Operation Vigilant Resolve

Invasion of Iraq, 4th of April 2004, USMC 1st Recon BN, Hitman CO.,
Outskirts of Fallujah

Situation

On 31 March 2004, Iraqi insurgents in Fallujah ambushed a convoy containing four American private military contractors from Blackwater USA who were conducting delivery for food caterers ESS. The four armed contractors, Scott Helvenston, Jerko Zovko, Wesley Batalona and Michael Teague, were killed by machine gun fire and a grenade thrown through a window of their SUVs. A mob then set their bodies ablaze, and their corpses were dragged through the streets before being hung over a bridge crossing the Euphrates. The insurgents provided images to news agencies for broadcast worldwide, causing a great deal of indignation and moral outrage in the United States. An announcement of an upcoming "pacification" of the city promptly followed. On 1 April, Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt, deputy director of U.S. military operations in Iraq, promised an "overwhelming" response to the Blackwater USA deaths, stating "We will pacify that city." On 3 April 2004, the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force received a written command from the Joint Task Force, ordering offensive operations against Fallujah. This order went against the wishes of the Marine Commanders on the ground who wanted to conduct surgical strikes and raids against those suspected of involvement in the Blackwater deaths. On the night of 4 April 2004, American forces launched a major assault in an attempt to "re-establish security in Fallujah" by encircling it with around 2000 troops. This is where your story begins, as part of the 1st Recon BN, Hitman Company, tasked to secure the Eastern Highway 11 around Fallujah and clear it of enemy strongholds, before entering the city itself.

Briefing

Bravo ''Hitman'' Company's part in Operation Vigilant Resolve will be to advance along the main highway, under the cover of darkness, up until the intersection point with Highway 11, codenamed Ocelot. You will neutralize any enemy positions along this axis of advance, and once you've reached Ocelot you will be cleared to move into the city. Exercise caution and ID your targets, you may run into friendly units here, or civilians (obviously). Your main target there will be the enemy HQ in the NW side. Once captured, you will rest till morning and commence combat patrols in the city, gathering intel on enemy positions, neutralizing any strongholds, weapon caches, assets you deem necessary all while improving relations with the locals and maintaining order. You are currently to the SE of the city, in the recently captured airport. Once ready, you will step off and head to Point Ocelot. Command has identified 3 enemy positions around and on the way to the position, namely the gas station near the airbase, some fortifications at the highway intersection and the military base to the E of that. Before proceeding into the city you must capture all of them. Stick to the highway, do not drive off unless you must avoid an obstacle, be mindful of the minefields, you may need to carve a path through. RECON also reports many wrecked/abandoned vehicles on some sides of the highway. ROE outside the city is fire at will on anyone you believe poses a threat. Inside the city you are not authorized to fire unless fired upon or unless you see and can confirm a gun - any high caliber munitions (40mm, grenades .50) must be used with caution to prevent collateral damage. To make things worse, command has assigned a news team to trail your movements and report the war situation, meaning that you will have to behave and try to keep them alive.
You have access to any support (through the Support Coordinator) as long as you can justify it, this includes - artillery (any caliber and king), rocket artillery, air strikes (A-10s), CAS (AH Cobra), Bombs (from long-range bombers or the A-10) and more. Resupply is not possible, you will be given 2 ammo trucks with all sort of supplies meant to last you for a month, DO NOT LOSE THEM. ADDITIONALLY, THE WMD THREAT IS STILL ACTIVE, HAVE YOUR MOPPS READY FOR USE, DO NOT LOSE YOUR GAS MASKS.

Threat Report

Overall, insurgency strength. We expect some remnants of the IRAQI Army along the usual insurgents that are still in the fight, mostly infantry but prepare for light armor, some mechanized elements. There are also rumors of civilians being recruited into the fight and just given weapons, so expect some sort of guerilla force as well. The enemy is weakened, but still capable, expect fortified and improvised positions. We have complete air superiority. Additionally, elements of the islamic army and AL-Qaeda are active.

Tasks

Clear the Gas Station - Spotters are reporting some enemy movement at the gas station near our base. Could be arty observers or just a recon unit scoping us out. Either way, HQ wants them taken out.

Capture Highway INTERSECTION - AKA Point Ocelot, the enemy has set up a line of fortifications along the crossing. In order to succesfully isolate the town this point must be captured.

Neutralize Outer Garrison - Near Ocelot we've identified an army garrison still active. Such a large force cannot be allowed to exist outside the city. You know what to do.

Seize Fallujah HQ - The biggest and most active stronghold for the city of Fallujah, the fortified military HQ to the NW currently acts as a base of operations for the enemy. We intend to capture it and use it ourselves. Orders are first unit to enter the city, so either you or your sister unit on the other side of the Euphrates, will capture the base. After we've set up a perimeter around the base you will get your rest and resume operations in the morning.

COMBAT PATROL - After capturing the base, first thing in the morning you will step off in your humvees and patrol the city of Fallujah, responding to developing situations, giving aid to civilians, eliminating enemy hideouts and so on. If they appear, special objectives will be given by HQ. Remember the special ROE for the town MUST BE RESPECTED.