OPERATIONS ORDER
Vietnam War Theatre (1955-1975), Hush

--- OPERATIONS ORDER ---

Situation

Background Information
MACV-SOG Special Forces Squad ALPHA is positioned at Camp Striker in South Vietnam, preparing for a cross-border operation. Allied intelligence has confirmed that a PAVN logistics convoy, protected by PL security elements, is moving critical supplies and POWs along the Ho Chi Minh Trail route designated as “The Bra.” The convoy’s objective is an abandoned French colonial prison compound on the Xe Xou River’s north bank. The operational area across the border is fully under Pathet Lao control; there is no RLA presence and no effective government authority. ALPHA is tasked with penetrating this denied zone, where enemy logistics, movement, and security rely on local terrain, dispersed patrols, and covert supply channels. The mission coincides with increased enemy activity typical for the wet-season supply surge, making this segment of the Trail a critical node for interdiction.

Three-Star Rating Key
☆ Minimal presence expected
☆☆ Moderate presence expected
☆☆☆ Primary focus of the operation

---

Operational Assessment
Combat Intensity: ☆
Roleplay Emphasis: ☆☆
Difficulty: ☆☆☆

Friendly Forces
MACV-SOG Special Forces Squad ALPHA

Supporting Assets
Camp Striker hosts elements of the US Army and the ARVN, providing logistical support, limited security, and potential emergency extraction in the event of compromise. WARNING: Across the border, there are no regular allied units in the area of operations. However, recent intelligence highlights the presence of independent Hmong rebel elements—local anti-communist fighters actively engaged against both PL and PAVN forces. These groups do not operate under any official allied command structure and maintain no formal lines of communication with MACV-SOG or higher headquarters. While our command acknowledges that these partisans receive outside backing and may act with interests that occasionally align with our own, we are not cleared to know the specifics of their support arrangements. Guidance from higher is explicit: avoid hostile actions toward Hmong resistance elements unless directly threatened. Their objectives remain focused against communist forces, but their disposition toward US teams is not guaranteed. All contact should be approached with caution and professional restraint. No RLA or legitimate local government units are present within the AO. The operational area is dominated by PL and PAVN control, with Hmong resistance acting independently and sometimes unpredictably. Extreme caution is advised regarding all unidentified or indigenous contacts.

Enemy Forces
The enemy force in the AO is a composite of PAVN mainline logistics units and PL security detachments. The convoy consists of PAVN transportation and engineering elements moving munitions, materiel, and POWs along the Trail, with PL acting as local security, scouts, and flank protection. Both elements are well-adapted to jungle operations and benefit from established supply caches and pre-planned fallback positions throughout the corridor. Enemy intent is to maintain uninterrupted logistics flow to forward PAVN forces and secure the movement of POWs toward rear-area detention. The column is expected to move under cover of darkness and heavy canopy, using local guides and established counter-reconnaissance tactics. Upon detection of any threat, enemy forces are likely to deploy rapid counter-ambush and encirclement drills, call for reinforcement from nearby platoons, and attempt to destroy compromised materiel rather than allow its capture. Both PAVN and PL are expected to show high discipline, operational security, and a willingness to escalate force if their supply chain is threatened.

Mission

Tasking
ALPHA is tasked to infiltrate across the Vietnam–Laos border, establish an ambush against a PAVN convoy and its PL security detachment along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, rescue and exfiltrate allied POWs in enemy custody, and destroy any identified enemy supply caches. The operation must be conducted with maximum stealth to prevent detection, with all actions focused on disrupting enemy logistics and denying the enemy the ability to reinforce or resupply forward positions.

End-state
The desired end-state is that ALPHA has successfully executed the ambush, neutralised enemy convoy and security elements, rescued and exfiltrated allied POWs, and destroyed all accessible enemy supply caches, before withdrawing across the border without compromise. In the event of mission failure, ALPHA is to break contact, evade pursuit, and conduct emergency exfiltration to friendly lines, ensuring sensitive equipment and intelligence are not left behind. Under no circumstances should US personnel or operational materials fall into enemy hands.

Execution

Administration/Logistics

Resupply
In accordance with SOP

Medical
In accordance with SOP

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
ALPHA 9	40mHz	37mHz	SFC Johnson SF Commander (≤45)
ALPHA 1	250mHz	40mHz	Sgt Dungworth (Ret.) SF Team Leader (≤6)
ALPHA 2	260mHz	40mHz	2Lt SkullCollector SF Team Leader (≤6)

Considerations
In accordance with SOP