Mission VI: Rolling Thunder

[2nd Ranger]

September 13, 1989

OPORD

Situation: Early this morning, a Special Forces team crippled the enemy's ability to bring up additional armor from the South. The aim of this was to decrease their tank strength around the town of Al Qusayr, and the port town of Ad Duwaym. With their defences weakened, we can now begin our main advance to the South. Elements of 1st Cav will first engage enemy armored units in the West, and then capture the towns of Al Qusayr and Al Mudawwarah.

Intention: Assault column will depart from Dawlatabad. On the commander’s signal, Foxtrot Red (Bradleys) will move to the West, and engage enemy armored units. Delta Black (SFG HMMWV) will bring up the rear and support with TOW.

When the column reaches Al Mudawwarah, Delta Black must engage enemy anti-armor troops as Foxtrot Red clears the town (long-range weapons provided if required). When Mudawwarah is secure, all units will proceed to Al Qusayr and eliminate all enemy forces.

Enemy forces: Enemy infantry and armor occupy Al Qusayr and are patrolling this area. Mudawwarah guarded by light infantry. Small enemy positions lie to the North

Friendly Forces: Three Bradley units of 1st Cav (Foxtrot Red 1 - 3) will engage enemy armor, supported by a TOW HMMWV team from 5SFG (Delta Black). An additional infantry platoon will clear the enemy positions in the NW w/ M113 support.

Service/Support: 5SFG HMMWV team to provide support to armor column with TOW. Repair trucks on standby.

Current weather: cloudy, good visibility

Forecast for next 12 hours: No change

OBJECTIVES

1. When the advance command is given (Radio), Foxtrot Red will move to engage and destroy enemy armor in this area, supported by TOW HMMWV.

2. Foxtrot Red and Delta Black will then attack and secure Al Mudawwarah

3. When the town is secure, continue advancing West and seize Al Qusayr

Notes

This is it - The big advance. Our first move is to secure our Western Flank before heading any farther South.

Once we've taken Qusayr, it'll be easy to secure Ad Duwaym in the South. If we can sustain an aggressive advance, we should be able to reach the Southern end of the island within seven days.