OPERATION RISING BEAROPERATIONS ORDER - NATO RESPONSE FORCE BATTLE GROUP (NRF BG - "BG ARMINIUS") 1/14Time Zone: BRAVO used throughout (Zulu + 2, Ukraine local time)
Situation- GeneralIn 2013 the EU extended an invitation to the Ukraine to expand and consolidate its trade ties with Europe. This came at the conclusion of another round of successful NATO / Ukraine exercises during the "partnership for peace" co-operation programme. The Russian Federation viewed this with alarm as an continuation of the erosion of Mother Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union.
Most of the old Warsaw Pact members from Central and Eastern Europe had joined NATO and the Baltic States were flexing their independence.
The initial Russian response to this was escalating economic and diplomatic pressure on Ukraine to remain tied to Russia. Russia retained a military option should these initial soft options failed.
The EU and its friends responded by demanding that the Ukraine retain its sovereign right to self determination as in independent nation.
Currently the Russian Federation (RusFed) and NATO are at an impasse over the issue, with rolling demonstrations and other unrest within Ukraine being the key reportable activity.
This deterioration in relations has taken place over a few months and has allowed several NATO nations (particularly Great Britain, Canada and the United States) to freeze, and in some cases reverse, their earlier policies of force draw down out of Europe. Holdings of AFVs from these countries in Europe have started to grow again and force dispositions have returned to credible levels.
Major components of 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) have begun to concentrate at RAMSTEIN Air Base prior to potentially moving further East as required. Less mobile heavy forces have also begun to concentrate, augmenting the pre positioned European Activity Set. Many comments in the media have likened this to the earlier REFORGER (REturn of FORces to GERmany) activities.
Most of this is posturing though intended to dissuade RusFed forces from intervening directly.
NATO has formed a multinational Battle Group (BG) with Combat Teams (CT) from Canada, Germany, UK and USA supported by Artillery, Engineers and an Aviation CT. This NATO Response Force (NRF) has been designated BG ARMINIUS and forward based in KRAKOW, Poland and is the lead component of the heavy forces that continue to concentrate further West.
Recent reports indicate that inside Ukraine itself, the Ukranian Army (ZSU) has been mobilised in all but name and has taken up defensive positions with their largely Soviet era equipment.
- EnemyAs you now know, some hours ago Russian Federation (RusFed) forces crossed the Ukraine/Russian border and appear to be making and initial thrust on SUMY, approx 350Km East of KIEV. The RusFed crossed the border as part of an attempt to forcibly bring Ukraine back under the control of MOSCOW.
Recent activity:
RusFed forces, assessed as being at reinforced Brigade strength, have hit the Ukrainian Army's (ZSU) first delay line and appear to be approaching SUMY on three avenues of approach (North, Centre and South), refer below:
Their intent appears to be to seize the airport and other critical infrastructure within SUMY and use it as a base for further operations West towards KIEV.
Having secured SUMY the next set of objectives are assessed as being in the area of BILOPILLYA and subsequent objectives further West on the road to KIEV.
The most likely boundary between the Brigade's lead Battalions has been marked.
RusFed forces have used prodigious amounts of artillery to support their advance and appear to have access to large amounts of Frontal Aviation (fixed and rotary wing, attack and transport).
The Brigade lead echelon is equipped with T-90S and BMP-3 with a second echelon force using BTR-80 as its APC.
As a lead formation, the Brigade appears to have also been allocated elements of an Air Assault Battalion and some Spetsnaz resources.
- FriendlyUkraineThe Armed Forces of Ukraine, (Zbroyni Syly Ukrayiny, (ZSU)) have been able to conduct a delay from the Eastern border, falling back on successive positions forward of SUMY.
Due to interoperability issues with comms equipment the picture is unclear but it is understood that the ZSU forces within sector consist of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Guards Armoured Brigade, a reinforced Tank Battalion with T-64, BMP-2, BTR-80, limited Artillery and Engineer support.
The last information supplied by the ZSU LO was that the Battalion had been ordered to establish a final delay line forward of SUMY to buy time for reserve demolitions of major river crossings and the demolition of some key infrastructure (which were assessed as RusFed objectives).
Despite the comms issues, some ZSU / NRF co-ordination has been conducted with the key results being:
- ZSU forces to delay East of the Battle Handover Line.
- Route AJAX to remain open and priority given to ZSU traffic.
- Those ZSU forces that achieve a clean break to reconstitute East of BILOPILLYA.
These co-ord measures and the last known ZSU scheme of manoeuvre is displayed below:
The political climate demands that ZSU forces be involved in any subsequent offensive action to regain SUMY or other Ukrainian territory.
NATOAs detailed earlier, the NRF BG has been pre positioned at KRAKOW in Poland. At the commencement of RusFed / ZSU hostilities, the BG was dispatched on a forced road march to close with and link up with the ZSU forces.
Currently the lead elements of the BG, the attached formation recce element, is some ten Km NE of BILOPILLYA and is siting the BG Assembly Area. The tail of the column, the forward air refuelling and rearming point (FARP) is some 30 Km further back, near VOROZHBA.
The BG's sub units have made the journey in good order, a testament to their crews and the maintenance schedules. The crews themselves though are suffering fatigue with more than one non battle casualty suffered to date due to vehicle accidents.
NATO provided the NRF BG with an air umbrella for the advance but the RusFed air elements did not contest its movement. This was seen as an attempt to avoid unnecessary escalation of what was currently still a "local" affair.
The Battle Group's structure comprises:
1 x BG HQ based on Panzer battalion 203
1 x BG 2nd line echelon drawn from Panzer Brigade 21
1 x Artillery Battalion attached (PzArtBn 215)
1 x Attached Engineer grouping (from pzpiKp 200)
1 x Recce Sqn (-) with 3 x Recce Tp and 1 x Engr Recce element.
1 x German Tank Company (3:0 Tank:Mech) - CT ACHILLES
1 x US balanced Tank / Mech CT (2:2) - CT ODYSSEUS
1 x UK Infantry heavy CT (1:2) - CT PERSEUS
1 x Canadian Tank heavy CT (2:1) - CT HECTOR
1 x Aviation CT - providing Attack, Lift and heavy lift - CT PEGASUS
This can be seen diagrammatically below:
Battle Group HeadquartersEchelon and Artillery Engineer Support Formation Recce - force assigned OPCON drawn from B Squadron, 1st Queen's Dragoon Guards (1st QDG) with a Troop from 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2CAV) on attachment. Also attached an Engineer Recon detachment.
CT ACHILLES - German Tank Kompanie (3:0) Kompanie 2, Panzerbattalion 203
CT ODYSSEUS - US Balanced CT (2:2) - force assigned OPCON from Charlie Company, 4-70 AR
CT PERSEUS - UK Mech heavy CT (1:3) - force assigned OPCON drawn from B Company, the 5th Battalion the Rifles, with Anti Armour Platoon and Mortars from the battalions Support Company with 2 Troop, A Squadron Queen's Royal Hussars (QRH).
CT HECTOR - Canadian mixed CT (2:1) - force assigned OPCON drawn from B Squadron, Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) (LdSH (RC)) and B Company, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI).
CT PEGASUS - Combined Aviation CT - force assigned OPCON. Combined US and European unit with Eurocopter Tiger, AH-64, MRH-90, UH-60, CH-47 and UAV
- CiviliansLarge numbers of Ukrainian citizens are fleeing Westward. These internally displaced persons (IDPs) are choking roads and making movement East on the main routes very difficult.
The obstacles created by this press of people have been increased by vehicle accidents, abandoned vehicles and wreckage caused by air and artillery strikes.
It is expected that this movement will thin out in the next couple of hours as people seek shelter in cellars, etc. rather than move in the open as RusFed combat forces approach.
MissionThe NRF BG is to advance within boundaries, to relieve the ZSU force near SUMY and repulse the RusFed aggression, in order to set the conditions for a negotiated settlement.
ExecutionIntent:The NRF BG will:
- Successfully link up with the ZSU forces on, or in front of, the BHL.
- Provide a strong show of force on the BHL to deter future RusFed aggression.
- Be prepared to conduct a delay designed to deny penetration to BILOPILLYA and shape the RusFed advance into EAs North and South.
- On order, restore the main defensive line to vicinity of the BHL.
- On order, in conjunction with ZSU forces, conduct offensive operations in order to cut off and expel RusFed forces from SUMY.
Transmission continues ....
ENDSTATE:- SUMY liberated
- All local counter attacks contained
- ZSU forces intact
- Lines of Communication from BILOPILLYA forward to SUMY secured.
- NRF BG remains combat effective (less than 30% casualties)
- NRF BG prepared for future tasking.
General:A four phase operation.
Phase 1: Linkup with ZSU forces and Battle Handover.
Phase 2: Impose delay on RusFed forces and shape them into Brigade and Divisional engagement areas.
Phase 3: Counter Attack to regain BHL positions.
Phase 4: Offensive operations to liberate SUMY and set conditions for political negotiations.
Groupings and tasks:Phase 1:
Recce Sqn:
- Advance to contact from Assy Area until linkup with ZSU forces achieved
- Destroy RusFed Recce assets
- Screen BG Advance
- Recce routes from route TROJAN to CT positions
- Reduce obstacles on route TROJAN
- Man Co-ord point on route AJAX
- Work with ZSU forces to ensure clean battle handover
German CT "CT ACHILLES":
- First in OoM
- Occupy position on BHL
- Keep route AJAX clear for ZSU forces
- Deny BHL
- Be prepared to fall back on order
Canadian CT "CT HECTOR":
- Third in OoM
- Occupy position on BHL
- Keep route AJAX clear for ZSU forces
- Deny BHL
US CT "CT ODYSSEUS":
- Fourth in OoM
- Occupy position on BHL
- Deny BHL
- Keep route AJAX clear for ZSU forces
- Be prepared to fall back on order
- Situational BG Reserve
UK CT "CT PERSEUS":
- Second in OoM
- Occupy position on BHL
- Keep route AJAX clear for ZSU forces
- Deny BHL
CT PEGASUS:
- Provide AH-64 / Tiger support forward of BHL
- Be prepared to support ZSU forces if the situation arises
- Be prepared to provide UAV coverage of over entire frontage and possible depth targets.
- Be prepared to insert Platoon by MRH-90 on order.
Main effort:
Achieve battle handover with ZSU
Secondary Effort(s):
- Secure BHL
- Provide strong show of force to RusFed
- Provide logistic spt to ZSU forces as required
Phase 2:
Recce Sqn:
- Maintain screen
- Deny RusFed situational awareness of redeployment of German and US CTs
- Report on RusFed advance
- On order break contact and withdraw North to establish new screen vicinity 15 Northing to screen ZSU reorg.
- Assist with shaping where possible
German CT "CT ACHILLES":
- Occupy defensive position NLT 0500
- Co-ord with US CT
- Deny penetration towards BILOPILLYA
- Turn RusFed forces West into EAs North and South
- Provide Northern border to RusFed penetration towards EAs North and South
Canadian CT "CT HECTOR":
- Impose delay
- Avoid decisive engagement
- On order break to a second delay line
- Co-ord with UK CT
- On order swing back North West (pivot on your Left flank) to a third delay line fwd of the ZSU RV area
- After pivot link up with Recce screen
- Deny penetration to ZSU reorg loc
US CT "CT ODYSSEUS":
- Occupy defensive position NLT 0500
- Co-ord with German CT
- Deny route TROJAN
- Deny penetration towards BILOPILLYA
- Turn RusFed forces West into EAs North and South
- Provide Northern border to RusFed penetration towards EAs North and South
UK CT "CT PERSEUS":
- Impose delay
- Avoid decisive engagement
- On order break to second delay line
- Co-ord with Canadian CT
- On order move South West and defend village in GS 3408
- After pivot link up with Recce screen
- Provide Southern border to RusFed penetration towards EAs North and South
CT PEGASUS:
- Provide AH-64 / Tiger support to Canadian and UK CTs
- Provide UAV coverage of over entire frontage and possible depth targets
- Insert Platoon by MRH-90 to defend village in GS 2907 by NLT 0500
- Provide AH-64 / Tiger support EAs North and South to support Brigade and Divisional effort
- Be prepared to support ZSU forces if the situation arises
Main effort:
- UK and Canadian CTs
Secondary Effort(s):
- Shaping RusFed forces into EAs North and South
- Deny penetration towards BILOPILLYA
- Protect ZSU forces
Phase 3:
Recce Sqn:
- Advance to contact from current location to BHL
- Destroy RusFed Recce assets
- Screen BG Advance
German CT "CT ACHILLES":
- Left forward in Assault
- Re-Occupy position on BHL
- LOE is BHL
Canadian CT "CT HECTOR":
- Depth in Assault
- Re-Occupy position on BHL
- LOE is BHL
US CT "CT ODYSSEUS":
- Right forward in Assault
- Clear SPARTAN en route to BHL
- Re-Occupy position on BHL
- LOE is BHL
UK CT "CT PERSEUS":
- BG Reserve
- Travel 10 mins behind Canadian CT
- Re-Occupy position on BHL
- LOE is BHL
- Be prepared to reinforce or exploit as required.
ZSU CT:
- Provide flank protection to BG
- Advance on parallel axis to the South of BG
- Occupy position on BHL
- LOE is BHL
CT PEGASUS:
- Provide AH-64 / Tiger support to forward CTs
- Be prepared to support ZSU forces if the situation arises
- Be prepared to provide UAV coverage of over entire frontage and possible depth targets.
Main effort:
Regaining the BHL
Secondary Effort(s):
- Keep ZSU in the fight
- Set conditions for Phase 4
Phase 4:
Recce Sqn:
- Maintain screen location on BHL
- Deny RusFed Recce situational awareness
- Maintain contact with German / US CTs on the left and ZSU forces on the right
German CT "CT ACHILLES":
- First in Assault
- Re position prior to 0700, D+1
- Bypass airport
- Cut RusFed LOC.
- Be prepared to spt airport assault on order
Canadian CT "CT HECTOR":
- Maintain position on BHL
- Block and RusFed movement to the West
- On Order, advance and clear SUMY in support of ZSU force
US CT "CT ODYSSEUS":
- Second in Assault
- Re position prior to 0700, D+1
- Link up with PEGASUS forces in airport
- Cut RusFed LOC.
- Be prepared to spt airport assault on order
UK CT "CT PERSEUS":
- Maintain position on BHL
- Block and RusFed movement to the West
- On Order, advance and clear SUMY in support of ZSU force
ZSU CT:
- Advance and clear SUMY
- Secure "Critical Infrastructure 2"
- Link up with German / US CTs
- Use river to secure right flank
CT PEGASUS:
- Provide AH-64 / Tiger support to all attacks
- Conduct Air Assault on Airport
- Link up with US CT
- Be prepared to provide UAV coverage of over entire frontage and possible depth targets.
Main effort:
Secure SUMY
Secondary Effort(s):
- Set favourable conditions for political negotiations
- Minimise damage to Ukrainian infrastructure
Fires:
Guns can provide:
6 x 4 tube howitzer fire units
UK CT can provide:
3 x 3 tube mortar fire unit
Priority of fires will be determined at BG level and allocated accordingly.
Recce Sqn has priority for fire in Phase 1.
Issues identified during the Force Integration Training (FIT) has meant that a German JFT and the CV90 FO vehicle have been assigned to the Recce, Canadian, US and UK CTs to ensure that requests for fire are not held up with any comms or procedural issues.
Obstacles:
Suspect ZSU forces had limited time to create obstacles in depth.
May encounter RusFed obstacles in Phases 3 and 4.
Engineer effort:
Apart from organic mine plough support, there are breaching and bridging assets available in the echelon to support BG main effort as required.
Bids for Engr spt to BG HQ.
Main Effort for Engineer support currently is German CT in Phase 1.
Air:
Fighting units to make "local arrangements".
Air parity exists. We are high on the NATO Air Task Ord.
RusFed Air threat considered possible, escalating to likely from the completion of Phase 1.
Admin and Log:The 2nd line Echelon is to provide additional Logistic support to nominated CTs on order.
CT PEGASUS logistic elements are to create a FARP and rearm, refuel helos as required.
Command and Sig:Communications with ZSU units will be difficult at best. ZSU forces do not run compatible battlefield management systems.
There is a risk of fratricide when working with ZSU forces. NRF BG personnel are to minimise this risk through good drills and good AFV recognition skills.
Timings:
H Hour: 050100BAPR14
BHL Secured NLT: 050200BAPR14
Phase 1 complete no later than (NLT): 050230BAPR14
Phase 2 complete NLT: 050800BAPR14
Phase 3 complete NLT: 051800BAPR14
Phase 4 complete NLT: 060900BAPR14
Sunrise: approx. 0630
Sunset: approx. 1750
Nautical twilight begins at 0519, ends at 1900
Updates:
Updates to the OPORD will be by FRAGO.
Cleared by
I. M. Stickler, psc
MAJ
S3 NRF BG
25 MAR 14
F. Smith
LTCOL
CO NRF BG
25 MAR 14