Key information

Operation Panther (1969) XXIII

The Lang Vei Offensive

Deploying

Sunday 22 December 2024, 18:00 UTC

Situation

Lang Vei serves as a linchpin in the Viet Cong's supply chain, deep in hostile territory, fueling an imminent offensive against Allied positions. Easy Platoon (Airborne) and Yankee Platoon (Riverine) are tasked with a high-stakes operation to cripple these logistics and draw enemy forces away from an ongoing Allied counteroffensive. Success hinges on precision, timing, and the ability to adapt under extreme pressure. Easy Platoon will infiltrate under the cover of night by air to the north, while Yankee Platoon navigates the Salen River by boat. Once in position, both units will execute a synchronized assault to neutralize key supply infrastructure. The VC, bolstered by elements of the 9th Regiment, are heavily entrenched and combat-ready. Reinforcements are expected swiftly after the attack begins. Extraction is not guaranteed. Both platoons must be prepared to establish defensive positions and hold until Allied support can secure their withdrawal. Command acknowledges the elevated risk but emphasizes the operation’s strategic importance to the broader campaign. Expectation Management: Night/dawn infiltration leading into a coordinated dawn assault. Expect heavy close-quarters combat, followed by a sustained defence against overwhelming enemy forces. Extraction will likely be contested. Easy Platoon: Medium-range assault; Designated Marksmen. Yankee Platoon: Close-quarters breaching; Engineers. Aircraft: UH-1C Hog (simulated additional support available). Joint Fires Observer: Acting as FAC with simulated artillery support during key mission phases. Night Vision: Special issue AN/PVS-2 Starlight monocular for Designated Marksmen, Joint Fires Observers, and Platoon Leaders (scope-mounted for DMs). Continue reading