tlp-opords

THIS IS A TRAINING OPERATION ORDER. FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.

References: ATP 3-28, ATP 3-20.98, FM 3-90-2, TC 21-305-20

OPERATIONAL PLAN / ORDER #011 / CODE NAME: “HURRICANE DELTA ROUTE RECON”

CADRE / OPFOR NOTES

Complexity: Moderate Recommended Phase: WALK (Blocks 2-3), RUN (Day Iterations)

Mission Summary: A Company conducts mounted reconnaissance operations in Bay County to assess damage, identify hazards, and report conditions to enable follow-on relief operations. 1st Platoon is tasked to reconnoiter the US-231 corridor and Panama City urban area.

Training Focus: This is a COMPANY-LEVEL OPORD. Candidates receive this order as the 1st Platoon Leader and must conduct TLP to plan their platoon’s reconnaissance operations. Focus areas include reconnaissance planning, systematic observation, accurate reporting, and information management.

Evaluation Timeline: Candidates will receive this OPORD and have 75 minutes to complete TLP Steps 1-8. Candidates will brief their platoon order to cadre. This is a planning exercise only.

Training Wrinkles (for candidate planning consideration):

NOTE: This is a DSCA operation. There is no enemy threat. Reconnaissance focuses on infrastructure and conditions.

CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED // FOR TRAINING USE ONLY

ISSUING HEADQUARTERS: A Company, 4th Battalion, 211th Infantry Regiment

Time Zone Used Throughout the Plan/Order: EASTERN STANDARD TIME

Task Organization:

A Company, 4th BN-211th INF

1st Platoon Task Organization:


1. SITUATION

a. Area of Interest

Bay County, Florida, and surrounding areas. Hurricane DELTA made landfall 48 hours ago as a Category 3 storm. Higher headquarters requires detailed reconnaissance of routes, infrastructure, and potential staging areas to plan relief operations.

b. Area of Operations

1. Terrain. Bay County features coastal and inland terrain including urban areas (Panama City, Lynn Haven), suburban development, and waterways. Hurricane damage includes debris fields, flooding, structural damage, and infrastructure failures. Roads may be blocked, bridges damaged, and low-lying areas flooded.

2. Weather. Post-hurricane conditions:

Standing water in low-lying areas. Debris throughout.

c. Civil Considerations

Hurricane DELTA caused catastrophic damage. Civilian population is in crisis—many without power, water, or communications. Civilians will approach military vehicles seeking help or information. Emergency services are overwhelmed. Other agencies (FEMA, Red Cross) are conducting concurrent operations.

1. Infrastructure Status:

2. Hazards:

d. Friendly Forces

1. Higher Headquarters: 4th BN, 211th INF, supporting Florida National Guard Joint Task Force – Hurricane DELTA.

2. Battalion Mission. 4th Battalion conducts reconnaissance and security operations in Bay County to enable follow-on relief operations.

3. Battalion Commander’s Intent. Conduct thorough reconnaissance to provide accurate, timely information for planning relief operations. Identify safe routes, hazards, and suitable sites for distribution operations. Assist civilians when feasible without compromising the reconnaissance mission.

4. Adjacent Units:

e. Attachments and Detachments

None.


2. MISSION

A Company conducts mounted area reconnaissance of designated sectors in Bay County NLT __ to assess damage, identify hazards, and report conditions to enable follow-on relief operations in support of Hurricane DELTA response.


3. EXECUTION

a. Commander’s Intent

Purpose: Provide accurate, timely reconnaissance of Bay County to enable the battalion and civil authorities to plan effective relief operations.

Key Tasks: (1) Reconnoiter assigned sectors systematically. (2) Assess route trafficability for supply convoys. (3) Identify and report hazards. (4) Locate and assess potential POD sites. (5) Document findings with photos/video.

End State: All assigned sectors reconnoitered, route conditions and infrastructure status reported, potential POD sites identified, company consolidated and prepared for follow-on operations.

b. Concept of Operations

A Company conducts mounted reconnaissance of Bay County in four sectors. 1st Platoon reconnoiters Sectors 1 and 2 (US-231 corridor and Panama City urban area) as the main effort — this covers the primary supply corridor. 2nd Platoon reconnoiters Sectors 3 and 4 (SR-77 and western Bay County) for alternate routes. 3rd Platoon maintains security of the staging area and serves as QRF. Squads may operate independently within sectors at PL discretion based on communications. Upon completion, platoons consolidate at the staging area for debrief.

c. Scheme of Fires

Not applicable (DSCA operation).

d. Tasks to Subordinate Units

1st Platoon (Sectors 1 & 2 — Main Effort):

Priority Reconnaissance Objectives:

  1. US-231 trafficability (can LMTV convoys pass?)
  2. Bridge conditions on US-231 and connecting routes
  3. Panama City downtown accessibility
  4. Bay Medical Center status and access
  5. Schools/churches suitable for POD operations (minimum 3 sites)
  6. Flooding extent in low-lying areas

2nd Platoon (Sectors 3 & 4):

3rd Platoon (Staging Area Security / QRF):

f. Coordinating Instructions

1. Reconnaissance Priorities (in order):

  1. Route trafficability (can supply convoys pass?)
  2. Bridge conditions (weight limits, damage)
  3. Flooding (depth, extent, passability)
  4. Debris fields (clearance requirements)
  5. Critical infrastructure (hospitals, emergency services)
  6. Potential POD/staging sites

2. Reporting Requirements:

Immediate Reports (as encountered):

Scheduled Reports:

3. Hazard Procedures:

4. Civilian Interaction:

5. Traffic Control at Non-Functioning Signals:

6. Fuel Management:

7. Documentation:

8. Timeline:

9. This OPORD is effective upon receipt.


4. SUSTAINMENT

a. Logistics

  1. Fuel: Full tanks at SP; emergency fuel at staging area.
  2. Meals: MREs in each vehicle.
  3. Water: 2 quarts per Soldier minimum; additional in vehicles.
  4. Equipment: Cameras/phones for documentation, GPS, maps, flashlights.

b. Health System Support

  1. First aid kits in each vehicle.
  2. CLS in HQ vehicle.
  3. Civilian emergency: Stabilize, contact 911 if available, report to Company TOC.
  4. Military casualty: Stabilize, evacuate to staging area or nearest medical facility, report.

5. COMMAND AND SIGNAL

a. Command

  1. Company Commander at Bay County Staging Area.
  2. 1st Platoon Leader commands Sectors 1 & 2 reconnaissance.
  3. Succession of Command (1st Platoon): PL, PSG, 1st SL, 2nd SL, 3rd SL.

b. Control

  1. Company TOC: Bay County Staging Area
  2. Rally Point: Bay County Staging Area

c. Signal

1. PACE Plan:

2. Call Signs:

3. Lost Communication Procedures:


ANNEX A: RECONNAISSANCE REPORTING FORMATS

Route Condition Report:

ROUTE: [designation]
SEGMENT: [from] to [to]
TRAFFICABILITY: OPEN / RESTRICTED / CLOSED
RESTRICTIONS: [debris/flooding/bridge damage/other]
CLEARANCE REQUIRED: YES / NO
RECOMMENDED ACTION: [clear for convoy / requires clearance / use alternate]

Infrastructure Status Report:

FACILITY: [name and type]
LOCATION: [address or grid]
STATUS: OPERATIONAL / DAMAGED / DESTROYED
DAMAGE DETAILS: [if applicable]
ACCESS: [open/restricted/blocked]
IMMEDIATE NEEDS: [if observed]

POD Site Assessment:

LOCATION: [address or grid]
SITE TYPE: [parking lot/school/church/etc.]
ESTIMATED CAPACITY: [vehicles per hour]
ACCESS ROUTES: [description]
UTILITIES: [power/water availability]
SUITABILITY: RECOMMENDED / ACCEPTABLE / NOT RECOMMENDED
NOTES: [additional observations]

Hazard Report:

TYPE: [downed lines/flooding/structural/other]
LOCATION: [address or grid]
SEVERITY: IMMEDIATE DANGER / CAUTION / ADVISORY
RECOMMENDED ACTION: [avoid/mark/report to authorities]

ANNEX B: 1ST PLATOON PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS

The Platoon Leader should address the following during TLP:

1. Reconnaissance Planning:

2. Control Measures:

3. Reporting Plan:

4. Contingencies:

5. Consolidation: