After Action Report No.55

After Action Report No.55: Operation Tychon Tackle

MEMORANDUM FOR: Admiral ______ of Marine Space Force, Neroid, Chinook 91 GSO station

FROM: Executive Officer ______, USS Heyst

SUBJECT: After Action Report of Operation Tychon Tackle

FOREWARD

This will be my 30th report to evaluate and review our performance during the latest mission prior to the USS Almayer taking on our assignments and distress calls in our designated sector alone as the USS Heyst will be docking for critical repairs. We will be out of commission for some time. The Captain of the USS Almayer had been severely wounded during the combat, this maybe their last mission. I was advised that our Captain might be temporarily replacing the USS Almayer’s Captain if the outlook of their health is considered unfit for duty. I wish them the best if they take over their captain’s position. None the less, I believe the operation we have undertaken should highlight key specifications that must be re-evaluated.

Introduction

USCM Forward Command stationed on Herculis, Chinook 91 GSO station has identified a possible CLF base on the planet ______ near the colony Schomberg. Forward Command has tasked the USS Almayer and USS Heyst to launch an assault on the base and eliminate them before a strike against the USCM could be made. Our officers of the USS Almayer and USS Heyst had devised a surgical strike dubbed Operation Tychon Tackle to be carried out within the month when hostiles were confirmed.

Operation Tychon Tackle

Information gathering on the hostile composition Intelligence of the planet’s defending fleet

Intelligence reports gathered by the USCM garrison near the system has intercepted transmissions between the planet and 7 ships. Intelligence has identified 4 of them as supply vessels while 3 were considered retrofitted for combat. Vessel specification has been identified as 2 retrofitted cargo hulls designated RCH 1 and RCH 2 with the 3rd one as identified as a patrol craft (designated PC 1). Armaments on the retrofitted cargo hulls were identified to house 2 medium ranged batteries while the patrol craft’s armaments could not be identified. Capacity of crew on individual vessels are unknown.

Intelligence of the opposing force’s garrison and strength

Intelligence officers were sent to the colony to gather information on the whereabouts of the base. Ensign ______ code named Canary has identified and confirmed the Colonial Liberation Front as the enemy combatants on the planet. The size of the garrison was ranged from around 400 to 550 active combat personnel. 3 key locations were identified as opposing force’s critical assets. Their headquarters, a munitions depot and a heavily secure compound, (which was later discovered to be an abandoned Surface to Space missile silo). All 3 locations were heavily guarded. Canary and their team had successfully infiltrated the munitions depot to assess the military equipment and capabilities of the combatants. They have discovered that the combatants were stocked with old but numerous MAR-40 Battle Rifles, M16s, CZ-81 Submachine guns, improvised anti-tank weapons and stolen M41A MK1 pulse rifles. They also discovered improvised Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) and Technicals.

Their headquarters was the Intelligence team’s next target. They discovered battleplans to attack various USCM Garrisons. This information was relayed to our command circles before Canary and their team were compromised. This had sent the opposing force’s garrison on high alert to hunt them down. For the duration of the operation, the intelligence officers were forced into hiding until they linked up with our USCM detachment once the operation started.

Our strength and composition

USS Almayer’s and USS Heyst’s Combined Strength

At the time of our departure, our combined strength was 350 deploying marines. 150 marines from the 2nd Battalion’s 1st platoon of A Company. The 200 other marines were from USS Heyst’s detachment from First Battalion’s A and B Company’s 2nd and 3rd platoons combined.

Our vehicle armaments comprised of the USS Almayer’s and USS Heyst’s armoured detachment:

• USS Almayer’s vehicles.
  • 2 AUD-25 dropships,
  • 4 MUTT-4M7 Multipurpose Trucks,
  • 1 M577 APC,
  • 1 M34A2 Longstreet light tank

• USS Heyst’s vehicles:
  • 4 AUD-25 dropships,
  • 4 M577 APCs,
  • 3 M22A3 Jackson Medium Tanks
  • 2 Squadrons of EVAC multi-role fighters

Phase 1 of the assault: Destroy orbiting defensive fleet

Engaging the enemy fleet

Upon entering the system, we engaged the two defending ships, both the retrofitted cargo hulls opened fire on both the USS Almayer striking the port shuttle dock and USS Heyst's interior structure. The USS Heyst retaliated with a 3-round salvo of ASAT-21 ‘Rapier IV’ missiles. The first and second missile were destroyed by point defence batteries while the third struck and detonated on the bow of the retrofitted cargo hull. The USS Almayer fired both of her Two 0.75cm/140 Mark 74 General Atomics railguns directly against RCH 1 following the salvo from the USS Heyst.

Both shots pierced the rear end of the ship, disabling its engines. RCH 2 closed the distance and continued to fire a barrage from their medium ranged batteries. A salvo struck the sensors of the USS Almayer, damaging them temporarily for the operation. Another 3-round salvo of ASAT-21 ‘Rapier IV’ missile followed from both the USS Almayer and USS Heyst. 4 out of 6 missiles struck the enemy’s ships. RCH 2 was destroyed with secondary explosions following 3 of the missiles detonating across the ship, while RCH 1 was taken out of commission after suffering a blow to one of its main batteries, venting oxygen. The enemy patrol craft was not present in the opening engagement.

Phase 2 of the assault: Battle for Schomberg

Space to Ground assault

The ground operation was to commence. USCM marine detachments of both the USS Almayer’s 1st platoon and USS Heyst’s 2nd platoon deployed onto a designated site marked by the forward intelligence team previously deployed there. USS Heyst’s 3rd platoon would deploy later with the rest of their armoured section. This area would be established as a forward operating base. Opposing forces retaliated with a compliment of air and land forces. The USS Heyst’s fighter detachment would engage the opposing forces air force for aerial supremacy. Opposing forces attacked with roughly 100 soldiers and a compliment of 6 improvised Infantry Fighting Vehicles and technicals. Fighting was fierce, with the engagement testing our strength against an organised foe. Eventually the Opposing force was beaten back, allowing our marines to regroup, and reorganised themselves for an offensive.

Assault on the munitions cache

The offensive we have devised was that the Almayer’s first platoon would strike at munitions cache to cut off supplies to the rest of the opposing garrison. Our marines from the USS Heyst’s 2nd and 3rd platoon shall be engaging a mock skirmish against opposing forces at their headquarters to draw attention away from the 1st platoon’s current objective.

First platoon’s scouts and the intelligence team had spotted opposing force’s vehicular assets as well as several trucks loaded with munitions ready to deploy and supply the opposing force’s defenders at their headquarters in the munition’s depot. Staff Sergeant ______ of squad Foxtrot was tasked with ambushing the convoy so that ______’s 2nd and 3rd platoons would have an easier time at assaulting the headquarters.

The ambush site was designated outside the effective range of protection from the depot. Anti-vehicular mines as well as specialist’s M5 Rocket Propelled Grenades were utilised to eliminate the armoured convoy. The convoy had departed the munition’s depot and arrived at one of the ambush sites, where Staff Sergeant ______’s squad had successfully initiated the strike. Utilising the terrain to their advantage, they were able to obliterate the convoy with minimal resistance. With the armoured assets eliminated, first lieutenant ______ will lead the assault on the munition’s depot.

The strike on the munition’s depot led by first lieutenant ______ was about to commence. The base was on high alert after the armoured convoy was able to send word of opposing forces en-route to the depot. The garrison’s forces were an estimated of 100 combat personnel with 2 improvised IFVs. Our assault forces were 80 combat personnel 2 M577 APCs, (one on loan from USS Heyst to support the assault on the munitions depot) the M34A2 Longstreet light tank and limited air support.

The battle commenced at 14:40 with air support trying to soften defences with good impact on strategic locations. First platoon stormed into the munition’s depot encountering heavy resistance. Echo squad led by Gunnery Sergeant ______ would flank around the depot to try and sabotage their munitions caches with adequate success and stretch the defenders thin, allowing the rest of First Platoon to seize the opportunity to break through the defences outside the base. With lightning efficiency, First Platoon was able to overrun the garrison’s defenders and seize the munitions depot. Our casualties were 15 wounded, 5 KIA and 2 of our MUTT-4M7 Multipurpose Trucks were severely damaged from IEDs. Opposing forces suffered an estimate of 30 KIA, 40 wounded and the remaining defenders fled before being overrun. During the retreat, they managed to leave with one truck full of munitions that supplied the other defenders in the AO for a short time. Without the munitions depot to supply the other opposing forces, the assault on the remaining hostile strongholds should be easier for the other Platoons.

Addendum: “We couldn’t just call an orbital bombardment of the munitions depot; the weather was interfering with our scanning systems at the time and the Almayer also had their sensors knocked out from earlier. We would have just orbitally bombed the place if we had the option to, hell we could have nuked it, but those S.A.L.T conferences limited the brass’s nuclear arsenal due to the “future impact” it would cause on the colony as well as “public image”. Like anyone wants to be on those shit ‘n’ baked colonies. – Comment from Corporal ______

Capturing the Missile Silo

Communication from their HQ to a secluded location was intercepted. Intel reveals that the location was a Missile Silo, preparing to launch at USS Heyst. First Platoon was sent to clear the silo before the missile was launched.

Our Intelligence Officers were tasked with infiltrating the Silo and halt the launch. Ensign ______ and their team were unable to completely sabotage the Missile Silo yet were able to take the Silo’s command and control room to delay the launch as long as possible until First Platoon arrives. Our forces consisted of 60 remaining combat personnel the armoured vehicles from the last engagement (2 M577 APCs and 1 M34A2 Longstreet light tank). Enemy forces were estimated to have 50 combat personnel with remnants of the munition’s depot garrison.

First Platoon had rapidly re-deployed to the Silo where they attempted to relieve the intel team. They encountered moderate resistance from the defenders. Echo and Foxtrot Squad was tasked with relieving intel team while the remaining platoon was to neutralise the missiles. Upon entering the Silo, First Platoon’s engineers were disarming the missiles while Echo and Foxtrot fought their way to the command and control room. Unfortunately, Ensign ______ and their squad were unable to hold off the garrison long enough and only two missiles were launched.

Missiles Impact Report

These missiles had one EMP warhead and the other as a standard ASAT Ballistic Missile. The EMP detonated prematurely, scrambling USS Heyst’s sensors and disabling forward point defences. Shortly afterwards, the USS Heyst took a direct hit to the citadel of the ship, rupturing the ammunition storage causing secondary explosions. Our Crew barely managed to contain the situation on the ship, but we were out of commission for the remainder of the operation.

During this time, the patrol craft (PC1) emerged from the wreckage of the destroyed opposing warships and was on a ramming course for the USS Almayer. Our sensors were too damaged from the impact to track them, and the USS Almayer had to fight the patrol craft blinded. The patrol craft fired a salvo from its single battery and struck the CIC of the ship, drastically wounding the CIC crew and severely wounding their Captain. Before we were able to reorganise ourselves. The patrol craft loaded with explosives rammed into the cargo section of the USS Almayer and the craft was scuttled. The equipment storage for replacement parts, ammunition and additional specialist equipment were damaged heavily. After the operation had finished, our combined fighting capability against heavily armoured targets would be limited.

Current Ground Forces Composition

First Platoon after clearing the missile silo was redeployed to assault the enemy headquarters along with USS Heyst’s Second and Third Platoon. Our combined strength at this point were as followed:

Combined Strength:

230 Combat capable marines

• Second and Third Platoon:
  • 170 combat capable marines.

• First Platoon:
  • 60 combat capable marines.

Vehicular Detachment:

• 3 M577 APCs,
• 3 M22A3 Jackson Medium Tanks
• 1 M34A2 Longstreet light tank

No Air support was available due to USS Heyst being out of commission and the USS Almayer’s dropships would not be outfitted for Air Support roles in time.

Storming the Headquarters

First Platoon rendezvoused with Second and Third Platoon who were already engaging the opposing forces at the headquarters. Groundside Commanders organised a blitz assault on the base, breaking through the outer layer with the tanks followed by the infantry and APCs.

The armoured vehicular assets fired a barrage into the defenders’ lines, clearing a path for them to proceed with haste. The marines and APCs followed behind clearing all resistance that remained. Inside the interior of the headquarters the tanks levelled specific buildings that were marked as strategically important; ammunition stockpiles and defensive structures were the focus. The APCs and Tanks provided covering fire so that the marines could clear the buildings. First Platoon was tasked with clearing the northern sector of the headquarters while the Second and Third cleared the west and east.

Resistance was moderate from the disorganised defenders as the marines fought their way through the headquarters, clearing the base. Second Platoon’s marines found some battle plans and organised insurgent cells that were planning on striking at the UA. Unfortunately, the defenders managed to shred a lot of intel before Second Platoon was able to recover them.

Reports from our ground forces came shortly afterwards, stating the headquarters was successfully taken and the remaining defenders have retreated to a nearby urban city. The Platoons suffered moderate casualties of 37. 28 of which were wounded from all platoons with 5 KIA. They also lost 1 of their M22A3 Jackson Medium Tanks and 1 M577 APC from the opening engagement of the assault.

Clearing the remaining defenders in Schomberg City

Intel indicates that this area is populated with civilians and the remaining combatants. We contacted the colonial administration to help root out the insurgents. They were compliant in our request. We publicly broadcasted to the combatants and gave them a chance to stand down and to be taken as POWs but no formal or informal surrender was given to us.

Ground Commanders were divided on how best to tackle this situation. First Lieutenant ______ from Second Platoon suggested we blockade the city with the help of the colonial administration and send strike teams to clear out the likely defender holdouts. Other officers objected to it as they would be stretched thin on blockading the city exits in which the city has plenty of. They also objected to having the colonial marshals help with the blockade as they may harboured sympathies towards the insurgents. Second Lieutenant ______ of Third Platoon suggested we all would assault the city as a combined force, clearing the buildings as we go. Again, other officers objected to it as the casualties would be too high, even though the marines are trained as shock troops, replacements could not be mustered in a reasonable time from Sol’s reserves leaving us exposed against insurgent incursions. Even if we had the replacements ready, the colonists would have sided with the CLF. Eventually they decided that they would take and hold key logistical roads and highways of the city and send strike teams to clear out likely defender holdouts.

Upon entering the city outskirts, the marines faced minimal resistance as they secured key roads that led into and out of the city. They established a forward outpost at city landmarks. The city hall, colonial administration station and the transportation hub. From there they had launched strike teams to clear out known and likely holdouts from reconnaissance reports.

Difficulties with clearing out the insurgents had been encountered. The defenders had been equipped with AT weaponry and had planted IEDs on our supply lines. Vehicles assisting strike teams were constantly harassed by hunter killer combatants, which led to the loss of the remaining M22A3 Jackson Medium Tanks and heavily crippled our armoured support capabilities. Some of them have also blended into the civilian population which also added to the difficulties. The strike teams suffered casualties as they attempted to clear known and likely buildings that harboured insurgents though they were successful in clearing them out. After a few days of successful strikes against the insurgents, reports from our scouts say that they have retreated to the abandoned slums of the city.

Reconnaissance of the slums suggests the defenders are dug into some of the buildings, deeming all of them as possibly garrisoned. Third platoon had been tasked with blockading the exits of the slums while First and Second cleared the buildings. Though the marines had successfully cleared out the defenders that were in the slums, there was still the lingering problem with remaining insurgents blending in with the civilian population. Though quite unpopular with the local civilian populace, we had to conduct searches of each building to see if they harboured insurgents. Unrest grew while the marines and military police were searching and arresting the CLF. A few incidents occurred where the insurgents would ambush them causing casualties. Though we have never lost any of those engagements, we have suffered casualties from them. Until we were sure that most of them have been apprehended, the marines were transported back to our ships.

Casualty and equipment losses

USS Heyst’s Second and Third Platoons had a combined loss of 79 personnel with 51 considered wounded in action, all ground side vehicular assets were deemed salvageable, but they would be very costly to repair.

USS Heyst’s structural damage had disabled its cargo elevator and main batteries. They will not be able to conduct temporary repairs of their ship, but they have sealed all breaches. Without the cargo elevator, we were not able to retrieve additional supplies.

USS Almayer’s First Platoon suffered a loss of 59 personnel with 34 considered wounded in action, all ground side vehicular assets were deemed salvageable, but they would be very costly to repair. They will be out of any active service until we replenish our losses. Second Platoon will have to be dealing with the assignments until further notice.

USS Almayer’s supplies have been nearly exhausted or destroyed. Standard issue munitions of hand grenades, HEAP, LE ammunition, and vehicular ammunition have been either depleted or destroyed from the suicide craft alongside the point defence munitions. Our engineers had to use most the spare parts and materials we had left to repair the damages on the USS Almayer and the USS Heyst on site. From what is left of our stockpile, we have backup soft point munitions to supply the marines, enough materials to establish fortifications in the field and repair one of the vehicles.

Evaluation and performance

The marines from both USS Heyst and USS Almayer performed well in the opening engagements of the operation, yet the problem with urban combat against forces which will blend into the civilian populations continues to remain an issue we must address.

Though we had expected casualties against those entrenched in urban centres, with these trying times on manpower reserves, we cannot continue operating with a very limited stockpile of supplies and manpower.

We are stretched thin as is and from the files we managed to recover, the base was a staging platform for a strike on possibly our base, Chinook 91 GSO station. It appears that the Colonial Liberation Front have amassed a much larger force than we anticipated in the outer territories as well as more sophisticated weapons and equipment.

Though it did seem like we halted their plans for now, the insurgents are still out there. How they are being supplied is still currently to be determined but today should highlight that we need more marines, more equipment and to be better prepared. Even with the ongoing threat of the CLF, I do not think we will be able to properly handle the current assignments we have been given. We are critically exposed to hostile forces more equipped and more numerous than us. I must again recommend that we are given more supplies and manpower to effectively undertake the operations in the outer territories.

Executive Officer __________

USS Heyst