OPERATIONS ORDER
Operation Panther (1969), Va Cang Ridge

--- OPERATIONS ORDER ---

Situation

Background Information
After the successfull clearing of the Phok Ham area, central command has identified a possible location of NVA high command, troop concentrations and munitions caches. UNITAF ground forces are to insert via helicopter, using the cover of dawn to reach the AO. Together with AirCav CAS they are to search & destroy any enemy assets within the AO and to capture or kill the HVT.

Friendly Forces
Friendly forces consist of an infantry assault squad and a special forces pathfinder team. Air cavalry has a Cobra, UH-8 Heavy Hogs, UH-8 Gunships, and UH-8 Iriquois available.

Supporting Assets
MSS Leghorn is a friendly rotary service station to the south of the AO.

Enemy Forces
Enemy forces consist of the 5th NVA army, infantry, lightly armoured vehicles and emplacements can be expected. The NVA will also have mined/boobytrapped the jungle and several helicopters have been seen in the area.

Mission

Tasking
Take and destroy the enemy encampments on hill 451. The hill is covered in a thick canopy, visibility for the Air Cav will be minimal. Infantry forces will go in to mark objectives with smoke, for the Air Support to take out.

End-state
Majority of the enemy presence on hill 451 and the surrounding area is removed. If possible NVA high command should be captured or killed.

Execution

Commander's Intent
The purpose of this mission is to assault Va Cang ridge under the initial cover of stealth in order to capture an enemy commander, and clear the ridge of NVA presence.

Tasks and Sequencing
Tasking Identification OBJ-Snake- NVA base on top of Va Cang ridge, suspected enemy commander contained herein. OBJ-Emu- Markers E-1 through E-6 are Artillery emplacements which must be dismantled. OBJ-Otter- Small hamlet the NVA are using as barracks, with suspected defence line immediately to the South along a chokepoint. OBJ-Badger- Second hamlet further garrisoned by the NVA. OBJ-Crane- Various compounds and buildings numbered and to be investigated/ cleared. LZ Identification LZ Hawaii- Primary Infil LZ North-East of the AO LZ Alaska- Secondary Infil LZ LZ California- Exfil LZ to the South-West LZ Texas- Exfil LZ to the South LZ New York- Exfil LZ to the South-East Phasing Phase 0 Viking and Berserker transit to LZ-Hawaii (Primarily), North-West of Va Cang Ridge. LZ Alaska to be used should LZ Hawaii present an unsuitable LZ. Phase 1 Under cover of early morning and with stealth in mind, Berserker pathfinding team will push ahead of Viking assault squad and lead the way West then South over the bridge leading up toward OBJ-Snake. Maintaining stealth as long as possible, Berserker cuts a path up the hill and deals with E-1 and E-2. Viking follows as far as E-2, then commits to an assault on OBJ-Snake. Phase 2 Once OBJ-Snake is secure, LOGPAK at Snake then begin to push down the ridge, dismantling NVA defences. Viking will secure down the Western side of the route down the ridge, and Berserker the East. Phase 3 Time permitting, assault on OBJ-Badger and accompanying defences as a platoon. Once Badger is secure OR if time is short, then proceed on toward exfil. Preferred exfil LZs will be Texas as primary and California as secondary, with New York as tertiary should be still be facing heavy contact.

Administration/Logistics

Resupply
SF team should carry with them everything they need since they will be out of supply once inside the AO. Infantry forces should carry enough targeting and cover smoke. LOGPAK intended to be brought in once OBJ-Snake is complete.

Medical
In accordance with SOP

Rules of Engagement
In accordance with SOP

Fire Support Plan
In accordance with SOP

Close Air Support
Air cavalry has UH-8 Heavy Hogs, UH-8 Gunships, and UH-8 Iriquois available. A makeshift rearming point has been created on the slopes of MSS Leghorn.

Command/Signal

Communications Plan

Callsign	Primary Frequency	Superior Frequency	ACTUAL
WARLOCK 9	45mHz	37mHz	MSP Mattjamco Platoon Commander (≤32)
VIKING 1	250mHz	40mHz	SP2 Chelmy (Ret.) Squad Leader (≤15)
VIKING 1-1	251mHz	250mHz	SP2 Sean Fireteam Leader (≤6)
VIKING 1-2	252mHz	250mHz	SP2 Nico Acting Fireteam Leader (≤5)
BERSERKER 3	270mHz	40mHz	SPC Zuka (Ret.) SF Commander (≤45)
BLACKSMITH 4	70mHz	43mHz	SSG Hrusi Logistics Support Chief

Considerations
In accordance with SOP