Operation/Patrol Time:
0900 Echo (UTC+5), 22SEP23
Weather/Forecast Information:
Current temp: 77 degrees, up to 85 by 1330, then down to 63 degrees around 0100 tomorrow. Wind speeds from 3 mph to 8 mph to the South-East.
Lighting/Visibility Factors:
Somewhat cloudy day, but no rain. There may still be some pockets of fog remaining around the more heavily forested areas of the islands, but those should be dissipating within the next hour. Sunset at 1803.
Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMs) & Aviation Advisory Information
As all air assets have been briefed previously, the OPFOR AA position at [GRIDREF 043083] was confirmed destroyed by the cruise missile attack from USS Churchill during phase 5, which is why its icon has been crossed off on your BLUFOR devices. Its stationary positiion within a highly recognisable landmark - the castle in the center of a lake - far away from any civilian centers made it an easy target once its presence was confirmed. However, the same cannot be said for the remaining OPFOR AA assets around COP LANSDALE, therefore all air assets are highly encouraged to maintain low altitude, stage all CAS missions, and ingress/egress from the West of the AO, utilising tree cover whenever possible.
Theater/Strategic-level News & Intelligence Updates, Activity, and Analysis
The search for the MIA CHAOS troopers is still ongoing, as efforts to locate the POWs on the Western island - Pulau Monyet - have failed. All collected intelligence, and the process of elimination, now points to a certain "training camp" on the Eastern island - Pulau Gurun. Before the searh for this camp can begin, a foothold must be secured, with OPFOR AA contained and destroyed to allow maximal operating capacity of our supporting air assets. As the previous phase has shown, the KMN is finally reacting to our constant ISR efforts, meaning the positions of their more mobile assets are constantly in flux. In simpler terms, the battle map is no longer as reliable as it used to be except for certain OPFOR strongpoints, and FRAGOs may become more common as a result.
Local/Tactical-level News & Intelligence Updates, Activity, and Analysis
During the previous phase S-2 has confirmed the first civilian death of the operation that was caused by direct munitions. Whether that was OPFOR or BLUFOR munitions is up for debate, as the civilian was found near COP LANSDALE itself, however, S-2 recommends heightened caution when approaching civilians or civilian centers from now on. We cannot afford to lose the support of civilians at this stage of the campaign.
Special Info/Patrol Objective-specific Intelligence
COP LANSDALE was built on top a Japanese WW2 fortification, but OPFOR may have built additional defenses since, such as minefields, wired obstacles, walls, etc. Approach with utmost caution.