Combatintman

Erwin - yes you are - the ANA grouping in FOB Alma is supposed to go out - look at the TASKORG and the orders and compare it with the set up. The ANA 1 Platoon in FOB Alma is on the right along with the OMLT & the OMLT MFC - basically those elements should go out of the right hand gate of FOB Alma along with the CO's Tac HQ, a sniper pair and the JTAC. The larger grouping in CP Jundi should stay where it is. In simple terms - if it is a dismounted element not in or on the roof of a building in FOB Alma, it is designed to go out of the door. The only mounted elements that should go out of the door (dependant on your CSS plan) are the two WMIKS pointing at the rear gate with the Javelin Teams on them. At that stage of the game in Helmand, the ANA were still very much in the game of being mentored so the ISAF element is always going to be the larger of the elements going out of the door and so is realistic. That ANA platoon, if handled well, is a useful asset.

Blackmoria - I should have made it clear in the briefing I that once you've nailed the three compounds that you've probably done enough. Sounds like it played out for you pretty much as I hoped it would and (with the exception above) that the briefing gave you the information you needed without dispelling the fog of war. I am glad you enjoyed the moments of tension as you advanced to contact - that is the 'feel' of ops over there that I really wanted to convey. Thanks a lot for your comments.

Having kicked 'Into the Green' out of the door, I have started my next project. The name of the mission comes from the nicknames ('M' - the abbreviation for Motorways in the UK eg M1, M2 etc) of the wadis running south into Kajaki in Helmand Province. This will be a company group sized mission depicting a generic fighting patrol out of Kajaki during 3 Commando Brigade's first Helmand tour in 06-07. This time the map is of real ground and is nearly finished. I'll keep you updated.

All successful - thread is here: http://www.battlefront.com/community/showthread.php?t=117136

2nd attempt to upload has just been made - hopefully it comes up this time.

First attempt at Repository upload was this morning so there should be an announcement on the Scenario and Mod forum soon hopefully.

Final lot of briefing graphics which hopefully will allow you to make better sense of the earlier posted orders: Enjoy

Shouldn't have too long to wait now and thanks for the comments.

Draft orders for the mission: Situation: Enemy Forces The enemy within the AO is well-equipped, motivated, adaptive and effectively controls the population, more so now that the poppy harvest has been gathered. This means that they enjoy significant support among the population and will be able to count on Tier 3 fighters. Capabilities include, indirect fire, PPIED, CWIED and RCIED as well as direct fire. Typical sub-groups of five fighters are equipped with AK-47, RPK/RPD LMG and RPG-7. Tier 2 strength in the area is assessed as approximately 50 fighters, Tier 3 fighters could be double that number. Detail on recent enemy activity is shown on the Operational Map. Reporting received in the last few hours indicates suspicious activity in compounds A101 – A108 where Sangar sentries have identified groups of 2-3 individuals equipped with long-barrelled weapons. Elements of the FSG which are returning from Sangin on another task reported seeing a column of technicals in the desert. The FSG did not engage the technicals for fear of a Blue on Green incident, suspecting them to be either ANA or ANP vehicles. Subsequent ICOM chatter identified these technicals as enemy vehicles. They are currently unlocated but could arrive in the AO in the next two hours. ^ Situation: Friendly Forces A platoon from the ANA Tiger Team with an OMLT section and MFC has patrolled from CP Jundi to force concentrate for this task. Additionally, CO 2 PARA has come forward with his TAC HQ with the intent of accompanying this patrol and no doubt assessing our performance and that of the ANA. The patrol is now formed up on the HLS in FOB Alma and ready to depart on task pending final orders and ammunition issue. There will be four groupings for this task as follows (see also the TASKORG diagram on the Tactical Map): Assault Group: OC B Coy and TAC HQ 5 Platoon/B Coy/2 PARA 6 Platoon/B Coy/2 PARA ATK Det/B Coy/2 PARA (mounted on WMIK) Sniper Pair/B Coy/2 PARA 5 Sect/9 PARA Sqn RE Tac Party/G Bty/7 PARA RHA MFC/B Coy/2 PARA Support Group: CO 2 PARA and TAC HQ 1 R IRISH OMLT Team 1 Sniper Pair/B Coy/2 PARA 1 Platoon/Tiger Team/1 Kandak ANA JTAC (C/S WIDOW 47) 1 R IRISH OMLT Team 1 MFC FOB Alma Group: 2IC B Coy 4 Platoon/B Coy/2 PARA 3 Sect/9 PARA Sqn RE 4 Sect/9 PARA Sqn RE CP Jundi Group HQ 1 Kandak ANA Coy HQ Tiger Team ANA 2 Platoon/Tiger Team/1 Kandak ANA 3 Platoon/Tiger Team/1 Kandak ANA FOO/1 Kandak ANA MFC/1 Kandak ANA Offensive support assets on call are B Coy, 2 PARA’s 81mm mortar detachment, 3 x 105mm Light Guns of G Bty, 7 PARA RHA and a Harrier pair (C/S RECOIL 11). ^ Situation: Terrain and Weather The terrain in the AO is mostly agricultural green zone interspersed with a number of high walled compounds. Routes through the AO comprise mainly of single vehicle tracks with numerous choke points. With the exception of the small high features in the desert upon which FOB Alma and CP Jundi are located, the ground is mainly flat with only small variations in elevation. The main points to note for the ground are: The choke points which are likely to be the focus of enemy IED attacks combined with indirect and direct fire attacks. High walled compounds which are likely to be used by the enemy for overwatch and as defensive positions. Irrigation ditches which will provide both covered avenues of approach and fire positions. It is 0530 hrs on 16 Jun 08 with sunrise due in the next 30 minutes. The temperature is warm, the sky is clear and there is no wind. These conditions initially favour friendly forces due to our superior NVG capabilities but from sunrise, this advantage will be negated. ^ Mission: Overall Description ATTACK: B Coy Gp is to clear target compounds NLT 0800 hrs IOT disrupt the enemy and set the conditions for stabilisation in the Upper Sangin Valley. Tasks: 1. Assault Compound A124 (Touch 350 VPs). 2. Assault Compound A137 (Touch 350 VPs). 3. Assault Compound A138 (Touch 350 VPs). 4. Defend FOB Alma. 5. Defend CP Jundi. ^ Execution: Commander’s Intent My intent is to conduct a deliberate approach to the target compounds engaging enemy elements as they are encountered. Once in the vicinity of the compounds, we will conduct violent assaults destroying any enemy forces in the compounds. As part of the long-term goal of securing the population, collateral damage is to be kept to a minimum (1100 VPs) and offensive support assets should only be used on identified targets away from civilian objects. In order to remain balanced for future operations, ammunition consumption is not to exceed 75% (100 VPs) and casualties are to be kept to an absolute minimum (5% 600 VPs). Endstate will be all objectives achieved and the patrol safely back in FOB Alma. ^ Execution: Basic Plan Your choice OC B Coy but I suggest that you maintain the groupings in the suggested TASKORG and the suggested scheme of manoeuvre, both shown on the Tactical Map. Due to the profusion of IEDs and RPGs, I suggest that your WMIK mounted Atk elements ensure that they maintain standoff distances. Your engineers are important in this mission and it is suggested that you use them to effect entry into the target compounds. Ammunition resupply is also a consideration and I suggest that you bomb up before you leave the FOB as the green zone is too dangerous for undefended and unprotected vehicles. DO NOT BE TEMPTED TO denude the defences of FOB Alma and CP Jundi as any enemy incursion in these areas will totally undermine our claims to be able to secure the population. Any enemy incursion to 150m of either location would be a major propaganda victory for them (200 VPs). Designer’s notes ‘Once on his feet the lead soldier jumps up and down to try and get his load seated and as comfortable as possible. You can’t ever get it comfortable, there are just degrees of discomfort. He shrugs his shoulders and clicks his head side to side, working out a few kinks but ultimately going through his own pre-match ritual and getting his game face on. He is the point man. The very first man in this whole snake that will weave its way out into the green zone and actively hunt out the enemy. I can’t see his face but I know him. A young nineteen year old private. He has probably been out of basic training less than a year, yet already he is in the middle of a war …. On all the patrols that I led I never once saw the point man as much as flinch. When told to go, he shouldered his load, tightened a few straps and headed straight out. As I watched him disappear into the darkness, the feeling of humility and honour overwhelmed me. I was humbled by his bravery but, most of all, I realised what an incredible honour it was to command men such as these … That lone soldier is the bravest man I have ever met’. This passage from the book Company Commander written by Major Russell Lewis MC was one of the main inspirations for this mission. Another excellent book that provided inspiration is Honourable Warriors by Major Richard Streatfeild MBE. Both officers commanded companies operating out of FOB Inkerman in the Upper Sangin Valley. The map itself is entirely fictional but is modelled on the ground around FOB Inkerman in the Upper Sangain Valley, likewise the mission is fictional but the conditions and forces available are based on reality. The main reason for this is that I have tried and failed to generate an accurate map of this area on two occasions and, without the benefit of the special editor overlay found in the newer CM titles, it is quite frankly a chore to generate an accurate map. My intent has been to design a realistic mission as well as present an interesting and enjoyable tactical challenge which I hope you will enjoy. Finally – I reiterate the point made in the execution paragraph – DO NOT BE TEMPTED TO denude the defences of FOB Alma and CP Jundi – STICK to the Groupings indicated, otherwise you will not gain the full enjoyment of the mission.

More briefing graphics - this is the Operational Map showing previous Enemy activity and the target compounds:

Briefing graphics coming together: Strategic Map:

Sixty years is not quite right - Cyprus springs to mind. I say this as historical fact and not to start a political mud slinging exercise about perceived rights and wrongs of what happened.

Tankski - no apologies needed.

And here is the inspiration ... ‘Once on his feet the lead soldier jumps up and down to try and get his load seated and as comfortable as possible. You can’t ever get it comfortable, there are just degrees of discomfort. He shrugs his shoulders and clicks his head side to side, working out a few kinks but ultimately going through his own pre-match ritual and getting his game face on. He is the point man. The very first man in this whole snake that will weave its way out into the green zone and actively hunt out the enemy. I can’t see his face but I know him. A young nineteen year old private. He has probably been out of basic training less than a year, yet already he is in the middle of a war …. On all the patrols that I led I never once saw the point man as much as flinch. When told to go, he shouldered his load, tightened a few straps and headed straight out. As I watched him disappear into the darkness, the feeling of humility and honour overwhelmed me. I was humbled by his bravery but, most of all, I realised what an incredible honour it was to command men such as these … That lone soldier is the bravest man I have ever met’. From the book Company Commander by Major Russell Lewis MC who commanded B Company 2 PARA operating from FOB INKERMAN in the summer of 2008.

RAF Harrier Callsign RECOIL 11 drops a danger close GBU-12 on identified insurgents under the control of JTAC Callsign WIDOW 47 (compound roof in the foreground)

Posted on another thread but worth repeating here ... Attack State Red compound entry somewhere in Helmand Province From the soon to be released 'Into the Green' mission.

Nothing is guaranteed with the AI ...!!! As a starter for 10 you have to consider soft factors if you want people to stay in place so rule number 1 with that side of it is to ensure that you set motivation at a high level when you purchase the unit. Other than that it should be pretty simple - just place the unit where you want it to be or give it an order to go to the place you want it to be and it should stay there.

Attack State Red compound entry ... not a pre-requisite for success ... you have other options

Another test done and successful - first one as a 'normal player' rather than in scenario author mode. I reckon this is good to go without further testing so I'm going to start knocking the briefings together now.

I still haven't got through all of the CMSF stuff!!!

Coy HQ has just received imagery from a tasked UAV: Compound 1: Compound 2: Compound 3: Study them carefully commander ...

Personally I'd always try to use a direct fire system but if you absolutely have to use an indirect asset I'd make sure that is 105mm calibre or above otherwise you could end up expending quite a few rounds. I've not tested this at all but in game I would go with standard HE over the other two. I only use anti-tank rounds when I'm engaging armour and while anti-personnel will do the job in game, you will probably end up expending more ammunition than if you use standard HE.

Just finished another test - this time with my 2nd AI plan. I'm pretty pleased with how it went - I got a Major Victory and this has confirmed that the VPs are working as I want them to. Unfortunately I won't be able to run another test for a couple of days due to work but I am definitely on the right track with both AI plans working and the VPs settled. This means that I can now at least start thinking about putting the orders and graphics together for the briefings.

Depends who the random guy is. In the important part of this argument it is somebody who calls the shots.

If you're running Windows are you sure it isn't lurking in your Virtual Store? That is the cause of most of my 'where the f*ck are my files' moments and I find it annoying beyond belief. Every scenario I've created on my computer gets saved there.