After Action Report 02.28.2010
Operation Irene



Final Command Structure

Operational Commander

Jaynus

Ranger Command

Chalk 1 / Chalk Actual Viper

Chalk 2 Longtime

Chalk 3 Rampart

Delta Command

Delta 1 Actual Dredge

Uniform 64 Command

Uniform 64 Actual Fusionpoo (Irregulars)

Alpha Squad Headshot

Bravo Squad KiD

Charlie Squad Zedic

Delta Squad Ghost

Flight 1 Command

Flight 1 Actual Boondocksaint

Objectives

- Eliminate the advisers
- Evac back to base

Original OPORD

Phase 1 - Deployment

Initial statement: We ran into some communications during the organizational portion of the beginning, mainly around teamspeak hotkeys. Command was hearing internal comm's from commanders of uniform 64 and chalk actual; Wasn't too big of a deal though, just caused some delays trying to fix it. VON (from my perspective) seemed practically inoperable.

Mission began, and ordered the immediate and equipping and arming of the forces. Ordered Uniform 64 to mount up in teh convoy, Chalks into blackhawk's and delta into the littlebird. Got code 'IRENE' via radio, and continued trying to get my men mounted up. Ammo seemed a bit sparse, and we ran into entire squads switching arm's because of other elements hoarding ammo.

Ordered Delta to depart approximately 3 mikes before the Chalks, against my original OPORD. Eventually, all units did role out according to original OPORD.

We ran into complications due to original intelligence stating we had 2 Chalk elements, when we actually had 3. Also, Delta did not fit into the little bird in its entirety. Ordered Chalk 3 to split between both blackhawks and a 2nd trip, while Delta also inserted some members in the blackhawks.

Phase 2 - Assault

Delta inserted onto its specified roof, and had some issues with the landing. All of Delta plus the pilot survived, but we had a little bird down. Delta initiated its assault on Olympic Hotel at this time. At the same time, Chalk elements began to drop into their specified deployment areas and began setting up a security perimeter around the hotel.

Uniform 64 was current rolling at this time, and I ordered them to continue proceeding towards the hotel due to the delay in deployement. Uniform 64 reached the hotel at almost the same time the targets were eliminated. At this point, we were just completing the securing and clearing of the area when my elements began reporting a blackhawk going down north of the hotel.

Phase 3 - First Blackhawk Down

When blackhawk down was called, I ordered all units to hold position and confirm location of the downed blackhawk. Immediately, Airboss called in possible location north of the hotel; which agreed with our ground observations. I then ordered all units to proceed towards the down chopper.

I ordered Uniform 64 to take up an eastern and north-eastern perimeter of the blackhawk, Chalk to form a western and north-western perimeter, and Delta to move directly in on the downed chopper.

Movement Orders:


Perimeters:


My elements proceeded to the blackhawk down site, secured the perimeter, and survivors were found. Delta coordinated their evacuation with Flight 1, and then proceeded to blow the downed chopper. During this time, Airboss was attempting to coordinate a ammo drop to the downed blackhawk location. This drop was unsuccessful, and I ordered the blackhawk with supplies to peel off.

At this point, command proceeded into a Blackhawk and then a little bird, providing command oversight from an air viewing position.

Phase 4 - Second Blackhawk Down

Upon destroying the damaged haul of the downed blackhawk, we got radio messages about a 2nd blackhawk going down. I immediately dispatched air elements to recon the down and discover its location. I received confirmation of its approximate location around Ci-15 (Charlie-India One-Five). I then ordered all elements to proceed East towards the crash site. Observed Chalk moving west-northwest of the crash site, and Uniform 64 moving in on a directly western movement; did not intervene and let them proceed at discretion. I then ordered Delta to proceed in the wake of Uniform 64's movement, and to secure the crash site at Delta Actual discretion.

At this point, I also had a Super 64 in the air with Two(2) times gunners. I ordered them weapons hot east of the AO of the second downed chopper.

Movement:


All units proceeded to move into the area and secure it. Delta searched the wreck for survives and found none, so I ordered the destruction of this second downed blackhawk.

Phase 5 - Extraction

A UN convoy was dispatched from the north in support of our movements. I ordered Chalk to move to the estimated meeting location of the Convoy, Ch-15 (Charlie-Hotel One-Five). Uniform 64 recommended they move back to their vehicles for extraction, and I gave the go ahead. I then retracted part of this order, and ordered Uniform 64 to leave 1 X squad with Chalk elements in support of the UN convoy.

Uniform 64 began their movements back to their vehicles, while Chalk held position around the convoy to load casulties. At this point, the server experienced massive desync and we eventually called it.

Feedback

Pros

1. The 3 tier command structure worked great; it would have been hell having to order all 8 units myself. I recommend for future events that we use command frequency with the new radio's in this same manner, and ONLY play missions where we can setup independent element leaders. e.g. all event missions should have a overall leader for their respective element, so they don't have to lead a squad too.
2. My element actuals did a great job, took initiative, and required little oversight
3. We had minimal casualties overall, and once we got out of base the mission proceeded quickly and organized
4. The Flight group were all "johnny on the spots" the whole time.
5. Delta was very "on their own" initiative based, just like it should be in the mission. Loved it, Dredge.

Cons

1. The Teamspeak whisper crapshoot was a bit confusing and irritating at times, but not too bad. We still setup the basic communications structure I wanted, and that was the important part. Hopefully the new radio's fix this.
2. Everyone took WAY too long to equip. I had to threaten shooting people at the ammo boxes to get them to back off. You don't need 30kg of ammo; that's what my airboss and supply chopper is for.
3. On the same note as above, some people apparently hoarded ammo. I had squads which (i believe) had to *switch* weapon types because of this. Bad form.
4. The mission massively desync'ed a few times, and eventually went into oblivion at the end. Dunno if this was just from ~60 people, but was disappointing not being able to order Chalk to run a kilometer :P
5. I had a lot of fun commanding an official TG event. I'm doomed to continue volunteering