(UNCLASSIFIED)

THIS IS A TRAINING OPERATION ORDER. FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.

References: ATP 3-21.8, FM 3-90-1, ADRP 1-02

OPERATIONAL PLAN / ORDER #001B / CODE NAME: "DARBY'S RAIDERS"

CADRE / OPFOR NOTES

Complexity: Lower to Moderate | Recommended Phase: WALK (Blocks 3-4), RUN (Day Iterations)

Mission Summary: 1st Platoon conducts three independent squad ambushes in AO KINGSLEY against COBRA courier teams operating along known transit routes. Each squad operates at its own ambush site.

Training Focus: This OPORD is designed to evaluate individual squad leader planning and decision-making. The PL issues the platoon OPORD, but each squad leader must conduct their own TLP. Cadre should assign one evaluator per squad to observe the SL's planning process and tactical decisions.

Destinations:

Actions on Objective: Each squad independently emplaces a linear ambush at its assigned site, initiates on a small COBRA courier team (3-4 personnel), and withdraws. Squads do not depend on or wait for adjacent squads.

Evaluation Timeline: For evaluated iterations, candidates will receive this OPORD and have 75 minutes to complete TLP Steps 1-8 before SP. Execution window is 60 minutes. AAR is 15 minutes.

OPFOR/Training Wrinkles:

NOTE: UAS/Counter-UAS injects are OPTIONAL and should only be used if authorized by the Commandant and incorporated into the approved POI.

See Also: LTA Grid Reference

Iteration Guidance: This is the detailed version with specific ambush-site orientation and approach direction for each squad. For evaluated iterations and later runs where squad leaders should plan independently, use 001-ambush.md instead.

Time Zone Used Throughout the Plan/Order: EASTERN STANDARD TIME

Task Organization:

1st Platoon, A Co. 4th BN-211th INF Platoon Leader Platoon Sergeant 1st Squad 2nd Squad 3rd Squad

1. SITUATION

a. Area of Interest

Clay County, Florida, in the vicinity of Starke and Highway 16. AO KINGSLEY is bounded to the north by Highway 16, to the east by the Starke city limits, to the south by the old railroad bed, and to the west by the pine forest edge.

b. Area of Operations

1. Terrain. Camp Blanding features flat to gently rolling terrain with sandy soils, low-lying areas, and extensive pine and hardwood forests. The area includes open fields, dense underbrush, ponds, marshes, and wetlands. Vegetation provides concealment and limits long-range observation. Roads and trails serve as likely avenues of approach for both friendly and enemy forces. Terrain and soil conditions may restrict vehicle movement, especially in wet areas.

2. Weather.

c. Enemy Forces. COBRA: Covert Border Resistance Army

COBRA is an organized, cell-based insurgent network running clandestine courier routes and intelligence packets across AO KINGSLEY. Teams move in small, light elements (3-4 personnel) using established routes between COBRA safehouses. Couriers carry encrypted documents, maps, and communications materials critical to COBRA operations. Teams prioritize mission completion and route security over engagement — they avoid contact when possible.

1. Composition. Three independent COBRA courier teams, each 3-4 personnel with small arms. Total 9-12 combatants distributed across AO KINGSLEY.

2. Disposition. COBRA courier teams move along three road segments:

3. Most Probable Course of Action (MPCOA). Each COBRA team moves along its assigned route at a deliberate pace, using natural concealment and spacing. If detected or ambushed, the team returns limited fire to break contact and attempts to protect or destroy mission-critical materials before withdrawing. Teams do not reinforce each other.

4. Most Dangerous Course of Action (MDCOA). A COBRA security element positioned ahead of one courier team detects the ambush position and alerts the team. The courier team halts short of the kill zone and attempts to find an alternate route, while a reaction element moves to fix the ambush squad from a flank. Courier teams begin coordinating by radio to shift routes simultaneously across the AO.

d. Friendly Forces

1. Higher Headquarters: A Co. 4th BN – 211th INF.

2. Mission. A Company disrupts COBRA courier movement in AO KINGSLEY through independent squad ambushes to interdict intelligence traffic and degrade COBRA network operations.

3. Commander's Intent. Destroy COBRA courier teams and deny COBRA the ability to move intelligence materials along established transit routes through AO KINGSLEY.

e. Civil Considerations

Local civilians use the same road network as COBRA couriers. Ambushes must positively identify targets before initiating and avoid civilian casualties to maintain good relations with the local population.

f. Attachments and Detachments

None.

2. MISSION

1st Platoon conducts ambushes in AO KINGSLEY NLT ____ in order to destroy COBRA courier teams and disrupt COBRA intelligence movement throughout the AO.

3. EXECUTION

a. Commander's Intent

Purpose: Interdict COBRA courier movement across AO KINGSLEY to deny COBRA the ability to pass intelligence materials between safehouses and degrade network operations.

Key Tasks: (1) Each squad destroys a COBRA courier team at its assigned site. (2) Each squad secures any materials of intelligence value found on the objective and reports the SSE take. (3) Squads break contact and withdraw without decisive engagement.

End State: COBRA courier teams destroyed or captured at all three sites, intelligence materials collected and reported, squads consolidated and prepared for follow-on operations, no friendly forces decisively engaged.

b. Concept of Operations

1st Platoon conducts a decentralized ambush operation across three independent squad sites in AO KINGSLEY. Each squad moves to its assigned area, emplaces its own ambush, initiates on a COBRA courier team, collects any intelligence materials from the objective, and withdraws. 2nd Squad is the main effort. Squads do not wait on adjacent squads; each executes its own actions on contact per SOP and reports.

c. Scheme of Fires

Priority of fires to 2nd Squad. Mortar support is available through company on request; any squad may request fires through the PL.

d. Tasks to Subordinate Units

1. 1st Squad (Independent Ambush — OBJ MERRILL):

2. 2nd Squad (Independent Ambush — OBJ TARAWA):

3. 3rd Squad (Independent Ambush — OBJ RODGERS):

e. Coordinating Instructions

1. Rules of Engagement (ROE):

  1. Engage only valid military targets.
  2. Use minimum force necessary to accomplish the mission.
  3. Avoid civilian casualties and collateral damage.
  4. Positively identify targets before firing.

2. Priority Intelligence Requirements (PIR):

  1. Confirm COBRA courier team composition and cargo at each site.
  2. Identify any materials of intelligence value (documents, maps, radios, electronics) on COBRA personnel.
  3. Monitor for changes in COBRA routes or evidence of advance warning.
  4. Assess civilian presence at each site before execution.

3. Commander's Critical Information Requirements (CCIR):

  1. Compromise or detection of a squad prior to initiation at any site
  2. Enemy force composition at a site exceeds squad capability (reinforced element or crew-served weapons)
  3. Civilian presence in or adjacent to any kill zone at time of execution
  4. Any friendly casualty that reduces a squad below minimum effective strength
  5. Evidence that COBRA teams have altered routes or are aware of friendly presence

4. Essential Elements of Friendly Information (EEFI):

  1. SP/LD times and locations
  2. Friendly unit positions and boundaries
  3. Casualty status and combat strength

5. Reporting:

6. Coordination Between Squads:

7. This OPORD is effective immediately upon distribution.

4. SUSTAINMENT

a. Logistics

  1. Resupply not available for 36 hours.
  2. Meal Cycle: M-M-M.
  3. Water resupply is available at the PLT CP.

b. Health System Support

  1. PLT CCP at PLT Assembly Area.
  2. MEDEVAC available via Nine Line request at AXP 1 (MP 0610 1550).

5. COMMAND AND SIGNAL

a. Command

  1. Platoon Leader monitors from a position that maintains communications with all squads.
  2. Succession of Command: PL, PSG, 1st SL, 2nd SL, 3rd SL.

b. Control

  1. Command Posts: Platoon Assembly Area IVO _______.

c. Signal

1. PACE Plan:

2. Call Signs:

3. Challenge, Password, Running Password, Combination:

4. Audible Signals: