners called their small village in the Kangal Mountains Logovishchyeh, which is Russian for lair. Logovishchyeh seemed a good name for the community since the men living there considered themselves beasts of prey. Their membership in that particular group was made known by the tattoos of a snarling wolf's head on their right deltoid muscles. It was during the dark days of their incarceration when the images were crudely imbedded under the skin by thousands of pinpricks from sewing needles after being drawn on with India ink. A couple of excellent artists among the gang did the illustrations, while the subject's buddies helped with the painful process of puncturing it into the skin. Any prisoner not a member of the gang that was discovered with the image engraved in his epidermis paid with his life for the affront. The corpse, with the tattoos sliced off and shoved into the victim's rectum, would be found in the morning by the guards.

As trained soldiers, Yarkov and his men knew how to select a secure place to live that would be easy to defend from outside attacks. Logovishchyeh was within a rocky valley on the top of a peak. A narrow cut in the mountains served as an entrance and exit. Several vantage points offered excellent views down to the lower countryside.

The dwellings in the hamlet were skillfully built by men who were the scions of countless generations who had lived through the most brutal winters on the surface of the earth. Logs were carefully chinked and stacked to form eight-foot-tall walls with openings for windows and front doors. Then a similar structure was built inside the first with five decimeters space between the two. This was then filled with packed earth to provide enough insulation to keep out even the bitterest of cold. It also served to maintain the domicile at relatively cool temperatures during the short warmer seasons. The roofs were arched with several layers of logs and earth to protect the inhabitants from above. A short hallway of five meters was built out from the entrance so that two doors could be installed as a buffer to keep frigid winds from entering during the comings and goings from the domicile. The windows were commercially available double-paned models, which, like the doors, had been ripped from the prison that once held the small community's inhabitants.

A further enhancement of American Coleman generators provided electricity for the community. These were used mostly for refrigerators and freezers. Vehicles such as Toyota pickups, Volkswagen vans, and old military DAZ/GAZ utility cars were owned by the inhabitants. One five-ton ZIL157 Soviet Army truck was communal property for heavy hauling. Most of this transportation had been liberated from the prison.

Now, after the passage of three years, the hodgepodge of log huts had evolved into a comfortable settlement. Several mountain springs furnished fresh water that flowed so rapidly it did not freeze even during the darkest times of the winter. Deer, wild goats and pigs, and other game were available for fresh meat. These sources of protein were supplemented with purchases of staples and vegetables in season in the shops of Dolirod.

Between Logovishchyeh, Dolirod, and raids down on the Pranistay Steppes, life was pretty good for Luka Ivanovich Yarkov and his men. They had everything they needed: vodka, food, and women, along with assorted cash money.

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SHARIF GARRISON, PAKISTAN

RIDING HALL

1300 HOURS

AFTER the DVD presentation and lunch, the Brigands and their companions were taken to the riding hall to be introduced to their horses and the gear they would need to control and care for the animals. Each mount was in a separate stall and, under Lieutenant Sidiqui's direction, the Brigands were assigned to an individual animal. The horse equipment had been neatly stacked just outside each location.

Pete Dawson, checking on his horse, looked over in the next stall where Tiny Burke was carefully inspecting his own animal.

Damn, Tiny! Dawson exclaimed, noting Tiny's large size. They should have given you one of them Budweiser Clydesdales.

Somebody down the line yelled out, They're gonna have to put that poor horse on extry rations.

The senior chief, irritated by the gab, bellowed for the Brigands to shut up and give their full attention to their mounts.

A couple of minutes later, Lieutenant Sidiqui decided it was time to begin the afternoon's routine. You will note a piece of paper on top of the equipment. Please to pick it up and read it.

The SEALs did as ordered, perusing a list of things they were unfamiliar with, for the most part.

Saddle, Phillips, Model Feed Bag 1 Each

1936 1 Each

Saddle Blanket 1 Each

Horse Brush 1 Each

Bridle 1 Each Currycomb 1 Each

Saddlecloth 1 Each

Lariat 1 Each

Saddlebags 1 Pair

Picket Pin 1 Each

Cooling Strap 1 Each

Rifle Scabbard 1 Each

As the Pakistani officer called out each item, the SEALs fumbled around to find it, then held it up for Sidiqui to see. The journalists Wallenger and Krafton had no trouble because of their previous riding experience, but the Brigands groped a couple of times when they were confused as to what some of the items were. The young interpreter Chinar Janoon knew how to ride, but he didn't know all the terminology for the items in English. But eventually it was determined that everyone was properly equipped.

Excellent, Sidiqui said. Now we will begin our instruction. The first thing you learn to do is place the bridle on your horse. I want to emphasize to you to move slowly and carefully. These horses are all well trained and broken in, but if they sense nervousness on your part, they may become skittish.

At that point a Pakistani soldier led a horse out to the officer, holding a bridle in his hand. The well-disciplined mount walked beside his human escort, completely at ease in the surroundings that were so familiar to him. And now, Sidiqui said, I shall walk the trooper through the proper procedure to apply the bridle to the horse. He paused to make sure everyone was watching, then turned to the trooper. Bridle! the officer ordered, then looked back at the SEALs. The first thing is for the trooper to approach the mount from its left, and slip the reins over his head and let them rest on his neck.

The trooper deftly and expertly performed the task.

And now, Sidiqui continued, he takes the crownpiece in his right hand and the bit in the left and places the crownpiece in front of its proper position. Then he inserts his thumb in the side of the horse's mouth and presses the lower jaw to cause him to open his mouth.

The trooper deftly and expertly performed the task.

Sidiqui went on, saying, Insert the bit by raising the crownpiece and with the left hand calmly draw the ears under the crownpiece and arrange the forelock. Then secure the throatlatch.

The trooper deftly and expertly performed the task.

It is very simple, Sidiqui said. You will be doing this automatically and instinctively before very long. Now we shall remove the bridle. Once more he addressed the trooper with an order. Unbridle!

The reverse procedure was followed militarily and correctly. At that point, the lesson was switched to the bit and bridoon. Are there any questions? Sidiqui asked. In that case, we will break down into groups under the instructions of those SEALs that are familiar with equitation. I believe there are four of you. That means that each will take five of your comrades in arms and run them through the bridling and unbridling procedure. He glanced at the pair of journalists and the interpreter. I shall be happy to serve you three.