GWOT Theatre (2001-2028) XLI
Operation Newcombe (2021)
Thu 1 Oct 2026
Ended
GWOT Theatre (2001-2028) XLI
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[ 22 June 2021 ]
Despite almost a decade of multinational intervention and U.N. support, British Army and R.A.F operations in the Mali War are finally drawing to an unresolved close. Military coups, national unrest, rising civilian casualties and even the Mali government's invitation for PMC Wagner Group support has ultimately prompted parliament to begin withdrawing its few remaining forces from the region.
Comprised of troops from the 'Light Dragoons C Squadron' and supported by three 'R.A.F chinooks', the Long Range Reconnaissance Group (LRRG) was initially deployed to Mali for mounted patrols; providing U.N. peacekeepers with detailed studies of terrain and thorough reports of insurgent activity. However, although in the process of withdrawal, they have been recently been tasked with a final mission.
Approximately 48 hours ago, two French Air Force pilots were forced to eject from their Mirage 2000D strike aircraft after being engaged and damaged by anti-aircraft gunfire and launchers. Since then, french forces have been unable to make contact with the crew and following a recent assassination attempt of Mali's interim president Assimi Goïta only yesterday, they have been unable to conduct any search and rescue operations. Their government has requested that the remaining british forces of the LRRG attempt to retrieve the missing pilots before they are missing for good. Parliament has since accepted this request, stating that it will be the last engagements of british forces in the region during the final days of...
[ Operation Newcombe ]
"
Operation order
Situation
Background Information
"
[ 22 June 2021 ]
Despite almost a decade of multinational intervention and U.N. support, British Army and R.A.F operations in the Mali War are finally drawing to an unresolved close. Military coups, national unrest, rising civilian casualties and even the Mali government's invitation for PMC Wagner Group support has ultimately prompted parliament to begin withdrawing its few remaining forces from the region.
Comprised of troops from the 'Light Dragoons C Squadron' and supported by three 'R.A.F chinooks', the Long Range Reconnaissance Group (LRRG) was initially deployed to Mali for mounted patrols; providing U.N. peacekeepers with detailed studies of terrain and thorough reports of insurgent activity. However, although in the process of withdrawal, they have been recently been tasked with a final mission.
Approximately 48 hours ago, two French Air Force pilots were forced to eject from their Mirage 2000D strike aircraft after being engaged and damaged by anti-aircraft gunfire and launchers. Since then, french forces have been unable to make contact with the crew and following a recent assassination attempt of Mali's interim president Assimi Goïta only yesterday, they have been unable to conduct any search and rescue operations. Their government has requested that the remaining british forces of the LRRG attempt to retrieve the missing pilots before they are missing for good. Parliament has since accepted this request, stating that it will be the last engagements of british forces in the region during the final days of...
[ Operation Newcombe ]
"
Five-Star Rating System
Combat Intensity: ☆☆☆ Roleplay Emphasis: ☆☆ Difficulty: ☆☆☆☆
Friendly Forces
1x Royal Lancer LRRP Squad
1x HC4 Chinook Transport
1x HC4 Chinook Transport
Supporting Assets
Malian Armed forces are present in the area, stationed in FOB near LZ Saturn. Additionally Malian army patrols are present in the area.
French and British forces are present in Mali, however there are no forces on the ground in the Area of operations.
French and British forces are present in Mali, however there are no forces on the ground in the Area of operations.
Enemy Forces
Enemy forces consist of Militia groups, operating with light vehicles. The towns and villages within the search area are known to have an amplified presence of Militia groups, and have Attacked Malian security forces recently.
With foreign interests on Mali's resources, there is a chance that PMC groups like Wagner may be in the area.
With foreign interests on Mali's resources, there is a chance that PMC groups like Wagner may be in the area.
Mission
Tasking
Primary Tasking:
Locate and extract Crashed French pilot and WSO
Secondary Tasking:
Assist Malian forces in the area.
Locate and extract Crashed French pilot and WSO
Secondary Tasking:
Assist Malian forces in the area.
End-state
After Both the Pilot and WSO have been located, Extract via Chinook at LZ Mercury
Execution
Commander's Intent
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Primary Objective:
"Locate, secure and evacuate the two missing french air force pilots."
Secondary Objective:
"Provide support and aid to the local population where appropriate."
Tertiary Objective:
"Destroy any relevant enemy assets and repel any further insurgent activity."
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tasks and Sequencing
General Movement:
"The drawn plan is quite simplistic as we do not know what to expect in the heart of the AO. We are expected to have high enemy activity and an allied Mali Armed Forces (MAF) squad is already under fire at a nearby FOB from insurgent forces."
"We are to fast-rope at LZ Saturn in order to first assist in the defense of their FOB and so that they may provide us with intelligence on the missing french pilots and aircraft. We will then proceed through the AO using our marked RV points as potential resupply or regroup positions. Terrain is poor for landing our chinook so it is likely that we will need to paradrop supplies."
"Once we locate the missing pilots, we are to evacuate them using our marked RV points
Administration/Logistics
Resupply
airborne resupply:
"Charlie squad is expected to load Hotel 5 with supplies to sustain a potential prolonged engagement. Resupply will be conducted within the inventory of the chinook, ideally between tasking in transit."
Medical
pak-in-air / in-field surgery:
"Medical personnel should be expected to provide in-field surgery but pak treatment will be available aboard hotel 5 if required."
Rules of Engagement
captured persons (CPERS):
"We will have the facilities and capacity to accommodate enemy cpers, however it is not our objective. if an opportunity arises, the appropriate leadership channels are to be followed."
Fire Support Plan
french artillery in emergency:
"Royal Anglian Regiment 2nd Battalion had previously provided defensive indirect fire for British and U.N. forces in Mali, however they have recently fully withdrawn from the region. in an emergency scenario, the french army 68th African Artillery Regiment is available to provide limited rocket and 155mm artillery support."
Close Air Support
hotel 5 directly and french air force in emergency:
"The french air force may be conducting occasional strikes within the distant airspace. hotel 5 will be used for limited close support with their defensive weapons against targets such as technicals, fortifications and infantry groups. Hotel 5 is also equipped to provide IRTV reconnaissance and intel. Should hotel 5 be grounded alongside the missing pilots, the french air force may be available to assist, if given enough time."
Command/Signal
Considerations
"
[ 22 June 2021 ]
Despite almost a decade of multinational intervention and U.N. support, British Army and R.A.F operations in the Mali War are finally drawing to an unresolved close. Military coups, national unrest, rising civilian casualties and even the Mali government's invitation for PMC Wagner Group support has ultimately prompted parliament to begin withdrawing its few remaining forces from the region.
Comprised of troops from the 'Light Dragoons C Squadron' and supported by three 'R.A.F chinooks', the Long Range Reconnaissance Group (LRRG) was initially deployed to Mali for mounted patrols; providing U.N. peacekeepers with detailed studies of terrain and thorough reports of insurgent activity. However, although in the process of withdrawal, they have been recently been tasked with a final mission.
Approximately 48 hours ago, two French Air Force pilots were forced to eject from their Mirage 2000D strike aircraft after being engaged and damaged by anti-aircraft gunfire and launchers. Since then, french forces have been unable to make contact with the crew and following a recent assassination attempt of Mali's interim president Assimi Goïta only yesterday, they have been unable to conduct any search and rescue operations. Their government has requested that the remaining british forces of the LRRG attempt to retrieve the missing pilots before they are missing for good. Parliament has since accepted this request, stating that it will be the last engagements of british forces in the region during the final days of...
[ Operation Newcombe ]
"
Five-Star Rating System
Combat Intensity: ☆☆☆ Roleplay Emphasis: ☆☆ Difficulty: ☆☆☆☆