People of the Philippines (San Diego) I have returned.
Hatch had been aware of my current health problems which prevened me from adding to the
discours (confusion). Let me tell you a little story for old times sake:
Actions taken in war sometimes have unintended consequences. Tom Clancy said,
"Two Corporals arguing across the wire fenced part of the Wall in God Forsaken
areas. Words lead to further hostillities which escalate into World War III."
A liitle known incident related to the Cuban Missile Crisis involved the discussios as
to what to do about the problem of the Soviet Stuff in Cuba. LeMay and others were
for invasion and getting rid of Castro in the Bargain. Such an action could have
escalated into the unthinkable. Brother Nikita had placedTactical "Nukier" weapons
in the hands of the Soviet Force there with the permission to use them if attacked.
When Major Anderson's U-2 was shot down we were not aware that Russia had
placed Sam-2s there. We found out the hard way. I came up on the floor in the
underground command post under the mountain in Western Massaesetts where
8th Air Force operated from.
SAC had sent a message to all units to Place Peacetime Codes in the Combat
Mission Folders of all bombers. One of our units sent a message to us and infoed
SAC saying, "Request that you confirm that this does not apply to us." This caused
a very big flap. I was given the message for action. When I read it, I said nothing.
A staff officer said, "Well what are you going to do? Stand there like a wooden
indian?" I said, "Well. If you THINK for a moment you will recall that only Wartime
codes are in the CMF. If we go we are doing business for real."
So I called SAC on the secure phone and reminded them that their message was
a bit dicey. So I told them I would handle it. I sent a message to all our units
advising them that SAC wanted the Peacetime Codes in the Pilot's Flimsy just
in case we didn't go anywhere but back home and sent it to 2nd and 15th Air Forces
so they would know what we inteded to do. I received calls from them and they
thanked me for straightening the mess out.
When you mess around in US Airspace there are folks who are out there who best
understand who you are and what you are about. Fiction and Fact from Sam's
Almanac.