Operation CLEAR SKIES Phase 10 - S-2 Briefing

[1LT (Ret) Mallory]

Operation CLEAR SKIES Phase 10-22 - TASK FORCE CHARLIE

S-2 Intelligence Brief//10DEC2022
//SECRET//

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Operation/Patrol Time:

- 0800 Local

Weather/Forecast Information:

- Current Temp: 31F | Today's High: 40F | Tonight's Low: 24F | Current Humidity: 60% | Wind out of the SE at 5-7 mph, with occasional gusts up to 10 mph.

Lighting/Visibility Factors:

- Overcast | Visibility greater than or equal to 6NM (nautical miles) | Sunset tonight is 1734 & sunrise tomorrow is 0757.

Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMs) & Aviation Advisory Information

- Multiple unidentified surface-to-air missile (SAM) battery has been identified somewhere between 4 and 8km to the north of the recently seized AIRBASE CIRRUS, impacting the ability of US and coalition forces to receive forward-flown aid and supplies, in addition to adversely impacting aviation combat support efforts throughout the Sultanbent-Murghab corridor. Northern approaches from any northing heading are reserved for in-flight emergencies (IFEs) only, and all departures on runway 3-6 are prohibited until the situation is further developed. Use runway 1-8 for all aircraft launch and recovery operations.

Theater/Strategic-level News & Intelligence Updates, Activity, and Analysis

- The NWRC has been moving a lot of troops and equipment into the valley over the last week- much of which our overhead ISR has lost track of as it transited through the mountains to the north. However, current force disposition includes a large amount of armored and infantry support vehicles moving into the valley, so expect an increased level of encounters with these types of threats.

Local/Tactical-level News & Intelligence Updates, Activity, and Analysis

- Human source & close target reconnaissance (CTR) has been very slim since our push into Sultanbent, so be on the lookout for civilians who may be willing to provide information or support to S-2. Civil Affairs has included the contact information for the Battle Watch Officer hotline for our AO in the rations and relief packages that we are distributing, so with any luck, we'll get some better source intel on the lay of the land here in the coming days.

Special Info/Patrol Objective-specific Intelligence

- The foothold in Sultanbent that we have secured with our advances over the last two weeks cannot be overstated on a tactical level, however, the value gained from the capture of this airfield will not be fully realized until hostile air defenses to the north can be effectively neutralized. Mounted and foot patrols will take the lead as our method of maneuver until this threat can be disrupted. Today will have us directing this peacekeeping effort against the NWRC-held positions along the western bank of the Murghab River to our east. High up on their priority of defense in this area is the Murghab Power Station, it can be assured that if they have the capability to, they would just as likely see the destruction of this critical utility to the Turkmen people as they would see it held by anyone but them.

- There have been reports of NWRC forces conducting mounted patrols to the north along the river, so expect both the presence of APCs and quick-reaction infantry upon contact with hostile troops.

[1LT (Ret) Mallory]

Operation CLEAR SKIES Phase 10-22 - TASK FORCE BRAVO

S-2 Intelligence Brief//10DEC2022
//SECRET//

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Operation/Patrol Time:

- 0900 Local

Weather/Forecast Information:

- Current Temp: 33F | Today's High: 40F | Tonight's Low: 24F | Current Humidity: 53% | Wind out of the SE at 4-7 mph, with occasional gusts up to 10 mph.

Lighting/Visibility Factors:

- Partly Cloudy | Visibility greater than or equal to 7NM (nautical miles) | Sunset tonight is 1734 & sunrise tomorrow is 0757.

Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMs) & Aviation Advisory Information

- Multiple unidentified surface-to-air missile (SAM) battery has been identified somewhere between 4 and 8km to the north of the recently seized AIRBASE CIRRUS, impacting the ability of US and coalition forces to receive forward-flown aid and supplies, in addition to adversely impacting aviation combat support efforts throughout the Sultanbent-Murghab corridor. A 9K22 Tunguska SPAAW has also been detected to the south of AIRBASE CIRRUS, with a clear line-of-sight over the southern approach of the CIRRUS. All aircraft are directed to launch via runway 3-6 and immediately turn left or right on heading 270 or 090 upon successful lift to avoid hostile air defenses and utilize terrain mask/defilade to avoid contact with these threats where possible.

- For fixed-wing craft, utilize heading 220-230 upon final approach for runway 1-8 and keep COP LEWIS on the nose, then correct heading to 170 for 10 minutes, then correct final heading for 180 to land at AIRBASE NIMBUS in the Severkuldzha plateau to our south.

Theater/Strategic-level News & Intelligence Updates, Activity, and Analysis

- ISR has had mixed luck maintaining track of the large amount and variety of troops and weapons systems that have poured their way into the Sultanbent valley over the past two weeks. The NWRC is throwing everything including the kitchen sink into the defense of every bit of ground in this valley. Judging by this level of commitment, it is sufficient to say that the NWRC has made the defense of Sultanbent one of paramount importance, particularly in the face of our recent successes throughout Mary province.

Local/Tactical-level News & Intelligence Updates, Activity, and Analysis

- Human source reporting & close target reconnaissance (CTR) have been very slim since our push into Sultanbent, so be on the lookout for civilians who may be willing to provide information or support to S-2. Civil Affairs has included the contact information for the Battle Watch Officer hotline for our AO in the rations and relief packages that we are distributing, so with any luck, we'll get some better source intel on the lay of the land here in the coming days.

Special Info/Patrol Objective-specific Intelligence

- Task Force Charlie departed a little under an hour ago and has taken consistent indirect and harassing fire throughout their approach to the Murghab river to our east. As mentioned in the NOTAMs, the airspace to the south is currently under the control of at least one, possibly two 9K22 Tunguskas, greatly hampering our close air support capability. Once these threats are dealt with, air should be integral in providing visual and close air support against targets in and around the mine and radio tower. Be aware of indirect fire threats from both purpose-IDF systems, as well as improvised IDF in the form of AGS 40mm VOG grenades.