Situation Update:
After successfully delaying the Enemy's attack vicinity the urban area of NEWCASTLE (at least I hope we have), a combination of political pressure and limited logistic support (RAN and RAAF have accounted for numerous platforms silly enough to venture into the previously declared exclusion zone) has meant that ADF units (BG BOAR) have secured and re-occupied the city area.
ARes Motorised Platoons have been tasked with helping restore normalcy to the area but a burnt out T-80 has already been adopted as an ornament in a local park.
To the North the situation is less favourable with the enemy retaining control of RAAF WILLIAMTOWN, despite CT-C's valiant delaying defence.
Despite NEWCASTLE being recaptured and the lodgement at NELSON BAY being sealed off, there remains a sizeable enemy force in and around RAAF WILLIAMTOWN.
RAAF WILLIAMTOWN has suffered a large amount of damage over the previous phases with the enemy now systematically destroying various pieces of infrastructure to maximise the cost of rebuilding.
The PM just wants the problem to "go away" as it has consumed too many news cycles already.
In addition the arrival of the NZ contingent means that BG TIGER, which has suffered sizeable, almost politically unsustainable, casualties to date can be rested and that there is a fresh Force Element (FE) available and indeed it needs to be included in subsequent operations as part of the larger political piece.
The PM has authorised the CDF to use "whatever it takes to clear this last remaining blemish on the Australian landscape" and has accepted that the infrastructure in and on RAAF WILLIAMTOWN can be written off.
The CDF has interpreted (and had confirmed by back brief to her) this as relaxing the rules of engagement to "weapons free" and lifting the restrictions on specialist ammunition natures such as DPICM.
The overall situation:
BG Orders
TOPOGRAPHY
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 landward boundary to the TAOR is as per the trace.
Key Terrain: The wooded areas and high features around the RAAF base.
Decisive Terrain: RAAF WILLIAMTOWN.
SITUATION
Further to the initial General Brief issued by the S2 earlier and the overall update above, the following update is available.
Enemy:
The Enemy is assessed as possibly as large as a Mech Coy (BMP-2), reinforced with Tk (T-80U) with anti armd, anti air and limited offensive support. Due to the current air situation, it is assessed that there is only a slim chance that he can insert fixed wing assets for short loiter strikes on High Value Targets (HVT).
MLCOA: Is assessed as imposing delay and withdrawing under pressure IOT gain time for negotiations, to inflict casualties on ADF forces and to damage infrastructure as much as possible.
This would cause the GOAS to be embarrassed by its perceived inability to defend its own territory.
MDCOA: Is assessed as accepting decisive engagement. This would generate a full scale engagement in and around the airfield, generating heavy casualties and inflicting long term damage on infrastructure.
This could create more embarrassment than the MLCOA and if implemented would cause massive civilian casualties and inflict large scale economic damage on the region.
Friendly:
Higher Commander’s Intent
Two Up: To regain Australian sovereignty with minimal ADF casualties.
One Up: The Brigade Commander has been directed by the PM and CDF to CLEAR RAAF WILLIAMTOWN IOT re-establish Australian sovereignty and set the conditions for GOAS to seek reparations from the invading power.
Most of BG TIGER has withdrawn to the NW to re-org after the recent period of high intensity conventional operations.
The ANZAC BG consists of:
A Sqn, 1st Armoured Regt
A Sqn, 2nd CAV Regt
Victor Coy, 1 RNZIR
7 Platoon, C Coy, BG TIGER
DFSW Platoon, Spt Coy, BG TIGER
MOR Platoon, Spt Coy, BG TIGER
2 x ARES Mot Inf Pls
CO’s Mission: BG ANZAC is to clear RAAF WILLIAMTOWN IOT regain AS sovereignty in the NEWCASTLE region.
BG ANZAC is 1st Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF), [formed by 1 Bde being allocated 1 Bn, RNZIR] ME.
CO BG TIGER has been appointed CO BG ANZAC.
Regt 2IC BG TIGER supervising the BG's refurbishment.
Civilians:
The TAOR has been deemed to be clear of civilians.
Attachments and Detachments:
Attached:
A Sqn, 1st Armoured Regt OPCON
A Sqn, 2nd CAV Regt OPCON
Victor Coy, 1 RNZIR TACON
7 Platoon, C Coy, BG TIGER
DFSW Platoon, Spt Coy, BG TIGER
MOR Platoon, Spt Coy, BG TIGER
2 x ARES Mot Inf Pls
1 x TP of ARH, TACON for the duration of this activity.
2 x MRH90 for AME tasking.
Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP) assets
1 x TP, 16 AD Regt TACON
9 TPs of two guns each from 8/12 Medium Regiment, RAA in Direct Support.