MINISTÈRE DES ARMÉES

GTIA "LÉGION" / SGTIA 1 UNIT: GREEN PLATOON (SECTION VERT 1)

LOCATION: BOA NAPOLEON DTG: 142100ZOCT25

SUBJECT: AFTER ACTION REPORT (COMPTE-RENDU DE FIN DE MISSION) – OP EQUILIBRE 01 TO: C-TOP (COMMAND ELEMENT)

FROM: CNE. A. Hughes, COMPANY COMMANDER (VERT) CLASSIFICATION: DIFFUSION RESTREINTE (RESTRICTED)

1. GENERAL SITUATION (SITUATION GÉNÉRALE)

A. Environment

Operation conducted in the Southern Korengal sector, specifically along MSR TEXAS towards Phase Line (PL) BRONZE and the village of ASHAT. Weather conditions were clear initially, deteriorating into valley fog in the late afternoon.

B. Forces Involved (Orbat: Section Vert 1)

• COMMAND:
  • GREEN 1-0 (HQ Element): Platoon Command. Mounted in VBCI.
• MANEUVER ELEMENTS:
  • GREEN 1-1 (Combat Group): Dismounted Infantry. Mounted in GREEN 10 VBCI.
  • GREEN 1-2 (Support/Overwatch): Support Group. Mounted in VBCI.
  • GREEN 1-3 (Recce/Screening): 2x VBL (1x 12.7mm, 1x 7.62mm).
• OPFOR (ENI):
  • Al-Ghuraba Insurgents: Estimated company strength operating in Ashat Valley.
  • Assets: Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) nests, Anti-Tank capabilities (BMP-1), prepared ambushes.
• CIVILIAN (TIERS):
  • Civilian population present in Ashat Village. Initially neutral/wary, shifted to hostile post-operation.

2. MISSION (MISSION)

GREEN 1 PLATOON (VERT 1) was tasked to:

1. SECURE MSR TEXAS from BOA NAPOLEON up to PL BRONZE.
2. NEUTRALIZE enemy spotting capabilities at OP MONT BLANC.
3. CLEAR and SECURE ASHAT VILLAGE to facilitate future operations.

3. EXECUTION OF OPERATIONS (DÉROULEMENT)

PHASE 1: MOVEMENT & SUPPRESSION OF OP MONT BLANC

The platoon departed BOA NAPOLEON moving North on MSR TEXAS.

• Decision Point: To maintain tempo, OP MONT BLANC was not assaulted directly. Instead, the objective was saturated with 81mm mortar fire to deny enemy observation and spotting capabilities.
• Result: Objective successfully neutralized by indirect fire. Security of the high ground was handed over to the 2e REP air element.

PHASE 2: AMBUSH ON MSR TEXAS

Approximately 50% distance to PL BRONZE, the convoy encountered a prepared vehicle blockade funnelling movement into a singular, restricted kill zone.

• Incident: Insurgents initiated a textbook complex ambush from elevated positions.
• Tactical Failure (Incident #1): GREEN 12 (Support VBCI) failed to maintain required dispersion/spacing. This compression forced the Main Body (GREEN 10/11) into the kill zone prematurely, bypassing the screening element of GREEN 13.
• Action: GREEN 1 sustained direct fire and indirect fire contact. Despite the tactical disadvantage, fire superiority was established. Casualties were sustained but treated effectively on-site by the GREEN 10 Medical Team (Aux Sanitaire).
• Outcome: Ambush repelled. Convoy pushed through.

PHASE 3: ASHAT VALLEY ENGAGEMENT

Pushing towards ASHAT, the platoon engaged significant insurgent forces in the valley floor.

• Engagement: Through aggressive manoeuvre, GREEN elements destroyed approximately 2-3 platoons of Al-Ghuraba infantry.
• Village Entry:
  • GREEN 12 established an overwatch position to suppress potential threats. Attaching to GREEN 13 established overwatch position.
  • GREEN 11 (Combat Group) dismounted and conducted the initial entry to secure ASHAT Village.
  • Result: The village centre was cleared with minimal resistance; however, significant civilian presence complicated the Rules of Engagement (ROE).

PHASE 4: THE NORTHERN SECTOR & ARMORED LOSSES

While securing the intersection attached to Ashat, elements discovered a hidden enemy camp.

• Contact: Two (2) concealed HMG posts opened fire on dismounted infantry (GREEN 11).
  • Effect: Heavy suppression, 2x PAX Wounded in Action (WIA). Minimal lethality but high disruption.
• Critical Failure (Incident #2): While focusing on the HMG threat, rear area security protocols failed. An enemy BMP-1 mechanized unit approached the formation undetected from the rear to within 20 meters.
• Result: The BMP-1 engaged and DESTROYED BOTH VBCIs (GREEN 10 and GREEN 12).
  • Impact: Total loss of platoon heavy armor and transport capability.

PHASE 5: WITHDRAWAL & EXFILTRATION

Following the loss of the VBCIs, the tactical situation deteriorated rapidly.

• Sniper Incident: GREEN 13 (Recce) came under precision fire. One crew member was struck and rendered unconscious.
• Vehicle Loss: To effect an immediate casualty extraction under fire, the crew was forced to abandon the 7.62mm VBL.
• Civilian Relations Failure: During the chaotic withdrawal, friendly elements commandeered a local civilian truck to transport casualties/troops.
  • Incident: The truck was accidentally destroyed by friendly action while attempting to return it to the village.
  • Consequence: Diplomatic efforts by GREEN 10 Command collapsed. Ashat village leadership is now considered HOSTILE.

4. ASSESSMENT OF LOSSES (BILAN)

A. FRIENDLY LOSSES (PERTES AMIES)

• Personnel: Multiple WIA (Stabilized). 0 KIA.
• Vehicles (MATERIEL):
  • 2x VBCI: DESTROYED (Total Loss).
  • 1x VBL (7.62mm): ABANDONED/LOST (Combat Loss).
  • 1x Civilian Truck: DESTROYED (Collateral).

B. ENEMY LOSSES (PERTES ENNEMIES)

• Infantry: Est. 5-6 Platoons KIA.
• Assets: 2x HMG Positions destroyed. BMP-1 status: DESTROYED.

5. LESSONS LEARNED (RETOURS D'EXPÉRIENCE - RETEX)

POINTS TO SUSTAIN (POINTS FORTS)

1. Indirect Fire Usage: The mortar saturation of OP MONT BLANC was highly effective, preserving infantry strength for the main effort.
2. Medical Response: Combat medical care (SC1) under fire was effective; despite the ambush intensity, all casualties were stabilized.

POINTS TO IMPROVE (POINTS À AMÉLIORER)

1. SPACING (DISCIPLINE DE FEU/MOUVEMENT): The failure of GREEN 12 to keep spacing on MSR TEXAS negated the screening advantage of the VBLs. Corrective Action: Convoy interval drills must be reinforced for restricted terrain.
2. REAR SECURITY (SÛRETÉ): The approach of a BMP-1 to within 20m is an unacceptable failure of 360-degree security. Tunnel vision on the forward HMG camp led to the loss of key armored assets. Corrective Action: Dedicated rear-guard must remain "eyes out" regardless of forward intensity.
3. CIMIC / ROE: The mishandling of the civilian truck turned a tactical clearing operation into a strategic failure. The local population has been alienated. Corrective Action: Strict adherence to protocols regarding requisition of civilian property.

6. CONCLUSION

Mission objectives were partially met (MSR secured, Enemy Infantry degraded), but at an unsustainable cost in equipment and local goodwill. The loss of two VBCIs renders GREEN PLATOON (VERT 1) combat ineffective for armored operations until refit.

Garrison relief force (2 Platoons) has assumed control of MSR TEXAS. GREEN 10 has returned to BOA NAPOLEON.

SIG: CNE. A. Hughes, COMPANY COMMANDER (VERT)