The first sign of trouble was not immediately evident. The band had been
preparing for the transfer for the transfer of musical equipment and personal
effects from the destroyer to a military transport plane ten miles distant.
In other places on-board and around the ship, crewmen were at their diverse
duties preparing for the ship’s departure from Santo Domingo in the Domincan
Republic.
Unnoticeable at first, an eerie sense of tension soon descended upon the
band members, until it was soon quite obvious that something was wrong.
When the UDT/SEAL team went on duty in combat fatigues and armed with shotguns,
grenade-launchers and M-16 submachine guns, most of the non-essential bystanding
crew members had found a reasonably secure shelter below deck.
Being in a non-combative situation, the band was normally dressed in tropical
white dress uniforms, which always made them an easy target for communist
terrorists, who at the time were seeking to make spectacular political statements
against the United States by creating bloody spectacles. Treaties between
the US and the Dominican Republic prohibited US forces from carrying arms
in order to protect Americans inside the country. Whenever terrorists threatened
groups such as the Navy Band, which was usually all the time, the normative
practice was for the host country to provide protection for the band in
the form of a few servicemen armed with burp guns who would accompany the
band during their official travels to and from concerts. Demonstrations
by pro-leftist and Communist groups, onstage verbal abuse as well as the
occasional bomb threat were quite commonplace in the daily routine of a
Navy musician, and over the time these occurrences became mere inconveniences.
The official word finally came from the admiral as to why all the extra
security precautions were being taken. An anonymous phone caller had contacted
the American embassy and warned of an attack against the ship; if that attempt
failed, the terrorists were going to blow up the plane destined to fly the
admiral and his staff (including the band) back to Norfolk, VA. The Dominican
Republic government agreed to provide a small handful of marines to protect
all American servicemen being transported from the ship to the airfield,
a distance of several miles. The band was responsible for transporting all
of their gear, including all conceivable instruments and electric hardware
associated with playing in a rock and roll band, from the ship to a truck
on the pier, which would then be driven to the airport along with the admiral’s
staff. However, there were additional considerations the band members had
not been aware of, for soon the truck was not only loaded with band gear,
but also with the personal effects of a few dozen staff members. Now the
truck was carrying twice as much cargo, and it would take twice as long to
get everything transferred from the truck to the plane.
Inevitably, everything was eventually loaded onto the truck and all military
personnel were on board the busses, which were then driven to the airfield,
and accompanied by the foreign soldiers. The drive from the pier to the
plane, although probably brief, was one that seemed to be much longer because
of the anxiety everyone was now experiencing. Ambush, attack, or bloodshed
was now definitely a possibility.
Upon arrival at the airport, everyone swiftly assumed his assigned duties,
attempting to do their tasks in the smooth, cool, and professional manner
that they were used to. It was my job, assisted with the help of a man named
Fletcher, to unload the truck containing all of the gear that was piled
several feet high, and to pass everything to a human chain of other band
members that were on the ground or inside the plane. Although we were quickly
getting the job done in an efficient manner, the admiral’s chief-of-staff,
a commander of flag rank, came by to shriek at us to complete the transfer
of equipment by the appointed take-off time, which was in three minutes!
He informed us that we would be left behind if we failed in our duties.
Meanwhile, encircling the aircraft, facing the jungle and prepared for siege
were the foreign soldiers. From our vantage point on top of the band gear
and staff luggage, Fletcher and I would be able to see beyond the soldiers
into the jungle in case of an attack from terrorists.
We didn’t unload the gear in three minutes. Nevertheless, the aircraft
did land in Norfolk a few hours later without any further incidents. The musicians,
who resented the extra pressure from the high brass, especially had a significantly
relaxed atmosphere prevailing amongst them. With many adventures behind them
to divulge to their awaiting friends and loved ones, another cruise had ended.
The musicians, deprived of sleep for months, could now rest... at least until
the next tour!