THIS IS A TRAINING OPERATION ORDER. FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.
References: ATP 3-21.8, FM 3-90-1, ADRP 1-02
OPERATIONAL PLAN / ORDER #016 / CODE NAME: “SEIZE THE CROSSROADS”
CADRE / OPFOR NOTES
Complexity: Moderate Recommended Phase: RUN (Day Iterations) Mission Summary: 1st Platoon attacks to seize OBJ HERRERA to deny REAPER use of a key road junction and enable follow-on operations.
Destination: OBJ HERRERA at MP 0602 1565, AO COTTO.
Actions on Objective: Platoon will establish an ORP, conduct leader’s reconnaissance, isolate and suppress the objective, assault and seize the road junction, consolidate, and report.
Evaluation Timeline: For evaluated iterations, candidates will receive this OPORD and have 75 minutes to complete TLP Steps 1-8 before SP. Execution window is 60 minutes. AAR is 15 minutes.
OPFOR/Training Wrinkles:
- REAPER OP along Bradenton Ave south of the junction detects the SBF element during occupation — tests candidate’s reaction to early detection and ability to adapt the plan.
- Civilian foot traffic along Jacksonville Street during actions on the objective — tests ROE discipline and fire control measures.
- REAPER counterattack from the north through the woodline after the assault begins — tests whether the candidate planned for the MDCOA and positioned the security element effectively.
- Fallen tree or wire obstacle across the primary assault route through the woodline — tests adaptability and ability to designate alternate routes under pressure.
- REAPER RPK shifts fires from the Bradenton Ave corridor to the assault element’s avenue of approach from the west — tests the SBF element’s ability to identify and suppress the support weapon.
NOTE: UAS/Counter-UAS injects are OPTIONAL and should only be used if authorized by the Commandant and incorporated into the approved POI.
See Also: LTA Grid Reference
Iteration Guidance: This is the detailed version with specific grids, movement directions, and positioning. For evaluated iterations and later runs where squad leaders should plan independently, use 016-deliberate-attack.md instead.
Time Zone Used Throughout the Plan/Order: EASTERN STANDARD TIME
Task Organization:
1st Platoon, A Co. 4th BN-211th INF Platoon Leader Platoon Sergeant 1st Squad 2nd Squad 3rd Squad
Clay County, Florida, in the vicinity of Camp Blanding Joint Training Center. AO COTTO encompasses the area bounded to the north by Highway 16, to the east by the Starke city limits, to the south by the old railroad bed, and to the west by the pine forest edge.
1. Terrain. The AO consists of flat terrain with sandy soils and dense pine and hardwood forests throughout. Thick vegetation and tree canopy severely limit observation and fields of fire except along improved roads and clearings. Jacksonville Street runs east-west through the northern portion of the AO. Bradenton Avenue runs north-south, intersecting Jacksonville Street at the objective. These improved roads are the primary avenues of approach and the only locations offering extended fields of fire. The woods between and surrounding the roads provide excellent concealment for dismounted movement but restrict visibility to under 50 meters in most areas.
2. Weather.
A reinforced squad-sized REAPER element occupies prepared fighting positions in the vicinity of OBJ HERRERA on the north side of Jacksonville Street, north of the junction with Bradenton Avenue. They are equipped with small arms and a support weapon and are using the road junction to control local movement. A 2-man observation post is positioned south along Bradenton Avenue to provide early warning.
1. Composition. 6-8 REAPER personnel with small arms and 1 RPK (or equivalent support weapon) in prepared fighting positions with overhead cover. A 2-man OP is positioned along Bradenton Avenue south of the junction.
2. Disposition. REAPER main body occupies prepared positions on the north side of Jacksonville Street at the junction with Bradenton Avenue (MP 0602 1565). The RPK is positioned to cover the Bradenton Avenue corridor from the south — the most likely avenue of approach. Fighting positions are oriented south and southwest. Dense woods to the north provide them cover from that direction. They have limited observation to the east and west due to thick vegetation but can observe south along Bradenton Avenue and east-west along Jacksonville Street. A 2-man OP is positioned approximately 200m south along Bradenton Avenue to detect approaching forces and provide early warning.
3. Most Probable Course of Action (MPCOA). REAPER defends from prepared positions using the RPK to suppress along the Bradenton Avenue corridor. The OP provides early warning, fires a burst to alert the main body, and withdraws north to the main defensive position. If the main body is overwhelmed, REAPER attempts to withdraw north into the dense woods or east along Jacksonville Street, prioritizing survival over holding the position.
4. Most Dangerous Course of Action (MDCOA). REAPER has a reinforcement element of 3-4 personnel positioned further north along the Bradenton Avenue corridor. Upon contact, the main body defends in place while the reinforcement element counterattacks from the north through the woodline to strike the assault element’s flank. The RPK shifts fires from the Bradenton Avenue corridor to the assault element’s avenue of approach from the west, catching the assault force in a crossfire between the prepared positions and the counterattack.
1. Higher Headquarters: A Co. 4th BN – 211th INF.
2. Mission. A Company attacks to seize key terrain in AO COTTO to deny REAPER freedom of movement.
3. Commander’s Intent. Seize OBJ HERRERA to deny REAPER use of the road junction and establish conditions for follow-on operations.
Civilians may be present in the area, particularly along Jacksonville Street. Avoid civilian casualties and collateral damage.
None.
1st Platoon attacks to seize OBJ HERRERA (MP 0602 1565) NLT __ in order to deny REAPER use of the road junction and enable follow-on operations in AO COTTO.
Purpose: Deny REAPER control of the key road junction at OBJ HERRERA to enable friendly freedom of movement through AO COTTO.
Key Tasks: (1) Seize OBJ HERRERA. (2) Destroy or displace REAPER forces at the junction. (3) Consolidate on the objective and prepare for follow-on operations.
End State: OBJ HERRERA seized, REAPER forces destroyed or displaced, platoon consolidated on the objective with a hasty perimeter oriented north and east.
1st Platoon conducts a deliberate attack to seize OBJ HERRERA in two phases. In Phase 1 (Set), the platoon occupies an ORP in the woodline west of the objective. The PL conducts a leader’s reconnaissance. The security element moves first to isolate the objective, then the support element occupies a position south of the objective to fix the enemy. In Phase 2 (Strike), the support element initiates suppressive fire and the assault element, as the main effort, attacks through the objective from the west — exploiting the enemy’s limited observation off the improved roads. Upon seizure, the platoon consolidates on the objective and reports.
2nd Squad, as the decisive effort, has priority of indirect fires. Mortar support is available through company on request.
1. 1st Squad (Support by Fire — Shaping Operation):
2. 2nd Squad (Assault — Decisive Operation):
3. 3rd Squad (Security — Shaping Operation):
1. Rules of Engagement (ROE):
2. Priority Intelligence Requirements (PIR):
3. Commander’s Critical Information Requirements (CCIR):
4. Reporting:
5. This OPORD is effective immediately upon distribution.
1. PACE Plan:
2. Call Signs:
3. Challenge, Password, Running Password, Combination: