Mission I: Desert Shield

[2nd Ranger 1]

August 29, 1989

OPORD

Situation: At 0420 this morning, the Yemeni coast guard picked up a distress call coming from a remote location on the island of Socotra, in the Gulf of Aden. The caller claimed that an unidentified hostile force had landed in the South late last night, and was advancing toward the North, forcibly installing soldiers in each of the small settlements, and declaring martial law. At the time of the call, the invaders were believed to have advanced almost all the way to the Northern end of the island. Their military being in a fragile state at present, the Yemeni government has asked that we intervene.

Intention: It is essential that the Northern airfield remains out of enemy hands. It will take some time to muster a substantial peacekeeping force from our bases in Oman, therefore we must stop the enemy advance for as long as it takes to secure a foothold in the North. Being the closest force we have to Socotra, a detachment of the 101st Airborne will insert South of the airfield and stop the enemy before they reach it. When the enemy advance has been halted, our forces should then push further to the South and occupy the towns of Ar Rudbah and Badanah, and hold them against counter-attacks until such time as our main forces arrive.

Enemy forces: Large numbers of hostiles moving up from the South. Strength unknown, however the Distress caller mentioned the word ‘tanks’.

Friendly Forces: One additional squad will insert to the East and support your flank.

Service/Support: Ammunition and Medical - SOP. Transport - UH60 Blackhawk (INS)

Current weather: Sunny, good visibility.

Forecast for next 12 hours: No change.

OBJECTIVES

1. The airfield must be defended to allow our reinforcements to arrive. Ambush the enemy at Al Zerif and halt their advance before they reach the airfield.

2. When the main advance is destroyed, attack and seize the town of Ar Rudbah

3. Hold the town until reinforcements arrive.

X. Achieve objectives with minimal civilian losses.

Notes

No word on who these guys are, but we've been authorised to engage them at will. Sounds good to me.

Beats the hell out of training, anyway.