(UNCLASSIFIED)

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

References: ATP 3-21.8, ATP 3-20.98, FM 3-90-2, ADRP 1-02

OPERATIONAL PLAN / ORDER #005 / CODE NAME: "COMBAT PATROL"

CADRE / OPFOR NOTES

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

Mission Summary: 1st Platoon conducts three independent squad area reconnaissance missions in AO COTTO. Each squad reconnoiters its own Named Area of Interest (NAI) and reports.

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 for a squad-sized area reconnaissance — planning a covered/concealed route, observation plan, reporting cycle, and actions on contact. Cadre should assign one evaluator per squad to observe the SL's planning process and tactical decisions.

Destinations:

Actions on Objective: Each squad independently moves to its assigned NAI, conducts an area reconnaissance, collects intelligence on REAPER presence, activity, and key terrain, and returns to friendly lines without decisive engagement. 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 NAI grids and reconnaissance focus areas for each squad. For evaluated iterations and later runs where squad leaders should plan independently, use 005-area-zone-reconnaissance.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 COTTO encompasses the area 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 to under 50 meters off improved roads. 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. REAPER: Resistance Elements of Atropia's People's Revolutionary Front

REAPER forces are a lightly armed irregular force operating from small concealed positions across AO COTTO. They employ security measures to avoid detection, use terrain and vegetation for concealment, and are familiar with local avenues of approach. Small REAPER elements are suspected at each of the three NAIs but exact strength, composition, and activity are unknown — this is the purpose of the reconnaissance mission.

1. Composition. Three small REAPER elements, each 2-4 personnel with small arms. Total 6-12 combatants distributed across AO COTTO.

2. Disposition. REAPER elements are dispersed across the AO:

3. Most Probable Course of Action (MPCOA). Each REAPER element maintains a static position or conducts limited local security patrols. If friendly reconnaissance is detected, the element breaks contact and withdraws rather than engaging decisively. Elements do not reinforce each other.

4. Most Dangerous Course of Action (MDCOA). A REAPER element detects friendly reconnaissance early and initiates a counter-reconnaissance ambush, attempting to fix or inflict casualties on the squad to prevent intelligence collection. REAPER elements coordinate by radio across sites and reposition to threaten more than one squad.

d. Friendly Forces

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

2. Mission. A Company develops the intelligence picture in AO COTTO to enable follow-on operations by reconnoitering three NAIs simultaneously.

3. Commander's Intent. Locate and assess REAPER elements across AO COTTO without compromise, and report intelligence that enables the company commander to plan follow-on operations.

e. Civil Considerations

Local civilians may be present in the area. Reconnaissance must minimize detection and avoid contact with non-combatants to maintain operational security and good relations.

f. Attachments and Detachments

None.

2. MISSION

1st Platoon conducts an area reconnaissance in AO COTTO NLT ____ in order to locate REAPER elements and identify key terrain, enabling follow-on company operations.

3. EXECUTION

a. Commander's Intent

Purpose: Develop the intelligence picture of REAPER forces across AO COTTO to enable the company commander to plan follow-on operations against a known enemy picture.

Key Tasks: (1) Each squad locates and assesses the REAPER element at its assigned NAI. (2) Each squad reports intelligence in SALUTE format via the platoon net. (3) Squads avoid decisive engagement and return to friendly lines without compromise.

End State: All three NAIs reconnoitered, REAPER elements located and assessed, intelligence reported to higher, squads consolidated and prepared for follow-on operations, no friendly forces decisively engaged or compromised.

b. Concept of Operations

1st Platoon conducts a decentralized area reconnaissance across three independent squad NAIs in AO COTTO. Each squad moves to its assigned NAI using covered and concealed routes, establishes observation, collects intelligence, and returns to friendly lines. 1st Squad is the main effort. Squad leaders select their own routes, observation positions, and reporting cycles. 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 1st Squad. Fires are limited to self-defense only. Avoid engagement unless necessary to break contact. Mortar support is available through company on request to support disengagement.

d. Tasks to Subordinate Units

1. 1st Squad (Independent Area Reconnaissance — NAI HERRERA):

2. 2nd Squad (Independent Area Reconnaissance — NAI BARLOW):

3. 3rd Squad (Independent Area Reconnaissance — NAI BAINTON):

e. Coordinating Instructions

1. Rules of Engagement (ROE):

  1. Avoid engagement unless necessary for self-defense or to break contact.
  2. Do not compromise the reconnaissance mission unless absolutely necessary.
  3. Avoid civilian contact and minimize detection.
  4. Report enemy contact immediately but maintain mission focus on intelligence collection.

2. Priority Intelligence Requirements (PIR):

  1. Confirm or deny REAPER presence at each NAI.
  2. Assess REAPER strength, composition, and equipment at each NAI.
  3. Identify REAPER defensive preparations, OPs, obstacles, and security measures at each NAI.
  4. Identify terrain features at each NAI that affect friendly or REAPER operations.

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

  1. Compromise or detection of any squad
  2. Enemy force size or disposition at any NAI significantly different from the intelligence estimate
  3. Discovery of prepared defensive positions, obstacles, or IEDs on approach routes
  4. Loss of communication with any squad for more than 10 minutes
  5. Civilian presence that prevents effective observation of a NAI

4. Essential Elements of Friendly Information (EEFI):

  1. SP/LD times and locations
  2. Friendly unit positions and boundaries
  3. Reconnaissance objectives and NAIs

5. Reporting:

6. Coordination Between Squads:

7. This OPORD is effective immediately upon distribution.

4. SUSTAINMENT

a. Logistics

  1. Resupply not available for 24 hours.
  2. Meal Cycle: M-M-M.
  3. Water resupply is available at the PLT CP.
  4. Ensure adequate hydration prior to SP.

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: