Give No Quarter?

Situation

You are an infantry company commander for Fox Company, Battalion Landing Team 2/2, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)) operating in the country of Oriole, a known haven for the Al Bimi terrorist group. Your company has been tasked to conduct a heliborne raid to destroy an Al Bimi command and control cell located in makeshift huts at a camp in the foothills of a mountain range. Part of the MEU(SOC) commander’s intent calls for gathering as much intelligence as possible from the site. Al Bimi forces in the vicinity of the camp have been declared hostile. The S-2 (intelligence) reports that approximately 20 to 25 terrorists equipped with former Soviet bloc small arms are on the site.

Other U.S. forces have conducted raids on other Al Bimi camps and have reported that Al Bimi morale is low and that significant numbers have surrendered rather than fight. Of those who chose to fight, however, resistance has been stiff.

On one of the raids a group of three terrorists feigned surrender and then shot at the U.S. forces trying to capture them. The MEU(SOC) commander has emphasized strict adherence to the law of war, specifically that no Marine will intentionally shoot any Al Bimi member who surrenders. He has further emphasized the intelligence value of captured Al Bimi and that he wants every effort made to minimize the likelihood of unintentionally injuring those who surrender.

Following tried and true raid tactics, you put together a basic scheme of maneuver involving a helicopter insert at a landing zone 10 kilometers away and a foot movement to the objective. You task Ist Platoon as a security element to isolate the objective and block enemy ingress and egress. You task 2d Platoon, reinforced with an M2AOG machinegun section from weapons platoon, as a support element to move to a position to provide supporting fires for the assault force, 3d Platoon. After giving your platoon commanders this general guidance, you tell them to develop a detailed plan and to back brief you.

A short while later the 3d Platoon commander comes to you with a troubled look on his face. “Sir, what are we supposed to do when pockets of the enemy are surrendering on different parts of the objective and other pockets are still firing at us? We know that they’ve faked surrender in the past. They’ve been declared hostile. Can’t we just light up a base of fire and sweep across the objective, even if we shoot terrorists who surrender?”

Requirement

In a time limit of 5 minutes, what guidance do you give your platoon commander? Can you rationalize not shooting the surrendering terrorists and potentially putting Marines at risk, or do you concede that sometimes you can intentionally shoot enemy who surrender? Can you make any suggestions regarding tactics? Provide a brief rationale for your guidance and, if it aids in description, a sketch of any tactical suggestions. Submit your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #02-9, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134, fax 703-630-9147, or e– mail <[email protected]>.

Island Takedown

Situation

The time is now 1630, Wednesday. You are the battalion commander of 1st Battalion, 2d Marines (1/2), an east coast unit deployment program infantry battalion. Your unit is well trained and is currently preparing to return to the continental United States after over 5 months in theater. As part of the United States’ continuing war on terrorism, the Commander in Chief, Pacific Command has identified a terrorist training camp on Hok Island located 190 nautical miles from Okinawa. Seizure of this island and capture of these terrorists would be seen as a key indicator of U.S. resolve in the region and a major boost for the American public.

Intelligence estimates place the number of rebels on the island as platoon- to company-sized strength with limited small arms capability. Operating mainly in the northern portion of the island, they have established a village base and a trail network connecting the island’s northern beaches. The terrorists have also been seen operating small patrol craft in the bays surrounding the island.

Hok Island is a small, irregularly shaped island, 5 kilometers by 3 kilometers, located in the Philippine Sea. Except for four beaches, a village, and the known trail network, it is primarily covered with dense jungle and rough terrain. The beaches are generally rocky and rise sharply into the jungle. The two eastern beaches (East Beach 1 and 2) and West Beach 2 are suitable for up to a section of CH-53Es, while West Beach 1 can only support single aircraft landings.

At the 1800 planning session, III Marine Expeditionary Force designated 4th Marines as mission commander, HMH-465 as the aviation combat element (ACE), and 1/2 as the ground combat element. The ACE commander turns and tells you that the lift available is 4 CH-53Es (30 passengers each) with a 4-hour round trip flight window. He also states that fixed-wing close air support will be available continuously ofter L-hour (specific hour at which a deployment operation commences) from available Marine F-18 squadrons and a 3-hour window for an AC-130 mission. L-hour is set as 0600, Thursday.

Mission

Within the rapid response planning process that followed, 4th Marines’ operations order tasked you with the following: “Seize, occupy, and search Hok Island.” With this in mind, the battalion’s concept of operations seems clear-long-range helo insert, seize a foothold, multiple waves. As you are discussing this with your operations officer, an intelligence update is brought in via messenger.

Intel Update

“Terrorists on Hok Island appear to have prepared fortified positions surrounding their village and are guarding the two northern beaches. Patrol craft with heavy weapons seen in bay near East Beach 1. Reserve unit of unknown strength seen moving in central portion of the island.”

Requirement

The time is now 2115, Wednesday. In a time limit of 10 minutes, issue the changes to the concept of operations and orders to all companies and supporting arms addressing this updated situation. Provide a brief rationale for your actions and a sketch of your plan. Submit your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #02-8, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134, fax 703-630-9147, or e-mail <[email protected]>.

Evacuate the Embassy! Friction on the stage

You are the company commander of Echo Company, 2d Battalion, 6th Marines. Your company is at its table of organization strength, and it is part of a Marine expeditionary unit (MEU).

As a consequence of recent terrorist attacks against the United States, U.S. forces are being deployed to the theater of operations. An initial attempt to evacuate U.S. Embassy personnel ended in failure when paramilitary forces with ties to several terrorist organizations were able to attack the airfield. They destroyed three commercial aircraft, destroyed the control tower, and damaged several adjacent hangers. During their attack four embassy personnel were seriously wounded. One Marine from the security guard detachment was killed and two were slightly wounded. All personnel were able to get back to the embassy compound.

The MEU has been diverted and instructed to evacuate embassy personnel. The MEU commander’s initial guidance stressed the neutralization of existing enemy antiair assets. Damage to civilian property is to be kept to a minimum.

From intelligence reports you know that:

* While enemy antiair assets have been diminished, he still possesses some antiair capability and can take advantage of the good observation and fields of fire that the higher buildings provide over the embassy.

* The enemy deployed at least two more heavy machineguns (HMGs) into the area.

* The enemy is supposed to have an undetermined number of antiair missile launchers. These are fireand-forget systems.

* Enemy forces have been seen deploying east of the embassy.

* There’s been strong sniper activity. Two more embassy Marines were slightly injured.

* A big demonstration is taking place at the Embassy’s north gate.

* There are 36 people in the embassy including the survivors of the first raid.

Your company is part of the security element and along with Fox and Golf Companies began the helilift at 0445. You are now nearing the objective. It’s 0500 and the 500-year-old city lays in front of you totally obscured. The embassy is located in the city center. The wavy street pattern reminds you of a spider’s web. The tallest buildings are three- to four-stories high, and they appear to emerge from a sea of small mud houses and green spaces.

At 0530 your company lands and secures the objective with minor enemy resistance and no casualties. Platoon commanders report the destruction of two HMGs and the capture of some prisoners and weapons-six soldiers, a sniper, and one Stinger antiair missile launcher. Suddenly, you hear small arms fighting about 200 meters south.

Suddenly, the Fox Company commander reports that heavy enemy resistance has forced him to land in his alternate landing zone. You can see muzzle flashes and tracers from enemy HMGs being fired from sectors 50 and 60 toward the area where Fox Company is deployed.

The Golf Company commander reports having secured his objective with no casualties but is now receiving heavy enemy fire from the southeast and sniper fire from the west. He says he has seen enemy soldiers jumping from trucks and rushing into the small houses and moving toward Fox Company.

You stop a minute and think. Fox Company reports he is decisively engaged and “mission accomplishment impossible at this time.” Civilians that were standing at the Embassy’s north gate start running to the north and northwest, trying to escape from the fighting. At the same time you hear your commander’s voice on the radio saying that he’ll arrive with the evacuation element 4 minutes later than scheduled. That leaves the security element 14 minutes to accomplish its mission.

Now what, Commander?

Requirement

In a time limit of 2 minutes, describe the actions you will take and the instructions you will give to your subordinates. Provide an overlay and give a brief explanation of the rationale behind your plan. Submit your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #01-12, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134, fax 703-630-9147, or e-mail <gazette @mca-marines.org>.

The Debrief

Situation

You have been assigned as an advisor/liaison with the host-nation forces. Last night one of the host-nation companies conducted a night ambush of an insurgent convoy. The host-nation forces have a small arms capability similar to a Marine rifle company; however, their communications and night vision equipment are limited. You are attending the company commander’s debrief to his battalion commander and members of his staff.

Following are the company commander’s comments:

“My rifle company, with two medium machinegun teams and two assault teams attached (rocket propelled grenade style), was ordered to conduct a night ambush on a known enemy supply route. As the company commander, I had a night vision monocular. We did bring trip flares and six antitank mines along with several antipersonnel pressure mines. Our communications net enabled me to speak with my battalion headquarters and locally to each platoon leader.

“Intelligence reports indicated that enemy supplies are transported by trucks with the occasional armed jeep or light armored car acting as an escort. The trucks generally have an infantry platoon minus as local security as well. Convoys are six to eight vehicles long.

“The company was dropped off by helicopters at landing zone (LZ) Bravo at 0135, some 5 kilometers from the ambush site. The terrain was mountainous, with rocky outcroppings and low scrub. Nighttime temperatures were near or below freezing. The unit marched in column, keeping to a contour level below the crest, to the ambush site. Once there, a platoon conducted a reconnaissance and then we assumed the fighting positions as outlined on this map. We kept radio talk to a minimum using runners or chemical light signals when able. When it was still dark, the enemy convoy approached from the village as anticipated. No jeeps or armored cars were visible from my position.

“The convoy entered the kill zone, and the company opened fire with the headquarters initiating the ambush. The enemy was hard pressed to react, but some of the infantry managed to return fire aided by a heavy machinegun (HMG) from a jeep in the middle of the convoy, but then they were overwhelmed. We suffered only four lightly wounded, one seriously, and one killed in action.

“While medical attention was given to the wounded, we conducted a quick sweep of the enemy in search of items of intelligence value. We found none but did notice we destroyed a jeep with HMG. Following this search, we marched via a different route to LZ Bravo for extraction. We left the mines in place in the hopes the enemy might set them off later when picking up their dead.

“The mission was clearly a success, don’t you agree, Capt Smith?” Requirement In a time of 2 minutes, critique the mission. Being sure to justify your observations-both the good and the bad. Provide a brief rationale for your comments and a sketch to support your concept of operations for this ambush. Submit your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #01-9, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134, fax 703-630-9147, or e-mail <[email protected]>.

Bridges East and West

Situation

You are the commanding officer of Company C, Ist Battalion, 2d Marines, Regimental Landing Team 2. RLT-2 is conducting an amphibious assault in the country of Burgundy. The country is characterized by many rolling hills, sporadically forested. The coastline is fortified with numerous concrete bunkers, minefields, and tank obstacles. Your company is a pre-Hhour helicopterborne force tasked with inserting into Landing Zone (LZ) Hawk near “The Ville” (an evacuated hamlet of 25-30 wooden huts) and blocking on enemy reserve force along the line of the Green River. Higher’s intent is to prevent, at all costs, the enemy reserve force, which is believed to be a reenforced mech battalion equipped with BMP-2s and a platoon of T-72 tanks, from interfering with the fight on the beach. Plans call for the destruction of East Bridge by airstrike at L-30. Lhour is scheduled for 0630. H-hour for the rest of the battalion is 0900 across Red Beach 5 kilometers south of LZ Hawk. Bravo Company (Rein) will comprise the assault wave with a tank platoon close behind in LCUs.

Your plan is to seize the West Bridge with your first wave and to add depth to your position with the second wave along Route 3. The first wave is loaded with two rifle platoons (1st and 2d), two machinegun squads, four assault teams (attached to the platoons), a 60mm mortar squad, a Dragon section, and your company command element (-) with a tactical air control party and naval surface fire spot team attached. The remainder of the company is capable of being in zone in 1 hour. USS Spruance (DD 963) is in direct support of the RLT, and there is a section of AH1Ws (TOWs) escorting your helicopter formation. A section of AV8Bs armed with 500-pound bombs comes on station at 0700.

As you approach LZ Hawk, you observe from your helicopter a company-sized mech force crossing East Bridge. The bridge wasn’t destroyed? You count approximately 10 BMPs and see no tanks. Your helicopter hits the deck. The ramp drops. What are your orders?

Requirement

In a time limit of 3 minutes, issue any orders you would give and prepare any reports or requests you would submit to higher headquarters. Provide a sketch of the actions taken and the rationale behind them. Send your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #99-8, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134 or fax to (703) 630-9147.

Action in Limbe

Situation

You are the commander of 1st Platoon, Company F, 2d Battalion, 6th Marines, part of the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) that has just landed in Cap Haitien, Haiti. Your company quickly secured the airfield amid the uncertain situation. For the most part the local populace was excited and very happy to see the Marines, believing that you were there to throw off the “yoke of oppression” that had beset the country for years. However, tensions between Marine forces and the local government and police forces were high. Two days ago, a patrol got into a firefight in front of a police station deep within the city itself. Several of the local police were killed in the action, but an uneasy calm has been restored in Cap Haitien.

Around 1200 you see a UH-IN carrying the commander of the SPMAGTF come in for a landing near the company. A few minutes later you are summoned to the command post. In order to curtail widespread distribution or smuggling of small arms during the country’s transition, your platoon is to conduct a show of force operation in the small nearby town of Limbe. Upon insertion you will move to the police station, surround it, and provide security for the SPMAGTF commander, who will be on the scene to negotiate with the Limbe police. We believe the local police will surrender their weapons to the SPMAGTF commander and his Haitian liaison officer peacefully without incident. If not, they will be disarmed. The goal is to retrieve as many weapons as possible before they make their way onto the black market.

Your platoon is organized in the following manner: 1st Squad has 10 Marines, 2d Squad has 12 Marines, 3d Squad has 8 Marines, platoon headquarters consists of your platoon sergeant, platoon guide, radio operator, platoon corpsman, and yourself. Additionally, you have a seven-man machinegun squad attached. There is no map of the town, only a sketch map shown below. The S-2 believes there are 5-10 police occupying the facility. The buildings along the narrow roads in that section of the town are of an old French masonry construction. The time is now 1230; one CH-53 will be here at 1315 to load your platoon. The peacetime restriction of 24 Marines on a CH-53 has been bumped to 35. However, you are told to include the following on your manifest: company commander, battalion executive officer, two U.S. Army Special Forces captains, and a major claiming to be the “regimental historian.” The SPMAGTF commander and the Haitian Army officer will fly in the UH-1N bird. What now, Lieutenant?

Requirement

Describe your task organization and a general timeline for the platoon. Issue a frag order (Mission and Execution) to your subordinate/element leaders. Submit an overlay with your scheme of maneuver within the objective area to include landing points for the CH-53. Include any questions or concerns you would pose to your company commander. Time limit is 20 minutes. Submit your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #99-3, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134 or fax 703-640-0823.

Operation PURPLE LIGHTNING

Situation

The Krulian Army imvaded Napa a week ago in a surprise attack that quickly overcame the weak Napian Defense Force and seized Napa’s Capital, Krosova. In response, a divided U.N. Security Council passed a resolution condemning the invasion yet not authorizing military action. Meanwhile, Krulian soldiers committed the ill-judged act of storming the American Embassy in Krosova, killing about a dozen Americans and holding several hostage. With outraged America demanding retaliation, the American President decided to take the lead in stopping the Krulian forces. The President tasked the military to:

1. Ensure the safety of American and other selected national citizens in Napa.

2. Eject the military forces of Krul from the country of Napa using all means necessary.

3. Restore the Napian democratic government.

Intel Estimate: The 1st Brigade (Mech) of the Krulian Guards Division (KGD) has been tasked with the security of Krosova. These are the Krulian’s best trained and equipped troops. The 1st Brigade’s headquarters is in the Parliament buildings. One mech battalion, reinforced with a SAM battery is defending the airport and has blocked all runways. The remaining two mech battalions and a tank company are dispersed at various locations throughout the city and have been conducting continuous mounted and dismounted patrols. The 2d (Mech) and 3d (Motorized) Brigades of the KGD are both within striking distance of Krosova to the northwest and northeast respectively. Terrain around Krosova consists of rugged hills with agricultural valleys. While the hills are severely restrictive, the valleys offer excellent mobility corridors and drop zones. Weather forecast: clear skies with moderate temperatures. There are several sections of the coast that offer potential amphibious landing sites.

Friendly Forces: The Joint Force Land Component (FLC) consists of the 13th and 24th MEU(SOC)s formed under the II MEF(Fwd) Headquarters, the 2d Brigade of the 82d Airborne Division, and two battalions of the 75th Ranger Regiment. The Joint Special Operations Component USOC) has a slice of Delta and SEAL. teams. The Marines are 60 miles offshore. The remaining forces are forward deployed to an airbase 2 hours flying time from Krosova.

Mission: On D-day, the JFLC secures a beachhead at Krosova to enable an MPS offload in preparation for future operations against the Krulian Army.

You are on the operations staff of the Joint Force Land Component Commander (JFLCC). In his commander’s planning guidance, the JFLCC stated that the enemy’s center of gravity is his KGD. His critical vulnerability is the lack of an integrated air defense, leaving him open for attack by American airpower. The JFLCC wants to simultaneously isolate the capital, seize the port facilities and airport, rescue the hostages (still at the American Embassy), and secure the parliament buildings. Once this is accomplished, he wants to focus on the destruction of the ]st Brigade of the KGD, located in Krosova. The air component commander is confident that we can maintain air superiority and provide sufficient air assets to attrite or destroy the 2d and 3d Brigades of the KGD before they can interfere with operations in Krosova. He also has the capability to lift both Ranger battalions and the Airborne brigade.

Requirement

In a time limit of 30 minutes develop a course of action for the JFLCC. Then provide a sketch and a brief explanation of your plan. Submit your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #99-2, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134 or fax 703-640-0823.

A Pointed Projection of Power

Situation

As the commanding officer (CO) of Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 1/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable (26th MEU(SOC)) you’re attending a CO’s and senior staff meeting on USS Wasp (LHD-1) in the Adriatic. The MEU CO is briefing on a mission just received.

“Our Amphibious Ready Group has been designated a Joint Task Force (JTF). We have been tasked by the National Command Authorities to demonstrate the resolve and military capability of the United States to the Serbian leadership by conducting a forcible entry into Mosovic and seizing two indicted war criminals. Rules of engagement allow the immediate use of deadly force against armed men and military vehicles. The S-2 will now fill us in on the opposition.”

“Security for the Serbian headquarters in Mosovic consists of a mechanized rifle company, reinforced with SA-7 teams, mounted in seven BRDMs and some trucks. They are concentrated around the town square. There is a 750-man mountain brigade living in the hills 6 kilometers east. Analysis indicates they will fight. Two Serb mechanized brigades are reported to be dispersing among the Serbian population further to the east. Along with the SA6 and associated radar activity around Bihac and Banja Lake, an EA-6B picked up emissions from acquisition and range radars around the units at the border.”

“Thanks 2. We’ll use a fake helo mishap as deception to set up a forward arming and refueling point (FARP) and staging area here at Kalinovik, 41 nautical miles from Mosovic. Then just before dawn we will prep target reference points (TRPs) 2 through 5 with cluster munitions and drop the northern bridge (TRP 1) with four Mk-84 laserguided bombs. Almost simultaneously we’ll helo assault into Landing Zones Lew and Frenchy to take MEU objectives Alpha and Bravo. If they won’t surrender the bad guys, we seize the town.

“If they call for reinforcements our aviation combat element (ACE) will teach them all about Marine air support. The ACE CO is to serve as the joint forces air component commander and will have opcon of VMFA-224 and VMAQ-1. CVW-7 is tasked in direct support from USS Washington; she has four MH-53s available also.

“We will withdraw under heavy air cover, but detailed withdrawal planning must wait for events to develop.

“Commander Amphibious Task Force 4 (CATF) has shifted to Shreveport. I will command from the Wasp’s Combat Information Center. “CO, BLT we need your scheme of maneuver ASAP. Your battalion is reinforced with a platoon each of engineers, recon, LAVs, tanks, tracks, and a battery of M198s.”

In response to questions the ACE S-3 said they could lift up to 510 loaded personnel per wave, subtracting 19 per HMMWV and 38 per LAV or M198.

Requirement

In 30 minutes provide a scheme of maneuver to seize Alpha, Bravo, and then the town; also recommend a withdrawal option. Include rationale, sup port requests, and a map sketch. Mail your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #97-2, Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134, or send by fax (703-640-0823 or E-mail ([email protected]).

More Hell in a Handbasket

This scenario is the continuation of Tactical Decision Game #95-9, “Hell in a Handbasket,” MCG, Sep95. You are the executive officer of 1st Battalion, 6th Marines. The MEF has made a landing in the enemy rear and is driving west toward the enemy city of Lung-Hoc. Your battalion, reinforced with a company from 2d Battalion, has made a helicopterborne landing 15 kilometers south of Lung-Hoc in the Han-Bas-Quet triangle and has set up a series of blocking positions in order to prevent enemy forces from escaping south out of Lung-Hoc or from reinforcing Lung-Hoc from the south. Each company is reinforced with a section of Dragons and a combined antiarmor team (CAAT) of two TOW vehicles and two heavy machinegun (HMG) vehicles. The battalion is expected to hold its positions until mechanized advance elements of the division arrive within 24-48 hours. Company A, in a blocking position near Han, has sighted enemy activity to the north but has not made contact. Company B, with the battalion commander, was to have landed at Landing Zone (LZ) Robin, but there has been no word from them, and Robin is teeming with enemy activity. Your estimate is that they never made the landing. At Bas, Company G came under heavy attack from two directions and has begun delaying toward Quet. One platoon (callsign “Anchor”) from Company C is holding Quet with the 81mm mortar platoon and has had no enemy contact. The rest of Company C (with your small command group in trace) has moved northeast toward Hill 865 with the object of taking over Company G blocking mission. You can no longer raise the reconnaissance team that had been in the vicinity of Hill 865 and reported the enemy activity around the Rt 65-Rt 40 intersection.

The leading elements of Charlie Company crest Hill 865. Below you to the east you can see and hear Golf Company delaying along Route 25. From what has been reported and the sounds of things you estimate there is at least a mechanized battalion advancing down Rt 25. Charlie Company reports a steady flow of enemy forces (“dozens of vehicle lights”) heading south on Route 40 through LZ Robin and then east into Bas. Alpha reports that it is being probed by enemy patrols from the north. You hear small arms fire from over the crest of Hill 865, and Charlie Company reports that it has driven off what seems to be an enemy combat patrol moving up the north slope.

What now, Major?

Requirement

In a time limit of 5 minutes prepare the frag orders you will issue and any reports/requests you will make. Then provide a sketch and a short explanation of your decision. Send your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #95-11, P. O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134 or fax (703) 640-0823.

For more detailed information on the structure of Marine Corps units, Marine Corps equipment, and symbols used in TDG sketches, see MCG, Oct94, pp. 53-56 and the modification reported in Jan95, p. 5.

NEO From Instablia

Situation

You are the operations officer of 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, or 26th MEU(SOC), organized as follows:

* A command element (CE).

* The ground combat element (GCE) consists of 1st Battalion, 6th Marines reinforced with an M198 artillery battery, a tank platoon, an assault amphibian platoon with 10 AAVP7s (enough to carry one reinforced rifle company), a reconnaissance platoon, and a combat engineer detachment.

* The aviation combat element (ACE) consists of HMM-365 reinforced, deploying with 4 CH-53ES, 12 CH-46s, 4 AH-1W Cobras, and 4 UH-1N Hueys.

* The MEU Service Support Group (MSSG-26).

The MEU is afloat on a routine deployment. Suddenly, in the nearby Third World country of Instablia a disaffected military faction launches a violent coup attempt. The Inslablian President escapes capture but is believed to be in hiding in the countryside near Instablia City. Random violence and looting break out in the streets. AntiU.S. sentiment grows. A Canadian attempt to evacuate by air fails when Inslablian military forces intern the aircraft and halt the evacuees en route to the airport; Instablian forces open fire; the Canadians flee to the American University, suffering half a dozen casualties. The U.S. Ambassador, his staff, and numerous Americans and foreign nationals are for all intents and purposes besieged in the U.S. and Mexican Embassies. A handful of Marine security guards plus contract security forces of questionable utility protect the personnel at the U.S. Embassy; there are no security personnel at the university; and the security situation at the Mexican Embassy is unclear. To this point there have been no actual military or mob actions directed at the embassies or the university, but the situation is described as “increasingly volatile.”

Those Instablian military forces that have not openly declared support for the coup are of questionable reliability and loyalty. These elements consist of an infantry battalion at the lnstablia garrison, four Hip-C attack/transport helicopters at the military annex of the airport, a platoon of motorized infantry with two S-60 antiaircraft guns at Lighthouse Point, and six gunboats (with .50 caliber machineguns) operating from the waterfront.

The U.S. Ambassador has asked the State Department to arrange for the prompt evacuation of 101 persons from the U.S. Embassy, 68 from the Mexican Embassy (including 18 Americans), and 150 from the American University campus. Rules of engagement state that U.S. forces may fire only when fired upon. The situation has not yet reached critical mass, but the Ambassador estimates that evacuation will be necessary within the next 24 hours. Your amphibious ready group (ARG) is currently about 1,000 nautical miles from the objective area. The commanding officer instructs you to develop an evacuation plan based on the following assumptions:

* Given the volatility of the current situation and the MEU’s location, the initial launch of forces may have to take place from as far as 400 nautical miles from lnstablia City.

* Due to this range only the CH-53s will be available for the first phase of the evacuation and that one or more aerial refuelings may be required en route.

* Because the ARG will continue to steam toward the objective area, the CH-46s will be available for employment within 18 hours (at the most) of the launch of the first wave of CH-53s.

* The MEU can be in position to commit surfaceborne forces by AAV or landing craft, if needed, within 24 hours of the initial launch.

* The environment will likely be in the words of the ambassador, “extremely nonpermissive. At the first sign of military force expect all hell to break loose.”

* Instablian military forces will likely attempt to interfere with the evacuation and at some point it may become necessary to engage Instablian forces in combat in order to conduct the evacuation.

* Four AV-8B Harriers and two KC-130 refuelers assigned to the MEU will be available by fly-in deployment (from a nearby friendly country) to support all phases of the operation.

For planning purposes, your CH53s can carry 30 passengers each; your CH-46S. 15; and your AAVs, 25. The U.S. Embassy has landing zone space for three CH-53s or six CH-46s and the Mexican Embassy space for one CH-53 or two CH-46s. There is unlimited space for helicopters at the University. The size of your helicopter waves is not limited by ship deck space.

Requirement

Develop your evacuation plan. It is not necessary to write a complete operations order, but describe your concept of operations, tasks or phases, contingency plans, and coordinating instructions. Provide a sketch of your plan and a brief explanation. Send your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG 93-10, P. O. Box 1775, Quantico. VA 22134.

Dull Garrison Chronicles, Part IV: Take the Airfield

Situation

As the commanding officer BLT 2/8 (part of 26th MEU), you and your command are feeling pretty good about yourselves after Company G was able to rescue the American Ambassador. The general situation, however, has deteriorated further. The forces of BAD invaded Dull Island and are threatening to overrun the Marine garrison, which has suffered heavy casualties and is now fighting for survival on the outskirts of Al Habib. Furthermore, it would appear that BAD is already reinforcing and fortifying its defense of Dull Garrison Island even while it is attempting to eliminate the Marine stronghold.

The loss of Dull Garrison Island would be devastating to the American effort since access to other possible staging areas has eroded through the neglect of reciprocal defense treaties. Therefore, the National Command Authority has no choice but to order the immediate seizure of that vital island staging area.

It has been decided that the initial attack on Dull Garrison Island will occur at the island’s Airfield #2 in order to (a) relieve pressure on the beleaguered Marine garrison; (b) cut off the airfield through which BAD is bringing in supplies and reinforcements; and (c) provide an entry point for the U.S. forces that will continue the attack and secure the entire island.

In defense of Dull Garrison Island, the enemy has mustered a full division spearheaded by elite Guards and filled out with regular infantry spread throughout the entire island. Fortunately, other than a few antiaircraft batteries, the division’s heavy equipment has not yet caught up with it. Airfield #2 is thought to be defended by a small battalion (400 men) of regular infantry along with three antiaircraft emplacements. (See map.)

Available to provide close air support (CAS) are the the MEU’s eight Harriers and eight Cobra’s. A carrier battle group (CBG) will support the landing from a distance but will be engaged primarily in air superiority and CBG and amphibious task force (ATF) defensive missions. Once the airfield secured, elements of the 82d Airborne Division will be airlifted directly into it (by parachute if necessary). The initial elements are to assist the MEU in strengthening and expanding its foothold. The division will eventually assume the mission of securing the rest of the island. Finally, you are ordered to minimize collateral civilian damage. In support of this effort, the BLT’s specific missions are to:

* Secure Dull Garrison Island Airfield #2 (ATF Obj I) ensuring that the three antiaircraft emplacements are destroyed. The airlift of stateside forces is scheduled to begin a mere 6 hours after the commencement of the assault.

* Secure the village of Al Joblin (LF OBJ 1) in order to destroy the enemy headquarters and combat units located there as well as to prevent any reinforcement of the airfield.

* Seize the bridge over North River (LF Obj 2) in order to block any reaction the enemy may attempt as well as to facilitate future operations ashore.

Because of unfavorable beach conditions, the only suitable landing site for an amphibious assault is located at the mouth of North River, which is dry at this time of year. It is felt that the LCACs and AAVs will have no difficulty in overcoming any sandbars that may be located in this area. Beachmasters, however, will have to determine if an alternate landing point will have to be offset slightly for the LCUs, LCM-8s, and general offload. There are two LCACs and two LCUs aboard the LHA and one LCAC and one LCU aboard the LPD. Company E retains possession of the combat rigid raiding craft. Furthermore, there are only enough helicopters available to lift either one reinforced rifle company or the 105mm platoon of the battery at a time. The BLT is tasked organized aboard ship as follows:

LHA BLT 2/8 Headquarters (-) (rein)

Company G

Artillery Battery (4xl05mm+4xl55mm)

Engineer Platoon (-)

TOW section

3d Squad, Dragon Platoon

LPD

Company E

Weapons Company (-)

2d Squad, Engineer Platoon

Platoon LAI

(4xLAV+2xLAV-AT+lxLAV-M)

IST

Company F

AAV Platoon

1st Squad, Dragon Platoon

1st Squad, Engineer Platoon

Requirement

As the BLT commander, briefly discuss your plans for accomplishing your mission to include your task organization for the assault, your sequencing of units ashore, and the broad missions you assign your subordinates. Include an overlay which indicates the landing zones you intend to use, additional BLT objectives that you may designate, and your general scheme of maneuver. Submit your solution to the Marine Corps Gazette, Tactical Decision Game #92-6, Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134. The Gazette will publish the author’s and other solutions in the August 1992 issue.