1. Introduction

Date of Issue: 2024-10-11

Date of Last Modification: 2024-10-12

Application: This OPORD (Operations Order) serves the purpose of specific operation communication that informs units and personnel of an upcoming operation.

Approval Authority: Commanding Officer of the 1st Ranger Battalion, Arma III Realism

Enquiries: S-2 Intelligence Personnel – 1st Ranger Battalion, Arma III Realism

2. Operation Order - Strident Defender V

Alpha Company, 1st Ranger Battalion, United States Army

Date of Issuing Orders: 2024-10-11

Reference Number: OPERATION STRIDENT DEFENDER V

3. Situation

SITUATION REPORT: PEOPLES LIBERATION FORCES OF BELARUS (PLFB) REPORTED SUCCESSFUL ASSAULT ON COALITION FORCES IN THE CENTRAL TOWN OF VIROJOKI. PLFB FORCES ARE BEGINNING TO HARDEN THEIR POSITION FOR COALITION COUNTER SIEGE. COALITION AND POLISH TROOPS INSIDE VIROJOKI ARE WITHDRAWING DEEPER INTO POLAND TO REGROUP AND REARM. 

Date: 2024-10-13 LAST UPDATE

Location:  Elbląg, Poland

A. Area of Operations (AO)

• Area of Operations will be on the Eastern board of Poland and Russia. 
• Region Simulated is  Elbląg, Poland
• Current Weather (https://www.accuweather.com/en/pl/elbl%C4%85g/266368/weather-forecast/266368)
• Forecasted Weather
• • 6°Lo
  • RealFeel® 1°
  • Mostly Cloudy
  • Wind
  • WSW 19 km/h Wind Gusts 31 km/h
  • Probability of Precipitation 40%
  • Probability of Thunderstorms 10%
  • Precipitation 9.5mm
  • Cloud Cover 80%
    

B. Enemy Forces

• Observed the 4th Royal Guard of the PLFB inside Polish boarders in the Elbląg region. These forces are consisting of Mechanized troops utilizing large stocks of T-72s and BMP-2 to rapidly deploy troops into fighting zones.
• Observed the 5th Spetsnaz Brigade PLFB Special Forces inside the region. Following the loss of their commander Captain K. Miko remaining Spetsnaz forces are centralized with the holdout 4th Royal Guard units protecting upper chain of command or mission essential equipment for the 4th Royal Guard. 
• 7th Squadron (Snow-Bears) of the PLFB are estimated 95% casualty rate with US Fighter supremicy in the region. Observed left over aircraft from the PLFB stowed or abandoned by past PLFB positions; or aircraft have returned to Belarus. US maintains air space dominance in the region. 
• Estimated PLFB forces inside Elbląg in the range of ~15,000 troops and ~25,000 casualties PLFB have sustained.

C. Friendly Forces

• Polish Armed Forces - 37th Defense Force making up nearly 12,000 reservists and augmented veteran troops are present in the region. Majority of Polish forces are on the boarder between Poland and Belarus.
• United States Advanced Forces consisting of Alpha Company, 1st Ranger Battalion. 
• United States 6th Fleet and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit.

D. Attachments/Detachments

• Nothing to report.

4. Mission

​Mission Statement: 

The 1st Ranger Battalion, along with attached units, is tasked with retaking the regional town of Virojoki and forcing the 4th Royal Guard of the PLFB into a forced surrender. This would secure the Eastern boarder of Poland and resecure vital beaches on the Baltic sea. Our primary objective is to drive a wedge in the PLFB lines by attacking an established PLFB outpost facing towards US forces currently impeding coalition troops from moving closer to Virojoki. 1st Ranger Battalion will be tasked with clearing this established position and opening up main service roads to Virojoki. Once the MSRs are reopended, 1st Ranger Battalion will rejoin coalition forces in the attack on Virojoki. 22nd MEU will be tasked in clearing the outskirts of the town while 1st Ranger Battalion will be tasked with clearing three enemy controlled buildings which have emplacements on them. Being inside a civilian area we are unable to destroy the buildings outright with the 6th fleet, 1RB will need to clear each building and confirm no civilians are inside before any destructive force can be authorized. 

Mission Objectives by importance;

• Secure the southern defence position of the PLFB;
• Secure MSR for coalition troops to move North; 
• Assault the town of Virojoki; and
• Clear and destroy the three emplaced PLFB positions to ensure OPFOR forces cannot target incoming troops from the west of Virojoki. 

5. Execution

A. Commander’s Intent

The primary objective is to eliminate the patrol/embedded PLFB lines south of the town Pyterlahti. Establish defensive positions to control key terrain and deny enemy counter attacks while coalition forces reach our location from the southern MSR. This will serve as the foundation for further operations aimed at degrading enemy capabilities in the region.

B. Concept of Operations

Our operations will be conducted in four phases:

Phase 1: Infiltrate Enemy Position

Troops will be airlifted moving around the coast of Poland and will be landed in the town of Santaniemi. It is to be expected enemy patrols in this area as for the town itself US Navy ships have identified no active threats inside the town. 

Phase 2: Maneuver onto the Embedded PLFB Base of Operations

Troops will maneuver at the Platoon level onto the PLFB BoO and assault the facility securing the guns and vehicles stationed there. It is expected that a counter attack from various garrisoned troops in outlying houses will counter attack the position. 1RB will be charged with defending the position until reinforcements will arrive.

Phase 3: Assault the town of Virojoki

1RB forces will join the coordinated efforts to retake the town of Virojoki. Company will identify to which Platoon to assault specified locations. While MEU forces engage PLFB forces inside and outside the town. 

Tasks to Subordinate Units:

• 1st Platoon: To deploy to the town of Santaniemi and execute specified movements | Unit will join the assault on Virojoki.
• 2nd Platoon: To deploy to the town of Santaniemi and execute specified movements | Unit will remain at secured position as security and will establish a POW collection camp. 
• 3rd Platoon: NOT DEPLOYED | CASUALTIES TOO FAR SUSTAINED
• 4th Platoon: NOT DEPLOYED | CASUALTIES TOO FAR SUSTAINED
  

6. Sustainment

​Logistics: 

• Ammo resupply will be available at designated Landing Zones (LZ). Medical support will be provided by the attached medics from the battalion aid station; and
• Meal and Water kits are to be transported at the platoon level with provided ration packs.

Personnel and Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC): 

• Ensure all personnel are combat-loaded and have completed their pre-combat inspections (PCI).

7. Command and Signal

Command:

• Overall Command:
• • U.S. Forces in the region will operate under the overall command of Colonel H. Simmerson, Commander of the U.S. 1st Ranger Battalion, in coordination with NATO and Polish defense forces.
  • Allied forces, including special operations and undisclosed units, will be under the operational control (OPCON) of Task Force Sentinel, with mission directives issued through the NATO Eastern Command.
• Command Relationships:
• • U.S. Forces will maintain tactical control (TACON) over all attached Ranger elements, with joint operations coordinated through NATO channels. Special operations units will report directly to Task Force Sentinel for mission-specific tasks.
  • Polish Forces will operate under their national command authority but will liaise directly with U.S. and NATO command structures for joint operations.
  • U.S. forces will synchronize operations with the Special Operations Task Force to ensure integration of covert and intelligence missions with conventional operations.
• Succession of Command:
• • In the event that Colonel H. Simmerson is unable to continue in command, the command will pass to Lieutenant Colonel M. Hogan, Deputy Commander of the 1st Ranger Battalion.
  • Each subordinate unit will have a pre-designated chain of command as outlined in the mission’s operational orders.

Signal:

• Primary Communications:
• • Secure communications will be established through SINCGARS (Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System) for tactical unit-to-unit communication.
  • Joint Force Communications Network (JFCN) will provide encrypted communication for coordination between U.S., NATO, and Polish Forces. Units will maintain regular contact with headquarters and adjacent forces via this network.
• Alternate Communications:
• • Satellite Communications (SATCOM) will be used as a secondary method for long-range communications in case of primary system failure or interference.
  • Field phones and messenger systems will serve as backup communication within forward positions and for maintaining local security.
• Call Signs and Frequencies:
• • Call signs for all units and leaders will be provided in the Annex K (Communications) of the operational order. Call signs will be used for secure communication across tactical networks.
  • Frequency management will be handled by the S-6 Communications Section, with changes and encryption keys updated daily to ensure operational security.
• Visual Signals:
• • Standard visual signals for identification and coordination, including IR strobes, signal flares, and marking panels, will be used in situations where radio silence is required or communications fail.
• Emergency Communication Procedures:
• • In the event of complete communication failure, units will revert to pre-established emergency fallback frequencies outlined in the Communications SOP.

• • Emergency beacons and signal devices will be issued to all personnel to ensure recovery and extraction in high-risk zones.

8. Closing Remarks

​Remarks​: 

• Unit Members are to be located on Operations Server 2302 no later than (NLT) 1930EST;
• LOAs are to be submitted prior to 1900EST; and
• Leadership is to report to TeamSpeak (TS) at 1900EST

CPT J. Prescott, Commanding Officer, Alpha Company