Week 3 Patrols

Major Zaster was pleased to see five reinforcements step off the back of the Chinook, having been ready to see none.  Maybe his plight up at the dam was known.  Standing on the helipad were two Frenchmen and three US Marines.  Major Zaster sent the two Frenchmen to Squad 1 of B Platoon, two Marines to Squad 2 of Platoon C and 1 Marine to US Marine squad 1 of Platoon C.

Platoon A (British Army), squad 1 and MSS both missing 1

Platoon B (French Foreign Legion), all squads at full Strength

Platoon C (US Marine), squad 2 missing 5 men

Platoon D (US Army): all squads at full strength

With orders to keep the MSR open Major Zaster decided that a Patrol Base would be a good idea and sent Platoon D to construct a patrol base at Map Reference 55, the base was rapidly made operational with HESCO barriers, trenches, a few sangars, a rudimentary helipad and room for a platoon and six light vehicles.  Platoon D with six patrol vehicles were the first occupants of the new base, Patrol Base 55.

Week 3 Action Overview:

PATROL 1

The first patrol-to-contact was made by a platoon strength patrol riding south of the FOB in three APCs.  The patrol descended the FOB ridge, crossed the river at the wooden bridge, patrolled through the mostly deserted town (63) and headed to the farmsteads in the dry wadi to the south west.  The platoon was supported by one of the FOBs forward observers and the forward air controller (FAC).  The FOB's company medic also accompanied the patrol.

UNSAF Patrol

One Platoon

One FAC

One FOO

One Medic
Three APCs

AT-4 alottment: 1 per platoon
RnR: All UNSAF teams are present

BATTLE 1

Patrol Strength: 7 Insurgent Strength: 3+3=6, D10 4+, result 10, therefore the mission occurs in Area 62

Civilians: Remain in area
Terrain: Rough, dry farmland, a few houses.  Large open area, 6x4 most likely.

PATROL 2

The second patrol was sent to Azmakassar, with much muttering.  A single IFV left the base for Azmakassar with a single squad aboard, tasked with a rendezvous with a MANA patrol to clear the insurgent threat in Azmakassar.  The IFV reached Azmakassar with no incidents, except for the incessant expletives from the squad commander, and drove into the MANA base (or latrine as the squad commander reported), after some tea, and the polite refusal of the “goat stew” offer the patrol left the MANA compound to patrol the streets of Azmakassar:

MANA Patrol

1 Squad Leader w/AK

1 Fireteam Leader w/AK, 2 Riflemen w/AK and 1 Gunner w/RPK (Lt AP1/AT0)

1 Fireteam leader w/AK, 1 Rifleman w/AK, 1 Gunner w/RPK, 1 Gunner w/RPG

Sniper Team of 2 Snipers w/SVD (Weapon Team)

3 Toyota/UAZ Utility (may mount Support Weapon teams)

UNSAF

1 IFV

1 Squad Leader

2 Fire Team

AT-4 alottment: 1 per platoon
RnR: All UNSAF teams are present

The squad leader told his men to be careful after seeing one of the MANA patrol surreptitiously chatting on his cellphone.  On the other side of the planet, Major Zaster’s direct superior commended him on his bold action to include MANA forces in the policing action.

Just when life was looking simple for the patrol leader another local MANA warlord appeared with his forces.  Now the squad leader has to deal with two MANA forces.

[The rules: The first MANA force rolls a D10 each time one of its units is activated to see if it activates, on a score of 1 the whole MANA patrol joins the insurgents, on a roll of 10 it joins UNSAF, otherwise on a 4+ the team activates as per the UNSAF player's instruction.  If a 1 or 10 is rolled no further activation rolls are required.  The second MANA force always activates, but at the beginning of Turn 2 a D10 is rolled and on a 4+ the force joins UNSAF, otherwise it joins the insurgents]

MANA of uncertain loyalty (on Turn 2 roll D10, on a score of 4+ they join UNSAF)

TQ: D6 Mor: D8

Squad 1
1 Squad Leader w/AK
1 Fireteam Leader w/AK, 1 Riflemen w/AK, 1 Marksman w/SVD and 1 Gunner w/RPK (Lt AP1/AT0)
1 Fireteam leader w/AK, 1 Rifleman w/AK, 1 Gunner w/RPK (Lt AP1/AT0), 1 Gunner w/RPG (Md AP2/AT2 (M))

Squad 2
1 Squad Leader w/AK
1 Fireteam Leader w/AK, 1 Riflemen w/AK, 1 Marksman w/SVD and 1 Gunner w/RPK (Lt AP1/AT0)
1 Fireteam leader w/AK, 1 Rifleman w/AK, 1 Gunner w/RPK (Lt AP1/AT0), 1 Gunner w/RPG (Md AP2/AT2 (M))

Support
2 Forward Observer w/AK + 1 Assistant w/AK w/ 81mm Mortar Battery
2 Sniper Team of 2 Snipers w/SVD (Weapon Team)

BATTLE 2

Patrol Strength: IFV(1)+Squad(1)+MANAPatrol(1)=3 Insurgent Strength: 3, therefore the mission occurs in Area 46
Civilians Remain in area

Terrain: Town, compact built up area, maybe on 2x2

The game map: