TDG 07: Ambush in Qeet, Part 2

By C.J. Douglas and John F. Schmitt

If this is your first TDG, you may want to check out these instructions first. If you have not already done TDG 06, “Ambush in Qeet,” we recommend you do that first.

This scenario is the continuation of TDG 06, “Ambush in Qeet.” In that scenario, you are a rifle company commander conducting counterinsurgency operations. You receive an order to conduct a recovery operation to retrieve the bodies of a host-nation EOD convoy that was ambushed on the south side of the insurgent-controlled city of Qeet You are also instructed to determine the status of a contractor who apparently was taken captive by insurgents in the ambush. In order of march, your reinforced company consists of a tank platoon, your company headquarters, 1st Platoon (on APCs), Weapons Platoon (organized as a rifle platoon, on uparmored HMMWVs), and 2nd Platoon (on APCs). Arriving at the objective, you assign the following tasks:

• Tank platoon: Security element—establish a blocking position on the east side of the objective area to isolate the objective.

• 1st Platoon: Main effort—clear the block of buildings on the north side of the highway and then load the bodies onto APCs.

• Weapons Platoon: Security and search element—check the security of the abandoned hospital south of the highway and then search for information about the captured contractor.

• 2nd Platoon, Security element—establish a blocking position on the west side of the objective area to isolate the objective.

It is about 0030 hours. The Tank platoon commander reports: “We’ve got a sedan watching us; just pulled up about 100 meters east of our position.” First Platoon has cleared the buildings immediately north of the kill zone and has begun bagging casualties and manhandling them onto the roofs of their APCs. “We’re gonna need more vehicles,” the platoon commander says. You tell him he can use the vehicles from headquarters section.

Weapons Platoon reports that the abandoned hospital is clear.

The attack helicopter that has been circling overhead reports that it is tracking a possible VBIED—a panel truck—that is moving through the city in your general direction.

The Weapons Platoon commander now reports that he has discovered what appear to be heel marks in the sand heading south toward the open desert, as if somebody was being dragged. There are also what appear to be splashes of blood every few feet along the path. “Whoever it is, he’s lost a lot of blood,” the platoon commander reports. After about 50 meters, the heel marks end at a set of tire tracks, which disappear to the east.

The Tank platoon commander reports that the sedan that is watching his position is still there.

Supervising the handling of bodies, 1st Platoon commander says: “C.O., you better take a look at this.”

He orders his men to step back. Using his flashlight, he points out at least two 155mm artillery rounds positioned beneath the stack of bodies. He carefully indicates the wires boobytrapping the rounds to the bodies.

The attack helicopter pilot now reports: “Sure looks like a VBIED, and definitely seems to be headed your way. Heading east, approaching Ghafoor Mosque. Two pickups in trace, carrying people in the back.”

You have recovered 12 of approximately 20 bodies. You check your watch: 0047. You have been on the objective over an hour.

What do you do, captain?

Requirement

In a time limit of five minutes, make your decision in the form of any orders you will issue and/or reports or requests you will make. Then provide an explanation of your rationale.