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“C-5’s in the open,” one of the room’s Marine Corps attendees announced.
Drake watched the Situation Room screen. He wanted to shed his jacket, but Barry hadn’t, so he resisted.
In fact, Barry hadn’t shown any nerves except for the silent tapping together of his forefingers.
The clearance-to-depart request echoed through the room.
“This is Incirlik Tower. Cleared for immediate midfield departure Runway Zero-Five.”
“Midfield?” President Roy Cole asked. He’d been in and out through the night.
“Miranda Chase’s idea, sir. The 757 shed half its weight when we chopped off the wings and tail section. Even with the bombs aboard, it’s mostly empty air, barely a hundred thousand pounds. The C-5M can lift half a million. Rather than wasting time taxiing to the end of the runway, they’re jus
