GWOT Theatre (2001-2028) III
Operation Sandblade
Sun 1 Dec 2024
Ended
GWOT Theatre (2001-2028) III
Operation order
Situation
Background Information
"Roughneck" Coy of 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment (2 PARA) as part of the multinational coalition in Iraq, are tasked with disrupting Jaysh al-Fursan ("Army of the Knights"), an insurgent faction coordinating IED attacks and weapons smuggling near Basra. Intelligence points to two compounds as key operational hubs.
Operation Sandblade will see two platoons from the 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment, supported by a Company Command element, two Chinook helicopters, and an Apache attack helicopter, execute a dawn raid. Local allies, including the 3rd Battalion, 1st Iraqi Infantry Brigade (ISF), and the Al-Fajr Tribal Guard, will provide intelligence, perimeter security, and reinforcements.
The mission: dismantle Jaysh al-Fursan’s operations by securing vital intelligence. However, escalating resistance could quickly turn the raid into a wider engagement to stabilize the region.
Medical support will be conducted in field (PAK in Field)
Airframes:
DAGGER 5-1: AH-1 Apache (CUP)
EAGLE/FALCON: HC-4 Chinook (CUP) (Observer will alt between Observer/Gunner as required) small chance Merlin HC3A will also be used.
Important below
Info regarding Alt SOP for Squads:


Friendly Forces
Supporting assets:
Air support:
2 x HC-4 Chinook helicopters (call signs: EAGLE/FALCON), with observer/gunner capability and possible use of a Merlin HC3A.
1 x AH-1 Apache (call sign: DAGGER 5-1).
Local allies:
3rd Battalion, 1st Iraqi Infantry Brigade (ISF), providing intelligence and perimeter security.
Al-Fajr Tribal Guard offering local knowledge, reinforcements, and operational security.
Air support:
2 x HC-4 Chinook helicopters (call signs: EAGLE/FALCON), with observer/gunner capability and possible use of a Merlin HC3A.
1 x AH-1 Apache (call sign: DAGGER 5-1).
Local allies:
3rd Battalion, 1st Iraqi Infantry Brigade (ISF), providing intelligence and perimeter security.
Al-Fajr Tribal Guard offering local knowledge, reinforcements, and operational security.
Supporting Assets
Supporting or independent forces present in the area of operations include:
3rd Battalion, 1st Iraqi Infantry Brigade (ISF):
Providing intelligence, perimeter security, and potential reinforcements.
Al-Fajr Tribal Guard:
Offering local knowledge, area familiarity, and operational support.
3rd Battalion, 1st Iraqi Infantry Brigade (ISF):
Providing intelligence, perimeter security, and potential reinforcements.
Al-Fajr Tribal Guard:
Offering local knowledge, area familiarity, and operational support.
Enemy Forces
Jaysh al-Fursan ("Army of the Knights") insurgents, primarily concentrated near Al Bani Sad in the northwest red zone, using the newly captured stronghold as a staging area. Within striking distance of ISF Headquarters at Khan Bani Saad Airfield.
Capabilities: Light infantry, IEDs, VBIEDs, and captured AFVs.
Current Operations: Agents detected in civilian-populated green zones, likely engaged in coercing the population or preparing bombings.
Defensive Posture: Entrenched near compounds, using IEDs and VBIEDs to counter coalition forces.


Mission
Tasking
The unit is tasked with raiding Targets A1 (Warehouse), A2 (Residence), and Target B (Multi-story) to dismantle Jaysh al-Fursan operations, secure critical intelligence, and prevent insurgent activities while avoiding collateral damage and ensuring the safety of civilians in the area.
End-state
Successful dismantling of Jaysh al-Fursan operations at Targets A1, A2, and Target B, critical intelligence secured, insurgent capabilities disrupted and no significant civilian harm or collateral damage.
In event of mission failure, the friendly force must safely regroup and withdraw to the ISF-controlled areas.
In event of mission failure, the friendly force must safely regroup and withdraw to the ISF-controlled areas.
Execution
Commander's Intent
The purpose of this mission is to disrupt Jaysh al-Fursan operations within civilian-populated areas by raiding Targets A1, A2, and Target B, securing intelligence to undermine their capabilities and prevent future attacks
Tasks and Sequencing
Insertion
KINGFISH will be inserted via EAGLE (Chinook) to TLZ Bastion and proceed to Al Ubaidy.
BESERKER will be inserted via FALCON (Chinook) to TLZ Sabre and proceed to Rasheed.
Execution of Raids
Both KINGFISH and BESERKER will cut power to their respective villages to prevent communications and use of artificial light before sunrise.
KINGFISH will execute a raid on Targets A1 (Warehouse) and A2 (Residence), focusing on securing all intelligence, conducting thorough tactical site exploitation (TSE), and holding the targets during the search.
ABOVE: KINGFISH route in to Target A1/2 from TLZ Bastion
BESERKER will raid Target B (Multi-story), following the same objectives of intelligence recovery, TSE, and securing the site.
ABOVE: BERSERKER route in to Target B from TLZ Sabre
Support and Observation
DAGGER 5-1 (Apache): Provides overwatch, close air support, and suppressive fire as required throughout the operation.
EAGLE and FALCON (Chinooks): Remain in the AO for observation and immediate extraction from TLZ Bastion and TLZ Sabre if needed.
Consolidation and Extraction
Upon completion, both platoons will regroup at their respective TLZs for extraction. Contingency plans are in place for fallback to ISF-secured areas if extraction is compromised. Alternate TLZs have been identified for contingency, TLZ Phoenix and TLZ Valor.
Onward Tasking
Following the completion of the raids, units will conduct consolidation, casualty recovery, and LOGPAK resupply at FOB Ishaqi. During this phase, further action will be determined based on intelligence recovered during the raids, with additional tasking to follow as directed by the Company Command element. As 2PARA is currently assigned as QRF to ISF forces at their Headquarters, a call could come at any moment.
KINGFISH will execute a raid on Targets A1 (Warehouse) and A2 (Residence), focusing on securing all intelligence, conducting thorough tactical site exploitation (TSE), and holding the targets during the search.
ABOVE: KINGFISH route in to Target A1/2 from TLZ Bastion
BESERKER will raid Target B (Multi-story), following the same objectives of intelligence recovery, TSE, and securing the site.
ABOVE: BERSERKER route in to Target B from TLZ Sabre
Support and Observation
DAGGER 5-1 (Apache): Provides overwatch, close air support, and suppressive fire as required throughout the operation.
EAGLE and FALCON (Chinooks): Remain in the AO for observation and immediate extraction from TLZ Bastion and TLZ Sabre if needed.
Consolidation and Extraction
Upon completion, both platoons will regroup at their respective TLZs for extraction. Contingency plans are in place for fallback to ISF-secured areas if extraction is compromised. Alternate TLZs have been identified for contingency, TLZ Phoenix and TLZ Valor.
Onward Tasking
Following the completion of the raids, units will conduct consolidation, casualty recovery, and LOGPAK resupply at FOB Ishaqi. During this phase, further action will be determined based on intelligence recovered during the raids, with additional tasking to follow as directed by the Company Command element. As 2PARA is currently assigned as QRF to ISF forces at their Headquarters, a call could come at any moment.Administration/Logistics
Resupply
There is a planned LOGPAK on return from the raid at FOB Ishaqi.
Emergency LOGPAKs will be provided by air.
Emergency LOGPAKs will be provided by air.
Medical
Medical support will be conducted in field (PAK in Field)
Rules of Engagement
Other than to protect the mission or where absolutely unavoidable, no firing into, entry of, or disruption to civilian buildings outside the identified target buildings (A1, A2, and B) is permitted.
Every effort must be made to avoid civilian casualties and protect non-combatant life and property. This is critical to minimise impact on local population and maintain operational legitimacy.
Every effort must be made to avoid civilian casualties and protect non-combatant life and property. This is critical to minimise impact on local population and maintain operational legitimacy.
Close Air Support
Close Air Support is provided by DAGGER 5-1 (Apache), authorised through the Platoon Commander/FAC in coordination with the Company Command element, in accordance with SOP.