OPERATIONS ORDER
Operation Hetman (2023), Veles

--- OPERATIONS ORDER ---

Situation

Background Information
During the last operation, GROM operators established contact with a defecting Russian officer who revealed troubling information about unusual Russian military activity at Branżów Castle. Before further details could be disclosed, the officer was assassinated by Spetsnaz operatives, leaving the specifics of the activity shrouded in mystery. Intelligence updates have added new priorities to the mission. A reconnaissance satellite belonging to Astra, a company servicing Polish Ministry of Defence is believed to have crashed within the area of operations, and its flight recorder containing critical intelligence must be recovered before it falls into enemy hands. Additionally, a Russian-occupied military base lies along the unit's route and requires reconnaissance to assess its activity. To disrupt Russian communication and coordination in the region, GROM is also tasked with sabotaging a key telecommunications antenna near the Kaliningrad border. As the final objective, GROM must investigate Branżów Castle to confirm and uncover the nature of the Russian activity there. This castle has been identified as a potential site for operations that could pose a significant threat to Polish and NATO security. The mission's success is critical for disrupting Russian operations and securing key intelligence in this contested region.

Friendly Forces
JW2305 - GROM Military Unit Special Forces squad, callsign PHANTOM 1

Enemy Forces
Motor Rifle Troops (MSV) of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation [Моторизо́ванные стрелко́вые войска, МСВ], Logistical Support troops, with possible presence of Spetsnaz special forces elements.

Mission

Tasking
JW2305 – GROM Special Forces squad, callsign PHANTOM 1, is tasked with a multi-objective deep infiltration operation in Russian-occupied Polish territory. The mission aims to gather intelligence, disrupt enemy communications, and investigate suspicious activity at Branżów Castle.

1. Reconnaissance of Russian-Occupied Military Base (OBJ 1):
   • Conduct stealth reconnaissance of the Russian-occupied military base within the area of operations.
   • Identify enemy force composition, defensive measures, and any indications of preparation for further military actions.
   • Gather intelligence on vehicle movements, troop strength, and command structure for strategic assessment.
2. Sabotage of Telecommunications Antenna (OBJ 2):
   • Infiltrate the area around the Russian telecommunications antenna.
   • Plant explosive charges on key structural points to render the installation inoperable.
   • Disrupt Russian communications and coordination within the AO, limiting their ability to react effectively.
3. Investigation of Branżów Castle (OBJ 3):
   • Confirm reports of unusual Russian military activity at Branżów Castle.
   • Identify the purpose of the Russian presence.
   • Assess whether the site is being used for strategic or experimental operations that could pose a threat to Poland and NATO.
4. Bonus Objective – Satellite Crash Site Investigation:
   • Locate the suspected crash site of a Astra reconnaissance satellite.
   • Recover the flight recorder and any other critical data before it falls into enemy hands.
   • If recovery is not possible, ensure sensitive technology is destroyed to prevent enemy exploitation.

End-state
Mission Success: PHANTOM 1 successfully reconnoiters the Russian-occupied military base, destroys the telecommunications antenna, retrieves or destroys the satellite hard drive, and confirms Russian activity at Branżów Castle. The unit exfiltrates undetected, avoiding escalation with Russian or Belarusian forces. Intelligence gathered strengthens Poland’s strategic position. Mission Failure: If compromised or unable to complete objectives, PHANTOM 1 must disengage and exfiltrate with minimal casualties. Any partial intelligence must be relayed to command. Unsuccessful sabotage or loss of the satellite flight recorder may result in increased Russian operational capability and intelligence compromise.

Execution

Commander's Intent
Purpose: Conduct a reconnaissance and information-gathering operation in order to investigate rumours concerning "concerning" military activity at Branzów Castle. Secondary purpose: Confirm a satellite crash site and, if feasible, recover a drive from the crashed satellite, in order to deny enemy access. Key Tasks: * Confirm satellite crash site location - recover a drive from the satellite. * Stealthily enter and search OPFOR military base - search for intel concerning Branzów Castle * Destroy a telecommunications tower northeast of the military base in order to disrupt OPFOR communications * Move to and investigate enemy activity at Branzów Castle

Tasks and Sequencing

Concept of Operations

The mission will be completed in 5 main phases.

1) Preparations

Objective: Enter the AO without OPFOR detection Actions: PHANTOM * Assembles in Bielawa with a combat load conducive to quick mobility * Moves quickly, yet cautiously to avoid detection, on foot along the waypoints until RELEASE POINT 6.

2) KEPLER

Objective: Search for and retrieve satellite drive Actions: PHANTOM * Moves from RELEASE POINT 6, and searches assigned sectors for the satellite. Upon discovery of the satellite, any further search is discontinued, and the squad rallies on the satellite. * Should the satellite not be found in the assigned sectors, sector K3X may also be searched, METT-TC permitting. * Enemy activity in the vicinity of the satellite must be observed, and - upon PHANTOM 1-0's call - eliminated. * Upon completion of OBJ Kepler, PHANTOM moves to Rally Point 7. Sectors: PHANTOM 1-1 K1A, K1B, K1C PHANTOM 1-2 K2D, K2E, K2F

3) HALL

Objective: Gather intelligence concerning Branzów Castle. Actions: PHANTOM * From Release Point 7, move to OBJECTIVE HALL via Waypoint 8. * METT-TC permitting, enter and investigate the base for intelligence concerning Branzów Castle. * Key buildings are marked on the map. A buildings are of highest priority, D buildings are of least importance. Unmarked buildings are expected to be of lesser significance. * Enemy personnel may be eliminated if detection is imminent. If elimination is confirmed to yield intelligence results, elements must first receive confirmation from PHANTOM 1-0. * Upon completion of objective HALL, all elements move to RALLY POINT 9.

4) ENIGMA

Objective: Destroy telecommunications tower to disrupt OPFOR communications Actions: PHANTOM * From RALLY POINT 9, PHANTOM moves to Waypoint 10, and examines feasible ways to move onto the objective * After an approach has been found, the element commits, moves to the tower, and places explosives. * Upon completion, the unit rallies at Rally Point 11. * Upon reaching Rally Point 11, the sapper may detonate the explosives, using the expected thunderstorm as cover for the explosions. * Enemy personnel may be eliminated only if detection is imminent.

5) Rijo

Objective: Conduct short-range reconnaissance of Branzów Castle Actions: PHANTOM * From Rally Point 11, the element moves through Waypoint 12 to Waypoint 13. * At Waypoint 13, the unit approaches Branzów Castle cautiously to conduct reconnaissance * The unit will disengage from the target area as soon as one of two conditions are met: The element is satisfied with reconnaissance, or the element is detected and decisively engaged. * Enemy personnel may be eliminated if detection is imminent. If elimination is confirmed to yield intelligence results, elements must first receive confirmation from PHANTOM 1-0. * Upon disengagement is called, the unit will move in reverse order from Waypoint 5 to 1, returning to base in Bielawa.

CONTINGENCIES

Upon detection and decisive engagements before or at Waypoint 8, PHANTOM will follow waypoints 1-6 in reverse order until it reaches the initial assembly area. If PHANTOM is detected and decisively engaged in between OBJECTIVE HALL and Waypoint 12 (chronologically per the plan), the element may alternatively follow the foliage in a southwards direction until reaching Bielawa. If PHANTOM is detected and decisively engaged in between Waypoint 13 and OBJECTIVE RIJO, the element will follow waypoints 1-5 in reverse order until it reaches the initial assembly area.

Administration/Logistics

Resupply
No logistical support may be expected during this operation.

Medical
No external medical support may be expected during this operation.

Rules of Engagement
The element will not have the capacity of taking EPWs. Candidates will be restrained and gagged in situ. Weapons will remain red for this operation, with mission-specific details described in the relevant phase descriptions above.

Fire Support Plan
In accordance with SOP

Close Air Support
In accordance with SOP

Command/Signal

Communications Plan

Callsign	Primary Frequency	Superior Frequency	ACTUAL
PHANTOM 1	250mHz	40mHz	Maj Korean Falcon SF Commander (≤45)

Considerations
In accordance with SOP