The Northern Flank: D+0 (9 July, 1987) 0100-0400 Part I**

As was the case on the Central Front, the Soviets intended to utilize their special operations assets fully in the opening hours of hostilities on the Northern Flank. They faced unique obstacles in the northern region, however. Foremost was the meteorological restriction brought on by the midnight sun. During this time of the year, a …

Ignition on the Central Front: D+0 (9 July, 1987) 0100 Hours**

At 0100 hours local time (GMT+2) on 9 July there were two dozen Soviet special operations teams in place across the Federal Republic of Germany. The majority were moving towards their mission objectives by then. Some were already in position and waiting. The teams were made up of anywhere between eight and twenty Spetsnaz commandos, …

The Central Front Chessboard: D-1 (8 July, 1987) **

General Galvin had decided to remain at NATO headquarters in Brussels for the time being instead of moving to his wartime headquarters. It was SACEUR’s prerogative where he chose to direct the defense of Western Europe. For the moment, Galvin preferred his office and the command room in Brussels to a command post nestled deep …

Search for the Stealth: D-1 (8 July, 1987) Part II **

Sergeant Richard Lawson walked into the pub shortly after 1400. The short, stocky NCO stopped and spoke to the bartender for a brief moment, then exchanged greetings with a few of the older gentlemen at the bar. Prokofiev got the idea they knew Lawson personally and were pumping him for news. On the other hand, …

Search for the Stealth: D-1 (8 July, 1987) Part I **

His diplomatic immunity was no longer valid, Sergei Prokofiev reminded himself. The British government had already declared most Soviet diplomats in the United Kingdom persona non grata. In effect, they were no longer welcomed here and the Brits were officially kicking them out of the country. The move had been announced three days ago and …

Peripheries: Western Pacific D-1 (8 July, 1987) **

The Western Pacific was an area ripe with potential flashpoints in early July, 1987. For the past week the main concern for US commanders in the Pacific was attempting to outline what the Soviet strategy in the WestPac area would be in the event of war. Coming in a close second was deciphering the situation …

Peripheries: Arabian Peninsula/Persian Gulf D-1 (8 July, 1987) **

By D-1 CENTCOM was in the best possible shape considering the circumstances of the moment. A brigade of paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division was on the ground at Cario West Air Base in Egypt. A detachment of E-3 Sentries, and two fighter squadrons, one of F-15s and the other of F-16s, aas well as …

Peripheries: Arabian Peninsula/Persian Gulf D-4 (5 July, 1987) **

In late June and early July of 1987, as tensions rose in Europe and elsewhere, the Persian Gulf region became a bastion of virtual serenity. As the superpowers moved towards an imminent conflict, the Iran-Iraq war receded dramatically.Whether this was by design, or circumstance remains debatable. It would be fair to assume Baghdad and Tehran …

Strategic Considerations: Red Banner Northern Fleet, D-1 (8 July, 1987) **

Commander of the Soviet Red Banner Northern Fleet Admiral Ivan Matveyevich Kapitanets looked down at the stack of yellow message forms on his desk and shook his head tiredly. He was already aware of the disappointing news they contained. Each message was a report detailing the position, speed, and course of a ship under his …

SAC on the Eve of War: D-1 (8 July, 1987) **

In the final hours of peace on 8 July, 1987, the US Air Force’s Strategic Air Command found itself in a peculiar position. As the other major commands in the Air Force and in other service branches prepared for war, SAC was maintaining a low key, business-as-usual approach. It was strange development, but nevertheless true. …