Operation Lionheart - S-2 After Action Reports

[1LT (Ret) Garcia]

All,

This thread will contain the main intelligence information given in each briefing to each platoon, and a short summary of how the mission played out relative to that information. Hopefully this will allow all of you to keep better track of the progression of the operation.

Regards,

S-2 Intelligence Team.

[1LT (Ret) Garcia]

Task Force Alpha

Key points from S-2 Briefing:

• Ramir market supplies raided, loaded crates into trucks and headed towards KalaeNoowi.
• Armed men reported in town.
• The bombing at the airbase indicates presence of a terrorist cell and a knowledge of explosives.
• Pockets of unrest brewing as people flock to town.

Key outcomes from the patrol:

• A Ural, believed to be containing the men responsible for Ramir, was engaged by the Task Force, but the men fled the scene.
• Multiple cells were activated in town while the Task Force patrolled, engaging the patrol.
• Multiple Suicide Bombers attempted to penetrate the Task Force security, but were unsuccessful in detonating their vest.
• Multiple civilians seen moving around the Mosque compound.
• The Task Force took a large amount of contact from the hills to the south and east of town.

Task Force Bravo

Key points from S-2 Briefing:

• Media reports growing level of support for US forces.
• Sunset call to prayer at the mosque included anti-US rhetoric, calling for revenge.
• Construction workers threatened for providing contract work to the Airbase.
• Dr. Wazir and his wife were abducted with their two children.
• Illegal raodblock on the MSR south of town robbing citizens and stealing police equipment.

Key outcomes from the patrol:

• Civilians cooperated well through the checkpoint.
• A truck failed to stop approaching the eastern side of the checkpoint, and driver was KIA after failing to stop for a warning shot. EOD confirmed the presence of HME on the truck.
• Machinegunners and RPG gunners engaged the Task Force from the hills to the south, and marksmen/riflemen engaged the Task Force from the buildings surrounding the checkpoint.

Task Force Charlie

Key points from S-2 Briefing:

• Chanting militants in town on apartment balconies and rooftops.
• Militants seen overwatching their Airbase, and firing at the Control tower
• Storage facility seen supporting suspicious activity.

Key outcomes from the patrol:

• Multiple marksmen engaged the patrol from elevated structures throughout town.
• A large flanking element of aproximately 20 personnel attempted to engage the task force from it's rear, originating in the hills to the south of town.
• 3 weapons caches were located in town, and will be disposed of by EOD personnel.
• A blue Ural was engaged at a storage facility, all armed personnel were KIA.
• Insurgents took control of a government facility in town with multiple armed men taking hostages.

[1LT (Ret) Garcia]

Task Force Alpha

Key points from S-2 Briefing:

• Religious leaders were moving from KalaeNoowi to Karift, no expected direct Anti-US agenda, but caution advised
• Citizens of KaleNoowi were happy to see care taken with their home city by US forces
• Karift is surrounded by dangerous towns, care was advised to maintain 360
• Priority target in the AO was HVT "Wasif Ibn Tazi"
• HVT has a history of IEDs, IDF and suicide bombers

Key outcomes from the patrol:

• Civilians were killed
• On insert, one Phoenix Heavy was lost on landing with no friendly casualties
• Multiple large IDF barrages engaged the task force with a relatively high accuracy
• Multiple IEDs detonated within the AO, taking out approximately whole squads in the blast radius
• Heavy reinforcements pushed onto the town, at least a platoon in strength
• The town itself was heavily garrisoned with multiple squads worth of infantry
• HVT is captured and will be turned over to Battalion for debriefing
• On extract, one Phoenix Heavy was downed with multiple injured friendlies and approximately 5 KIA from the task force

Task Force Bravo

Key points from S-2 Briefing:

• Taliban withdrawing into town, which is Al-Qaeda held
• Civilians are either hiding, or have fled, due to constant fighting and IED threat
• Two FOBs in town present hardened threats of key importance to the TF
• Possibly see AQ and TB working together

Key outcomes from the patrol:

• Civilians were killed
• No birds were lost and there were limited casualties
• Both FOBs cleared out
• Multiple BTRs faced and destroyed by the TF
• Large numbers of enemy infantry faced, often sneaking within 50m of friendly lines
• At least two IEDs triggered

Task Force Charlie

Key points from S-2 Briefing:

• The AO was the "wild west", a de facto front line between Taliban and Al Qaeda forces
• IEDs, mortars and rocket attacks where engaging the town of Limar
• Possibility of heavy reinforcements being sent

Key outcomes from the patrol:

• One Phoenix was lost after dropping re-supply in town, pilot was KIA
• Two weapons caches were located
• One OPFOR mortar pit was destroyed, a second one remained operational
• Multiple large infantry elements entered the AO, surrounding the task force, and forcing the task force to extract

[1LT (Ret) Garcia]

Task Force Alpha

Key points from S-2 Briefing:

• Expected that further KalaeNoowi patrols will see resistance from the civilian populace.
• FSKA has a directly hostile anti-US agenda and control of Ramir to the south.
• FSKA is expected to field motorized and mechanized assets.
• Anti-US rhetoric could manifest into KalaeNoowi's citizens taking up arms.

Key outcomes from the patrol:

• Multiple MBTs, BTRs, BMPs and gun trucks were engaged and destroyed as well as several squads of infantry.
• The blocking position was engaged by IDF from Ramir, which was bombed by Thunder.
• Infantry managed to push into town and attempted to engage the blocking position from the rear.
• FSKA forces ultimately withdrew back to Ramir.

Task Force Bravo

Key points from S-2 Briefing:

• No briefing delivered

Key outcomes from the patrol:

• Multiple pieces of armour were faced from all sides as well as large infantry formations and suicide bombers.
• Thunder released (2x?) cluster bombs on the west of the AO as well as a 2000lb bomb
• Multiple engagements with Warlord and 2-4's CCMTs
• OPFOR AA did engage aviation, to no damage
• Task Force held lines and defended the COP

Task Force Charlie

Key points from S-2 Briefing:

• Possible AA/AAA/heavy armor/MLRS in the AO.
• Buildings have been fortified and the town built up defensively.
• FSKA Officers in the AO, eliminating them is a priority.
• Al Qaeda may be moving in from the West.

Key outcomes from the patrol:

• Several (I missed a count but I think 2+) FSKA captured.
• MBTs and BTRs engaged and destroyed.
• Communications equipment seized in town.
• LZ with transport facilities indicate airlifted supplies.
• Several ZU-23s and Mortars destroyed.