With the Caspian Sea’s temperature in the fifties on the Fahrenheit scale, and considering the possibility that Alex’s team might have to spend much time in the water, the dry suits would keep them warmer than wet suits. Alex showed Leila how she would need to hold on to her mask with one hand while somersaulting out of the back of the fastboat while it was still moving. The SEALs traveled light, carrying small waterproof backpacks and their customized Iranian Zoaf 9mm pistols. Leila carried no weapon. “Does she need a weapon?” Lieutenant Zadeh offered his firearm. “Never used one before,” she said, “and I don’t know how.” “She’ll be fine,” Alex said. Each Tiger carried an Israeli TAR-21, a bullpup assault rifle that fires 5.56mm NATO rounds. The bullpup design imbedded the weapon’s action in the buttstock, conserving space. Although the TAR-21 was small like a carbine, it fired with the velocity of a rifle. SEALs and Tigers loaded into the boat. The Tigers cast off the fastboat’s lines and the coxswain started the engine.
