Twisted Pike

Twisted Pike

Situation

Two weeks after 3rd Infantry Division landed in northern Iraq, Kurdish militants have responded with increased attacks on Turkish border posts as part of the general uprising against NATO forces in the region. The main force of the PKK 2-4 RGB remains active in central and eastern Uzbin Valley and is moving west to drive a wedge between US and Turkish positions in the AO.

NATO-led multinational special operations teams are also operating in the area and tracking a buildup of Iranian militia to the north along the Iranian border. The NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre (IFC) indicates that popular Kurdish sentiments are opposed to NATO and its operations in Kurdistan. Militants from various sects and political groups (i.e., PKK, Kurdish Regional Government, Iraqi Central Government, Iranians, Turks, et al) are considering how to use the recent disorder to increase their respective influences across the region.

Mission

Alpha Company “War Eagles” is ordered to secure OBJ Cluster, a refugee camp reported to have been overtaken by PKK forces. Located less than 2 km from the Turkey-Iraq border, we must seize the objective in order to prevent and potentially defeat further PKK attacks on Turkish and NATO forces in the AO.

3CAB “Falcons” is tasked with scouting the objective area and surrounding mountains to identify PKK and any other hostile targets. Prevent escape by enemy forces, who may attempt to flee east into the mountains. Provide aviation support to ground forces, i.e., transport, resupply, casevac, and CAS.

Second Platoon “Griffins” is tasked with ISR of OBJ Cluster and a reported PKK camp located in the mountains east of the objective area. Satellite and drone footage show a few small trenches on several eastern ridges, but no visible troops or equipment. Support the company assault and be prepared to move to additional targets if and when identified.

First Platoon “Widowmakers” is tasked with assaulting OBJ Cluster and destroying PKK offensive capabilities in the area. Be prepared to move to follow-on objective(s) if and when identified.

ROE: Military age male with irregular camo PKK uniform with Kurdistan flag shoulder patch and weapon. When in doubt, hold fire until fired upon. In all cases involving armed civilians, hold fire until fired upon.

General Instructions

(a) SPECIAL TEAMS/TASK ORG

  1. COMMAND ELEMENT - WAR EAGLE
  2. 1ST PLATOON, WIDOWMAKER
  3. 1ST SQUAD, SCORPION
  4. 2ND SQUAD, GHOST
  5. 3RD SQUAD, SPARTAN
  6. 4TH SQUAD, PHOENIX
  7. 5TH SQUAD, REAPER
  8. 2ND PLATOON, GRIFFIN
  9. 1ST SQUAD, WARLOCK
  10. 2ND SQUAD, WIZARD
  11. 3RD COMBAT AVIATION BRIGADE, FALCON

(b) COMMON EQUIPMENT

 1. STANDARD KIT AND LOADOUT

(c) SPECIAL EQUIPMENT

 1. AH-64 APACHE x 2
 2. UH-60 BLACKHAWK x 2
 3. CH-47F CHINOOK x 2
 4. AH-6 LITTLE BIRD x 1
 5. MINE DETECTORS
 6. DEFUSAL KITS
 7. DEMOLITION CHARGES
 8. FIM-92 STINGERS
 9. FGM-148 JAVELINS

Special Instructions

(a) MINE DETECTORS: Squad and Fireteam Leaders should use mine detectors at all times due to the risk of anti-personnel mines and IED.

(b) DEFUSAL KITS: For defusing explosives noted above (Rangers only).

(c) DEMOLITION CHARGES: M112 Demolition Blocks for destroying enemy caches and other targets as needed (Rangers only).

(d) FIM-92 STINGERS: For destroying enemy aircraft.

(e) FGM-148 JAVELINS: For destroying enemy armor. 

Chain Of Command

(a) MISSION: WAREAGLE 6 / WAREAGLE 5

(b) GROUND ELEMENTS: WIDOWMAKER 7 / GRIFFIN 6

(c) CLOSE AIR SUPPORT: WAREAGLE 6 / WIDOWMAKER 6 / GRIFFIN 6

(d) AIR ELEMENTS : FALCON 6 / FALCON 7

Coordination

(a) GROUND-TO-AIR: FREQ LR CH 60/61/62

(b) COMPANY NET: 152 CH 30

(c) PLATOON NET: 152 CH 31/32

(d) SQUAD NET: 152 CH 110/120/130/140/150/210/220

(e) CONVOY NET: FREQ LR CH 33/34

Intel

Map of AO: