BG Orders[INDENT]
TOPOGRAPHY[/INDENT]
[INDENT]The Tactical Area of Responsibility (TAOR), “Salt Ash”, is depicted on the trace.
The ground is generally flat with some hills and varies from open pasture in the South to wooded areas in the North.
The HUNTER RIVER forms a major obstacle and can only be crossed at the bridges. The HUNTER RIVER forms the landward boundary to the TAOR.[/INDENT]
[INDENT]
Key Terrain: The bridges across the HUNTER RIVER. The wooded areas around the RAAF base.
Decisive Terrain: The settlement of STOCKTON and RAAF WILLIAMTOWN.
The roads vary from the Pacific Highway (an all weather dual carriageway which is a vital link in the National Highway system) to more minor but still all weather roads to down to dirt tracks near the sand dunes of STOCKTON BEACH.
Known obstacles: It is been reported that the Bridge North of RAYMOND TERRACE, (GS 8375) has been blocked by numerous vehicle wrecks.[/INDENT]
SITUATION[INDENT]Further to the General Brief issued by the BG Intelligence Officer (S2) (Posts 2,3 and 4), the following update is available.[/INDENT]
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Enemy:[/INDENT]
[INDENT]The Enemy is assessed as a reinforced Airmobile Infantry Company. Strategic assets report the presence of BMDs supported by some helo assets (attack and transport) as well as air defence assets.
No main battle tanks (MBTs) have been sighted in the TAOR.
Apart from rotary wing, it is assessed that due to the current air parity situation, he can insert fixed wing assets for short loiter strikes on High Value Targets (HVT).
It is believed that most of the forces that arrived in theatre via RAAF WILLIAMTOWN have since deployed further afield and the remainder are the local security assets and possibly his regional quick response force (QRF) as this location provides a firm base for large rotary wing assets (CH-47 have been sighted in location).
Most Likely Course of action (MLCOA): is assessed as imposing delay and withdrawing under pressure in order to (IOT) gain time for rotary wing assets to exfil and to damage the airbase as much as possible.
This would cause the Government of Australia (GOAS) to be embarrassed by its perceived inability to defend its own territory.
Most Dangerous Course of Action (MDCOA): is assessed as accepting decisive engagement. This would allow time for the forces in STOCKTON to damage the harbour entrance, as well as damage the coal loading infrastructure and the airbase.
This would create more embarrassment than the MLCOA and if implemented in NEWCASTLE as well would cause massive civilian casualties and inflict large scale economic damage on the region.[/INDENT]
[INDENT]Friendly:[/INDENT]
Higher Commander’s Intent [INDENT]Two Up:
The Brigade Commander (BDE Comd) has been directed by the Prime Minister (PM) and Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) to clear the NEWCASTLE region IOT re-establish Australian sovereignty and set the conditions for GOAS to seek reparations from the invading power.
GOAS has declared a ten nautical mile exclusion zone around the mouth of the HUNTER RIVER. The Maritime and Air component commanders (MCC and ACC) have been tasked to DESTROY vessels that cross that line to ensure that there is no attempt (possibly as part of the MDCOA) to block the channel with a sunken merchant ship, along the lines of the MV Pasha Bulker incident of 2007. ACC and MCC have deployed assets with HARPOON missile system to effect this policy. All ship’s Captains have been advised by radio that this will be a “no warn” policy if a vessel crosses the boundary line.
One Up:
My intent is to fix the en in the West while supporting the main effort (ME) in NEWCASTLE. Once NEWCASTLE is cleared ME will shift to PORT HEDLAND.
There is a very short chain of command here. The Bde Comd and all unit COs were recently briefed in person by the CDF with the PM in the room. [/INDENT]
Mission: [INDENT]2nd Cavalry Regiment is to conduct economy of force shield operations in the West IOT allow the concentration of force elements (FE) to enable strike operations in the East.
A Sqn, in NEWCASTLE is ME.[/INDENT]
Civilians:[INDENT]Our TAOR is lightly populated with the exception of RAYMOND TERRACE and STOCKTON. Combat in these locations is to be avoided but if necessary minimal force to be used.[/INDENT]
Attachments and Detachments: [INDENT]Attached:
1 x Motorised Infantry Company(-)
1 x Flight of ARH, Tactical Control (TACON) for the duration of this activity.
1 x UAV, TACON for the duration of this activity.
1 x MRH90 for Aero Medical Evacuation (AME) tasking.
1 x M88, TACON for recovery only.
3 TPs of two guns each from 8/12 Medium Regiment, RAA in Direct Support.[/INDENT]
MISSION[INDENT]BattleGroup (BG) EAGLE, is to clear TAOR SALT ASH from not before 0430, IOT secure the Northern approach to NEWCASTLE harbour, reopen the Pacific Hwy and set the conditions for a possible Sqn strength attack on RAAF WILLIAMTOWN (HORNET sector).[/INDENT]
EXECUTION[INDENT]Purpose:
We are here to clear the Northern bank of the HUNTER RIVER and be prepared to (BPT) recapture RAAF WILLIAMTOWN.
Method:
To achieve this I have divided the TAOR into four Troop (TP) sectors. Each TP will clear within sector and for some there are secure tasks as well. Three of the Cavalry (Cav) TPs will have Infantry (Inf) Platoons (PLs) in support.
Endstate:
The endstate will be the North bank cleared the Pacific Hwy re-opened and potentially RAAF WILLIAMTOWN recaptured. This will support BG TIGER’s efforts on the South bank and with the harbour and airfield back in our hands, the enemy will be cut off from his lines of communication.
Concept of Operations
Scheme of manoeuvre:
Three TPs will clear the sectors around RAAF WILLIAMTOWN, the fourth will secure STOCKTON and form the Sqn Reserve for the atk on the Airfield. The clearance operations will be supported by ARH and UAV overflights with the ARH switching to an airborne Support by Fire (SBF) role once the attack (atk) on the Airfield is commenced.
The Infantry will support the Cav with securing RAYMOND TERRACE, TOMAGO and STOCKTON and the clearance of RAAF WILLIAMTOWN. [/INDENT]
Main Effort:[INDENT]Initial Phase: Secure STOCKTON.
Secondary Phase (on Order): Clear RAAF WILLIAMTOWN[/INDENT]
