CAMPAIGN Briefing
Situation
JUNE 19, 2008
IRAQ-SYRIA BORDER
After months of deployment and build-up, the invasion of Syria is
about to begin. The world has waited breathlessly as three days of
intense airstrikes have hit Syrian Army defenses throughout the
country, but the order has been given to cross the border in the
pre-dawn dark. American forces are moving from their jump-off
points along the Syria-Iraq border, while British forces are attacking
along the northern Turkey-Syria border and near Damascus. Other
NATO forces are attacking towards Aleppo in the north. To
complete the envelopment,
the United States Marine Corps is
landing on the Mediterranean coast.
You command a battalion-sized task force as a part of Task Force
Thunder, a Stryker Brigade reinforced by armor and mechanized
infantry, and backed by generous amounts of artillery and air
support. The combination of speed, agility, and firepower makes
your task force one of the most powerful forces on the planet.
You will be required to employ these advantages to accomplish an
important mission: Task Force Thunder has been ordered to strike
quickly into the heart of Syria.
mission
Task Force Thunder is entrusted with the important task of
splitting Syria's territory in half and ultimately seizing the vital urban
area of Hims. The highways to be followed in pursuit of this mission
have been designated Route Lightning. Route Lighting neatly bisects
Syria and separates the industrial resources of the north from the
population centers of the south and west. A successful drive
through the center will cause maximum disruption to the coherent
defense of the country. In the event of a prolonged siege of the
capitol, Syrian forces will be unable to resupply and to re-equip.
You will need to balance the competing priorities of speed and
force protection. As important as it is to secure Route Lightning
quickly, if we arrive at Hims combat ineffective we will not be able
to effect a coup de main on the city. That would complicate other
operations, including at best a more difficult fight for our forces to
the south, and at worst a stalemate.
Friendly Forces
Task Force Thunder is composed from both Stryker and Heavy
brigade combat teams, backed by plenty of artillery and air support.
Our Strykers are fast and versatile, being able to put many boots
on the ground quickly and with full combined arms support. Our
heavy forces are the most powerful in the world, capable of
besting any opposition they face.
Your battalion-sized command within Task Force Thunder is
organized as follows. Various elements from a Stryker Battalion, a
Combined Arms Battalion, and various brigade-level formations have
been combined to form an independent and versatile combat unit.
Battalion Command
Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) (x1 M1134 ATGM
Stryker Platoon attached)
A Company (Stryker Rifle) (x1 M1132-mounted Combat Engineer
Squad attached)
B Company (Armored) (M142 SEP Abrams)
C Company (Stryker Rifle) (x1 M1132-mounted Combat Engineer
Squad attached)
D Company (Mech Rifle) (Bradley)
E Company (Mech Engineer) (Bradley)
Enemy Forces
Intelligence believes that there are three to four Syrian divisions
lying in our path to Hims, although this may change due to last
minute shuffles on the Damascus-Hims-Aleppo axis. Initial enemy
forces defending the border will consist mostly of poorly trained
reserve and militia infantry units backed by obsolete tanks held over
from the 1960s. The interior of the country is defended by
substantial numbers of regular armor, mech, and infantry units. The
quality of the equipment is still inferior to our own, however it
does pose a significant threat. Around the Hims area are the best
of the regular Syrian forces, including at least one regiment of the
Republican Guard Division. The quality of the latter should not be
underestimated.
Peppered throughout the country are cells of unconventional
paramilitary fighter groups, some of which have received decent
training and are equipped with modern firearms and heavy
weapons. There will also inevitably be a number of combatant
forces consisting basically of untrained civilians who have picked up a
rifle. Many of these forces will be advised and reinforced by Syrian
Special Forces, who tend to be equipped with some of the best
night vision and anti-tank weapons in the Syrian military. By their
nature, these organizations are unpredictable and may be
encountered anywhere along Route Lightning.
Approach every situation with caution until you know what you're
dealing with. The Syrians are not the backwards, militarily inept
pushovers the blowhards rant about. They are motivated,
adequately trained and armed, and quick studies of our tactics. The
unconventional forces arrayed against us are, perhaps,
even more
formidable. Many are veterans of fighting against our forces and
they have no fear of dying for their cause. While they might not
have a chance at the strategic level, at the tactical level every
Syrian unit is perfectly capable of bloodying the nose of your task
force.
Plan
Task Force Thunder is to proceed as quickly as possible down
Route Lightning towards Hims, destroying any enemy opposition
encountered. As the vanguard of a rapid advance, the task force
must avoid large deviations from the route or becoming bogged
down in protracted fighting. Following units will secure the route
behind Task Force Thunder and deal with any remaining Syrian
units. Task Force Thunder must also minimize friendly casualties
along Route Lightning, in order to remain at high strength for the
assault on Hims.
Notes
BONUS POINTS: Most campaign missions will award bonus victory
points for achieving certain goals, such as limiting friendly casualties
or inflicting heavy enemy casualties. These points are over and
beyond the points listed in your mission briefing materials, and are
not required to successtully complete any mission.
CORE UNITS: Almost all friendly units encountered in this campaign
(other than howitzers and air support) are core units, and their
losses will carry forward through the rest of the campaign.
REPLACEMANTS, REPAIR, AND RESUPPLY: Due to the projected
rapid speed of our advance and the resulting lack of security for
major logistical support, you will not receive any replacements for
casualties or disabled vehicles for the duration of this operation.
Maneuver your troops with extreme caution: you will not be able
to replace them. The Task Force's maintenance units will attempt to
repair vehicles when the opportunity presents itself, but windows
for repair work will be brief and far between. You will, however,
be fully resupplied with ammunition between most missions.
COLLATERAL DAMAGE: Many missions that take place in inhabited
areas will carry with them the risk of collateral damage to innocent
civilians. The Notes section of every mission briefing will include an
assessment of collateral damage risks in the AO. If the risk is
deemed to be present, then you should avoid using high explosive
weapons (such as bombs, missiles, tank shells, or Javelins) on civilian
buildings. Causing damage to these buildings may award the enemy
bonus victory points, potentially huge amounts of points in the case
of extensive damage. Small arms fire from rifles, machineguns, and
coaxial weapons will not cause collateral damage.
Briefing:Breakthrough at the Berm
Situation
0400 JUNE 19. 2008
IRAQ-SYRIA BORDER
The offensive into Syria jumps off now. As planned, Task Force
Thunder will lead the charge along Route Lightning into the heart
of Syria. The first resistance will be encountered directly on the Iraq-
Syria border, where a desert fort defends the only nearby opening
in the border berm.
mission
Secure the fort by capturing the main buildings: the headquarters
and the barracks. In order to secure the border crossing, you must
also destroy the Syrian garrison force in detail.
Friendly Forces
Leading the assault is a platoon of Abrams tanks from B Company
(Armored). A Company (Stryker) forms the main assault force, with
2nd and 3rd rifle platoons trailing and expected to arrive over the
next 10 to 20 minutes.
You have priority fires from the battalion mortars. An RQ-7B
Shadow UAV has been assigned to surveil the crossing to aid in
the low light conditions. Artillery support in the form of a howitzer
battery will become available over the next half hour as they finish
their counter-battery duties.
Enemy Forces
The border fort is garrisoned by a battalion of reserve infantry.
Although the battalion possesses no heavy weapons, they are dug
into a trench line with aunkers and barded wire.
. The defenses are
further supplemented with a battery of static T-55 tanks.
Surveillance noted Syrian engineers placing anti-tank mines at the
highway opening in the border berm.
Plan
Lead with your Abrams tanks. The T-55s may be obsolete against a
modern tank, but they are still more than capable of holing a
Stryker. You will have to cross the border at the Route Lightning
opening, but you may wish to park several tanks and a forward
observer on the border berm in order to form a base of fire.
If you want to deal with the anti-tank mines at the border crossing,
you will have to either disarm them with combat engineers or
detonate them with explosives.
Notes
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT: No civilian presence, weapons use is
unrestricted.
Briefing:High Points,Low Points
Situation
0530 JUNE 19, 2008
BETWEEN ASH SHAMMAS AND THE SYRIAN BORDER
The border defenses have been breached and Task Force Thunder
is streaming into Syria at high speed. The scout platoon diverted
southwest from Route Lightning to explore a secondary road,
coined Route Echo, in the hopes of gaining an observation point on
the enemy airbase at Ash Shammas. Shortly after entering a narrow
valley, they came under light enemy fire from defensive positions
along the high ground. Two platoons from A Company have been
dispatched to help clear the pass.
Mission
Investigate and clear out any enemy forces at the designated High
Point objectives. Afterwards, rally at the Low Point objectives.
Friendly Forces
The scout platoon is onsite, with a section of 155mm howitzers
covering them. Half of A Company (Strykers) will arrive in 10
minutes to begin the attack. The thick haze covering the battlefield
makes air and UAV support impossible.
Enemy Forces
We believe that we are facing a light infantry unit, dug in with
trenches and bunkers on the high ground. No armored forces are
operating in the area.
Plan
Use the scout platoon to suss out as many enemy positions as
possible, without becoming decisively engaged. Direct your howitzers
to destroy any bunkers encountered while you wait for
reinforcements to arrive and assault the trenches. Do not leave any
enemy soldiers active in the High Point objectives, or they may
cause trouble for following units.
Notes
unrestricted.
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT: No civilian presence, weapons use is
Briefing:Ash Shammas
Situation
1000 JUNE 19, 2008
ASH SHAMMAS
After several hours advancing west along Route Lightning, the
second line of Syrian resistance has been encountered. An airbase
at Ash Shammas was recently evacuated by the Syrian military after
intense bombarment, but reconnaissance indicates that a force of
irregulars led by
Syrian Special Forces have occupied the facility. If
not cleared out, they will pose a threat to Route Lightning with
IEDs and ATGMs.
Mission
Secure the airbase and protect Route Lightning from future
harrassment by capturing the Airbase HQ, Barracks, Special Forces
HQ, and Control Tower. Destroy any enemy forces that you
encounter.
Friendly Forces
A Company (Strykers) has been assigned this mission. Armor and
howitzer support are not available, as the bulk of Task Force
Thunder is currently dealing with a Syrian armored formation to the
north. However, you have the support of the battalion mortars and
a pair of Apache helicopters.
Enemy Forces
The pre-invasion airstrikes pounded the airbase heavily, and it was
evacuated by regular Syrian forces. A Special Forces observation
team, however, spotted Syrian irregular forces led by Syrian Special
Forces advisors moving into the base. The enemy does not have
any heavy weapons, but they since their mission is surely to ambush
vehicle traffic along Route Lightning, they will likely be armed with
RPGs and IEDs.
Syrian forces have only been spotted within the airbase, trying to
keep a low profile. No enemy units have been spotted in the open
ground around the base.
Plan
Because the grounds around the airbase are undefended, you have
freedom to maneuever around the base and choose your breach
point. Swinging to the north and capturing the control tower will
grant you an excellent observation point. The compound walls can
be breached at will using your breach teams or shells from the
Stryker MGS.
Notes
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT: No civilan presence, weapons use is
unrestricted.
Briefing:Route Lightning
Situation
1235 JUNE 20, 2008
BETWEEN ASH SHAMMAS AND DAR AL ABID AS SUD
Having secured Ash Shammas, Task Force Lightning is advancing to
the waypoint along Route Lightning: the town of Dar Al Abid As
Sud. Reconnaissance units are to act as the vanguard and locate
any enemy forces defending Route Lightning.
Mission
Advance through Phase Lines Axle and Wheel, then regroup at
Limit of Advance Grease. Locate and destroy any enemy heavy
weapons, such as tanks, ATMs, machineguns, or cannons.
Friendly Forces
The scout platoon lead the advance, with the platoon RQ-11B
Raven overhead. Following a few minutes behind to deal with any
encountered opposition are a B Company armored platoon and a
Stryker rifle platoon from C Company.
Fire support has lagged behind in Ash Shammas and is not available
for this mission.
Enemy Forces
The scout platoon's RQ-11B has spotted two series of trench
networks ahead of us, sitting astride Route Lightning, These are
likely manned by a reserve infantry unit.
The Syrians are known to have tanks and artillery operating in the
area, so you should prepare for the possibility of enemy armor and
fire support.
Plan
Use your scout platoon and UAV to pinpoint enemy defensive
positions without becoming engaged. With this information in hand,
your following armor and rifle platoons can punch through any
defensive lines and reach LOA Grease.
Notes
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT: No civilian presence, weapons use is
unrestricted.
Briefing:Air Warfare
Situation
1600 JUNE 21, 2008
OUTSKIRTS OF DAR AL ABID AS SUD
After spending the better part of 24 hours in maneuver and
preparation, the assault on the crossroads town of Dar al Abid as
Sud has begun. A previously undetected cluster of Syrian
MANPADS in the vicinity of the local airfield has driven away our
rotary wing air support. This has the potential to foul up our
advance into the town, so your reserves have been dispatched to
quickly take care of the problem.
Mission
Your main priority is to locate and destroy any MANPADS (ground-
to-air missile launchers) located within the airfield. Your secondary
priority is to destroy any enemy forces encountered. This is a raid:
taking ground objectives is not important. Kill everyone you find,
spike the launchers, and get out of there.
Friendly Forces
You command half of C Company (Stryker), led by the company
XO. The other half of c Company is engaged with the attack on
the town further south. One section of 120mm mortars from a
nearby unit has been tasked to assist your mission.
Enemy Forces
A UAV flvby was quickly driven off by small arms fire, but was able
to determine that there is a trench network by the tarmac, and
that there are no armored vehicles in the area.
Plan
We do not know the exact nature of the forces near the airstrip,
only that they are light infantry. Perform a thorough sweep and
clear, take advantage of the fact that you have small arms-proof
Strykers with heavy weapons, and they do not.
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT: No civilian presence, weapons use is unrestricted