...

You remember how I said "Freya's Basket starts after Thor's Hammer is done?" This is not after. This is not even before. This is some new, clusterfuck version of "not when I said." Seeing as the airstrike is inbound, there's not much to do but warn the MEU and Cav to keep their heads down.

If I have to write any letters home with the words "friendly fire," there's going to be some hurt on the executive level. Ditto if the airstrike pushes that big fat mass of enemy to our MEU/Cav.

The foreward position is twenty miles away from the target point. Arrival is a reletive term considering they just had to hopscotch upstream for eight hours in the dead of night. I'm synchronizing the operations of the air and ground for the strike.

Your orders are not being violated. The actual operation of Freiya's basket has not been compromised. The order to Assault will be given only after the airstrike completes. Since Operation Thor's hammer comprises of an airstrike, I'm positioning the field units to be ready to move in as soon as said strike completes, improving the chances of our ground forces to catch the few remaining enemy forces in a state of shellshock.

*Puts hand on phone*

Should I abort?

No. Continue with Hammer.

But your reasoning to put Basket up front was flawed. Shellshock lasts for days, not hours. Twenty miles is all right to keep the ground units clear of the airstrike, but it's not going to be clear if any forces escape the air strike. I wanted Basket started after Hammer because if it all goes to hell Basket's going to be sitting in front of ten thousand pissed-off orcs with no support.

You know and I know it's unlikely that Hammer will go to hell, but when you put Basket up there you assumed it wouldn't, and now our go-to-hell scenario includes losing our air strike wing AND the MEU AND the Cav. This is not a go-to-hell scenario I like.

Perhaps next time you should clarify your go-to-hell scenario to the rest of us. My version involved a good portion of Orcs scattering in all directions forcing us to hunt them down

Your version appears to be far more of a nightmare... you mean to say that you fully expect in the Event of your Go To Hell situation, that the Orks will march out from the fortress in formation and threaten our MEU and amored Cav? Several hundred men in vehicles armed with machine-guns, and high explosives?

While your caution is understandable sir, In the event of situation now codenamed Hell in a Handbasket... we still maintain mobility advantage. It'll take an army all day just to reach our position at an organized march.
And in such a situation, we can always pull a full scale retreat and extract at the coastline long before they could ever catch up... even draw them into a counter move.

I'll draw up a contingency plan immediately, F-18s are preparing to sortie.

We seem to be in disagreement over the nature of go-to-hell.

I do not ever fully expect go-to-hell to be what happens. If I did, it would be the primary operation. Go-to-hell is the worst possible thing that can happen, and failing to plain for it is inviting the enemy to gut me. I don't do that. In the worst case scenario, the enemy has the ability to deny us air superiority, be invulnerable to explosives or napalm, or otherwise throw a wrench into the assumptions we had going into the operation. In that case, yes, I would fully expect ten thousand orcs to march out in good order and wipe out our only armoured cavalry unit and MEU.

Several hundred versus several thousand is not good odds for survival. Full scale retreat is codename for "rout," and that's worse odds for survival. "The enemy has been reduced to evenly distributed ash" is good odds for survival.

Your version of go-to-hell was my version of "a job well done," because the object of Hammer is to destroy the enemy's hold on Isengard. If the forces break and escape, there's ten thousand orcs in the countryside; without leadership, succor, or supplies. Basket becomes easy as hell, and a mop-up operation finishes off the enemy forces.

All this, however, became academic the second you landed the Basket. So, if we can get back to the results of the air raid?

And let's recall that my instructions were to avoid conflict with Isengard's forces until after the fortress is secured.

J-3 Briefing:

"Gentlemen: Before we begin, we need to address the misunderstanding between the Task Force Commander and the Air Component Commander regarding the timing of THOR'S HAMMER and FREYA'S BASKET. Short form is that the Air Component Commander misunderstood the TF Cdr's Intent (DESERT THUNDER - style air campaign while Wasp ARG moved into position off the Isen River Delta) as coordinated air-ground attack (a la' the initial concept for WWII's OPERATION COBRA), due to an over-estimation of the distance a ground force can reasonably be expected to cover in movement-to-contact. This will be addressed at After-Action Review at the end of the briefing. For now, suffice it that the error is not unrecoverable.

"With that issue on hold, we begin the SitRep:

ONE: Force Recon teams have inserted and ranged ahead of the MEU and CAV sufficiently to provide direct observation of the fortress at Isengard. We appear to be lucky - the enemy has not yet sallied forces in any significant strength. They are in position to provide Ground Laser Designation (GLD. or "Glid") for the Skippers on the tower. We recommend immediate execution of THOR'S HANGOVER, carried on continuously until fREYA'S BASKET forces (Combat team of MEU and Cav designated TEAM BROADSWORD) is in place to assault through the objective.

BROADSWORD Six (MEU commander) has expressed concern about BROADSWORD'S Logistics tail. For the moment, the training of the Shore Party detechment, and the provisional Motor Transport company in providing their own security for resupply runs has been up to the task (Shore Party and Motor-T Company are composed of Marines after all); however, BROADSWORD 6 has had to keep a platoon of Marine Infantry (heliborne) in reserve as a Quick Reaction Force to deal with the possibility of an enemy attack on resupply convoys. We recommend detaching a company of Motor Light for convoy security in the Isen Valley. Fortunately, the "chalk-talk' training while underway from ConUS, as well as the two weeks worth of fieldexes have taught the Motor Light what we Jarheads expect our attached Doggies to make happen [chuckle]. The J-3 Battle Staff is unaminous - we can make it work.

CONTINGENCY ONE: We condenamed our worst-case as OPERATION XENOPHON. IF: the aerial bombardment of Isengard proves ineffective: ANDIF: Our infantry and armor weapons prove ineffective against magical defenses of the enemy - THEN: we will withdraw BROADSWORD to the east, towards the promotory south of Sudu'ri. Any vehicles that break down will be combat-lossed (destroyed-in-place); the Marines and the Cav will stand by to fight as leg infantry. BROADSWORD Six will avoid contact and refuse battle where possible. Maximal damage to the enemy for minimal risk to friendly forces: i.e., "scorched-earth", demolition of all reachable bridges, ferries, fording points, etc., and mining of avenues-of-approach by FASCAM. On my own initiative, I have advised BROADSWORD 6 to execute XENOPHON when he hears the codephrase "Frozen Chosen," authenticated.

TWO: O IUperation MALAYAN EMERGENCY: proceeds apace. Interim reports are favorable, to the point that we could conceivably augment Shore Party with locally-recruited troops for service support and Combat support; as well as HOWEVER, we n4eed a formal assessment from DIRK 6 on the Elvish Scouts capabilities before proceeding further in our planning. If they're good to go, we can commirt them without further worry; otherwise, we'll ha e to relegate them to service and support. We can spare a company of Motor Light to log Security for TEAM BROADSWORD - let's do it.

The hammer has fallen...

At 0636, the first F-18 from the NAW entered the mission area.

Lightning Spear group were the first to hit, approaching at Angels Fifteen. All four of this group were equipped to max-takeoff load with Laser Guided munitions. Target impact was confirmed by the scouting teams.

Second wave, Right Claw, consisted of twelve aircraft loaded with napalm and cluster bombs, and struck 1 minute, thirty seconds after Lightning Spear. Approaching from the south and napalming the valley opening before moving in across Isenguard at low altitude to clusterbomb the ring.

Third wave, Left Claw...Consisted of another twelve aircraft. The first six came over the ridge line in the northwest three minutes after Right Claw cleared the area and dropped napalm into isenguard. The second six fanned out at angels five and dropped Fuel Air Explosives in wide dispersal across the ring which served to blast the fortification as well as spread the napalm out.

BATTLE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT:

- Valley mouth inaccessable due to spreading grass fires. Escape for remaining Isenguard forces will be forced over the nearby ridges. Smoke from fires expected to hinder any near future air operations in the area.
- Isenguard outter ring demolished in several places. We packed as much punch into as small a space as possible. we've reduced the stonework of the wall to rubble in numerous places where clusterbomb concentrations hit hardest.
- Tower still standing. (WTF?) Despite the amount of munitions that we confirmed to detonate on the tower, it appears unharmed. Further assessment of its damages will have to be done on close inspection when we take the location propper.
- Enemy ground forces neutralized. No sign of any previous activity from out spotting teams. No signs of movement. It appears we hit them hard enough, fast enough, to completely eradicate them. However consideration for a bait manuever must be given. Awaiting KILL CONFIRMATION estimates from ground spotters.

BDA: 75/100

LOSSES: -

Ground forces are ready for Basket, and Mop Up on go order.

Initial estimate: The enemy has magical defenses in place on the tower. We believe it likely that they will have significant offensive capability to match - unknown capability, but we suspect the worst.

Urgent intel request to DIRK Six: Ask our allies at INFREQUENT WINDS for any information on possible counters we can apply to magical defenses. Also, request status on the Elvish Scouts - how soon will they be ready to deploy?

Recommend HOLD on FREYA'S BASKET pending a follow-up airstrike. [EDIT to add:] We recognize that this costs us vasluable momentum, and may give the enemy a chance to prepare to repel our assault; but we cannot discard the possibility that they may already be prepared to inflict unacceptable losses on the MEU and the Cav. Recommend Shift the follow-up strikes from the B-52 and the B-1 to concentrate on the tower - at least, it'll keep their heads down while we figure a counter. We may wish to consider re-tasking the AC-130 Spectre to direct support of FREYA'S BASKET.

Advise status on JACK-IN-THE-BOX ASAP. If complete, we may retask the Tico and Burke

Advise status on Request for MC-130 support for EAGLE SWOOP. Initial concept involves establishing forward LZ with fuel bladders for the Air Assault company, reinforced by elements of Elvush Scouts, if they are ready for action; night HALO insertion of SF Team to put eyes on the ground for assessment of enemy occupation forces. Depending on strength and disposition of enemy forces, SF Team will raid their encampment and/or act as pathfinders for the Air Assault company. Note: we will not be able to occupy the Shire for any length of time. If MC-130 support is denied, we can stage the Air Assault out of Forlindor with KC-135 tanker support; however, a significantly increased amount of flight time may cause maintenance problems (q.v., Desert One, and the 1980 Iranian Hostage Rescue debacle)

FREYA'S BASKET
I want those GLD scouts to hunker down and keep an eye out for movement. I want the MEU and Cav prepared to move. In the meantime, though, I want everyone to keep out of eyesight of that tower, including planes; indirect fire to finish it off, if need be. I suspect whoever's inside is pissed.

I also want possession of a big tower that doesn't fall over when bombs fall on it. Some artillery on the top of that would be a peach, don't you think? However, whatever's inside may be just as undamaged as all else. Ask our Elvish allies what the hell that tower's made of, and who or what's inside of it that we should be worried about. Ask BROADSWORD Six what he thinks of sending a team in, at night, maybe with some sniper support, once we've cleared the valley.

If we don't want or can't keep the tower, hell, it can't go all the way to the center of the earth, and I'm sure we've exposed its foundations already. Some sappers ought to be able to kick the feet from under it, yeah?
...
Maybe we ought to confirm that "exposed its foundations" assumption. Ask the elves about that, too.

EAGLE SWOOP
Assuming the Shire inhabitants are friendly, we won't need to possess it long. We'll crack the enemy forces, identify the next target, and move on. We may ask the Shire inhabitants if we can put a fuel cache in for deeper penetration, depending on how friendly they are.





I know we don't have nukes, but d'you figure we could gas 'em? The Russkies had some potent stuff they used on an opera house once, as I recall.

Gentlemen, may I remind you we've got to pave that runway before we can put the B-1 or B-52 in place. I can set the AC-130 down on it, but it still needs paving, that's going to take a few days.

Speaking of the AC-130. Try and slow down with the orders. We've only got one C-130 Airframe and we have to retool it each time over at WestReach.

If you want indirect fire on the Tower, we've got lots of cruise missiles and the radar mapping is complete. In the mean time, no report from Jack In the Box just yet, probably be in here in a few hours.

I'll get on the line to the Elves, see if I can't get anything on that tower.

Cruise missiles! Now there's an idea! How many can we deliver at one time? I want to surprise these boys if we have to, and nothing says "hello" like multiple incoming.

Well, except napalm, but we already tried that.

So, no joy on getting augmented with a Combat Talon? Resubmit the request, Operational Immediate priority, emphasizing that we're badly overtasking the Spooky, and we need in-theater airlift. (Hell, I'd settle for a plain-vanilla C-130 Herky Bird - we need in-theater airlift, right now it's like running a marathon in Gucci loafers.)

I know we're still staging the Lancer and the BUFF out of Westreach - that's why Ops has reserved the StratoTankers for bomber support. The precedent on that was the B-2s launching from Whiteman AFB in Missouri, catching tanker support out of Hickam in Hawaii, Anderson on Guam, and the strip at Diego Garcia, dumping their loads on Baghdad, then taking tanker drags back the way they came and rearming back at Whiteman. Another point: if we keep launching continuous Alpha Strikes, Nimitz's ordnance lockers are going to empty out quick, equipment's going to start breaking, and crews are going to start making mistakes. We don't need Nimitz to go down beside Forrestal and Oriskany because a fatigued ordnanceman stumbled and dropped a wrench in the middle of the bomb farm. TF Cdr's call, but I'd recommend getting those bombers up ASAP.

BIG negative on chemical weapons, sir. US Policy: gas = germs = nukes. Nukes are last-resort only, requiring Presidential authorization, and we are expressly forbidden from making the request by the tasking order. Gas and germs are banned outright - the only reason we've got any chemical agents in the inventory is that they can't get the incinerators and neutralizing labs on-line fast enough.

Once JACK-IN-THE-BOX goes, we can retask the Tico, one Burke, and the Seawolf for cruise missile strikes. Needs must, we can retask the other Burke from convoy escort as well. If EAGLE SWOOP has to be advanced, we can do limited tanker support with a det of S-3s and buddy stores, or retask a Stratotanker - but I'd prefer the method previously outlined of a forward LZ and fuel bladders.

Right then, the Nimitz doesn't launch cruise missiles.

As I've said so often before, where the hell's my airfield?

I know chemical weapons are a no-no, but a couple thousand meters of knockout gas would be a treat.

Well, I don't want to stretch ourselves too far. Let's continue as we have been and reassign the JITB team when they're done. Speaking of, have they finished yet?

(GUYS: As per the OP. No NBC warfare, and we can't produce any new vehicles above about truck size. A C-130 is much larger than a truck. We've got ONE AC-130, which can be retooled. And that's it. That's part of the challenge... limited heavy equipment.)

*Reviewed some Aircraft data. B-1b has a COMBAT RADIUS of 4,660 miles. West Reach is ~2000 miles from Middle Earth. We've got 1500 miles to play with. And Combat Radius is not to be confused with maximum range. Cambat radius is how far out you can go, and return to the start point on the same Tank-O-Gas Ferry distance is about twice that. The B-52 has 6000 miles. Stratotankers have 4000 miles.**



Okay, I'll put the boys at WestReach on alert and get the heavies ready to sortie.
We can put Tomahawk ALCMs on them which puts another 600 miles on their strike range. We could EASILY hit any location in six hours. However, after each sortie I'm placing a strict 48 hour 'grounded for mantanance' period on them. I want JTF to respect this. We only have ONE B-1B Lancer and ONE B-52H. I want to ensure those things don't go down over Atlante' from an electrical fire or something equally stupid. Besides, I just had the Lancer waxed.

We got a return from Elven-Intel (EI for short.)
Appearantly they were totally shocked that we launched a successful airstrike on Isenguard. (I played back some vid clips from aircraft cameras. They couldn't believe the decimation.)
Anyway... The Tower is called Orthanc, and it's made of some kind of Obsidian type rock, and enchanted with very old spells when it was constructed several hundred years ago. It appears to be nearly indestructable unless something can be done to undo that enchantment. However, specs show it's still just a stone tower, and has no pressure seals of any kind on the doors. Whoever may be in the tower is probably suffering from overpressure injuries from all the explosives we used. It's all but impenetrable from below, but we can take it VIA Air Assault. I'll put that up as an option. We don't have to hold the tower to hold Isenguard...

I got a report from JITB. Umbar, is on fire. Appearantly the time it took to perform the engagement was Seawolf picking out the smallest number of targets to hit for the highest damage effect, and letting the Tico perform long range artillery practice. Kudos to them for not wasting million dollar missiles on wooden ships.

I'll have them recalled to the NIMITZ ASAP.

And the Airfield is now up, suitable for C-130/ A-10 landing. So I'll get them on the Airfield upgrade immediately and get the A-10s mobilized to the forward base.

Outstanding. And BROADSWORD has a Marine Expeditionary Unit with a composite squadron built around medium-lift CH-46's, and they've already had one of their rifle companies fall in on the helos as air-mobile infantry. And I like the intel we got from the Scouts.

Operational Concept: Unless otherwise directed, BROADSWORD Six will conduct movement-to-contact to the Final Assault Position just below the military crest of the last hill west of the fortress as the BUFF ArcLights the tower one more time (It never hurts to kick a little harder than you think you have to, and if anything's still alive in there, I want to give it a fresh headache). Once the rubble quits bouncing, Alpha and Bravo companies, 1st Bn, 8th Marines, accompanied by Echo Troop, 2nd Squadron, 2nd ACR, will assault through the fortress and surrounding area, consolidating just east of the outer ring. Charlie One-Eight will conduct a heliborne assault to clear the tower of any and all surviving hostiles. They will not occupy it. Once they have cleared the tower, the Headquarters company engineer section will mine and boobytrap it, just in case the enemy tries some goofy teleportation spell or whatever to re-occupy it. (Nothing says, "Keep out!" like Claymores and Toe-poppers!)

Supporting fires: The MEU's Whiskey-Cobra detachment will be in direct support of Charlie 1/8. VMA-223 Det Bravo (the Harrier detachment) will be in direct support of Alpha and Bravo 1/8, and Echo 2nd-to-the-2nd. How Battery will be available but the Forward Observer and Forward Air Controller will coordinate to deconflict artillery and air - last thing we need is to have a '46 fly into an artillery sheaf.

Assault goes at the earliest opportunity. BROADSWORD Six will be with the mech team.

Hmm. I like your plan, but I have two modifications to suggest;

1) We've got some spare fuel-air explosives, right? And the tower's not sealed, right? And overpressure is going to affect the inhabitants, right? I think Arclighting the tower's a great idea, but let's use weapons built to take advantage of such a situation.

2) Secure the tower as described, but make sure the engineers can pull the welcome mat down in short order if required. I know we don't have to keep the tower to keep Isengard- but if we can get it and keep it it's one hell of a lookout and artillery tower.

Okay, let's ask EI about some things;
1) Can wizards teleport?
2) Having secured Isengard and Forlindon for our side, I see an area marked "Eriador." Is this the source of the forces occupying the Shire, and if so will our Elvish allies be willing and able to provide intel on it? I'd like to secure a big fat area for our side so we can breathe. No Leibensraum jokes, please.
3) I want more allies. Who do the elves reckon we can trust? I see an area marked Gondor, an area marked Rhovanion, and an area marked Mordor. There's also forests marked Mirkwood, Lorien, Fangorn... and a bit grey spot marked Forodwaith. Knowing who our friends and foes are in those areas would be dandy.
4) I'm thinking a military alliance will do us the most good. We have the proven ability to wipe out massed troops and take fortresses, but we lack the manpower to push back large armies. I'd like to correct that problem ASAP. If allies can keep their areas clean, we can attrite the shit out of any major force that comes at them. Who are the major players we should look at striking a deal with?

5) Oh yeah, and we sunk a fleet outside of Umbar. Let them know about that. I'm sure they're happy there's fewer enemy fleets around.

My congratulations to the JACK IN THE BOX taskforce on a job well done. Center on the Nimitz and return for resupply in rotation if it's needed.

Suggestions for most effective use of A-10s, in the absence of viable targets, is welcome. Once we have that EI I'll decide our next target or two.

(OOC: I've been an idiot - I completely forgot about Log Section with that big, beautiful Shithook)

Proposed OPERATION EAGLE SWOOP:

Phase 1 - Staging (Operation HOPSCOTCH): Establish forward operating base. We tentatively recommend the vicinity of Mithlond, depending upon whether we can establish good relations with the remaining population (it's also accessible by water, which lets the Wasp ARG get in if necessary). We propose to establish with the Elvish Scouts in concert with elements of Team DIRK (and we should ask the Scouts what they want to call themselves, as long as it's readily pronounceable for English speakers ). Follow-on by establishing a forward LZ with fuel bladders and local security, tentatively in the small hills about fifty to one hundred miles west of Tuckborough. The CH-47 should be able to do the lift.

Phase 2 - Insertion (Operation GHOST). The SF Team inserts into the Shire by HALO drop. They will perform recon on the objective, gathering intel for our contemplated raid. They are to observe only. Avoid contact, no signature of their presence.

Phase 3 - Raid (Operation MAYAGUEZ). Depending upon hostile strength and deployment dispositions, the SF Team will lay waste on them, backed up by the Air Assault company from Team DIRK, and the Apache Longbows. (Additional support from the A-10s at LogBase Alpha via tanker support, if available by that time - the Warthog has only 250 miles combat radius, extended if we fit drop tanks at the expense of reducing the combat load) Ideally, Elvish Scouts will accompany the Air Assault. Max devastation on the enemy, no survivors if possible - if any of 'em do get away, I want them telling horror stories that curl their buddies' hair.

Special instruction: Phase 2 does not go until the forward LZ is established. If the SF Team is counterdetected, they are to escape and evade for pickup by the Air Assault company.


Additionally, we're proposing Operation BROTHER"S BACK: If possible, Westreach should start turning out kit for our allies on a priority. Ideally, this would be weapons and equipment sets (dare I hope for a variation on a Willys Jeep?) for up to a battalion of light infantry per quarter. Practically, I know we're limited, so we're requesting Westreach to advise on what and how much they can produce soonest.

1) Roger - I wanted to reserve the FAE ordnance for later, on the grounds that Arclight uses iron bombs, and are cheaper, and produce similar effect (one-hundred-and-eighteen 500 lb bombs hitting one spot nearly simultaneously) But, you're right, FAE will give us the effect for one swell foop. Implemented.

2) Engineers will be mapping their placement of mines and traps, against the need to remove them later. We can establish an Observation Post on top of the tower, but I'm really not enthused about putting any significant forces in it. It's tough for the assaulters to get in, which makes it impossible for our guys to get out under fire. We may need to unass that area in a hurry, especially since we don't have the troops at present to defend it against assault. (See also BROTHER"S BACK - as in the old saw, "bare is back without brother to ward it.")

With respect, sir - I can't call it "secured" yet, even assuming BROADSWORD's assault goes without a hitch. "Secured" is when you can plant a flag on it without anybody even trying to cut down the flagpole. We don't have sufficient forces to guarantee that.

Further Ops planning depends on the EI information. Standing by.

O.T. : MUAHAHAHAAH
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ear3yd9J0MA

EDIT: Vid link fixed.

Right, let's say it's been "unsecured from the enemy." It'd make an excellent land base if we could secure the valley. Maybe once we have some allied armies.

We're going to have to resupply those after this one. We used quite a large wave of ordinance on that overkill airstrike. I wanted to ensure that our first major attack left scars in the minds of anyone watching from a distance.



Clusterbombs, and lots of them. Rocketpods second... and the Avenger Cannon will put the fear of flying demons into even the strongest enemies. We can probably drill holes through fortifications with that monster and not waste our explosives.

Incidently, EI gave us something important. The Wizzard Occupant of Orthanc... a one Saruman, has the KEY to Orthanc. Key's mean doors. If we kill/capture him with an assault team, we can open the front door to the tower.

Good. FAE-bomb the tower and put an insertion team in asap, then put the MEU and Cav into the fortress proper to clean up. Can we get a chopper-and-tanker for insertion or not?

Okay, Rohan and Gondor it is. Let's see. Major cities, major cities... Ask EI for major cities, and what exactly they mean by "major need of leadership."

With Orthnac in our hands and Isengard secured, I want our naval forces resupplying as fast as possible. In the meantime, where's the Arctic and what's its ETA?

I want an infantry battalion and a method of supply at Isengard. I want the artillery at Isengard. I want the Longbows at Isengard. I'm pretty sure I want some of my support teams patching up the fortifications, if work on the supply depot is finished. Suggestions?

After the identification of major centres in Gondor and Rohan, we need to make contact, make friends, and make an alliance. I want suggestions from EI on what would impress them. I don't plan to move just yet; I want to consolidate our position first, but when we're ready to go, I'd like some intel on what we'll have to do to make a good first impression.

What's the status of EAGLE SWOOP?

I'll put it in the Itenerary... Gotta give the air wing some rest. Orthanc's not going anywhere.



Define 'major cities'... I have the feeling Major cities here don't even equate to large town.



Arctic has just arrived at the Forlindon supply base and is offloading major supplies. Reports say the runway is going into full paving mode... However AWACS flights report another storm rolling our way. I've ordered them to step up offloading the Arctic in order for it to get underway again.




The Depot is up, the runway is being finished.



I'll get on the wire for that info immedately.




WASP is repositioning northward. One of our freshly geared Elvish scout teams is moving inwards on the ground. They're goinna' coordinate the information for the HALO insertion. I wanted to send troops in with these two, but they insisted we'd just slow them down. And they're right. These elves have gone twice as far on foot undetected in full gear, as our fastest infantry would undergeared. We've gotten short radio communications in at hourly intervals... Elves really are perfect scouts.

Once Wasp is in place, I want to go ahead with deployment from a Chinook at midnight. Put that nightvision gear to good use and all.

In the mean time, I'll be gathering more Intel.

By "major cites" I mean "major cities." Centers of political and military power. Ask the EI for "major cities" and they will tell us about the biggest and most important cities, not look all mystified because there's not ten million people so it doesn't count.

About the Arctic fast-unloading; let's not forget we've offered the Elves a ride out. Unload fast, by all means, but the Arctic won't be leaving until as many Elves as will fit are on board.

Go ahead with EAGLE SWOOP as you see fit, but give ground forces their head.

FREYA"S BASKET end-game:Okay, we revert to my original OpPlan for the assault - open the party w/ an Arclight, with Charlie 1/8 heliborne-assaulting the tower, and Alpha and Bravo 1/8 with Echo 2-2 assaulting through the fortress. Assuming 400 kias cruise speed, and no serious headwinds, the BUFF can be at the intital point for his bombing run 5 1/2 to 6 hours after launch from Westreach. The MEU ACE's organic Whiskey Cobras and Harriers are providing CAS, with the GCE's organic 155 battery providing fire support. Let's make it happen ASAP - I got a bad feeling that sooner is better than later on this go.

EAGLE SWOOP: Is Phase 1 - HOPSCOTCH complete, then? I don't want anybody - us or allies - on the ground beyond reach of our air assault radius, in case they get into deep kimchee and we have to bail them out. And we'll want the Wasp back south with resupply pretty quick - Team BROADSWORD's vehicles are burning a lot of diesel, and I don't want them running dry. (Besides, worst-case, if we have to do XENOPHON, I want to have something there to pull them off the beach with their equipment. AmTracks and Tanks are major end-items, and we can't count on replacement gear. And we don't want to leave our people hanging in either AO)

BTW, what's Westreach got to say about BROTHER'S BACK? If we're going to garrison Isengard, we'll want troops to do it with. Who those troops will be is a political question for the TF Commander and whatever allies we develop. What those troops will have to do the job with is the question BROTHER'S BACK is going to answer...