Warno
Date: 13 April 2024
Time: 1900, UTC +3
Weather: Partly Cloudy
Situation:
See Lore post for setup information.
NATO has created a coalition of the willing to eliminate the Houthis. The 17th Ranger Battalion is part of the Pentagon’s strategy to invade Yemen, support the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council in regaining control of the whole country, and eliminate the Houthis and AQAP. The first task assigned to the 17th Ranger Battalion is to establish a base of operations at the currently enemy-occupied air base east of Incirkli.
Enemy Forces
OPFOR:
- Supreme Political Council (Houthis)
- Houthi-aligned Yemeni Armed Forces
- Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
- Possible Iranian military advisors
Friendly Forces
BLUFOR:
- 17th Ranger Battalion, US Army
- 82nd Airborne Division, US Army
- Elements from Fifth Fleet, US Navy
- 7th Special Operations Squadron, US Air Force
Other BLUFOR not in Al Rayak include:
- Remainder of Fifth Fleet, US Navy
- III Corps, US Army
- Operation Kipion, Royal Navy
- Hessen, German Navy frigate
- Various other SOF
Civilian Considerations:
Civilians and civilian infrastructure are present all across the AO. Intelligence is unclear at best on where the average Al Rayak civilian’s loyalties lie. All targets must be Positively Identified, and damage to civilian infrastructure must be avoided if possible. Armed civilians may be potential enemy combatants, but may only be fired on if fired upon. Great care must be taken to ensure that only enemy infantry, vehicles, and buildings are destroyed. Military-aged males with binoculars are not to be considered enemy combatants unless also carrying a weapon.
Mission:
Seize the airbase in the NE corner of the map, code named Objective Blackstone.
Execution:
Rangers will conduct a combat jump into the AO, eliminate all enemy personnel and vehicles in the area, and secure the airbase for conversion into Camp Blackstone. Conduct Sensitive Site Exploitation of former enemy positions. Actionable intelligence is anticipated that may lead to an immediate follow-on objective.
Mission AO and relevant imagery:
Objective Blackstone (airfield, on the right)
Incirkli (on the left, presented for reference)
Closeup of enemy buildings on Objective Blackstone
Objectives:
- Establish safe flight path for infil
- Secure Objective Blackstone and hold against counterattack
- Recover intelligence from Blackstone and conduct follow-on objective, if applicable
Available Assets:
Ground
N/A
N/A
Airframes
4x C-130 Hercules
2x F/A-181 Black Wasp (stealth)
2x F/A-181 Black Wasp
4x Blackfish, Infantry Transport Variant
Changes can be requested from Units leads and HHC.