Operation Tropic Gull: A US Invasion of Cuba in 1980

[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]For nearly three months, Fidel Castro had watched in frustration as the citizens of Cuba proved again and again that their place of residence was not unanimously agreed upon. To the great displeasure of the revolutionary regime, incident after incident had occurred that reinforced the dreary concept of permanent defection. In late January of the same year, a privately owned sand dredging boat known as the Cinco de Diciembre had been hijacked near the coastal town of Varadero. Sixty-six political dissidents successfully managed to wrestle control from the contracted workers, sailing two hundred miles north to the United States of America in the cover of night. The men and women involved in the incident had been branded as cowards by Castro and his administration, although the heavy censorship of media sources did not erase the talk of the event. Loose tongues and errant mouths seemed to encourage more splintering within the communist nation and its inhabitants. Only three weeks later, another event had occurred. Despite increased security measures at the government controlled ports, eight Cuban stowaways had managed to hijack the Liberian freighter known as the Lissette, after which they promptly sailed to the southern edge of the United States of America. The situation came to a minor head when twenty-six political opponents commandeered the liaison yacht known as the Lucero, using only two .38 Special revolvers to overthrow the skeleton crew. The ragtag collection of defectors managed to escape from Havana Harbor, after which the pirates had sailed onwards to the United States of America. [/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]In all of the cases, the United States granted political asylum to the Cuban deserters. In March, Castro made a national speech, hinting at the possibility of the relaxing of rules regarding mass emigration. The Cuban public seemed to regard the hollow promise with a grain of salt. In April, ten thousand Cuban citizens stormed the grounds of the Peruvian embassy, at which point they received immediate asylum from the South American government. President Jimmy Carter was keen to seize the political opportunity. To reinforce the concept of democracy, the United States agreed to receive nearly four thousand defecting Cubans, should they somehow manage to reach American soil. Costa Rica also agreed to serve as a staging area for refugees seeking asylum. Fidel Castro agreed to allow any citizens who wished to leave a chance to do so, as long as the method of exodus was taken through Mariel Harbor. But unlike in our timeline of history, the situation took a turn for the worse. The result was the bloodiest war America fought since the jungles of Vietnam. This is the frightening documentation of the Third World War, and its effects felt around the world.[/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]6 April 1980 – 10,856 Cuban citizens seek political asylum in Peruvian embassy located in Havana, bashing down the gates and protesting in the courtyard. All are promptly granted asylum. Andean Pact ministers ask other nations to help in accepting these refugees.[/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]11 April 1980 – President Jimmy Carter announces that the United States of America will accept 3,500 refugees in accordance with the Refugee Act. The American intentions add to the political pressure that has already begun to corner Fidel Castro and his regime.[/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]13 April 1980 – Government officials from Costa Rica indicate that the city of San Jose will accept any refugees traveling from communist Cuba. [/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]16 April 1980 - Fidel Castro agrees to allow limited flights to leave from Jose Marti International Airport, using several CV-2 Caribou aircraft modified for transport. The flights are closely monitored by the Cuban Air Force, and are escorted more than once by communist MiG-21 Fishbed aircraft until leaving regime airspace. The first two flights land successfully in Miami during the afternoon, with its passengers undergoing immediate processing.[/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]17 April 1980 – Flights continue to leave out of Jose Marti International Airport at a trickling rate. Fidel Castro has authorized the travel of only a few aircraft per day, and each flight cannot hold many passengers. Refugees continue to stay nearby the Peruvian Embassy, patiently waiting for their turn to be bussed to the airport. Most of the refugees seek to travel to the United States of America, and wish to leave communist Cuba for good. Among those who are waiting at the embassy are farmers, former plantation owners, and several political opponents of Castro. The Seguiridad del Estado, also known as the Cuban Secret Police is ordered to keep a close watch on those around or near the embassy, to prevent riots and unrest. Thankfully, no problems occur. Yet.[/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]18 April 1980 – In a morning broadcast on Radio Havana, Fidel Castro announces the cancellation of all outbound and inbound flights. The official excuse is: “...for the safety of our people, further flights between the United States of America, Cuba, and Costa Rica have been canceled. The integrity of the used aircraft has not been verified, and shall not be allowed within state borders until it is.” The announcement is largely seen in the West as a deliberate delay, managing to stop the exodus of state citizens to the US and Costa Rica until Mariel Harbor opens.[/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]19 April 1980 – To bolster morale, Fidel Castro organizes a massive military parade in Havana. The route for the military march is purposefully planned to cross in front of the crowds at the Peruvian embassy. Tensions amidst the refugees waiting to leave increases slightly.[/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]20 April 1980 – Castro announces the intention to open Mariel Harbor. While the West seems partially satisfied with the regime, the communist leader has other plans. Several political opponents, criminal felons, and clinically insane refugees are released from government institutions, and are allowed to leave with other refugees. In one swipe, Castro eliminates several staunch opponents and reduces the crime rate in his nation.[/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]21 April 1980 – Fishing boats Dos Hermanos and Blanche III arrive in Key West with 48 refugees. A Cuban American leader organizes a homemade flotilla of fishing trawlers in Miami with the intention to pick up refugees from Mariel Harbor.[/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]23 April 1980 – More refugees arrive in Key West. The US Coast Guard reacts on a case by case basis, allowing nearly all trawlers to pass. As a precaution, the USCG requests help from the US Navy in assisting with surveillance operations. [/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]24 April 1980 – The influx of refugees continues. The USCG request for further support is noted, although reinforcements to help in aid processing are scheduled to arrive sometime later. Until then, the Coast Guard will have to stay satisfied with a handful of cutter ships. [/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]Sunday, 25 April 1980 (POD DAY) [/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]4:21 AM – USCG cutter Acushnet is approached by three Cuban gunboats, who refuse to communicate over open airwaves. The three aggressors are armed with 20mm cannons, M2 machine guns, and Soviet built mortar systems. In an apparent attempt to force the Acushnet into Cuban waters, the trio of approaching ships begin to correlate and alter their paths, aiming to herd the USCG ship with malicious intent. The gunboats close into within sixty feet of the cutter, severely limiting any chance of escape, while turning their searchlights on the bridge. With night adaptation lost, the captain of the Acushnet sees no other option but to radio for help. The Seventh District calls for immediate help from the US Navy. [/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]4:22 AM – NAS Jacksonville receives orders to scramble two A-6 Intruder aircraft.[/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]4:26 AM – Two A-6 Intruder aircraft claw into the sky above Florida, immediately beginning to close the distance between the gunboat and the cutter. They are both armed with two AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles, two AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and pilots hailing from the Vietnam War. Both aircraft have strict orders not to engage the gunboats. The three gunboats are identified as the Pina, the Playa, and the Maria.[/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]4:27 AM – One gunboat sails within thirty feet of the cutter. The ship is so close that the USCG personnel can see the Cuban soldiers holding their assault rifles at the ready. The captain of the closest gunboat, Joaquin Marisol, takes up the microphone and states his intentions. The Coast Guard cutter must prepare to be boarded, as the Cuban Navy is searching for a murderer. The apparent felon left Cuban waters with a twenty foot boat, and was headed for the US after a killing spree in Havana.[/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]4:28 AM – The captain of the Acushnet refuses boarding, and orders his men to take up arms from the armory. In a desperate radio call, he learns that the fighter jets are only about four minutes out.[/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]4:29 AM – Upon the slippery deck of the closest gunboat, a Cuban soldier slips and falls. His AK-47 expels three rounds into the night. Two more soldiers immediately unleash assault rifle rounds into the USCG cutter upon hearing the gunshot and seeing their comrade fall. Their firing is quickly returned with the clatter of an M-60 and several M-16 assault rifles. [/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]4:30 AM – The Pina opens fire with her 20mm gun, aiming directly for the bridge of the USCG cutter. Her indiscriminate shelling is soon followed by the booming thud of .50 caliber machine guns and the whistle of a mortar. The bridge of the Acushnet is shredded to pieces, with five US personnel immediately killed. The captain quickly emits a distress signal to all ships in the area before consulting NAS Jacksonville for further orders. He is told to flee the area immediately. [/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]4:32 AM – US Navy A-6 Intruders easily spot the stranded Acushnet and her three captors, but are not cleared to engage until the situation can be clarified.[/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]4:33 AM – Two Cuban soldiers are killed in the exchange of small arms fire. The Maria and the Playa open fire in response. A large fire is reported on the Acushnet.[/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]4:34 AM – The A-6 Intruders are cleared to engage all three gunboats, and begin circling around for a better weapons release point. Cloaked by darkness, the attack jets are oblivious to the .50 caliber machine guns aiming blindly for them. The Cubans can only fire into the black and hope to hit one of the rumbling beasts that roar above them.[/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]4:35 AM – The lead A-6 Intruder releases one AGM-84 Harpoon missile, which quickly finds its target. The anti-ship missile slams into the hull of the Maria at over 500mph, detonating upon contact and twisting the gunboat into a floating heap of contorted metal. Twelve Cuban soldiers are immediately killed in the blast, and several more receive horrible burns as they jump into the fuel laden water. Heavy fire from the Pina and the Playa continue to slam the Acushnet.[/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]4:36 AM – Two AGM-84 Harpoon missiles find their target, quickly rendering the Pina useless. Twenty-two perish as her insides are gutted by high explosive warheads. Another three die as secondary munitions aboard the ship explode. USCG cutter the Acushnet begins to abandon ship while still under heavy fire from the Playa.[/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]4:37 AM – Two MiG-21 fighter jets scramble into the sky above Havana, quickly vectoring towards the incident.[/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]4:38 AM – Four F-4 Phantom II fighter jets scramble from NAS Key West, and are tasked with providing air cover while rescue operations are considered. The Playa is hit by a AGM-84 Harpoon missile, and is promptly sunk.[/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]4:39 AM – President Carter is awoken from a deep sleep. He is quietly informed that three Cuban ships were sunk in international waters, and that one USCG cutter was rendered useless.[/FONT]


[FONT=Simplified Arabic, serif]And that's all I have so far. Feedback would be great, especially regarding the plausibility of this whole scenario.[/FONT]

Would be more plausible after 1981 under Ronald Reagan. After the Iran hostages crisis Carter was seen as a lame duck. His foreign policy was also on the dovish side so I don't see him authorising a magor invasion like TropicGull.Reagan might do something like this in the period 1981- 4 There was a lot of sabre rattlng over the Sandanistas in Nicaragua He got involved in the Lebanese Civil War in 1983 and invaded Grenada in thesame year.

I would suggest you change the year to 1983 and have Reagan in the White House at a time when international tensions with the Soviet Union were very high. You might also have the US take military action of some kind against Nicaragua as well as Cuba. This of course probably would have started WW3.

With these changes I woud be interested in seeing how trhis develops

A-6s don't have guns.

Are you going to explore the decision chain that led the Cubans to try to board a U.S. warship?

Acushnet is confused by the cubans with a refugee ship, right?

I like it interested to see where you go with this story.

Cool, will read it.

Interesting start. I like how one man's slip and fall can end up with things rapidly going out of control.
I shall read any more.

The A-6 never had guns and I do not believe they ever carried sindwinders. I will also agree that a better POD would be during the Reagan years. Not only was he more miltant but would be more willing to confront Castro when the shit reay hit the fan

The same Reagan whose response to the loss of 400 lives in the Marine bombing in Lebanon was to turn tail and get American troops out of there?

The same Reagan whose major military foreign military initiative was the invasion of Grenada?

I dunno. The notion of Carter as a dove or Reagan as a hawk seems to mostly depend on how they talked. In terms of actual action, not much difference.

If this goes to a 3rd world war... How are we going to avoid the nukes?

Bah humbug, double post, sorry.

zert said:

The A-6 never had guns and I do not believe they ever carried sindwinders. I will also agree that a better POD would be during the Reagan years. Not only was he more miltant but would be more willing to confront Castro when the shit reay hit the fan

Click to expand...

According to FAS, the A-6 Intruder did carry AIM-9's, but I'm not sure if that is referring to the ECM jamming aircraft or the attack model. And damn, yeah, I forgot they didn't have cannons.

DValdron said:

The same Reagan whose response to the loss of 400 lives in the Marine bombing in Lebanon was to turn tail and get American troops out of there?

The same Reagan whose major military foreign military initiative was the invasion of Grenada?

I dunno. The notion of Carter as a dove or Reagan as a hawk seems to mostly depend on how they talked. In terms of actual action, not much difference.

Click to expand...

A little. Lee Atwater told a hesitant campaign worker that the goals of RR's presidency were to defeat utterly and completely communism, primarily by economic and arms. War was to be avoided, and this is the same that was later put into presidential orders and private statements, most famously "they lose, we win".

By arms, not force of arms, where ever possible. Only Haig was big in wild jaunts, which scared lots of people and was part of his leaving. I personally remember him on the news building up biological warfare case against the Hmong by the Laotian and Vietnamese government circa 1981 with micotoxins (our media thought it was in reality only bee crap). Schultz carried on the bit with the Lebanon presence, much against Weinberger et al, and RR had a weak spot for the terrorism and hostages angle.

Read _The Judge, William P. Clark_ for how far RR tried to avoid invading Suriname, even to get Brazil or, gasp, South Korea to do it!!! That was 1983 or so. With Cuba, there was a statement by Secretary of State Haig to go and do that invasion or obliteration, quickly disavowed by RR and others, about 1981. Or so I recall reading in one book or another recently.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reagan_Doctrine#.22Rollback.22_replaces_.22containment.22

1977 We win they lose statement.

Anyway, not much is to be gained with invasion to Cuba. The world had gotten used to it and hell would have to be paid with respect to the balance of power. The world has always operated like this. Maybe if BUSH had made it to the White House in 1981, especially if Barbara dies from an attempted George assassination. As Nixon said in in the tapes, George has nothing upstairs, it is Barbara who had the brains of that operation.

M16A1994 said:

According to FAS, the A-6 Intruder did carry AIM-9's, but I'm not sure if that is referring to the ECM jamming aircraft or the attack model. And damn, yeah, I forgot they didn't have cannons.

Click to expand...

My apologies. I had heard of them ever carrying air to air munitions.

lucaswillen05 said:

Would be more plausible after 1981 under Ronald Reagan. After the Iran hostages crisis Carter was seen as a lame duck. His foreign policy was also on the dovish side so I don't see him authorising a magor invasion like TropicGull.Reagan might do something like this in the period 1981- 4 There was a lot of sabre rattlng over the Sandanistas in Nicaragua He got involved in the Lebanese Civil War in 1983 and invaded Grenada in thesame year.

I would suggest you change the year to 1983 and have Reagan in the White House at a time when international tensions with the Soviet Union were very high. You might also have the US take military action of some kind against Nicaragua as well as Cuba. This of course probably would have started WW3.

With these changes I woud be interested in seeing how trhis develops

Click to expand...

It will develop in such a fashion that no matter what President is in office, war is an inevitable factor. The communists are going to push Carter to act, and in turn, play a large role in kicking off World War III. Whether this includes nuclear weapons or not...well...it's a surprise. Also, the war in Cuba itself will only be a smaller piece of the puzzle. Most of the blood will be spilt in Europe.

Any role for the Miami Cubans and even the Batista family in this conflict?

UH...

The Cubans didn't operate anything even remotely similar to what you have described. The certainly didn't use the M2 .50 cal, using instead the Soviet 14.5mm HMG in that role. Also, a ship, boat actually, of the size described would simply disappear if a Harpoon hit them. The Harpoon carries a 488 pound warhead, a single missile can sink a FFG/DDG sized target. In the scenario as described the first two Harpoons would probably wind up sinking all four vessels through blast and fragmentation damage.

There is also the not minor matter of how the Harpoon target seeker works. It will automatically lock onto the largest target present (something that is common with most active radar homing weapons), in this case the 215 foot, steel hulled, medium endurance cutter not the smaller targets laying less than 90 feet off her beam. In other words the almost certain target of every missile launched would be the Coast Guard cutter (although the blast and fragmentation of the three warheads would probably sink or cripple everything in the area, including anyone in the water).

I will leave it to others to go into depth on some of the other issues, including exactly what caused Castro to suddenly lose his mind and become clinically insane (that generally happens, if it is going to happen, by the time a person hits their early-mid 20s) after decades in control of the Cuban nation. Castro understood, apparently far better than some, that his regime survived at the sufferance of the United States. Any sliver of hope he ever held regarding the support of his Soviet benefactors in a direct confrontation with his massive Northern neighbor were thoroughly disabused in October of 1962. He may have chosen to believe that the Kremlin would help if he were to be attacked, but he knew very well exactly how alone he would be if he actually started something.

zert said:

My apologies. I had heard of them ever carrying air to air munitions.

Click to expand...

It was a very rarely used configuration after the addition of the WCSI upgrade (which took place after the time of this scenario). It was sometimes used when the aircraft was being used on long open water patrol, but in general, the aircraft carried no defensive weapons.

The comments re: the A-6 are quite correct, and the A-6s, when land-based, were for the Atlantic Fleet at NAS Oceana, VA. A-7s, though, were shore-based at Cecil Field when not deployed, though they were not Harpoon capable. They would use either rocket pods (2.75", with 19 rockets per pod), or the Zuni 5-inch rocket (3 per pod), and Rockeye CBUs when dealing with small surface craft, along with their 20-mm guns. The A-7 was also able to carry the AIM-9 for self defense, and Sidewinders were commonly carried by the SLUF.