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Public Op - Operation Dragon's Teeth II: Friday 31st July
Operation Dragon's Teeth II @ 19:30 BST
Author: Sánta Zeus: Sánta, JoeEmp & Arska
Map Tanoa
Modset Public Modset
SITUATION:
Background Story (from Part 1)
Ever since the 2015 military coup, the large island nation of Sulawesi has grown increasingly aggressive towards its neighbours. The military junta demands full control over the Celebes Sea to begin the exploitation of currently untouched underwater gas and oil fields. By mid-2019, tensions were rising between Sulawesi and the Horizon Islands with the Sulawesian Navy regularly sailing into the national waters of the Horizon Islands, harassing its fishing ships. Things started getting out hand in June 2020 when a Horizon Islands Coast Guard cutter was sunk by an anti-ship cruise missile launched by a Sulawesian destroyer. Two days later, two more HICG cutters were sunk and the Sulawesian Navy’s 1st Fleet started manoeuvring around the Horizon Islands. The government of the Horizon Islands asked for international assistance in what they called an act of war and the danger of immediate invasion. The USA quickly deployed a mechanized battalion to the islands, whilst the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group sailed to the Celebes Sea. In the meantime, 40 Commando was dispatched from HMS Albion patrolling on the Sulu Sea, to the island of Balavu and elements of the Yorkshire Regiment were rapidly airlifted from a training exercise in Brunei to support the marines. Simultaneously to these redeployments, Sulawesi began landing troops on the island of Katkoula, quickly overwhelming the Horizon Islands Defence Forces (HIDF). The Sulawesian advance was slowed by the strike missions of Carrier Air Wing Five, however, the airspace remains contested due to the air cover provided by the Sulawesian Air Force.
In five days, Sulawesi managed to gain control over the island of Katkoula and began pushing onto the island of Balavu. The recently arrived British and US troops in Balavu began an immediate counterattack at dawn to take out the momentum of the Sulawesian offensive. The attack turned out to be a success as it caught the Sulawesians off-guard who could not deploy their forces in time to react effectively. The joint British-American task force was able to push deep into occupied territory, crossing the large bridge connecting the islands of Balavu and Katkoula, and destroying the HQ element of the 1st Sulawesian Mechanized Battalion.
A few hours after this thrust, the British-American troops were tasked to carry on with their counterattack in an attempt to cripple the Sulawesian Army’s C2 elements and to force them to cease any offensive manoeuvres. The troops will be splitting up with the aim of capturing both ports on the island of Katkoula, thus cutting the Sulawesians off from any future reinforcements.
MISSION: Freshly resupplied, the British-American troops are holding at Rally Point Charlie, just outside of the recently captured FOB of the 1st Sulawesian Mechanized Battalion. The American Stryker troop is tasked with pushing east and capturing the village of Savaka, where a Sulawesian marine battalion began constructing a portable harbour. The British troops will head south and capture the town of Katkoula. The town holds the largest port of the island and the Sulawesians are getting the majority of their supplies and additional forces through there.
The HQ Company of the 1st Sulawesian Mechanized Regiment also set up their base of operations in this town, they are believed to be the main command element coordinating the whole invasion. Destroying these command elements would deal a huge blow to the Sulawesians and it would provide us with valuable intel on the actual strength and disposition of the enemy forces in the region.
This town has strategic importance to the Sulawesians so they will do everything to defend or recapture it. Expect a constant stream of enemy reinforcements from the south-west. Once the town is captured, we are to hold it until additional friendly units arrive and reinforce us.
Figure 1. Map of the islands of Balavu and Katkoula with recent troop movements marked.
OBJECTIVES: 1. Clear the town of Katkoula of Sulawesian forces and capture the port 2. Perform SSE on any command infrastructure 3. Defend the town
EXECUTION: 1 Troop is to head out from Rally Point Charlie and begin their attack on the town of Katkoula. 1 Troop is to sweep the whole town and look for enemy command elements. However, the port remains the most important objective and taking it should have priority.
Once the town is secured, 1 Troop is to set up for defence, expecting enemy reinforcements arriving from the south-west. 1 Troop is to hold the town until reinforcements arrive.
Due to the critical infrastructure inside Katkoula, ROE has been altered and using HE is now prohibited inside the town centre and the port.
INTEL:
Figure 2. Detailed map of the AO.
Figure 3. 1 Troop crossing the bridge between the islands of Balavu and Katkoula about 3 hours ago.
Figure 4. Propaganda picture of Sulawesian troops in the town of Katkoula.
Time: Mission start: 1100 hrs local (0300 hrs ZULU)
Weather: Full overcast, medium rain, light winds.
Temps: 27 – 29°C
Chance of rain: 100%
IED / Mine threat: None
ENEMY FORCES:
1st Mechanized Regiment, Sulawesian Army:
Well-trained and well-equipped conventional forces. All units are mechanized and are able to fight independently. The largest limitations of the Sulawesi Army are the lack of combat experience and mediocre C2 infrastructure, especially when it comes to joint operations.
Strength, composition, disposition: A regiment-sized invasion force landed on the island of Katkoula six days ago, they are spread out throughout the island, controlling all major points of interest. 1st Battalion has been crippled by the British-American counterattack and the remaining forces pulled back to the town of Katkoula. 2nd Battalion is believed to be in the process of repositioning to Katkoula in order to assist defending it. The Regiment’s HQ element began reinforcing the town, setting up defensive positions and roadblocks.
Equipment:
Unified military fatigues, plate carriers
Small arms, rocked propelled grenade launchers
Static heavy weapons (HMGs, ATGMs)
No artillery confirmed
Watercraft: Armed RHIBs
Ground vehicles: Mix of older and brand new wheeled armoured fighting vehicles, including tank destroyers
Aviation: Fixed-wing air cover and CAS, helicopters are inoperational for now
Enemy intent: Capturing the Horizon Islands and establishing dominance over the Celebes Sea
Morale: High
FRIENDLY FORCES:
Alpha Company, 40 Commando, 3 Commando Brigade: One troop-sized element under the leadership of 1-0A, supported by two FV510 Warrior IFVs from Alma Company, 1st Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. Standard MTP gear.
Vehicles:
2x FV510 Warriors (for fire support)
2x Jackal 2 per section
1x Coyote for Troop HQ
Supplies:
Section supplies in the vehicles
Additional supplies can be ferried in by a US Stryker
Support: Limited air support by CVW-5 – the airspace is contested
Reinforcements: CTP tent carried by Troop
1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division: American infantry equipped with Stryker APCs, they will head east and capture the village of Savaka.
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
Weapon Control Order: Weapons free on any uninformed individual.
You may enter any compound or personal building.
Limit HE in built-up areas, avoid HE in the town centre.
Civilian casualties are to be avoided.
EPWs are to be handed over to Coy for questioning.
CIVILIAN POPULATION
Low in the AO.
Most civilians were evacuated but a few still remain on the island.
The CIVPOP disapproves the Sulawesian invasion and may turn hostile towards them.
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