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 #005B / CODE NAME: "SILENT STALK"

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 KINGSLEY. Each squad reconnoiters its assigned NAI to locate and assess a COBRA logistics element of unknown composition and activity.

Training Focus: This OPORD is designed to evaluate individual squad leader planning and decision-making. Each squad leader must plan a covered/concealed route, observation plan, reporting cycle, and actions on contact for a squad-sized area recon. Cadre should assign one evaluator per squad.

Destinations:

• 1st Squad → NAI CONDOR (vic MP 0613 1532) — suspected COBRA logistics element in Conex City NE
• 2nd Squad → NAI OSPREY (vic MP 0602 1565) — Bradenton / Jacksonville intersection
• 3rd Squad → NAI RAPTOR (vic MP 0575 1524) — Arcadia / Clearwater intersection

Actions on Objective: Each squad independently reconnoiters its assigned NAI, collects intelligence on COBRA presence and activity, and returns to friendly lines without decisive engagement.

Evaluation Timeline: 75 min planning / 60 min execution / 15 min AAR.

OPFOR/Training Wrinkles:

• Deploy one COBRA logistics element (2-4 personnel) per NAI, operating independently.
• COBRA at each NAI is working — maintaining cache materials, monitoring movement, or waiting for couriers. Not combat-postured; they should be surprised if found.
• Introduce false indicators or decoy positions at one NAI to test candidate analysis.
• COBRA may detect friendly recon and attempt to break contact or counter-reconnoiter.
• If manning is limited, rotate one OPFOR element across NAIs 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 NAI grids and reconnaissance focus areas. For later runs, 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 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 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.

• Key Terrain: The Conex City northeast building is a suspected COBRA logistics node in the eastern AO. The Bradenton Avenue / Jacksonville Street intersection is a likely COBRA movement control point and courier exchange site in the northern AO. The Arcadia Street / Clearwater Avenue intersection in the southwestern LTA is a potential COBRA transit waypoint. Woodlines surrounding each location provide concealed observation positions.

2. Weather.

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

c. Enemy Forces. COBRA: Covert Border Resistance Army

COBRA is operating a distributed logistics network across AO KINGSLEY with elements positioned at key terrain features to manage courier exchanges, monitor movement, and maintain forward supply materials. COBRA elements are security-conscious and disciplined. They avoid unnecessary exposure and are trained to detect surveillance. Exact strength, composition, and current activity at each NAI are unknown — this is the purpose of the reconnaissance.

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

2. Disposition. COBRA elements are suspected at three locations:

• A suspected logistics node in or around the Conex City northeast building (vic MP 0613 1532). May be maintaining a cache, staging courier materials, or monitoring movement.
• A suspected courier exchange site at the Bradenton Avenue / Jacksonville Street intersection (vic MP 0602 1565). Likely using the surrounding woodline for cover while monitoring movement along Bradenton Ave.
• A suspected COBRA waypoint at the Arcadia Street / Clearwater Avenue intersection (vic MP 0575 1524). Likely using vegetation for concealment. Elements operate independently with no lateral coordination.

3. Most Probable Course of Action (MPCOA). Each COBRA element maintains a static position or conducts limited local security patrols. If friendly reconnaissance is detected, the element attempts to disengage and withdraw rather than engaging decisively. COBRA avoids unnecessary exposure.

4. Most Dangerous Course of Action (MDCOA). A COBRA element detects friendly reconnaissance early and initiates a counter-reconnaissance ambush, attempting to fix or inflict casualties on the squad to protect COBRA's position and activities. COBRA elements coordinate by radio across sites and alert each other to friendly movement.

d. Friendly Forces

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

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

3. Commander's Intent. Locate and assess COBRA logistics elements across AO KINGSLEY without compromise, reporting intelligence that enables the company commander to plan follow-on operations against the COBRA network.

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 KINGSLEY NLT ____ in order to locate COBRA logistics elements and assess activity at three named areas of interest, enabling follow-on company operations.

3. EXECUTION

a. Commander's Intent

Purpose: Develop the intelligence picture of COBRA logistics operations across AO KINGSLEY to enable the company commander to plan follow-on offensive action against a known enemy picture.

Key Tasks: (1) Each squad locates and assesses the COBRA 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, COBRA 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 KINGSLEY. 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. 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. Mortar support available through company on request to support disengagement.

d. Tasks to Subordinate Units

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

• TASK: Conduct an area reconnaissance of NAI CONDOR (MP 0613 1532), the northeast building in the Conex City complex. Use covered and concealed routes to establish observation of the structure and surrounding area. Locate COBRA positions, assess strength, composition, and activity, and identify any cache materials, courier materials, or logistics activity. Use noise and light discipline and avoid detection. Report findings via SALUTE format. Return to friendly lines upon completion or if compromised.
• PURPOSE: Confirm or deny COBRA logistics activity in the Conex City structure, the most likely COBRA node in AO KINGSLEY, to enable the company to plan follow-on operations against the network.

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

• TASK: Conduct an area reconnaissance of NAI OSPREY (MP 0602 1565), the Bradenton Ave / Jacksonville St intersection. Use covered and concealed routes through woodlines to establish observation of the intersection. Locate any COBRA courier exchange or movement control element, assess strength and activity, and identify indicators of regular COBRA use of the intersection. Use noise and light discipline and avoid detection. Report findings via SALUTE format. Return to friendly lines upon completion or if compromised.
• PURPOSE: Determine whether the Bradenton / Jacksonville intersection is an active COBRA courier exchange site to enable the company to plan interdiction operations against COBRA movement in the northern AO.

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

• TASK: Conduct an area reconnaissance of NAI RAPTOR (MP 0575 1524), the Arcadia St / Clearwater Ave intersection in the southwestern LTA. Use covered and concealed routes to establish observation of the intersection and surrounding vegetation. Locate any COBRA element, assess strength and activity, and identify likely positions and avenues of approach. Use noise and light discipline and avoid detection. Report findings via SALUTE format. Return to friendly lines upon completion or if compromised.
• PURPOSE: Confirm or deny COBRA presence in the southwestern sector so the company can protect its flank during follow-on operations against the COBRA network.

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 COBRA presence at each NAI.
2. Assess COBRA strength, composition, and activity at each NAI (logistics, surveillance, courier exchange).
3. Identify COBRA materials, cache indicators, or courier activity at each NAI.
4. Identify terrain features at each NAI that affect friendly or COBRA 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:

• Report to higher when SP'ing or crossing the line of departure.
• In Position Report: Upon occupying an observation position.
• SALUTE Report: Upon sighting enemy forces or indicators.
• Intelligence Report: As intelligence is developed or at designated times.
• LACE Report: Upon return to friendly lines.

6. Coordination Between Squads:

• Squads operate independently at their assigned NAIs.
• 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 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:

• Primary: Radio — 36.700 SC/PT (Platoon Net)
• Alternate: Radio — 36.500 SC/PT (Company Net)
• Contingency: Iridium satellite phone (platoon leader to company commander)
• Emergency: Runner

2. Call Signs:

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

3. Challenge, Password, Running Password, Combination:

• Challenge: Shadow
• Password: Ghost
• Running Password: Recon
• Combination: 9