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 #001C / CODE NAME: "SKY MARSHAL"

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 CLAY against VIPER arms smuggling teams moving weapons shipments through established 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:

• 1st Squad → OBJ RICO (vic MP 0600 1530)
• 2nd Squad → OBJ DIZZY (vic MP 0585 1559)
• 3rd Squad → OBJ CARMEN (vic MP 0575 1538)

Actions on Objective: Each squad independently emplaces a linear ambush at its assigned site, initiates on a small VIPER smuggling 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:

• Deploy one VIPER smuggling team (3-4 personnel) per ambush site, operating independently.
• Teams carry simulated cargo (rucksacks, crates, wrapped bundles) — VIPER is moving weapons shipments, so teams are slightly encumbered and move deliberately.
• Introduce a civilian or non-combatant at one site to test ROE.
• Cadre may inject timing changes, a team that detects the ambush early, or a simulated radio call between teams.
• If manning is limited, rotate one OPFOR team across sites between iterations.

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 CLAY 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.

• Key Terrain: Bradenton Avenue is a north-south improved road and the primary VIPER arms movement route through the central AO. The unnamed north-south road in the western LTA is a secondary movement corridor. The intersection of Clearwater Avenue and the unnamed road in the southwestern LTA is a key transfer point for VIPER shipments. Woodlines along each road segment provide concealment for dismounted movement; visibility off the roads is under 50 meters in most areas.

2. Weather.

• Skies: ________
• Temperature: ____°F (heat cat ____)
• Winds: ____ at ____ mph
• Chance of precipitation: ____%
• BMNT: ____
• Sunrise: ____
• Sunset: ____
• EENT: ____

c. Enemy Forces. VIPER: Vanguard Irregulars of the People's Emergency Republic

VIPER is a militia force operating across AO CLAY, distributing weapons and ammunition to forward caches to support future operations against friendly forces. Teams move in small, armed elements (3-4 personnel) carrying simulated cargo along established routes between cache sites. VIPER personnel are motivated but less disciplined than regular forces — they will fight when cornered but prefer to protect the shipment over engaging.

1. Composition. Three independent VIPER smuggling teams, each 3-4 personnel with small arms. Total 9-12 combatants distributed across AO CLAY.

2. Disposition. VIPER teams move along three road segments:

• One team along Bradenton Avenue in the central AO, moving south to north carrying a weapons shipment destined for a northern VIPER cache.
• One team along the unnamed north-south road in the western LTA, moving north to south with a cache replenishment load.
• One team along Clearwater Avenue through the intersection with the unnamed road in the southwestern LTA, moving east to west toward a VIPER transfer point. Teams operate independently and do not coordinate during transit.

3. Most Probable Course of Action (MPCOA). Each VIPER team moves at a deliberate pace, using the road network and treating the route as secure. If ambushed, the team returns aggressive fire for a short period, then attempts to break contact and protect or cache the weapons shipment. Teams do not reinforce each other.

4. Most Dangerous Course of Action (MDCOA). One VIPER team detects the ambush position early and immediately radios the other teams to halt and re-route. The detecting team sets a hasty ambush of its own to engage the ambush squad from an unexpected direction. All three teams begin coordinating simultaneously, threatening multiple squads with an alerted and more aggressive enemy.

d. Friendly Forces

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

2. Mission. A Company interdict VIPER arms movement in AO CLAY through independent squad ambushes to deny VIPER the ability to resupply forward caches and sustain militia operations in the AO.

3. Commander's Intent. Destroy VIPER smuggling teams and deny VIPER the ability to resupply forward weapons caches along established transit routes through AO CLAY.

e. Civil Considerations

Local civilians use the same road network as VIPER. VIPER personnel may blend in with civilian movement during transit. Ambushes must positively identify armed combatants before initiating and avoid civilian casualties.

f. Attachments and Detachments

None.

2. MISSION

1st Platoon conducts ambushes in AO CLAY NLT ____ in order to destroy VIPER arms smuggling teams and deny VIPER the ability to resupply forward caches throughout the AO.

3. EXECUTION

a. Commander's Intent

Purpose: Interdict VIPER arms movement across AO CLAY to deny VIPER the weapons and materiel needed to sustain forward operations and threaten friendly forces in the region.

Key Tasks: (1) Each squad destroys a VIPER smuggling team at its assigned site. (2) Each squad secures any weapons, munitions, or materials found on the objective and reports the find. (3) Squads break contact and withdraw without decisive engagement.

End State: VIPER smuggling teams destroyed at all three sites, weapons and materials secured and reported to higher, 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 CLAY. Each squad moves to its assigned area, emplaces its own ambush, initiates on a VIPER smuggling team, secures any weapons or materials found, 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 RICO):

• TASK: Conduct a linear ambush at OBJ RICO (MP 0600 1530) along Bradenton Ave. Occupy an ORP in the woodline west of Bradenton Ave and emplace ambush positions oriented east onto the road, initiating on the VIPER team moving south to north. Destroy the team in the kill zone, secure any weapons or materials, and break contact west to the ORP. Report enemy strength, materials found, and disposition.
• PURPOSE: Deny VIPER the use of Bradenton Ave as a weapons transit route and interdict the northern shipment destined for VIPER caches in the central portion of AO CLAY.

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

• TASK: Conduct a linear ambush at OBJ DIZZY (MP 0585 1559) along the unnamed N-S road in the western LTA. Occupy an ORP in the woodline west of the road and emplace ambush positions oriented east onto the road, initiating on the VIPER team moving north to south. Destroy the team in the kill zone, secure any weapons or materials, and break contact west to the ORP. Report enemy strength, materials found, and disposition.
• PURPOSE: Deny VIPER the use of the western corridor for cache resupply and interdict the southbound weapons load moving through the northwestern sector of AO CLAY.

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

• TASK: Conduct a linear ambush at OBJ CARMEN (MP 0575 1538) along Clearwater Ave approaching the unnamed road intersection. Occupy an ORP in the woodline south of Clearwater Ave and emplace ambush positions oriented north onto the road, initiating on the VIPER team moving east to west through the intersection. Destroy the team in the kill zone, secure any weapons or materials, and break contact south to the ORP. Report enemy strength, materials found, and disposition.
• PURPOSE: Deny VIPER the use of the southwestern transfer point and interdict the weapons shipment moving toward the VIPER cache network in the western sector.

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 VIPER team composition and cargo type at each site.
2. Identify any weapons, munitions, or materials of intelligence value on VIPER personnel.
3. Monitor for signs of VIPER coordination between sites or 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 VIPER teams are coordinating routes or have detected 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:

• Report to higher when SP'ing or crossing the line of departure.
• SALUTE Report: Upon enemy visual confirmation.
• In Position Report: Upon occupying an ambush site or ORP.
• Intelligence Report: Upon SSE completion — report all weapons and materials found.
• LACE Report: After ambush, within ______ minutes.

6. Coordination Between Squads:

• Squads operate independently at their assigned sites.
• Squads report contact via SALUTE on the platoon net; adjacent squads monitor but continue their own missions unless directed otherwise by the PL.
• Squads requiring support request it through the PL.

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:

• Primary: Radio — 36.550 SC/PT (Platoon Net)
• Alternate: Radio — 36.350 SC/PT (Company Net)
• Contingency: Red star cluster (pre-planned signal: compromise/withdraw to ORP)
• Emergency: Runner

2. Call Signs:

• PL – Raider 1-6
• PSG – Raider 1-7
• 1st Squad Leader – Raider 1-1
• 2nd Squad Leader – Raider 1-2
• 3rd Squad Leader – Raider 1-3

3. Challenge, Password, Running Password, Combination:

• Challenge: Hawk
• Password: Dive
• Running Password: Falcon
• Combination: 11

4. Audible Signals:

• Shift Fire: 2 whistle blasts
• Cease Fire: 3 whistle blasts