16aa - Ares : Tank Crew Down - Part 1
Channel: Para Plays
Date: 06/07/2015

Tank Crew Down.

SITUATION

Since it's fall in January 2014 the Iraqi city of FALLUJAH has suffered under the brutal rule of the 'DIVINE STATE' militant group. Once a thriving city of some 350,000 inhabitants on the shores of the Euphrates FALLUJAH is now a shadow of its pre-gulf war past. Having prospered under Saddam Hussein and the B'aath Party the city became a centre of anti-coalition terrorism before being re-taken by US forces in bloody fighting during 2006. With the rise of the DIVINE STATE militant group in neighbouring Syria FALLUJAH once again made headlines around the world as Iraqi Army units tasked to halt the DS advance instead abandoned their equipment and fled.

In April 2015, following an alarming series of military successes by DS forces which threatened to advance on BAGHDAD itself, President Obama's committed to once again deploy US ground troops in Iraq to halt the advance of DS and prevent the collapse of the regime of President AL-ABADI under Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. A narrow election victory for UK Prime Minister David Cameron in May was followed by a UK commitment to support this action, including the deployment of front line troops from 16 Air Assault and 51 Scottish Brigades.

An initial assault by US Army 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Inf Div, consisting of three combined arms battalions pushing from south and south east began 72 hours ago. Initial success reported in the international media has given way to vicious street to street and even hues to house fighting and US forces have taken heavy casualties including up to 27 KIA. Within the last 6 hours the ABCT Commander Col Fraser has ordered an operational pause in order to rotate front line Units and prepare further offensive operations.

MISSION

2UP: Taskforce will conduct relief in place of frontline units prior to renewal of offensive action to DESTROY enemy formations operating in FALLUJAH.

1UP: Following relief in place of US combat units in the INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT UK Ground Forces Commander intends to ATTACK WEST towards main southern ASR with the intent to SPLITTING the enemy position and FIXING his remaining forces to be DESTROYED IN DETAIL.

ORDERS: A Coy + attachments including MBTs from B Troop, C Sqn, SCOTS DG will DESTROY ENEMY STRONGPOINT and mount LIMITED ATTACK WEST in order to TAKE AND HOLD ground in FALLUJAH OLD CITY and DISRUPT and enemy attempt to withdraw.

GROUND

18 months of occupation by DS forces have taken their toll on FALLUJAH. Once a bustling city of over 350,000 inhabitants it is estimated that as many as two thirds of the population have fled following the post-war violence and DS occupation. Regional trade has collapsed and basic utilities function only sporadically. DS rule has been characterised by brutal repression of any dissent including mass executions and public burnings.

The Old City is a dense rabbit warren if compounds and tenement blocks all suffering general neglect and with damage from previous battles unrepaired.

FRIENDLY FORCES
 
UK TF
A, B, C Coy, 2PARA Regt, 16AA BDE;
 B Batt 7RHA;
216 Signals Regt;
16 CSMR;
C Sqn; SCOTS DG;
AAC, RAF coalition air support elements.
US TF
2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division "Spartans"
Brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company
6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment "Mustang"
3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment "Baler"
3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment "China"
1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment "Battleboar"
1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment "Battlekings"
9th Brigade Engineer Battalion
703rd Brigade Support Battalion "Maintain"

CONCEPT OF OPERATION

DIRECT ASSAULT. C Sqn MBTs will DESTROY enemy strong points and A Coy will move through in 2-up formation to LOCATE, IDENTIFY and DESTROY enemy forces along axis of advance.

TASKING


A/1; A/2; Once strongpoint is destroyed cross startline and advance WEST in co-ordination with other ground elements.;
16 CSMR + 33A; end to end CASEVAC; Coy resupply;
7RHA; 81mm mortar for Bn level IDF if personnel are available;
B Troop (FSG + elements 7RHA) destroy enemy strongpoints. Shadow infantry advance;
Flight; CASEVAC chain; urban ISTAR and CAS;

CO-ORDINATING INSTRUCTIONS


O Group 1845Z
Stand To for Coy Address 1900Z
No Move Before 1905Z

COMMAND AND SIGNAL

As per SOP. A Coy CSI subject to change.