Dateline - 10 June, 2015
Breaking news from Chernarus. This weekend, US forces were heavily engaged once more in Eastern Europe against their old foe, the RPLA. Elements from the 506th Infantry Regiment and supporting elements struck out against the brutal pro-Russian separatists. The action took place over a number of different locations as it seems that US forces have decided to take battle to the RPLA in the form of several pinpoint attacks.
Action was seen primarily in Stary Sobor, Devils Castle and Mount Altar in the North of the country. In Stary Sobor, US forces were initially bogged down by defensive emplacements placed carefully by the RPLA, but after fighting street to street, US forces were victorious. It is thought that during this engagement, the 506th lost 3 service personnel killed in action, but many more were wounded. Sources suggest that the RPLA lost many more, upwards of 100. However, this cannot be confirmed.
At Mount Altar, US forces appear to have been successful in objectives, however after intense fighting in similar fashion to US forces in Stary, casualties were inevitable. It is believed that here in the mountainous terrain, over 10 personnel were killed in action, again with many more wounded. However, the RPLA is believed to have suffered over 50 casualties.
The most intense fighting was seen at Devils Castle. The 800 year old fortification has always been of high strategical value, and this is the reason why this castle stood for so long, staring impressively over the nearby countryside. The name itself adds to how much of a menacing task it must have been for the US forces which advanced on it this weekend. Here, unlike the other two assaults, the US took heavy casualties, many body bags were seen after the fighting. We do not have accurate numbers on how many US service personnel who were killed or wounded, but we are told it is high. Although, RPLA casualties are thought to be some of the highest recorded so far. The RPLA really did not want to give up this castle, but eventually the 506th Infantry Regiment wrestled it from them.
In other news, it is believed that one US soldier was taken prisoner; once more, this cannot be confirmed. In addition we are hearing reports filtering through that 12 unmarked graves were discovered at Devils Castle. This immediately sparked concern amongst the international task force as it was believed that this was the grim fate of the missing 12 US service personnel taken as prisoners in Podagorsk only months before. While it is still unknown who these graves hold, we can be certain that they do not hold the graves of any US service personnel. Instead it is believed that these graves are members of the Chernarussian Parliament which were massacred weeks ago. Either way, this highlights the brutality of the RPLA.
International Times - James Gallagher
* This news report is a fictional work to support the 506th ARMA game play
** Written by 2LT Hart, images from CPL Rogers