Operation/Patrol Time:
- 0800 Local
Weather/Forecast Information:
- Current Temp: 28F | Today's High: 39F | Tonight's Low: 15F | Current Humidity: 65% | Wind out of the WNW at 6-10 mph, with occasional gusts up to 13 mph.
Lighting/Visibility Factors:
- Mostly clear | Visibility greater than or equal to 8NM (nautical miles) | Sunset tonight is 1705 & sunrise tomorrow is 0804.
Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMs) & Aviation Advisory Information
- US air power has been committed to targeted strikes against NWRC air defense facilities and systems over the last ten days, in addition to pounding several training camps and hideouts tucked in along the Kopet Dag, as well as positions throughout the Southern Inhabited Shelf, into the consistency of a parking lot. Most noteworthy for us: current BDA estimate that between 70 and 80 percent of NWRC-operated radar air defense systems have been destroyed or rendered inoperable. This will likely result in a higher deployment of independent self-propelled antiaircraft gun (SPAAG) systems, as well as infrared and optically-guided MANPADS systems, so adjust accordingly- because our adversaries are. Ground forces must ensure these threats are called up correctly and timely so as to afford supporting air assets the maximum amount of time to mitigate that impact on our collective mission.
Theater/Strategic-level News & Intelligence Updates, Activity, and Analysis
- A significant uptick in reports of both military anti-personnel & anti-vehicle mines and improvised explosive munitions have been submitted over the last five weeks, indicating a definitive shift in tactics and techniques by the NWRC. S-2, in coordination with EOD & JITDO (Joint Improvised Threat Defeat Organization), is asking all sources for any intelligence regarding planned or applied instances of both military explosive munitions, but most especially, improvised explosives, as they attempt to determine the source/origin of the designs of these devices.
- The sharp increase of the mined & IED threats means the "meeting and greeting" part of the job: the cultivation and the development of local relationships, are going to be as crucial as ever. If the social engagement part isn't part of your immediate personal strengths, then be a good grunt & maintain the consistency and judgment of your fires i.e. don't shoot non-combatants.
Local/Tactical-level News & Intelligence Updates, Activity, and Analysis
- A group of civilian aid volunteers from the International Aid & Development Program NGO, or IDAP has not been heard from in recent weeks. It is believed that they were operating out of an aid and distribution center in the center of the Sultantbent Valley. It is unknown if the workers are alive or still present, so any information or indication as to the disposition of these workers is a high-priority tasker for today.
- Minimize all direct fires to and surrounding the Murghab Power Station, as its loss will critically impact locals in the area. If at all possible, prevent the NWRC from sabotaging or otherwise rendering the plant inoperable.
Special Info/Patrol Objective-specific Intelligence
- With the SEAD mission having substantially reduced the threat to aviation ops here in the Sultanbent Valley, Alpha Company is making another run to break the NWRC front line to the north. Task Force Alpha got into a serious scrap while attempting to defend against the major counterattack from NW positions to the north and northwest of AIRBASE CIRRUS, and the defensive positions we maintain are now in serious need of repair and resupply. In order to bring them back to an offensive capacity, 3rd PLT is leading the charge against the NWRC lines here in the valley.
