Operation Torina Ascencia Joint Force Oklahoma Intelligence Briefing

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Operation Torina Ascencia Joint Force /
OklahomaIntelligence Briefing
4/15/2006 - SECRET - DESTROY WASTE COPIES

• Steven Hoober, S2 JF/OK-APF (KCAA)

4/15/2006 - SECRET - DESTROY WASTE COPIES
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Area of Operations

• Kashmenistan, a rectangular area some 350m north
  to south and extending 775m west from the MSR
• The borders of the AO are marked with a green
  line on the map, and are clearly defined by a
  steel post barbed wire fence on all sides
• Soil is uniformly sandy clay
• Bedrock layers of limestone begun appx. 24 down
  fortifications are hand-dug and rarely exceed
  this depth
• Open areas are uniformly covered in sparse grass
  of consistent height within an area, 12 - 30
  tall small bushes periodically, especially along
  margins, rarely, bare rock
• Foliage is accurate as marked on maps primarily
  deciduous, with clumps of cedars considerable
  undergrowth, comprised largely of thorny vines
• Small numbers of small mammals and deer many
  chiggers and ticks seasonally home to donkey
  herds

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AO Terrain AAs

• Patches of interconnected RESTRICTIVE foliage
  certain areas VERY RESTRICTIVE
• Intermittent streamways in sharp depressions
  across AO, sometimes used as ad hoc trail system
• Old vehicle track running generally east/west
  foot trail branching to north-west numerous
  usable donkey trails across entire AO

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AO - Key Features

• Man-made features provide additional navigational
  reference points
• No tactically significant high or low ground

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AO - Current Expected Conditions

• Surface Conditions
• Undergrowth mostly dry, loud and brown grass
  sparse but up to 30 tall, may provide
  concealment at longer ranges
• Main N/S creek rocky and filled with brackish
  water stream in NW corner bone dry and clear of
  brush E/W main stream UNK
• Astronomical
• Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
• April 15, 2006 Central Daylight Time

MOON Moonrise 0922 (preceding day) Moon
transit 0238 Moonset 0746 Moonrise 1027
Moonset 0821 (following day) Waning gibbous,
96 of the visible disk illuminated. Nearest Full
Moon 13 April 2006 at 1141
SUN Begin civil twilight 0631 Sunrise 0658 Sun
transit 0130 Sunset 0803 End civil twilight 0829
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AO - Current Expected Conditions

• Weather Forecast
• As of 1400 hrs, 4/14
• Temp Lo 65 F / Hi 87 F
• Precip gt 1/10th in. possible
• Humid 70 near dusk dawn, 50 mid-day
• Dewpoint 50 F
• Cloud cover 5/10ths
• Visibillity 10 miles
• Wind 18 mph Morning, 25 mph Afternoon Gspd to
  41 from 4-6 pm
• South wind will allow extended range for FS
  weapons especially. All positions should be
  approached from upwind (generally South)

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Threat SummarySkiatookistani Peoples Volunteer
Army (SPVA)

• Organization Tasking
• Appx. troops, generally organized into squads,
  each with two fire teams of about 6 riflemen
• The command element may not have attached
  security
• Machine guns are distributed throughout the fire
  teams there is no dedicated FS squad
• One scout/assault section, comprising up to five
  troops with up to two sniper rifles
• Equipment
• SPVA troops will be in a variety of Green
  uniforms
• Troops are armed with a variety of incompatible
  rifles SMGs, some have handguns or springers
  only
• At least two LMGs of multiple types (Minimi
  RPK, or others)
• HVTs
• Machine guns
• Trails, and choke points such as creek crossings
  or narrow gaps between wooded areas
• Fortifications (covered later under POI)
• Logistics points water may be provided to all
  troops at a common location
• Leadership elements

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Threat SummarySkiatookistani Peoples Volunteer
Army (SPVA)

• TTPs
• The SPVA is known to employ hunter-killer
  (scout/sniper) teams. These are deployed forward
  of the main force, or thru difficult terrain.
  These teams are employed for recon, attacking
  HVTs with sniper fire, and acting as an assault
  force, especially against the flanks or rear
  areas.
• When this force is falls back e.g. if they take
  heavy casualties they may then lay a hasty
  ambush for pursuing attackers.
• The main force tends to defend and move along
  main trails and open areas, avoiding wooded,
  difficult terrain.
• The main force frequently employs grenades and
  claymores in both attack and defense.
• Main forces periodically employ local offensive
  operations from defensive points.
• Good at maneuvering defensive assets to
  individual threats on a fortification be sure to
  coordinate attacks from multiple directions to
  stymie this behavior

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Threat SummarySkiatookistani Peoples Volunteer
Army (SPVA)

• Political Considerations
• This defense is staged by a coalition of troops
  from different locales.
• The interactions between squads/territories seem
  to be still be somewhat competitive. Added stress
  from a collapsing defense or attacks on multiple
  fronts may exacerbate this situation and reduce
  their ability to react and to get orders carried
  out in a timely and accurate manner.
• Different tactical styles may not work together
  as cohesively as expected.
• Many troops are not familiar with the AO. SPVA
  command is tending to place someone with solid
  knowledge with the land in leadership positions.
  Loss of leaders down to fireteams may cause
  troops to founder and become lost.

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Threat CapabilitiesSkiatookistani Peoples
Volunteer Army (SPVA)

• Capabilities

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Threat VulnerabilitiesSkiatookistani Peoples
Volunteer Army (SPVA)

• Vulnerabilities

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Threat Courses of Action

• Most Likely COA
• Mission Alternating defense and retrograde
  movement comprising a defence in depth thru use
  of a series of fortified positions alongside key
  access routes throughout the AO. There is no need
  to win any one battle decisively.
• Concept of Operation Employ forces en-mass to
  secure specially selected, fortified positions.
  Employ hunter-killer teams, snipers and FS to
  engage HVTs of opportunity.
• End State Wear down invading forces thru
  attrition, consumption of supplies, fatigue and
  political loss-of-will from casualties. Force
  JF/OK troops to delay or cease offensive
  operations.

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Threat Courses of Action

• Most Dangerous COA
• Mission Delay enemy forces via a multi-mode
  defense in depth across the AO.
• Concept of Operation Defend fortified bases to
  draw in JF/OK forces. Stage ambushes on
  approaches to fortifications, and between them,
  especially when conducting retrograde movement to
  another fortification. Maneuver to enemy rear
  areas and conduct sniper and ambush attacks.
• End State Disrupt the ability of JF/OK to carry
  out operations across the AO, and to hold
  contiguous areas. Wear down invading forces thru
  attrition, consumption of supplies, fatigue and
  political loss-of-will from casualties. Force
  JF/OK troops to delay or cease offensive
  operations.

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Threat POIs

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Threat Points of Interest
Foraker
Luciana
King
Bona
Steele
Blackburn
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Immediate Threat

• The initial POI to be defended is marked Denali
  on the previous chart this feature is locally
  known as Firebase Wolf, and is marked as such
  on your printed maps.

• Located on open ground appx. 175 m North-West of
  the JF/OK TOC
• Wooded DIFFICULT terrain is 40 m to the North
• Open ground with clear Threat fields of fire lie
  to the South
• Periodic trees combined with open ground are to
  the East and West these may also be engaged from
  the fortification with some ease
• This is the only known well-fortified position
  this may imply a modified general COA, involving
  a single, core defensive position.

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Immediate Threat

• Fortifications are hand-dug, and
  
• Sandbags are used for the South and West walls
• Timbers and local logs and sticks comprise much
  of the North fortifications

• There is a straight, vulnerable, entry to the
  fortification on the North side
• A small command post is provided with overhead
  cover on the West side
• Trenches inside the fortification are straight
  and wide, aligned with the exterior walls
• There are a small number of firing slits (noted
  in red to the right)

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Immediate Threat

• The command post (overhead cover) can be engaged
  with plunging MG fire when fired from the
  position noted at right.

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Threat Immediate COA

• Most Likely Immediate COA
• Mission Defend the base in place as long as
  practical with the forces on hand.
• Concept of Operation The bulk of the force will
  man the defensive fortifications, or be
  immediately adjacent to them, as proof against a
  direct assault. Maneuver scout forces thru
  adjacent moderate or difficult terrain to North,
  East and West to deny use of the most valuable
  attack positions. Task specific personnel with
  specific HVTs.
• End State Disrupt the JF/OK battle plan
  sufficiently to remove their momentum, so the
  fortification can be successfully defended.
  Destroy JF/OK command and FS to disrupt and delay
  counter-actions.

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Threat Immediate COA

• Most Dangerous Immediate COA
• Mission Employ deception to cause JF/OK forces
  to attack strong points, and expose their flanks,
  rear areas, FS and command elements.
• Concept of Operation While manning defensive
  fortifications, keep significant portions of the
  force in reserve, nearby but concealed in
  moderate or difficult terrain to North, East and
  West. Maneuver reserve forces to attack rear
  areas or flanks. Task specific units with
  specific HVTs.
• End State Disrupt the JF/OK battle plan
  sufficiently to remove their momentum, so the
  fortification can be successfully defended.
  Destroy JF/OK command and FS to disrupt and delay
  counter-actions.