(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 #005C / CODE NAME: "SHADOW RECON"

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 CLAY. Each squad reconnoiters its assigned NAI to locate and assess VIPER staging activity of unknown composition.

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:

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

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

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

VIPER forces are consolidating in AO CLAY, establishing staging positions at key terrain features in preparation for future operations. VIPER elements are actively working — emplacing materials, constructing hasty positions, or staging personnel for movement. VIPER is less disciplined than COBRA or WRAITH, and more likely to react aggressively if detected. Exact strength, composition, and staging activity at each NAI are unknown.

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

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

3. Most Probable Course of Action (MPCOA). Each VIPER element maintains its staging position or conducts limited local activity. If friendly reconnaissance is detected, the VIPER element may immediately fire on the reconnaissance team rather than attempting to disengage — VIPER is aggressive and not trained in counter-reconnaissance discipline.

4. Most Dangerous Course of Action (MDCOA). A VIPER element detects friendly reconnaissance and immediately radios the other elements. All VIPER elements go on alert and begin actively patrolling toward suspected friendly positions, turning the reconnaissance into a direct confrontation. VIPER aggressively seeks contact.

d. Friendly Forces

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

2. Mission. A Company develops the intelligence picture of VIPER staging activities in AO CLAY to enable follow-on operations by reconnoitering three NAIs simultaneously.

3. Commander's Intent. Locate and assess VIPER staging elements across AO CLAY without compromise, reporting intelligence that enables the company commander to disrupt VIPER consolidation before staging is complete.

e. Civil Considerations

Local civilians may be present in the area. Reconnaissance must minimize detection and avoid contact with non-combatants. VIPER may attempt to blend into civilian areas while staging.

f. Attachments and Detachments

None.

2. MISSION

1st Platoon conducts an area reconnaissance in AO CLAY NLT ____ in order to locate VIPER staging 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 VIPER staging activities across AO CLAY to enable the company commander to plan and execute follow-on operations before VIPER completes consolidation.

Key Tasks: (1) Each squad locates and assesses the VIPER 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, VIPER elements located and staging activities assessed, intelligence 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 area reconnaissance across three independent squad NAIs in AO CLAY. 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 FOXHOUND):

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

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

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 VIPER presence at each NAI.
  2. Assess VIPER strength, composition, and staging activity at each NAI.
  3. Identify indicators of imminent VIPER movement or offensive preparation.
  4. Identify terrain features at each NAI that affect friendly or VIPER operations.

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

  1. Compromise or detection of any squad
  2. Enemy force size or disposition significantly different from the intelligence estimate
  3. Discovery of prepared fighting positions 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: