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LTC Ivan Kozak sat quietly next to his Operations Officer, Major Boris Zakharov who scribbled copious notes on a pad of paper, listening to the Brigade Operations officer give his briefing. He wrote everything down even though he and the battalion commander received a copy of the Brigade plan as they entered the briefing room. It was a drill he engaged in to help digest as much of the information as he could.

When the brief was over, Colonel Kozak wanted to coordinate with the Sokol Group’s commander in order to prevent fratricide. The paramilitary organization would be operating on their left. He needed a sense of security that the Sokol Group could keep up with his tanks. He knew they would be alone once they pushed north of the built-up area, but the fight through could be rough.

During the ride back to the Assembly Area, LTC Kozak thought about the operation and began formulating a plan. Upon arrival, he and Major Zakharov sat down and worked out a plan. By morning, they had finalized their idea and called the company commanders in for their briefing.

Within an hour and a half, the company commanders were seated in the briefing room with their Operations NCOs. Major Zakharov gave the briefing and each commander was listing to their portion of the Battalion’s plan.

“Gentlemen, Take a look at the task organization. You will see that the third platoon of Number 4 company is attached to Number one company. The 1st AT platoon is attached to the Number 2 company and the 2nd AT platoon is attached to the Number 3 company. Also, third platoon, Number 2 Company is the battalion reserve and falls under the commander’s control. The third platoon, number 3 company and the Engineer platoon are attached to the Number 4 company for breaching operations.” Major Zakharov scanned the room to see if there were any questions. No one raised a hand.

“We will be moving north out of our assembly area into the outskirts of Smila to the north. The Sokol group will be adjacent to us on our left and the 2nd battalion, 34th Infantry will be on our right. The 1st battalion, 34th will follow us through the breach and suburbs. Our mission is as follows.” The operations officer read the mission statement, “At 0600 29 August 2004, the First Battalion, 37th tank regiment (Blue), attacks Objective SABLYAA (Hill 140 south of Smila) in order to support the 54th Brigade’s attack on the railyard to the north.”

“So, as to not confuse anyone, the battalion will begin breaching the obstacles south of the Tiasmyn River at 0600, not attacking Objective SABLYAA. We will move north along Route ZELENYY in the following order of march, Number two, Number four, Number one, Number three and the recon platoon as well as the other battalion assets. The TACCP will travel behind the lead element to overwatch the breach.”

“When the Number two company reaches the minefield, they will occupy one or two Support by fire positions and provide overwatching fires against known and suspected targets on the far side of the river. While this happens, the battalion fire support officer (FSO) will initiate firing WP (smoke) on the objective and on the far side of the rivers in order to obscure the breaching team. Once the obscuration has billowed up, he will then switch to High Explosive with time delay on the potentially entrenched enemy.”

“The Number four company will advance to the minefield and conduct its breaching operations, creating at least two lanes through the minefield. Once they have secured the far side of the obstacles, the Number one and number three companies will pass through the obstacles and the built-up area at Mal. Yablonovka. They will bypass platoon sized formations and head towards Objective SABLYAA (hill 140). Once the first and third companies have cleared the initial objective area, second and fourth companies will fight through the built up area and clear enemy units entrenched in this area, prepared to assist either the Sokol Group to the west or the 2nd Battalion, 34th Infantry to the east and northeast.”

“The Number One company will establish a firing position south of Objective SABLYAA and begin firing on the objective. Once the Number three company arrives, they will pick up the support by fire role while the Number one Company attacks into the objective. From the move, the FSO will initiate fires on Hill 140 and stop shooting just prior to the Number One’s advance up the hill.”

“Once Hill 140 is clear and western Mal Yablonovka is clear, we will establish a defense north and west of Hill 140. The recon platoon will conduct reconnaissance around the southwest edge of Smila. We will tie in our defense with Sokol Group on our left and 2nd Battalion, 34th Infantry on our right. Then the 1st battalion, 34th Infantry will pass through our position and establish a battalion sized support by fire position south of the 54th Brigade’s objective at the railyard in southern Smila.”

“Are there any questions?”

Operations Order I./37th Tank - Smila Ukraine
Lieutenant Colonel Ivan T. Kozak commands the First Battalion, 37th Tank Regiment

Task Organization
No. 1 Company (Tank)
	1/1/I./37 Tk
	2/1/I./37 Tk
	3/1/I./37 Tk
	3/4/I./37 Mech Infantry

No. 2 Company (Tank)
	1/2/I./37 Tk
	2/2/I./37 Tk
1st AT Platoon/37th Tk

No. 3 Company (Tank)
	1/3/I./37 Tk
	2/3/I./37 Tk
2nd AT Platoon/37th Tk

No. 4 Company (Infantry)
	1/4/I./37 Mech Infantry
	2/4/I./37 Mech Infantry
	3/3/I./37 Tank
	Engineer Platoon/37 Tk

BN Control
	TACCP
	CBT TNS
	FLD TNS
	3/2/I./37 Tk (BN Reserve)
	Recon Platoon
	Mortar Platoon

I.	SITUATION.

Enemy Forces. The Third Battalion, 274th Mechanized Infantry, 24th Mechanized Brigade supported by a company of tanks from I./181st Tank (ORANGE) is defending along the southern edges of Smila, Ukraine. They are aware of the importance of their rail line at this city, which connects with their primary army headquarters to the Northwest. The battalion consists of three mechanized infantry companies (BMP-2), and two tank companies with T-72 and T-80 main battle tanks. They are also supported by 152mm Howitzers. 

1.	SALUTE. In our sector of the city, the Number 3 Company, 3rd Battalion, 274th Mechanized Infantry (Orange) is defending north of the Tiasmyn River along Route Zelenyy. The company consists of three mechanized infantry platoons deployed in the built-up areas along our avenue of approach. Hill 140 also contains an armor company of nine or ten tanks. We expect the enemy to have deployed anti-armor obstacles south of the river along the approaches. 

2.	DRAW-D	Defend, Reinforce, Attack, Withdraw - Delay. The enemy will defend the southern approaches into Smila in order to prevent Blue forces from reaching the heart of the city. If we place substantial pressure upon the enemy, they may withdraw northward and could possibly be reinforced from the Brigade Reserves, three tank companies (T72) currently located in the western end of the city. We anticipate enemy Mi-24 and Mi-8 gunships in our area of operations.

A.	Friendly Forces. The 3rd Division (Blue) will attack Smila from the east with the 55th Artillery brigade providing indirect fire support. The 54th Brigade (Division Main Effort) will attack just north of our Brigade into the Railroad yard leading toward the enemy headquarters to the northwest. Expect enemy rotary wing aircraft in our area of operations

1.	Higher Unit Mission. At 0600 29 August 2004, the Ukrainian 53rd Infantry Brigade (Blue), attacks Objective WHITE (Cherkasy Oblast in southern Smila) in order to support the 54th Brigade’s attack on the railyard to the north.

2.	Adjacent Unit Missions. East: The II./34th Motorized Infantry attacks at Mal Yablonovka.

3.	West: The Sokol Group attacks Mal Yablonovka to our left.

4.	Rear: I./34th Motorized Infantry follows our battalion along its avenue of approach to clear bypassed units from the AOR.

5.	Supporting Unit Missions. 15th Aviation Battalion will provide Close Air Support in the Smila sector. Calls for Attack helicopters in our sector must be approved by the Battalion/Brigade Commander.

6.	The 55th Artillery Brigade will provide a preparatory fire on the built up area in front of the division. The Brigade artillery battalions, including the division has four battalions of artillery in its independent artillery brigade along with another five battalions, one in each of the five maneuver brigades making a combined total of nine artillery battalions. The Division will mass its artillery to fire a massive artillery preparatory fire along the western edge of the Tiasmyn River for 20 minute prior to the attacks by the 53rd Mech in the south and the 92nd Brigade in the north. They will continue their concentrated barrage in and around the 54th brigade’s objective, the rail yard in the center of the city for an additional 20 minutes. Once the three leading infantry brigades commence their attack along the eastern edge of Smila, the 55th Artillery brigade will cease fire and provide opportunity fire to the 17th tank brigade as it encircles the city. Units of the 55th Artillery are also on call to the 54th brigade as it advances into the city.

7.	Attachments and Detachments. None

II.	MISSION. At 0600 29 August 2004, the First Battalion, 37th tank regiment (Blue), attacks Objective SABLYAA (Hill 140 south of Smila) in order to support the 54th Brigade’s attack on the railyard to the north. 

III. EXECUTION.

A. Commander’s Intent. The Commander intends to push through Mal Yablonovka as soon as possible and eliminate enemy forces on Hill 140 in order to secure the left flank of the 54th Brigade to our north.

B. Concept of the Operation.

1. Scheme of Maneuver. The Number four company will lead the advance, eliminating obstacles along our route into Mal Yablonovka. No.2 Company will provide an overwatch of the bridge crossing to protect No. 4 company during their mine clearing operation. Once, the mines are clear, No. 1 Company (Main Effort) will lead the attack north towards Hill 140. No. 3 Company will follow the Number one company during their advance through the built up area. The No. 4 company will fight through the advance supported by the No. 2 company. Once the No. 3 company has cleared the north end of the built up region at Mal Yablonovka, they will break contact with the enemy and move north to support the battalion main effort at Hill 140. No. 1 Company will attack Hill 140 in order to eliminate enemy units and secure the left flank of the 54th Brigade.

2. Fire Support Plan. Following the preparatory fire, the battalion will advance in line between the Sokol Group to the left and the Second battalion, 34th Motorized infantry to the right. Priority of fires will be to No. 4 company initially during the push through Mal Yablonovka and then to No. 1 Company for their assault on Hill 140. Finally, priority of fires are available to No. 2 and No.3 Companies. 

1.	No. 1 Company.

a. Main Effort. Advance along route ZELENYY (Green) to seize Objective SABLYA 
at Hill 140. Third in order of march along MSR (ZELENYY).
b. Bypass platoon sized elements when possible.
c. Fight through Company-sized elements.
d. Establish company ambush to the west of Hill 140 once Objective SABLYA 
is taken.
e. Establish Company (+) ambush north of Hill 140 once Objective SABLYA 
is taken.

2.	No. 2 Company.

a.	Leads the battalion movement up the MSR (ZELENYY) to the anti-tank obstacles on the road.
b.	Assume a support by fire position in order to suppress the enemy while No. 4 company conducts breaching operations.
c.	Follow the breaching company through the breach
d.	Support the No. 4 Company in clearing enemy units in north of Tiasmyn River.
e.	Once the initial objective is clear, join the No. 1 Company in the north to establish
f.	Fill into a defensive line to the right of the No. 1 Company once the objectives are clear.

3.	No. 3 Company.

a.	Trail company during move up the MSR to the initial objective.
b.	Once the obstacles have been breached, follow the No. 1 Company through the breach.
c.	Follow No. 1 Company to the Attack Position south of Hill 140.
d.	Occupy a Support by Fire position south of Hill 140 and provide suppressive fires for the No. 1 Company.
e.	Once Hill 140 is clear of enemy, become the battalion reserve for follow-on mission, prepared to attack somewhere along the battalion defensive sector.

4.	No. 4 Company.

a.	Conduct Breaching operations of AT mines south of the Tiasmyn River.
b.	Provide overwatch for the Engineer platoon.
c.	Pass through the breaching lanes and assault enemy units defending Mal Yablonovka north of the river.
d.	Keep the MSR clear and allow No.1 and No. 3 companies to pass through in order to complete their primary mission north of this objective.
e.	Once Mal Yablonovka is clear, move north to Hill 140.
f.	Occupy a defensive position tying into the right of No. 2 Company.
g.	Tie in with the II./34th Infantry on your right.
h.	Allow I./34th Infantry to pass through your position in order to establish an advanced defensive position along the south side of the Smila Railyard. 
i.	Be prepared to assume the mission of the Battalion Main Effort.
j.	Be prepared to assist I./34th Infantry with its mission in southern Smila.

5.	Recon Platoon.

a.	Follow No. 1 Company through the breach and the built up area.
b.	Once you clear the built up area north of the river, push to the northwest in order to conduct reconnaissance of enemy units in the area.
c.	Push as far as the -.29 road if possible.
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