[War] US: H-hour

[John Penta]

"H-Hour"
7 July 2014
Pres. John Williams
USA
===============
<Washington>

It was 3 PM in Washington, Midnight in Baku, 1900 Zulu.

<Occupied Azerbaijan>

In the darkness, Adil Akhmedov looked over his team of twelve. Most of
them were young, boys more than men.

All of them were fixated on the transistor radio. Their rifles,
new-build Czech AK47s delivered by the Americans, hung at their sides.

"Let's go over the mission one more time," said their American Special
Forces advisor, 'Bob'.

"At the sound of 'Men of Harlech', we blow the SAM site and get the
hell out. Just disengage - don't try to be a hero. You want to reach
the lay-up point by dawn. Unobserved."

"Men of Harlech?" Adil asked. "What does it sound like?"

"You'll know it when the radio broadcasts it. I remember you said one
of your favorite movies was 'Zulu', Adil? The battle scene."

Adil's face brightened in recognition then. "Ohhhhh."

"They've said it's going to be a special version that'll be broadcast."

Nods came from the Azeris.

"Well, come on," Adil called. "Let's be about it. For free Azerbaijan!"

"For free Azerbaijan!" came the call in response as the team moved out.

<Georgia>

All along the border between Georgia and Occupied Azerbaijan, final
briefings were being given. Tanks and helos were loaded with their
fuel and ammunition. Artillery laid in their fire missions. At
airbases in Georgia and Turkey, aircraft were being prepped on the
ramps. Tension lay thick across the air.

<At Sea>

Aboard aircraft carriers, planes launched in rapid succession.
Submarines lay waiting in the depths for their orders.

<SHAPE, Mons, Belgium>

In the darkened, chilly war room of the Supreme Allied Commander,
Europe, SACEUR looked over the incoming reports.

All was ready. The plans had been practiced for weeks.

SACEUR picked up the phone in front of him.

"Sir? The deadline has passed. All assets report readiness and are
awaiting orders."

<Washington>

Julius Abbot walked into the Oval Office unannounced.

"John, SACEUR just called. All units report ready and awaiting
orders," he said quietly. In times like this, formality didn't seem
called for. Just a deep, somber seriousness.

"I understand. Inform him," the President paused for a second, as if
wondering whether he could say anything else.

"Inform him that the order is given to join battle, and Godspeed."

"I understand," Abbot replied.

<SHAPE>

"The order is: Join battle, and Godspeed."

"I acknowledge the order, sir. Informing all units now."
***

Over shortwave radio, Voice of America's Azeri section broke from
normal programming, and with no explanation, began to...play music.

The first four bars of "The Matine Hymn", as played by the President's
Own, were heard.

Then, the music suddenly shifted.

Voices, the voices of the chorus groups of DC area schools, began to
sing. Young voices, singing in eerie polyphony.

"Tongues of fire on Idris flaring,
News of foemen near declaring,
To heroic deeds of daring,
Call you, Harlech men.
Groans of wounded peasants dying,
Wails of wives and children flying,
For the distant succour crying,
Call you, Harlech Men.
Shall the voice of wailing,
Now be an unavailing,
You to rouse, who never yet
In battle's hour were failing?
This our answer, crowds down pouring,
Swift as winter torrents roaring.
Not in vain the voice imploring
Calls on Harlech men."

At the end of the song, a somber announcer began to speak.

"Arise, warriors of Azerbaijan! The foe has ignored all peaceful
entreaties to cease their violations of our lands. Your orders are
clear: Warriors of America and the combined allies of Azerbaijan are
approaching, and all honorable men and women are called to rise to
their assistance against the Persian invader!"
---
It was 4 PM in Washington, 1 AM in Baku, and 2000 Zulu.

The press release was brief:

"On order of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, United States and
Allied forces have begun the campaign to free Occupied Azerbaijan and
neutralize all Opposition Forces."

In the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf, missiles rippled from VLS tubes
aboard ships and submarines to strike the Iranian air defense network.

Aircraft launched from land and sea to strike targets in Azerbaijan and Iran.

Tanks and other ground vehicles rolled across the Georgian-Azeri border.

The timings of missile strikes were precise: programmed to within
seconds of each other, perhaps stretching the limits of even American
targeting capabilities.

Operation Caspian Sword had begun in earnest.
---

On the first day of war, allied objectives are as follows:

The destruction or neutralization of the entirety of Iran's air
defense network in Western Iran; by kinetic means where possible, by
computer network attack otherwise.

Destruction of enemy POL (Petroleum, Oil, Lubricants) storage sites.

Begin advance into Occupied Azerbaijan across the front.

Destruction of the Iranian Navy in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea,
and the Iranian Air Force. Preferably in port and on the ground,
respectively.

Allied forces are ordered to ensure COMPLETE AND TOTAL ADHERENCE to
the Geneva Conventions as regard the capture of prisoners. If at all
possible, Iranian units will be given the opportunity to surrender en
masse.
---
Actions:
1. Attaaaaaaaaaaack!