SAMPLE OF OPORD

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Appendix C

Sample Reconnaissance OPORD

A sample reconnaissance OPORD is shown in Figure C-1.

Figure C-1. Sample reconnaissance OPORD

|______________________ |
|Classification |
| |
|Copy 1 of 10 copies |
|HQ, 99th Engineer Battalion |
|NK111111 |
|080500 JAN 97 |
| |
|OPERATION ORDER 97-11 |
|References: |
|1st Bde OPORD 97-23 |
|Map sheet V107 |
| |
|Time Zone Used Throughout The Order: Local |
|Task Organization: |
|A/99 En Bn |
|B/99 En Bn |
|1/C/99 En Bn |
|Bn control |
|C/99 En Bn (-) |
|Recon Team 1 |
| |
|1. SITUATION. |
|a. Enemy Forces. |
|(1) Terrain and Weather. |
|(a) Observation is generally limited along the valley floor due to the terrain's undulating nature. Multiple intervisibility |
|lines, generally running north to south and spaced between 500 to 1,000 meters, will hamper observation. Movement to the higher |
|elevations along either the north or south wall will obviously improve observation. Winds (expected to exceed 20 knots until at |
|least 111200 JAN 97) will lift sand from the desert floor and hamper observation. Observation at night will be extremely limited|
|due to the light data for the next 72 hours. Note that on 8 JAN 97 the moon sets before the sun and on 9 through 11 JAN, the |
|moon sets soon after the sun; therefore, night-vision goggles (NVGs) will provide limited capabilities for the next 72 hours and|
|make observation, movement, and the acquisition of OBSTINTEL more difficult. |
|______________________ |
|Classification |

Figure C-1. Sample reconnaissance OPORD (continued)

|______________________ |
|Classification |
|Date |
|BMNT |
|SR |
|SS |
|EENT |
|MR |
|MS |
|Start |
|NVG |
|Stop |
|NVG |
|% Illum |
| |
|8 JAN |
|0555 |
|0654 |
|1701 |
|1800 |
|0550 |
|1633 |
|***** |
|***** |
|0% |
| |
|9 JAN |
|0555 |
|0653 |
|1702 |
|1801 |
|0643 |
|1743 |
|***** |
|***** |
|0% |
| |
|10 JAN |
|0555 |
|0653 |
|1702 |
|1802 |
|0731 |
|1853 |
|***** |
|***** |
|4% |
| |
|11 JAN |
|0554 |
|0653 |
|1704 |
|1803 |
|0813 |
|2002 |
|***** |
|***** |
|9% |
| |
|(b) The only cover from both direct and indirect fires is provided by the undulating terrain previously mentioned. Concealment |
|during movement can be enhanced by traveling parallel to the intervisibility lines when available. The dusty and windy conditions|
|may make mounted movement less detectable by the enemy. |
|(c) The pipeline running parallel to the LD along the 30 easting is the only existing obstacle in the AO. Crossing points for |
|this pipeline have been identified at NK 302215 and NK 295090. |
|(d) The terrain in the vicinity of the templated obstacle system is believed to be unsuitable for minefield reduction by MCBs |
|because of the undulating terrain and the soil composition. |
|(2) Enemy Situation. |
|(a) The 133d motorized rifle battalion (MRB) is currently preparing defenses along the 47 easting. This unit's expected strength |
|is estimated to be 12 T-80s, 32 BMP-1s, 3 AT-5s, and 1 dismounted infantry company. The 133d MRB began preparing its defenses |
|071500 JAN 97 and are not expected to complete its countermobility and survivability effort before 091600 JAN 97. The 133d MRB is|
|expected to have a company-size combined-arms reserve at a strength of three T-80s and eight BMP-1s. |
|(b) As of 080100 JAN, three enemy MRCs have been located and are depicted on the SITEMP. The expected positioning of the |
|subordinate MRPs is also templated as well as the anticipated combat security observation post (CSOP) and artillery positions. |
|Expect to come within direct-fire range of the CSOPs when crossing the 42 easting and the main defenses when crossing the 44 |
|easting. Enemy artillery is expected to be in position not later than (NLT) 081600 JAN; expect to come within indirect-fire range|
|when crossing the 25 easting. However, the enemy will rarely use indirect fires against recon forces. Expect the enemy to use its|
|rotary-wing assets in its attempt to try to locate and destroy recon forces. The enemy is not expected to be supported by |
|fixed-wing aircraft. Although the enemy has the capability to employ chemical weapons, it has chosen not to due so thus far in |
|the campaign. However, if the enemy does employ chemicals, we expect them to emplace a persistent chemical agent at center of |
|mass NK 410280. |
|______________________ |
|Classification |

Figure C-1. Sample reconnaissance OPORD (continued)

|______________________ |
|Classification |
|The enemy is not nuclear capable. Expect the enemy to use dismounted strong points to tie its obstacles into the restricted |
|terrain at vicinities NK 450210 and NK 440100. These dismounted forces will be supplied with AT-5s to assist in their mission of|
|preventing the obstacle system from being reduced along the walls of the valley. Additionally, the enemy will use dismounted |
|patrols to protect all minefields. |
|(c) The templated obstacle system is included on the SITEMP. No confirmed obstacle locations have been obtained as of 080100 |
|JAN. We expect the enemy to continue to lay its minefields similar to the method used throughout the campaign. We expect the |
|enemy to mechanically lay its minefields and expect each minefield to be comprised of SB-MV mines and be 200 to 300 meters long |
|and 60 to 120 meters deep. The mine spacing has consistently been 4.5 meters and the depth of the mines have been up to 9 |
|inches. NOTE: The SB-MV is magnetic-influence initiated and must be detected by probing. Operating hand-held mine detectors may |
|detonate the mine. If mines are surface laid, it is probably due to the soil conditions and indicates the probable success of |
|using MCBs. The enemy has routinely used a single-strand of concertina fence on the enemy side of the minefield as a frat fence.|
|The enemy is expected to emplace a total of 15 minefields in its defense. |
|b. Friendly Forces. |
|(1) Higher. |
|(a) 1st Brigade plans to conduct a brigade breaching operation and penetrate the northern MRP of the northern MRC as shown on |
|the SITEMP. Other brigade recon assets include two COLTs and one chemical recon vehicle. The planned locations for each of these|
|assets are shown on the maneuver graphics. |
|(b) Engineer recon team 1 is attempting to answer the brigade commander's PIR for location, composition, and orientation of the |
|enemy's obstacles. |
|(c) If bypasses of the enemy obstacles can be located, the brigade commander would prefer to bypass the obstacles as close to |
|the north wall as possible. |
|(2) Lower. Do not expect TF recon assets to cross the LD before EENT on 9 JAN 97. |
|2. MISSION. The 99th Engineer Battalion conducts an area recon of NAI 301 NLT 082000 JAN 97 to facilitate the brigade's attack |
|at 110500 JAN 97. |
|3. EXECUTION. |
|Intent. The purpose of this mission is to identify enemy obstacles within NAI 301 to confirm or deny the enemy's COA and |
|facilitate breaching operations. The end state is the identification of enemy obstacles in NAI 301 NLT 100500 JAN 97 and recon |
|team 1 in position at checkpoint (CP) 15 ready to link up and guide the breach force to the obstacle location NLT 110001 JAN 97.|
|______________________ |
|Classification |

Figure C-1. Sample reconnaissance OPORD (continued)

|______________________ |
|Classification |
|a. Concept of Operation. The battalion conducts an obstacle-oriented area recon. Recon team 1 will cross the LD NLT 082000 JAN. |
|The brigade will have at least two batteries ready to provide indirect fires out to PL Celtics throughout the recon effort, and |
|the attack helicopter battalion (AHB) will support casualty evacuation. Team 1 will cross the LD about 24 hours before the TF |
|scouts in an attempt to observe the enemy emplacing obstacles while the TF is still planning its R & S effort. The recon team |
|will link up with TF 1-23 scouts (who will provide security) before conducting obstacle recon. Recon team 1 will complete its |
|area recon of NAI 301 NLT 100500 JAN to facilitate mounted rehearsals by the brigade during daylight hours on 11 JAN 97. Recon |
|team 1 will continue to observe NAI 301 until 101700 JAN and report any further engineer activity. At 101800 JAN 97, recon team |
|1 will move to CP 15 and be in position NLT 110001 JAN 97, prepared to link up and guide the breach force to the obstacle |
|location. |
|b. Tasks to Subordinate Units. |
|(1) Battalion's TOC. The battalion's TOC will-- |
|(a) Provide liaison personnel to colocate with the recon team until they cross the LD and ensure that liaison personnel obtain a|
|copy of the recon team's maneuver graphics. |
|(b) Coordinate the recon team's indirect fire plan with the FSO and confirm targets with the team leader once they are |
|coordinated. |
|(2) Battalion S4. The battalion S4 will obtain the current logistical status of recon team 1. He will ensure that unit basic |
|load (UBL) levels are reestablished NLT 081200 JAN 97 and report to the TOC upon completion. |
|(3) A/99 En Bn. A/99 En Bn will conduct liaison activities between recon team 1 and TF 1-23 according to the battalion's TACSOP.|
|(4) Recon team 1. Recon team 1 will-- |
|(a) Report the current logistical status to the S4 NLT 080800 JAN 97. |
|(b) Backbrief the plan to the battalion commander via FM radio at 081300 JAN 97. |
|(c) Provide TF 1-23 the team's graphics, via the A/99 En Bn's TOC before crossing the LD. |
|(d) Forward requested indirect-fire targets to the battalion's TOC NLT 081600 JAN 97. |
|(e) Coordinate link up with the TF 1-23 scouts for security during obstacle recon. |
|(f) Conduct an area recon of NAI 301 NLT 082000 JAN 97 to verify the composition of obstacles within the NAI. |
|______________________ |
|Classification |

Figure C-1. Sample reconnaissance OPORD (continued)

|______________________ |
|Classification |
|c. Coordinating Instructions. |
|(1) Task organization is effective upon receipt of this order. |
|(2) All units will participate in the intelligence updates to occur at 0800 and 2000 each day. |
|(3) The LOA for recon assets is PL Celtics. |
|4. SERVICE SUPPORT. |
|a. Support Concept. |
|(1) The recon team will cross the LD fully uploaded according to the battalion's TACSOP. These supplies will come from the |
|engineer battalion. This basic load is expected to sustain the team throughout the mission. |
|(2) Emergency resupply will be coordinated through the engineer battalion's TOC and delivered by aviation assets. Backup |
|resupply will be through TF 1-23. |
|b. Medical Evacuation and Hospitalization. The primary means of MEDEVAC is by air (requested through the battalion's TOC); |
|backup is by ground evacuation (performed by TF 1-23). |
|c. Personnel Support. EPWs will be turned over to TF 1-23 for evacuation to the rear. |
|5. COMMAND AND SIGNAL. |
|a. Command. The chain of command is the commander, the XO, the S3, and the commander of C Company. |
|b. Signal. |
|(1) All traffic from recon team 1 to the battalion's TOC will be over MSRT (primary) or the battalion's command net (alternate).|
|(2) The recon team's current location will be sent by the battalion's TOC to TF 1-23. |
|(3) OBSTINTEL will be reported according to the TACSOP. |
|ACKNOWLEDGE: |
|PATTON |
|LTC |
|OFFICIAL: |
|(Authentication) |
|Overlays: |
|SITEMP |
|Maneuver graphics with artillery targets |
|CSS graphics |
|______________________ |
|Classification |

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