Operation Cookie Crumbles – attempt 7

Military Briefing

Units Available:

• 2 x A-10
• 4 x Apache (full crew required)
• 2 x Kiowa (full crew required)

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1. SITUATION

Yesterday: The enemy launched a rocket attack on our forces stationed at FOB Whiskey.

Enemy Forces:

• Intelligence has identified three rocket artillery (BM-21 Grad) units south of the city of Khirbet Ghazaleh, south Syria, as the source of these attacks.
• Due to bad weather, our drones lost contact with the artillery during the night. They are likely still in the area around Khirbet Ghazaleh and Western/Eastern Garyiah.
• Known enemy forces in the area include UAZ’s/KAMAZ’s, armed pickups (AAA), and a few BMPs.

Friendly Forces:

• A-10, AH-64D Apache, and OH-58D Kiowa located at Ramat David Air Force Base.
• QRF arrived at FOB Whiskey a few hours ago. SOF units operating north of our AO; no deconfliction needed.

Civilian Considerations:

• Minimize civilian casualties and avoid damage to infrastructure.

Terrain:

• NAI 1 and 2: Large built-up area surrounded by wooded areas, offering short sighting/engagement distances but good masking opportunities.
• HA’s and BP’s: Mostly flat desert with some wooded areas, offering longer sighting/engagement distances but limited masking possibilities.

Time and Weather:

• Date: June 21, 2016
• Time: 05:30 local
• Wind: 140° at 8 knots
• FORCE QNH: 29.89

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2. MISSION

• Primary Objective: Destroy enemy rocket artillery units.
• Secondary Objective: Be prepared to support QRF at FOB Whiskey.

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3. EXECUTION

Commander’s Intent:

• The mission is successful when all three artillery units are destroyed.

Order of Events:

1. One flight strikes the SA-6 site to ensure freedom of movement in the AO.
2. Two flights advance to FOB Whiskey.
3. One flight recce NAI 1 and NAI 2.
4. One flight recce HA 1.
5. One flight holds at FOB Whiskey.
6. Continue recon of NAI 1 and NAI 2 and recce BP1-4.
7. One flight advances to HA 1.
8. Two flights recce NAI 1 and NAI 2.
9. One flight holds at HA 1.

Contingency:

• If enemies are located at HA 1 during recon, declare “HA 1 Hot”, circumvent and continue to HA 2. The same applies to BP 1-4.
• If engaged during the advance to HA/BP, withdraw to the last safe position. A-10s to engage located enemies.

Flight Tasking:

Package RAIDER (Lead: UGLY11)

UGLY1

• Advance to and hold at FOB Whiskey.
• On the go-ahead from BlackJack8, advance to HA.
• Be prepared to destroy located artillery.
• Loadout: 6x AGM-114K, 300rds 30mm.

BlackJack8

• Trailing UGLY1, advance to FOB Whiskey.
• On order, recce HA 1.
• Be prepared to recce HA 2 and BP 1-4.
• Be prepared to recce NAI 1 and NAI 2.
• Loadout: TBD.

HUSKY7

• Strike or suppress SA-6.
• Recce NAI 1 and NAI 2.
• Be prepared to destroy located enemies at HA’s and BP’s.
• Be prepared to designate located artillery.
• Loadout: TGP, ECM-Pod, 6x Mk-82HD, 4x AGM-65D.

Rules of Engagement:

• ROE: A as per SPINS.
• AGM-114 to be prioritized when engaging enemies in urban areas.
• No bombs or unguided munitions to be deployed on targets in urban areas.

Acceptable Level of Risk:

• ALR: MEDIUM as per SPINS.

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4. ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

Airfield Operations:

• Location: Ramat David
• TCN: 84X
• Active Runway: 33
• Departure via: Exit Hayim
• Approach via: Entry Amos Lake

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5. COMMAND AND CONTROL

Commander:

• Mission Commander/Package RAIDER lead is UGLY11.

Frequencies:

• As per Comms SOP.

Brevity Codes:

• ALBATROSS: Mission declared successful.
• NIGHTFALL: Abort mission.
• EAGLE: SA-6 neutralized.
• DUFF: SA-6 still active.

Bullseye:

• N 32 52.500′ E 036 08.250′

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6. ANNEXES

• Kneeboards:
  • WP/HA/BP
  • Startup A-10C
  • Startup AH-64D