Chapter 3

The day before leaving, Megumi was issued a Cheytech M300 Pretorian in .408 caliber with a 40 MOA base. On it was mounted a Nightforce ATACR 7-35x56mm F1 scope on breakdown case.

The specialized... 408 419-grain ammo is designed to remain supersonic and effective at extreme distances, typically beyond 2,000 yards (1,800 meters) and even up to 3,000 yards (2,700 meters)

This sniper system has an effective range of 2,390+ meters, weighing eighteen pound empty.

Webb was issued a new Spectella BAK4 100mm spotting scope with Gen 3 digital Infrared attachment.

The flight to Afghanistan took Megumi Kashuahara across more distance than she traveled in her entire life, from the familiar mountains of Colorado to the alien landscape of Central Asia. As the military transport aircraft descended toward Bagram Airfield, Megumi pressed her face to the small window and watched a country at war roll past below. Brown mountains, scattered compounds, and the occasional wisp of smoke that might have been cooking fires or something more ominous.

“First deployment?” asked the soldier sitting across from her, a sergeant from the 82nd Airborne with three deployment patches on his sleeve.

“Yes,” Megumi replied, still watching the landscape.

“Fourth time in country for me. Word of advice. Afghanistan will teach you things about yourself you never knew existed. Some good, some not so good.”

The temperature at Bagram hit Megumi like opening an oven door: intense heat that immediately made her Colorado-accustomed lungs work harder. The air smelled of dust, diesel fuel and something else she couldn’t identify, but would later learn was the perpetual scent of a country where ancient traditions collided with modern warfare.

Staff Sergeant Martinez met Megumi and Webb at the arrival processing center, his uniform already showing the dust and wear that marked experienced deployed soldiers.

“Welcome to the sandbox,” he said, shouldering his pack. “Transport to Chapman leaves in 30 minutes. Use the time to hydrate and do final gear chchecks.T

The helicopter flight to forward operating base Chapman took them over terrain that appeared both beautiful and threatening. Jagged mountains rose in every direction, their peaks disappearing into haze, while their slopes showed evidence of centuries of human habitation, terraced fields, stone villages, and paths that wound between valleys like ancient rivers.

“Population down there is mostly Pashtun tribal groups,” Martinez explained over the helicopter’s engine noise. “Some support the government, some support the Taliban. Most just want to be left alone to tend their farms and raise their families. Our job is to distinguish between legitimate threats and civilians trying to survive in a war zone.”

FOB Chapman occupied a strategic position in the coast province, providing over watch for major supply routes and serving as a staging area for operations against Taliban and Al Qaeda forces operating in the mountainous border region with Pakistan. The base was larger than Megumi had expected, but smaller than she had hoped, perhaps 200 soldiers living in a collection of temporary buildings surrounded by concrete barriers and razor wire.

“Home sweet home,” Webb muttered as they walked through the base’s main gate. “Not exactly Colorado, is it, Kashuahara?”

Megumi surveyed their new environment with the analytical eyes she’d developed during years of hunting in varied terrain. The base was well positioned for defense, but vulnerable to indirect fire from the surrounding mountains. The living conditions were basic but functional.

Most importantly, the weapons and communication systems appeared well-maintained and professionally operated.

“It’ll do,” she replied simply.

Their quarters consisted of a modified shipping container divided into three sleeping areas with a common space for equipment, maintenance, and mission planning. Megumi claimed the bunk nearest the entrance a habit from ranch life where she’d always positioned herself between her family and potential threats.

“Kashuahara, Webb, settle in and report to the Tactical Operations Center in one hour,” Martinez instructed. “We’ll receive our first mission briefing and meet the infantry unit we’ll be supporting.”

The TOC was a climate-controlled trailer filled with communications equipment, computer workstations, and map displays showing the current tactical situation throughout their area of operations.

Major Patricia Stone, the base commander, briefed them on recent enemy activity and ongoing operations. “Intelligence indicates increased Taliban movement in grid squares 847 and 851.” Major Stone began pointing to areas on the digital map display. “They’re likely establishing supply caches for winter operations and recruiting fighters from local villages. Your team will provide overwatch for patrol operations designed to disrupt these activities.”

Megumi studied the terrain features on the map, noting elevation changes, sight lines, and potential shooting positions. The area was mountainous with sparse vegetation challenging for concealment, but excellent for long-range engagements.

“Ma’am, what’s the typical engagement range in this area?” Megumi asked.

“Highly variable. Taliban forces prefer close-range ambushes, using the terrain for concealment, but they’ll also engage at longer ranges when they have positional advantages.”

Major Stone highlighted several locations on the map. “These ridgelines have been used for previous sniper attacks against our patrols.” Staff Sergeant Martinez stepped forward.

“Major, how current is our intelligence about enemy sniper capabilities?”

“Current enough to be concerned. We’ve identified at least three Taliban marksmen in this area with confirmed kills beyond 600 meters. They’re using a combination of Soviet made rifles and more modern weapons acquired from various sources.”

The briefing continued with details about friendly force movements, communication protocols, and rules of engagement specific to the area’s complex political and cultural environment. Megumi learned that effective operations required understanding not just military tactics, but also tribal relationships, religious considerations, and economic factors that influence local support for various factions. Their first mission launched before dawn the following morning.

Megumi and her team would provide over-watch for a patrol investigating reports of weapons caches in a village called Kara, located in a valley surrounded by ridgelines that offered excellent fields of fire.

“Kashuahara, your shooting position will be on Hill 472,” Martinez explained as they studied the approach route, “800 meters from the village center, clear sight lines to all major buildings and approaches. Webb will spot and coordinate with the patrol leader.”

Megumi 0felt the familiar calm that preceded challenging shots. This was what months of training had prepared her for real-world application of marksmanship skills with genuine consequences for success or failure. The patrol consisted of 12 soldiers from the 173rd Airborne, led by Lieutenant Cameron Foster, a competent 24-year-old on his second deployment.

Foster’s approach to operations balanced aggressive tactics with careful risk assessment. And his soldiers displayed the kind of professional competence Megumi had learned to recognize during training.

“Kashuahara, understand that once we’re in the village, you’re our insurance policy.” Foster explained during the final briefing. “If we encounter resistance, your job is to eliminate threats that our ground forces can’t handle safely.”

“Understood, sir. What are the priority targets if contact is initiated?”

“Anyone with weapons who poses a threat to the patrol. But remember, this is a complex environment where not everyone with a weapon is necessarily hostile. Positive target identification is critical.”

The approach to Hill 472 required a three-hour movement through terrain that reminded Megumi of Colorado’s mountains, but with crucial differences.

The vegetation was sparser, the rock formations more jagged, and the air carried sounds and smells that spoke of human presence in ways that American wilderness never did. Megumi established her shooting position with methodical care, arranging her equipment to provide stable firing platforms while maintaining concealment from observation.

The customized Cheytek M300 she’d been issued was significantly more sophisticated than her grandfather’s Winchester, but the fundamental principles remained the same.

“Range to village center,” Megumi requested settling behind her rifle.

Webb studied the target area through his spotting scope, calculating distances and environmental factors. “780 meters to the main buildings, winds southeast at 12 knots, temperature rising, atmospheric conditions are stable.”

Through her scope, Megumi watched the patrol begin their approach to Kara. The village appeared peaceful children playing in dusty streets, women tending gardens, men working with livestock. It was difficult to imagine this quiet scene containing the weapons caches that intelligence reported.”

Over-watch, this is Ranger Six.” Lieutenant Foster’s voice crackled through the radio, “beginning search of Compound One. Maintain eyes on, report any suspicious movement.”

Megumi tracked the patrol’s movement through her scope, noting their professional approach to clearing buildings and their respectful interaction with villagers. The soldiers were clearly experienced in these operations, maintaining security while avoiding unnecessary intimidation of civilians.