In Operation Iraqi Freedom, we witnessed a brilliant plan, brilliantly executed, with superb personnel using magnificent equipment—all supported to perfection. Medals will be awarded, analyses will be conducted, doctrine will be updated, brave men and women will be welcomed home, the kings, emirs, and dictators of the Middle East will adjust their attitudes, and the primary focus of the United States' international concern will shift back to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the war on terrorism.
What has gone (and may continue to go) unnoticed is the quiet, unassuming contributions of average citizens and organizations in the effort. This is not surprising—it is expected when things are quiet and unassuming.
So I would like to mention the generosity and patriotism of a small company in Nashville, Tennessee. Military Systems Group has only eight employees, but it accomplishes a tremendous amount, primarily through contracts with the U.S. military and a few select foreign armed forces. The incident that prompted this note, however, is not involved with any such contract.
After the Cole (DDG-67) tragedy, the commanding officer of the John S. McCain (DDG-56) identified an immediate need for machine-gun mounts to provide a close-combat/self-defense capability against suicide boats and other small craft. Procurement of such mounts through normal channels would not have fit the criterion of "immediate," so the captain searched the Internet for a better source. His search led him to Military Systems Group.
A dialogue by way of e-mail began, the specific needs for the mounts and the challenges of the procurement regulations were discussed, and the company said, "It will be an honor for the staff of Military Systems Group to make available at no cost these gun mounts to the USS John S. McCain."
As one might imagine, regulations do not permit the outright acceptance of a "gift" under such circumstances. Thus, a very modest amount was transferred for materials. Nevertheless, Military Systems Group essentially gave the ship one of the mounts she needed in two days, and gave a second one about a week later, modified and tailored for the particular purpose intended. And yes, the weapons saw action in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Military Systems Group is owned and operated by a couple who, by appearances and demeanor, seem more likely to be the local postmistress and preacher than folks in the weapons business. Kay Horton, a former professor at Vanderbilt University, and E. R. "Pony" Maples, a man who built a B-24 cockpit in his basement, are concerned about the safety and security of our servicemen and servicewomen and their operational success, not company profits. They are patriots in the finest sense. They may not be able to carry weapons into battle personally, but they designed, fabricated, and donated some for those who have to do so.
I will bet there are others, but Kay and Pony are two I know. Here's to them—and here's to the commanding officer who overcame the bureaucracy to protect his ship and crew.
Admiral Applebaum retired from the Coast Guard in 1996 and has been a consultant since then. He served on the U.S. Naval Institute Editorial Board from 1990 to 1994.