OPERATIONS ORDER
Operation Steadfast Resolve (2014), Darius

--- OPERATIONS ORDER ---

Situation

Background Information
Based on recent intelligence operations, Takistani forces are believed to harbour CBRN weapons and have tested these on the local populace. In an overarching campaign governed by our Responsibility to Protect as well as to stabilise and secure potential CBRN weapons, the USMC has been activated in the area. Our window of opportunity to orchestrate an amphibious landing is shortly closing, with Takistani command seeking to reign in control again and anti-air capabilities believed to be back on station within days. For that reason, Operation Xerxes will be executed immediately. NOTE: THIS OP CONCEPT BUILDS ON STEALTH-BASED RECONAISSANCE, SO EXPECT WEAPONS RED FOR THE DURATION OF THIS OPERATION (IF ALL GOES TO PLAN)

Friendly Forces
7th MEU, consisting of: Fourth Raider Company, 7th MEU.

Supporting Assets
There is no QRF for this shaping operation.

Enemy Forces
The Takistani army is in disarray, but their combat force and ability to inflict fatal blows to our campaign should not be underestimated. The enemy is equipped with mostly Cold War-era vehicles originating from the USSR, modernised to fit more modern requirements. Their rotary wings also have Bell UH-1 and Bell CH-146 Griffon helicopters of Western origin. Although their capabilities to interdict air threats are currently neutralised, their ground capabilities are fully operational, if somewhat restrained due to inefficient command structures. All Takistani army units in Al Rayak must be assumed at high alert.

Mission

Tasking
Fourth Raider Company, 7th MEU will perform a HAHO jump to infiltrate the area before moving to mount a short term OP and perform a CTR at the airfield then the beach fortifications to gain all the intel possible to facilitate future operations.

End-state
Fourth Raider Company, 7th MEU sucessfully Recce's and reports findings.

Execution

Commander's Intent
The purpose of this operation is to satisfy the five Priority Intelligence Requirements required for the next phases of OPERATION XERXES. These are: PIR 1: Which patrol routes and fortified positions do the Takistani Army employ around in SECTOR ECHO, SIERRA ECHO, and SIERRA WHISKEY? PIR 2: Which viable entryways exist around OBJECTIVE DANCER? PIR 3: Which types of equipment is the Takistani Army in possession of in the Area of Operations? PIR 4: Which central enemy Avenues of Approach are most likely once Phase DEMARATUS is initiated? PIR 5: Which friendly Avenue of Approach will provide 7th MEU best options in Phase HELLESPONT? For more detail concerning Operation XERXES, read the overarching OPORD here: https://bit.ly/UNITAFXERXES

Tasks and Sequencing
NOTE: Communications will be minimal during this operation. All soldiers are expected to take note of their observations, so that they can be mentioned at appropriate times during the operation or during debrief at SAFE HOUSE PHAEDYMIA.

Concept of Operations

This mission will be divided into six phases: 1: INFIL, 2: MOVEMENT INTO AO, 3: CLOSE RECONNAISSANCE OF OBJECTIVE DANCER, 4: MOVEMENT TO NEW AO, 5: AREA RECONNAISSANCE OF SECTOR SIERRA WHISKEY, 6: RENDEZVOUS. Phase 1 Initiates at the assembly area when all elements are ready to board the plane. The Phase ends as soon as all boots are on the ground at RLY BARDIYA. Phase 2 Initiates once all elements are at RLY BARDIYA. This phase ends once HUNTER 1-1 reaches OW1 and HUNTER 1-2 reaches OW2. Phase 3 Initiates once all elements are at assigned Overwatch positions. This phase ends once PIRs associated with sector ECHO ECHO and OBJECTIVE DANCER are complete, or at 02:20 local time, whichever comes first. Phase 4 Initiates once initial PIRs are satisfied or at 02:15 local time, whichever comes first. Ends once elements reach assigned overwatch positions in sector Sierra Whiskey. Phase 5 Initiates once elements reach overwatch positions in sector Sierra Whiskey. Ends once remaining PIRs are satisfied, or at 03:30 local time, whichever comes first. Phase 5 Initiates once all PIRs are satisfied or at 03:30 local time, whichever comes first. Ends once all elements are at the safehouse.

Scheme of Manoeuvre

Phase 1 HUNTER boards the plane at Takistani Regional Airport. The plane then flies Northbound towards Al Nabq. before it turns Southeast-bound, and reaches DROP ZONE MOTION. At DROP ZONE MERGIS, HUNTER executes a HAHO, and lands at LANDING ZONE SMERDIS before it rallies at RALLY POINT BARDIYA. Phase 2 HUNTER moves, with HUNTER 1-1 at the front, HUNTER 1 following, and HUNTER 1-2 at the rear, through WAYPOINTS ALPHA AND BRAVO TO RELEASE POINT CHARLIE. From RELEASE POINT CHARLIE, HUNTER 1-1 makes its way to OVERWATCH POINT 1 whilst HUNTER 1-2 moves to OVERWATCH POINT 2. Phase 3 HUNTER 1-1 conducts close reconnaissance on OBJECTIVE DANCER north of the runway. One buddy team provides overwatch whilst another moves closer. HUNTER 1-2 conducts close reconnaissance on OBJECTIVE DANCER south of the runway. One buddy team provides overwatch whilst another moves closer. Phase 4 ALL CALLSIGNS move to RALLY POINT ECHO, THen moves through WAYPOINTS foxtrot, golf and hotel to ORP Juliett. HUNTER 1-1 moves to Overwatch position 3, whilst HUNTER 1-2 moves to OVERWATCH POSITION 4. Phase 5 HUNTER 1-1 conducts area reconnaissance, with primary targets being the 395th Cannon Artillery Regiment and Southern Al Tabqah defences. Secondary target is the town of Al Khidir. HUNTER 1-2 conducts area reconnaissance, with primary targets being the towns of Karemlesh and Al Khidir. Phase 6 ALL CALLSIGNS rally at ORP Juliett, then moves through Waypoint Hotel and Kilo to Safe House PHAEDYMIA.

Administration/Logistics

Resupply
NO logistics will be available until at earliest when DEMARATUS IS INITIATED at 05:00 local time. As such, expect no LOGPAK for the duration of this mission.

Medical
No CASEVAC available until at earliest when DEMARATUS IS INITIATED at 05:00 local time. As such, expect no CASEVAC or medical support for the duration of this mission.

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
HUNTER 1	250mHz	40mHz	Capt Korean Falcon SF Commander
HUNTER 1-1	251mHz	250mHz	SSG Kevin SF Team Leader
HUNTER 1-2	252mHz	250mHz	SP2 Scape SF Team Leader
HITMAN H	87mHz	37mHz	PFC Ross Senior Game Master

Considerations
Succession of Command: HUNTER 1, HUNTER 1-1, HUNTER 1-2

SIGNAL

PRIMARY COMMUNICATION METHOD OPFOR does not have NVG capabilities, team leaders and 2ICs will be wearing IR strobes or other IR illumination. Our primary communication across distances will make use of lasers. Laser communications will follow these principles. Lasers should be pointed in the general direction of the intended recipient. Each laser burst for a message is noted by "LONG" or "SHORT", and is to be interpreted similarly as morse signals. RECON COMPLETE: LONG, LONG, LONG To indicate that the transmitting team has completed their recon task. suspected danger: SHORT, SHORT, SHORT To indicate that the team faces suspected danger and requires immediate overwatch of the other team. MOVING: SHORT, SHORT, LONG, LONG Indicates that the transmitting team is intending to move. If following RECON COMPLETE, this movement is assumed to be to the rally point. If movement is not to the rally point, new position must be indicated through NEW POSITION. NEW POSITION: LONG, LONG, SHORT, SHORT TO INDICATE THAT THE TRANSMITTING TEAM HAS REACHED THEIR NEW POSITION. COMMANDER'S PRESENCE WANTED: LONG, SHORT, LONG TO INDICATE THAT THE TRANSMITTING TEAM WANTS THE SF COMMANDER TO MOVE TO THEIR POSITION. CONFIRM: SHORT, LONG ALL MESSAGES MUST BE CONFIRMED BY A CONFIRMATION MESSAGE. NEGATION: LONG, SHORT IF A NEGATIVE RESPONSE IS REQUIRED, OR A CORRECTION REQUIRED, A NEGATION MESSAGE MUST BE SENT. ALTERNATE COMMUNICATION METHOD Radios function as our alternate communication method, only to be used in emergencies or when absolutely required.