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Scenario:

You are deployed in theater as part of aUnited Nations force where you havebeen assigned stability and support typeoperations (SASO), primarily peace en-forcement and support of the humanitar-ian assistance efforts of non-governmen-tal organizations (NGOs). The threat inthe area is from the Athian faction,which is not satisfied with the UnitedNations resolution of border disputes orredistribution of international aid. Athianequipment includes BRDM-1s and OT-

64s, which they have been flaunting inviolation of the U.N. accord by usingtheir armored vehicles to escort other ve-hicles and equipment around in yourarea of operations. Additionally, Athianactivity has thus far been limited to mildanti-United Nations demonstrations andgraffiti. Recent intelligence indicates in-surgent forces are suffering food short-ages brought on by harsh winter months.Current rules of engagement now allowthe use of deadly force when necessaryto protect lives, critical equipment, andall U.N./host nation facilities.

General Situation:

You are the commander for BlackhorseTroop 1-23 Cavalry, an armored divisioncavalry squadron. Your assets includetwo scout platoons (1st and 3rd Plt) ofM3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicles, two tank

platoons (2nd and 4th Plt) of M1A1Abrams Main Battle Tanks, a mortarsection, one up-armored fire truck andone tank and pump unit, carrying high-pressure water cannons. Additionally,there is a team of OH-58D(I) KiowaWarriors (KWs) on station from DeltaTroop that are under squadron control.The KWs are each carrying 300 roundsof .50 caliber and two Hellfire missiles.

Mission:

B/1-23rd Cavalry conducts area secu-

rity operations centered on the village ofBruechville to protect food distributionpoints and other critical facilities againstAthian insurgent threats.

You have been issued non-lethal weap-ons for crowd control, to include watercannons, pepper spray, and CS grenades.You are conducting an area security mis-sion to protect and control the distribu-tion of food and medical supplies at arecently resupplied food distribution cen-ter. Your 1st platoon is assigned CheckPoints 7 and 9, the terrain west of theriver, with its sister platoon (2nd) estab-lished in Hide Position Horse. Your 3rdPlatoon is responsible for the river andthe terrain east of the river, with its sisterplatoon in Hide Position Saddle. Yourmortars are in Mortar Firing PositionRope.

The Action Begins:

Ten minutes ago, the squadron S2 in-formed you that JSTARS reports twoconvoys approaching your position fromthe west on each of the major roads.Both convoys have approximately 20 ve-hicles, of which about half appear to bearmored. The squadron commanderFRAGOed the KWs to reconnoiter theconvoys to determine their exact locationand disposition. You plot their locationto be approximately twelve kilometerswest of CPs 7 and 9.

You receive the following SPOTREPfrom your 3rd platoon: Black 6, this isBlue 1. We have a crowd of approxi-mately 200 pro-Athian sympathizers onfoot, moving on the road toward the re-supply area, current location is two kilo-meters west of CP 11. We have identifiedknown Athian black list personnelamong the demonstrators. Also, a rovingpatrol has found five empty dump truckshidden in the wooded area north of HPSaddle. The truck drivers state they aretaking a lunch break from their roadconstruction project. Although youhave been briefed on all construction

projects in your area, you are unaware ofany projects in your immediate AO.

The KWs report that both convoys areapproximately ten kilometers west ofCPs 7 and 9 respectively. The northernconvoy consists of 3 BRDMs, 5 OT-64s,and 12 GAZ cargo trucks. The southernconvoy consists of 5 BRDMs, 6 OT-64s,and 9 GAZ cargo trucks. Every armoredvehicle has women and children ridingon top. The OT-64s are equipped with14.5mm heavy MGs, and BRDMsequipped with 12.7mm heavy MGs. Theparamilitary soldiers have RPGs andSA-7s. They further report that the road

is bordered on both sides by restrictedand severely restricted terrain.

Requirement:

Take five minutes to assess the situ-ation and formulate a FRAGO. Issueyour FRAGO as if talking on the radio.Submit your solution to the CavalryBranch by e-mail at: HoskinsonT@ftknox-dtdd-emh5.army.mil, or mailyour solution to ARMOR, ATTN:ATZK-TDM, Fort Knox, KY 40121-5210.

TACTICAL VIGNETTE 98-4

Stability and Support Operations in Athia

Showdown at Bruechville

ARMOR July-August 1998 49

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