Operation CLEAR SKIES Phase 16 - TASK FORCE ALPHA
S-2 Intelligence Brief//05MAR2023
//SECRET//
Operation/Patrol Time:
- 0200 Local (adjust for delays)
Weather/Forecast Information:
- Current Temp: 73F | Today's High: 84F | Tonight's Low: 59F | Current Humidity: 62% | Wind out of the NNW at 7-10 mph, with occasional gusts up to 14 mph.
Lighting/Visibility Factors:
- Partly cloudy skies for tonight | Visibility greater than or equal to 5NM (nautical miles) | Sunrise for this morning is set for 0718 & sunset for later tonight is 1851.
Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMs) & Aviation Advisory Information
- Tracked & wheeled antiaircraft artillery (AAA) spotted throughout the central valley, within proximity to structures and other fortifications. MANPADS are still persistent in both mobile and static "chair" configurations, though latest analysis suggests that these are almost never layered in any deliberate integrated air defense (IAD) scheme.
- A NOTAM currently stands for all military aircraft operating within Mary Province which emphasizes extreme caution when conducting low-level observation and transient flights over grounds NOT secured or confirmed safe by UN/US coalition forces. On top of the existing air defense weapons threat posed by the NWRC, there is evidence that a configuration of an electronic warfare suite has been repurposed to emit a burst of high-intensity radiofrequency energy, which has been used to disrupt and even catastrophically impact several unmanned aircraft in our AO.
Theater/Strategic-level News & Intelligence Updates, Activity, and Analysis
- 72 hours after the US Marines completed their maneuver away from the capital, fighting broke out across the city between groups sympathetic to NW forces and the UN peacekeepers, with the UN's position in the city rapidly degrading.
Local/Tactical-level News & Intelligence Updates, Activity, and Analysis
- A large concentration of NW fighters and military vehicles has been spotted advancing east towards IGNIS AIRBASE, most likely with the intention of conducting a counterattack to retake the base.
Special Info/Patrol Objective-specific Intelligence
- We're in the crucible this morning- our goal was originally to conduct raids on the villages to our southwest, with the final goal of seizing and holding COP MURPHY. This still stands, but the original battle plan did not account for the maneuvering of the level of forces to this area. So as a result, we're going to initiate contact with them on our terms, rather than let them dictate the time of day. Forces moving through the valley to our SW right now are likely attempting to regroup and conduct preliminary recon in order to enable an attack at around dawn, so we're striking first.
- Imagery suggests the lack of patrols between each of the villages themselves is due to the presence of either improvised or deliberately deployed minefields in order to provide some time to muster forces in the event of a preemptive attack. COP MURPHY is expected to contain one or more AA threats, so factor this into your employment of AT early on so we are not stuck up shit's creek paddleless.
S-2 Intelligence Brief//11MAR2023
//SECRET//
Operation/Patrol Time:
- 0530 Local
Weather/Forecast Information:
- Current Temp: 60F | Today's High: 65F | Tonight's Low: 50F | Current Humidity: 76% | Wind out of the SW at 7-10 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph.
Lighting/Visibility Factors:
- Heavy cloud cover - rain expected | Visibility greater than or equal to 5NM (nautical miles) | Sunrise for this morning is 0710 & sunset for later tonight is 1855.
Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMs) & Aviation Advisory Information
- Confirmed presence of static and mobile AA positions throughout central Sultanbent, on both sides of the Murghab River. Shifting positions by NW forces have been effective in disrupting our efforts to pinpoint specific locations, but Objective HOWARD has at least one tracked ZSU operating from it & likely providing limited radar and early warning to other non-radar AA platforms via radio communications. Expect IR-capable systems such as Igla & Stinger MANPADS in the surrounding compounds and positions.
Theater/Strategic-level News & Intelligence Updates, Activity, and Analysis
- The situation on the ground throughout western Mary Province & the capital district continues to evolve- latest reports suggest that there is a split between previously-aligned NWRC factions in both provinces, with alliances folding regarding efforts to continue to fight the UN peacekeepers. This is consistent with J-2 Intelligence which reports skirmishes involving non-UN/US-led peacekeeping forces in both the cities of Mary and Ashgabat.
Local/Tactical-level News & Intelligence Updates, Activity, and Analysis
- The last major concentration of NW and militant forces have consolidated in and around the village of Bala Murghab, as well as several fighting positions near what has been identified as Objective HOWARD. HOWARD currently serves as the south and easternmost command and control (or C2) hub for NWRC forces, and while site exploitation of previously seized C2 objectives has turned up valuable tactical-level intelligence, our AOs have been largely devoid of strategic leadership personnel.
Special Info/Patrol Objective-specific Intelligence
- With the remainder of the AO now secured from NW forces, it's time to drive out the last of the fighters holding out in the valley. Whoever is still left here is as committed a fighter as those we've felled before, but squirters and surrendering personnel are still possible so be mindful of each.
- 2nd PLT will be stepping off about 10-15 minutes after us in order to assault the village of Bala Murghab & the NW fighting positions on the east side of the river. This should help mitigate any sudden movement from either side of the river against the respective task forces' troops, and should also help prevent artillery and mortars from being able to zero either of us.
- While it is unlikely that any noteworthy leadership are remaining within HOWARD, it is still likely to contain valuable intelligence which should give forces throughout the region an updated picture regarding the status of NWRC control and influence throughout the province. 82nd Airborne is set to relieve our position in the AO over the next few weeks- there is still a lot of work to do in the country, but our part here is almost complete.