OPERATIONS ORDER
Operation Honeybadger (2001), Makkaka Valley

--- OPERATIONS ORDER ---

Situation

Background Information
Following the successful capture of Mahfuz Waleed and death in combat of Kadem Naser, US Forces move to act on secured intelligence that Taliban cells led by his second-in-command Abdus Smad are about to conduct an assault on Forward Operating Base Leatherback. Our M113 mechanized light infantry company is being forward deployed with Apache to head off the threat. The operation will take place during the mid-morning and therefore we are not taking suppressors or night vision.

Friendly Forces
2 Mechanized Light Infantry Platoons, supported by; 3x M1097A2 (2D) - Logistics 1x M113A3 (MEV) - MERT 2x M113A3 (M2) - ROMEO 2x M113A3 (M240) ROMEO 1x M113A3 (Unarmed) ROMEO 1x AH-64D LONGBOW

Supporting Assets
We do not expect Northern Alliance presence in the area.

Enemy Forces
A large force of enemy fighters mobilizing to try to liberate Mahfuz Waleed from the military district HQ building in Tottah. A convoy of technical supported by infantry has been sighted leaving Tottah southbound, and numerous infantry movements at camps in the hills to the south east of Tottah. In addition we expect the enemy to deploy their soviet BTR armored personnel carriers from the north.

Mission

Tasking
Counter the Taliban offensive heading towards FOB Leatherneck and force them to retreat from southern Tottah.

End-state
Capture and hold he military headquarters building in Tottah city.

Execution

Commander's Intent
The purpose of this mission is to act on intelligence gathered from the capture of Mahfuz Waleed. The Taliban are commencing an offensive on FOB Leatherneck in attempts to liberate their commander and with sight of these plans we expect them to move via two key routes. The MSR south of Tottah towards patrol-way "High Noon" and the valley west of Tottah. Our mission is to head-off the Taliban advance, dismantle camps and caches and to rout them north by pushing into the Capital and capturing the military headquarters.

Tasks and Sequencing
PHASE 0 Travel ROMEO and JULIET platoons will move in convoy towards DISMOUNT ALPHA. - Each Squad will mount an assigned APC in convoy -- JULIET 1 and JULIET 2 to mount ROMEO 2-2 and ROMEO 2-3 -- ROMEO 1 and ROMEO 2 to mount ROMEO 2-0 and ROMEO 2-1 -- Platoon HQs, JULIET 3 and CoyCo will travel with the ROMEO 9 APC - WHISKEY and XRAY will tail the convoy in 4 support vehicles (1x M113A3 MEV and 3x M1097A2s) PHASE 1 Frontal Ambush JULIET dismounts and moves onto hill 1594 via WP-B remaining on the western side of the ridge to avoid detection from the north or north east, movement continues toward OP-C to over watch on hill 1599. ROMEO continues moving north to AP-D where contact is expected frontal with Taliban forces moving south. When contact is made JULIET will flank enemy forces and assist in supporting the kill zone while ROMEO continues fire and movement north, clearing the MSR for support callsigns at our rear. ROMEO callsigns should be cautious of mines or IEDs. During this phase some enemy forces are likely to JULIET's western flank and ROMEOs eastern flank both in the valley and potentially on the hills, but our snipers and Apache will be on hand to deal with long range threats. PHASE 2 Surrounding Tottah JULIET will move north to search camps identified on hills 1625 and 1622 via WP-E. Caches should be passed up for controlled detonation and intelligence passed. Meanwhile ROMEO will continue to AP-H ready for the assault on Tottah south. Units should not enter PHASE 3 operations until ROMEO and JULIET callsigns are prepared to enter CQB. PHASE 3 CQB and Military HQ JULIET having enveloped Tottah from the south west and west will enter compounds and begin clearing south east towards the military HQ. Command units CASTLE and Sniper units from JULIET 3 will support from OPs. ROMEO will push in using APCs to assault south eastern compounds closing the gap with JULIET until the Military HQ building is surrounded. During CQB heavy civilian presence is expected and units should promote them to flee north until the battle is over. Render medical aid as required and identify caches, captured persons or suspect compounds immediately through the chain of command. Once raided, all units shall go-firm in the military district HQ and await further orders.

Administration/Logistics

Resupply
LOGPAKs will be provided using the MSR from patrol-way "High Noon" via FOB Leatherback using M1097A2s. Secondary planning allows for the use of UH-60 or CH-47 cargo in emergencies. Logistics vehicles will support APCs with repair, track changing, fuel and ammo sustainment, as well as infantry callsigns.

Medical
The primary means of Medevac is the Company attached M113A3 MEV ambulance which will tail the ROMEO callsign on the MSR. If an MCI occurs airborne extraction may be authorized, while unlikely.

Rules of Engagement
EPWs should be turned over to WHISKEY at the rear.

Fire Support Plan
In accordance with SOP

Close Air Support
Close Air Support provided by AH-64 Apache will be utilised to deal with long-range threats and assist in the destruction of APCs under the authorization of CASTLE.

Command/Signal

Communications Plan

Callsign	Primary Frequency	Superior Frequency	ACTUAL
CASTLE 9	45mHz	37mHz	LtCol James Company Commander (≤64)
JULIET 9	40mHz	37mHz	Maj Korean Falcon Platoon Leader (≤45)
JULIET 1	250mHz	40mHz	2Lt SkullCollector Squad Leader (≤15)
JULIET 2	260mHz	40mHz	MSP Dreolic Squad Leader (≤15)
ROMEO 9	361mHz	37mHz	MSG Kevin Platoon Leader (≤45)
ROMEO 1	362mHz	361mHz	SP1 LegacyStetson Squad Leader (≤15)
ROMEO 2	290mHz	361mHz	MSP Mattjamco AFV Section Commander
WHISKEY 4-1	71mHz	70mHz	SP2 Chelmy (Ret.) Logistics Support Chief

Considerations
In accordance with SOP