◆ SpookStack

cover will .be constant, and if a Castro tank moves, we knock him out. 48/ Gar Thorsrud also commented about the D-2 strike: The tactical surprise on that first strike was aimed at getting those air- craft, and if you didn't you're in trouble -- they didn't get them, and we were in trouble ..• There was plenty of concern among the pilots at Puerto Cabezas because they knew they had to get them [the T-33's]. I don't know what was discussed at the Headquarters at the Staff levels, but that was the primary target -- to get those T-birds first. It was their ass that was going to get shot down if they didn't; and so there was no doubt in any pilot's mind what they were after first when they got to that airfield. The first thing they looked for, was any aircraft taking off on ~ runway; then to the taxiways; and then to the parking ramps -- where they were briefed by their targets -- by the pictures -- where they were supposed to be located. But the first thing they were to look for was that runway, or some- thing just breaking ground; and then back to where the aircraft was supposed to be parked iJ they weren't alerted ..• What would you be looking for first? If there is only·one aircraft that is a threat to you? That's what we were hoping to do, even with the six [sic] aircraft that went in, instead of the 22~ We still had to get those aircraft. 49/ Even though he claimed to have only six aircraft available following the D-2 air strike, Castro also said that the 15 April air strike was a bust -- claimin~ that as a result of the air strike he actually lost - 215 -