OPERATION Deadman’s Gambit Part 2

MISSION 2: OPERATION Deadman’s Gambit

1. SITUATION

a. Enemy Forces

Insurgent forces estimated at 18–24 personnel are operating from a compound within Al-Hadra City. Enemy elements are equipped with AK-pattern rifles, light machine guns, and possible RPGs. They are capable of defensive engagements and localized counter-attacks. No known armored assets are present.

An established operational network under the leadership of Iman Al-Halabi is responsible for facilitating ISIS-K activities within the AO and coordinating with Iranian-backed elements to acquire specialized suicide devices for cross-border smuggling.

• Most Likely COA: Hostile elements will utilize fortified, multi-level structural defense from upper floors and attempt to delay friendly forces until reinforcements arrive.
• Most Dangerous COA: Rapid reinforcement from sympathetic local militia elements within the city. The most likely direction of enemy reinforcements will be from the North of the target building.

b. Friendly Forces

• Higher: CIA Special Activities coordination conducting counterterrorism and network disruption operations.
• Supporting / Attached:
  • ANVIL (Task Force Bronze / Assault Element)
  • RAVEN (24th STS) – ISR / Sniper Overwatch / JTAC
  • SOAR (160th SOAR) – Rotary-wing extraction and emergency CAS

c. Terrain & Weather

• Terrain: Dense urban district with tight residential structures and close-quarters structural anomalies. Target building features an unoccupied 1st floor that does not connect to upper levels. Floors 2 through 4 (rooftop) are hostile, with interior stairwells serving as the primary access points to the upper decks.
• Weather: Operations conducted under total darkness (DTG: 0200). Clear visibility with minimal environmental degradation.

d. Civil Considerations

• Civilian presence within the dense urban district remains moderate.
• Positive Identification (PID) is mandatory prior to engagement.
• Minimize collateral damage to adjacent residential structures whenever tactically feasible.

2. MISSION

At 0200, ANVIL 1, supported by RAVEN and SOAR, conducts a direct action raid on a target compound in Al-Hadra City in order to locate and eliminate HVT Iman Al-Halabi, disrupt local ISIS-K operational capability, and prevent further regional proxy activity.

• HVT: Iman Al-Halabi
• Description:
  • Male.
  • Distinguishing features: Pakol Hat and a well-kept black beard.
  • Highly likely to carry physical identification on his person.
• Threat: Senior operational coordinator, heavily protected by light armed security. Will resist with lethal force.
• Directive: Kill only — capture is not authorized.

3. EXECUTION

a. Commander’s Intent

• Purpose: Decisively eliminate the remaining ISIS-K leadership structure in Al-Hadra before the network can reorganize or conduct follow-on attacks.
• Key Tasks:
  • Infiltrate undetected via ground/air assets..
  • Isolate the unoccupied 1st floor; clear floors 2 through 4 with priority on the 3rd floor.
  • Rapid PID and elimination of HVT (HEINEKEN).
  • Conduct targeted SSE (focusing on personal ID and electronic media).
  • Establish structural blocking positions to interdict enemy reinforcements moving from the North.
  • Exfiltrate before enemy forces can effectively mass.

b. Concept of Operations

• Phase I – Movement
  • Assault force inserts under darkness via ground convoy or rotary-wing insertion to the Objective Rally Point (ORP) outside the objective area.
  • RAVEN establishes elevated sniper/overwatch positions to monitor the target building and screen for incoming enemy reinforcements from the North.
  • ISR maintains continuous surveillance.
  • Primary Objective: OBJ CORONA (Target Building).
• Phase II – Assault
  • ANVIL 1 moves from the ORP and establishes entry at designated breach points:
    • Eastern Entry: Garage port on the Eastern side of the Target Building.
    • North-Western Entry: North side of the building in the northwestern corner.
  • Assault force bypasses the unoccupied 1st floor, moving immediately via interior stairwells to clear the hostile upper decks (Floors 2–4).
  • Target room is expected to be on the third floor.
  • RAVEN provides continuous overwatch and blocks/interdicts potential enemy reinforcement routes originating from the North.
• Phase III – Exploitation / Exfil
  • Secure the objective site and execute prioritized SSE.
  • Collect phones, laptops, maps, documents, radios, and storage devices—with immediate priority given to recovering the HVT's physical identification.
  • Consolidate forces and execute exfiltration via Ground/SOAR assets.

c. Coordinating Instructions

• HVT is Kill Only.
• Strict PID required before engagement due to urban residential proximity.
• Simultaneous dual-point breach recommended to prevent HVT escape.
• Be prepared to interdict rapid reinforcement elements from the North.
• Exfil trigger: HVT KIA + Priority SSE secured.

4. SUSTAINMENT

a. Logistics

• 24-hour self-sustainment.
• Full combat load (urban/CQB configuration).
• No resupply planned.
• Demolition materials on hand for destruction of sensitive materials if unable to extract.

b. Medical

• Point of injury care managed by embedded team medics/SOCM operators.
• Advanced trauma and CCP coordination managed by attached assets.

c. Personnel

• Accountability maintained at all levels by GFC.
• No replacements available.
• Detainees: Detention not expected. Any surviving hostile personnel may be flex-cuffed and detained only if tactically feasible and it does not delay EXFIL.

d. Maintenance

• Pre-Combat Checks (PCC) and Pre-Combat Inspections (PCI) mandatory prior to Step Off.
• All night-vision, laser/light, breaching, and communications equipment must be 100% mission-capable.

5. COMMAND & SIGNAL

a. Command

• Ground Force Commander (GFC): ANVIL-6
• Succession of Command: Standard tactical SOP applies.

b. Signal

• Call Signs:
  • ANVIL - Assault Element (Task Force Bronze)
  • RAVEN - 24th STS (Overwatch/ISR/JTAC)
  • SOAR - 160th SOAR (Aviation Assets)
• Phraseology:
  • Target Profile Identifier (Iman Al-Halabi): “HEINEKEN” (To be used exclusively on all tactical nets)
  • ORP set: “WHISKEY”
  • ANVIL step off: “Step”
  • Teams at AP’s/Breach Points: “FIREBALL”
  • HVT eliminated: “HEINEKEN”
  • Exfil: “TEQUILA”

END STATE

HVT (HEINEKEN) is eliminated, priority intelligence/identification is secured, the compound is neutralized, and all friendly elements are RTB.