OPERATIONS ORDER
Operation Steadfast Resolve (2014), Sleight of Hand

--- OPERATIONS ORDER ---

Situation

Background Information
REPORTS FROM CIA FIELD OPERATIVES HAVE IDENTIFIED AN ARRAY OF THREE COMMUNICATION NODES THAT PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMPROMISE THE ENEMY BATTLENET, UNITAF COMMAND HAS AUTHORISED A SMALL TEAM FROM THE MARINE RAIDERS TO COVERTLY PLANT BUGS ON THE NODES. THIS PLAN WILL ONLY WORK IF THE ENEMY ARE UNAWARE THAT FRIENDLY FORCES HAVE BEEN IN THE AREA OTHERWISE THEY MAY SIMPLY CHANGE THEIR ENCRYPTION METHOD. MARINE FORCE RECON HAVE IDENTIFIED A NUMBER OF GARRISONS IN THE AREA OF THE COMMUNICATIONS ARRAY THAT MAY COMPROMISE THE SPECIAL FORCES TEAM. COMMAND HAVE DECIDED ON A DIVERSIONARY ATTACK ON A PETROCHEMICAL PLANT TO BE CARRIED OUT BY THE MARINES TO DRAW THE ENEMIES ATTENTION AND FORCES AWAY FROM THE NODES.

Friendly Forces
THE MAIN ELEMENT WILL BE MADE UP OF A PLATOON OF MARINES FROM THE MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE CALLSIGN FOX. THESE MARINES WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH HEAVIER WEAPONS THAN USUAL TO AID IN HOLDING BACK THE NUMERICALLY SUPERIOR ENEMY WHILE REMAINING MOBILE ENOUGH TO BE ALLOW A TACTICAL WITHDRAWAL WHEN NEEDED. THE MARINES WILL DEPLOY VIA ZODIAC ASSAULT BOATS. THE SPECIAL FORCES ELEMENT WHO WILL PLANT THE BUGS, CALLSIGN WOLF, WILL CONSIST OF A TEAM FROM THE MARINE RAIDERS. DUE TO THE MISSION CRITICAL NEED TO REMAIN UNDETECTED, THE TEAM IS SMALL, LIGHTLY ARMED AND HIGHLY MOBILE.

Supporting Assets
CALLSIGN FOX WILL BE RESUPPLIED BY A CH-53E SUPER STALLION HEAVY LIFT HELICOPTER; CALLSIGN BADGER.

Enemy Forces
THE ENEMY FORCES HAVE SUFFERED A LARGE AMOUNT OF CASUALTIES IN PREVIOUS OPERATIONS, MAINLY IN ARMOURED VEHICLES; HOWEVER, THEY STILL MAINTAIN A SIGNIFICANT GARRISON OF DISMOUNTED, MOTORISED AND ARMOURED INFANTRY WITH AN UNDER STRENGTH HEAVY ARMOUR SQUADRON BEING BASED AT JABLEH TO THE EAST OF THE LANDING SITE.

Mission

Tasking
MARINE FORCE: -SEIZE AND HOLD THE PETROCHEMICAL PLANT MARKED OBJECTIVE UNICORN UNTIL THE SF TEAM COMPLETES THEIR OBJECTIVES. -THIS ASSAULT SHOULD LOOK TO BE AN ATTEMPT TO ESTABLISH A BEACHHEAD. FOX SHOULD AIM TO CREATE AS MUCH NOISE AS POSSIBLE TO DRAW THE MAXIMUM ATTENTION. SF TEAM: -COVERTLY PLANT BUGS ON EACH NODE WHILE REMAINING UNDETECTED BY THE ENEMY. -EACH NODE WILL HAVE A CONTROL PANEL THAT MUST BE BUGGED WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE ENEMY. ANY CONTACT WILL RESULT IN A MISSION ABORT.

End-state
ONCE THE SF TEAM HAVE SUCCESSFULLY BUGGED THE COMMS ARRAY THEY SHOULD MOVE TO EXTRACT VIA BOAT. SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE MARINE FORCE SHOULD BREAK CONTACT AND WITHDRAW GIVING THE IMPRESSION THAT THE BEACHHEAD HAS FAILED.

Execution

Commander's Intent
The purpose of this mission is to gain access to Takistani communications nodes without being detected. In order to set the conditions right for this operation, we will feint a seaborne invasion close to Arran.

Tasks and Sequencing

CONCEPT OF OPERATION

This operation is divided into seven phases: Phase 1: INFIL – Starts with FOX, WOLF & GROUNDHOG MOUNTING RHIBs AT ASSEMBLY AREA SLEIPNIR – Ends with ALL ELEMENTS DISMOUNTING AT SET LZs – Key tasks: CONDUCT SEABORNE INSERTION – ALL ELEMENTS MOVE TO LZs UNDETECTED BY TAKISTANI LITTORAL GUARDS WITH RHIBs IN THE FORMATION FOX 1, WOLF, FOX 2, FOX 3. FOX 9 and GROUNDHOG will spreadload into other elements as detailed below. Phase 2: OBJ UNICORN – Starts with ALL ELEMENTS DISMOUNTED AT SET LZs – Ends with OBJECTIVE UNICORN SEIZED – Key tasks: FOX ELEMENTS SET AT RESPECTIVE SBF AND ASLT POSITIONS, ASSAULT OBJ UNICORN – Weapons squads first set at designated SBF positions, then initiate heavy suppressive fire at TRP01 and02. Assault squad then moves in together with a combat engineer from GROUNDHOG, makes an improvised entrance either far south or far north at the objective. Assault squad lead then calls shift fire as required (see below), and clears the objective. Phase 3: OBJ PEGASUS – Starts with OBJECTIVE UNICORN SEIZED – Ends with OBJECTIVE PEGASUS SEIZED – Key tasks: SET SECTOR SECURITY, SET SBF, ASSAULT PEGASUS, RIGGING OBJECTIVE UNICORN – Weapons squads shift attention to flanks to prevent quick reaction forces from influencing our core operations whilst also dedicating suppressive fire at TRP 3 through 5. Assault squad seizes OBJ Pegasus, moving from south to north, calling shift fire as required. GROUNDHOG moves all the RHIBs together for easy EXFIL, then starts rigging UNICORN with explosives. Phase 4: PERIMETER DEFENCE & OBJ CENTAUR – Starts with OBJECTIVE PEGASUS SEIZED – Ends with OBJECTIVE CENTAUR NEUTRALISED – Key tasks: MAINTAIN SECTOR CONTROL, ATTACK CENTAUR BY FIRE – Weapon squads focus entirely on flank security and setting up good battle positions, whilst Assault squad sets up at designated ABF position and attack OBJECTIVE CENTAUR by fire. GROUNDHOG coordinates to assist logistical operations. Phase 5: Perimeter Defence – Starts with: OBJECTIVE CENTAUR NEUTRALISED – Ends with: PREP FOR EXFIL CALLED – Key tasks: PARAMETER SECURITY, CONSTRUCTING MOBILITY OBSTACLES AT SET LOCATIONS – All elements focus on parameter security. GROUNDHOG is tasked with a blocking mission, and will construct obstacles along the main MSR to turn OPFOR vehicles onto more favourable avenues of approach. Phase 6: EXFIL PREPARATIONS – Starts with: PREP FOR EXFIL CALLED – Ends with: ALL ELEMENTS READY TO EXFIL BY CRRCS – Key tasks: Full accountability of personnel, withdraw to positions surrounding OBJECTIVE UNICORN – All elements shorten their distance to Objective Unicorn whilst ensuring that everyone and their equipment are accounted for. Phase 7: EXFIL – Starts with: ALL ELEMENTS READY TO EXFIL – Ends with: ALL ELEMENTS SAFELY RETURN TO ASSEMBLY AREA SLEIPNIR – Key tasks: Full accountability of personnel, all elements mount their RHIBs, then are organised for debriefs at AA SLEIPNIR – All elements exfiltrate following the reverse path of the infiltration route. Whilst FOX and GROUNHOG mount and move out, WOLF remains on ground and provide security. ONCE FOX and GROUNDHOG has departed, WOLF mounts and catches up to the formation. Once at AA SLEIPNIR, ALL ELEMENTS PREPARE FOR DEBRIEF. Separate from this, in between Phase 1 and 6, WOLF will conduct their own operations in OBJ MOON, PLANET and STAR. Exact movement and tasking will be coordinated on the ground by WOLF SFTL.

SCHEME OF MANOEUVRE

FOX 1: ATTACKING PHASE First in the RHIB formation, makes landing at LZ south first, provides security around the LZ to allow FOX 2 to move out first. Then follows and supports FOX 2 until FOX 2 reaches SBF B1, then moves past and sets at LCC A1, calling “LCC SET once this task is complete. SUPPORT BY FIRE then commences, and FOX 1 seizes OBJECTIVE UNICORN. FROM UNICORN, FOX 1 continues to Objective PEGASUS with support by fire from FOX 2. Once PEGASUS has been cleared, FOX 1 continues to ABF A2, attacking Centaur by fire as well as to secure the northern flanks. DEFENDING PHASE FOX 1 secures the northern flanks from ABF A2 or alternatively from BP A3. Once “DELTA UNICORN” has been called, FOX 1 disengages and returns to positions around BP A4. FOX 2: ATTACKING PHASE Third in the RHIB formation, lands at LZ SOUTH second. Moves directly to SBF B1, and sets up good positions here. Once “CEASE FIRE UNICORN” has been called, assumes positions around SBF B2 and BP B5. Once CEASE FIRE PEGASUS has been called, moves to BP B3-1 and BP B3-2, securing the Eastern flank. DEFENDING PHASE Maintains positions at BP B3-1 and BP B3-2 for as long as possible. Once “DELTA UNICORN” has been called, disengages and moves back to BP B5. FOX 3: ATTACKING PHASE Last in the RHIB formation, lands at LZ North last. Moves north then east to SBF C1, maintaining concealment from the lighthouse and OBJECTIVE UNICORN until set at SBF C1. Suppresses OBJ UNICORN as per SCHEMES OF FIRES. Once complete, moves to secure its sectors West-Northwest at BP C2. Once Objective Pegasus has been completed, FOX 3 moves to BP C3 if and when viable. DEFENDING PHASE FOX 3 secures the western flanks from ABF C3 or alternatively from BP C2. Once “DELTA UNICORN” has been called, FOX 3 takes positions at BP C2 or alternatively SBF C1 - facing West. WOLF: Second in the RHIB formation, lands at LZ North first. Provides initial security, but moves in concealment from Unicorn and Hamrat north to its own AO as soon as possible.

SCHEMES OF FIRES

OBJECTIVE UNICORN – Once FOX 1 sets at LCC A1, identified by call “LCC SET”, FOX 2 and FOX 3 suppress TRP01 and TRP02. Upon call “SHIFT FIRE TRP01”, all suppressive fire at TRP2 is to seize and focus is to be placed at TRP1. Upon calling “SHIFT FIRE TRP02”, all suppressive fire must be focused on TRP02. – Once “CEASE FIRE UNICORN” has been called, all suppressive fire at TRP01 and TRP02 are to cease. OBJECTIVE PEGASUS – Once “CEASE FIRE UNICORN” has been called, FOX 2 starts suppressing TRP03-TRP05. FOX 1 calls for FOX 2 to shift fire as required. – Once “CEASE FIRE PEGASUS” has been called, all suppressive fire at TRP03, TRP04, and TRP05 are to cease.

SCHEMES OF ENGINEER OPERATIONS

FOR PHASE 1 AND 2, ONE COMBAT ENGINEER FROM GROUNDHOG IS ATTACHED FOX 1. THIS COMBAT ENGINEER IS TASKED DURING THESE TWO PHASES TO SUPPORT FOX 1 TO BREACH OBJECTIVE UNICORN. THE SECOND COMBAT ENGINEER WILL SAIL WITH FOX 8, THE THIRD WITH FOX 9. THEIR FIRST TASK WILL, UPON COMPLETION OF OBJECTIVE UNICORN, TO MOVE OUR RHIBS TO THE BEACH JUST SOUTHWEST OF OBJECTIVE UNICORN TO PREPARE FOR EXFILTRATION. GROUNDHOG WILL THEN RIG OBJECTIVE UNICORN WITH EXPLOSIVES, SO AS TO DESTROY OPFOR EQUIPMENT, PREVENT FURTHER MILITARY USAGE OF THE FACILITY AND TO DELAY OPFOR OPERATIONS DURING EXFILTRATION. GROUNDHOG’s THIRD TASK IS TO EMPLACE OBSTACLES ALONG THE MAIN SUPPLY ROAD, NORTH OF BP B 3-2. THIS INCLUDES THE PLACEMENT OF ANTI-TANK MINES. THIS IS POSSIBLE UPON COMPLETION OF OBJECTIVE PEGASUS. BEYOND THIS, GROUNDHOG WILL SUPPORT THE LOGISTICAL WORK AS NEEDED, AS WELL AS COMPLETING OTHER ENGINEER-RELATED TASKS UPON REQUEST. ALL OF THIS WILL BE COORDINATED WITH FOX 8.

Administration/Logistics

Resupply
This operation is supported by rotary supply helicopters. Enemy vehicles at OBJECTIVE UNICORN may be acquired only by Fox 8, Groundhog and Platoon medic to move logistically critical equipment and to assist in medical situations. Such usage must be communicated together with POSREP before they drive the vehicles anywhere.

Medical
Coordinated CCPs will be coordinated by platoon medic. Likely positions are within OBJECTIVE UNICORN and OBJECTIVE PEGASUS once these have been cleared. Medical support such as PAKs will be conducted in field.

Rules of Engagement
In accordance with SOP

Fire Support Plan
In accordance with SOP

Close Air Support
In accordance with SOP

Command/Signal

Communications Plan

Callsign	Primary Frequency	Superior Frequency	ACTUAL
FOX 9	40mHz	37mHz	Maj Korean Falcon Platoon Commander (≤64)
FOX 1	250mHz	40mHz	SPC Zuka (Ret.) Squad Leader (≤15)
FOX 1-1	251mHz	250mHz	SP3 Shahid-e-Gomnam (Ret. PH) Fireteam Leader (≤6)
FOX 1-2	252mHz	250mHz	PFC ryyszla Acting Fireteam Leader (≤5)
FOX 2	260mHz	40mHz	Cpl Gendalorf Squad Leader (≤15)
FOX 2-1	261mHz	260mHz	SP1 LegacyStetson Fireteam Leader (≤6)
FOX 2-2	262mHz	260mHz	Fireteam Leader (≤6)
FOX 3	270mHz	40mHz	SP2 Khan (Ret.) Squad Leader (≤15)
FOX 3-1	271mHz	270mHz	SP3 Bossatron Fireteam Leader (≤6)
FOX 3-2	272mHz	270mHz	SP3 Phili Fireteam Leader (≤6)
WOLF 1	362mHz	361mHz	SFC Kevin SF Team Leader (≤6)

Considerations
CHAIN OF COMMAND: FOX 9, FOX 8, FOX 1, FOX 2, FOX 3 FOX 9 WILL INFIL WITH FOX 2. FOX 8 WILL INFIL WITH FOX 3. MISSION COMMAND FREQUENCIES: 40 MHz: FOX 9, FOX 1, FOX 2, FOX 3 50 MHz: FOX 8, WOLF 70 MHz: FOX 8, GROUNDHOG