Darfur Contract - MP.net Wargame

[Barnes]

Darfur Contract


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[Area of Operations]


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[Sudan]



- Background


Just as the long north-south civil war was reaching a resolution, some tribal clashes occurred in the western region of Darfur in the early 1970s between the pastoral tribes and the agricultural tribes after Africa's greatest famine. The rebels accused the central government of neglecting the Darfur region economically, although there is uncertainty regarding the objectives of the rebels and whether they merely seek an improved position for Darfur within Sudan or outright "secession."


Both the government and the rebels have been accused of atrocities in this war, although most of the blame has fallen on Arab militias known as the Janjaweed, who are armed men appointed by the Al Saddig Al Mahdi administration to stop the long standing chaotic disputes between Darfur tribes.


According to declarations by numerous world governments, these militias have been engaging in genocide; the fighting has displaced hundreds of thousands of people, many of them seeking refuge in neighbouring Chad. The government claimed victory over the rebels after capturing a town on the border with Chad in early 1994. However, the fighting resumed in 2003.


Head of a newly formed private security company, you find yourself given the chance to bid on a contract from the African Union to organize security and protection In the outlined area of operations (See map) The poorly equipped and poorly funded AU peacekeeping force have left, its now over to you.



- Objective


To organize a security operation of men and material, secure immediate area of camps and give increased protection for displaced persons in three refugee camps only (marked on map, as 1,2 and 3) situated in Darfur, Western Sudan.
(Further reconnaissance of the area can be found on google earth, at 13º27'24.66"N 22º13'47.48"E marked as Op Darfur)


Also once a week, a convoy of relief supplies will travel to the camps. Your responsible for the planning, routes and escort of this convoy, which you will advise the relevant personal. They are scheduled to travel Mid-week (Wed)


Convoy consists of Six Decommissoned US Army M35 Trucks, transporting Rice/water, etc. Plus two landrover defenders, containing medical personal.



- Enemy Combatants


Janjaweed, thought to mean 'devil on horseback' Is loose terminogoly to describe the armed gunmen in Darfur. The Janja are comprised of nomadic Arabic speaking African tribes, (Black Arabs or Afro Arabs.) They have been at odds with Darfur's sedentary population in the past.


Since 2003 they have been the main players in the Darfur conflict.


Sudanese-backed Chadian rebels and potentially the Sudanese government itself posses a threat in the area.



- Local Intelligence


Darfur (Arabic: دار فور‎, lit. "home of the Fur") is a region of far western Sudan, bordering the Central African Republic, Libya and Chad. An independent sultanate for several hundred years, it was incorporated into Sudan by Anglo-Egyptain forces. The region is divided into three federal states: West Darfur, South Darfur, and North Darfur which are coordinated by a Transitional Darfur Regional Authority. Due to the Darfur Conflict, the region is in a state of humanitarian emergency.


Darfur covers an area of some 493,180 km² (196,555 miles²)—just over 90% the size of France and 87% as large as Kenya. It is largely an arid plateau with the Marrah Mountains (Jebel Marra), a range of volcanic peaks rising up to 3000 m (10,100 ft), in the center of the region. The region's main towns are Al Fashir, Nyala, and Geneina.


Darfur is covered with plains and low hills of sandy soils, known as goz, and sandstone hills. In many places the goz is waterless and can only be inhabited where there are water reservoirs or deep boreholes. While dry, goz may also support rich pasture and arable land. To the north the goz is overtaken by the desert sands of the Sahara. A second feature are the wadis, which range from seasonal watercourses that flood only occasionally during the wet season to large wadis that floods for most of the rains and flow from western Darfur hundreds of miles west to Lake Chad. Many wadis have pans of alluvium with rich soil that are also difficult to cultivate. Western Darfur is dominated by the third feature, basement rock, sometimes covered with a thin layer of sandy soil. Basement and rock is too infertile to be farmed, but provides sporadic forest cover that can be grazed by animals. The fourth and final feature are the Marrah Mountains, volcanic plugs created by a massif, that rise up to a peak at Deriba crater where there is a small area of temperate climate, high rainfall and permanent springs of water.


The rainy season is from June through September, transforming much of the region from dusty brown to verdant green. As much of the population of Darfur is agricultural, the rains are vital. In normal years, pearl millet, a mainstay crop is ready to be harvested by November. Once harvested, the dry stalks may be fed to domestic livestock. In the far northern desert, years may pass between rainfall. In the far south, annual average rainfall is 700 mm and many trees remain green year-round


- Operation Guidelines


All weapons and transport must be realistically obtainable and be in par with 2008. No fleets of gunships, squads of tanks etc.
(Please keep in mind, overall cost, authenticity and strategic plan bears an impact, on who gets the bid.)


If you can, try and detail your gotten gains. We know it wont be exact, but list weapon types, AK's/M4's etc. Armored SUV's as transport, etc. All to compare ideas with each other.


You have one month to prepare the operation, starting the 20th March 2008.


So on the strength of what on has been proposed, (which i also prefer) the plan and location stays the same. Ditch the $35 mill budget, take the details away and plan accordingly. Draw up and then submit and someone appointed will make the call on who gets the bid.


- Rules Of Engagement


Nothing in these ROE limits your right to take apropriate action to defend yourself and your unit.


A. You have the right to use force to defend yourself against attacks or threats of attack


B. Hostile fire may be returned effectively and promptly to stop a hostile act.


C. When a force are attacked by unarmed hostile elements, mobs etc. The force should use minimum action necessary under the circumstances and proportional to the threat.


D. You may not seize the property of other to accomplish your mission.


Remember


Your not at war.
Treat all persons with dignity and respect.
Use minimum force to carry out mission.
Always to prepared to act in self-defense.

[Ironsight06]

$35,000,000 is way too low for operating costs for one year. Let's assume that a full-year-equivalent contractor costs you $200,000 a year (all expenses included). That means you use up your budget your entire budget for only 175 men. Can't say 175 men is really a lot for such a big area and don't forget that you have equipment expenses as well.

In such a big area helicopters are a must, especially if you don't have a lot of manpower, even a few of them will suck up your budget.

[Ironsight06]

I'd first try to determine how much personnel is required. I remember Blackwater talked about deploying a brigade-sized peacekeeping force so that would be around 2000-4000 people.

In January 2005, Chris Taylor, Blackwater's vice president for strategic review, argued at George Washington University Law School that there is an "emergent and compelling need" for efficient, professional soldiers in today's counterterrorism environment. Peacekeeping operations also fall under the capacity of professional soldiers. Mr. Taylor said (http://www.blackwaterusa.com/btw2005/articles/042805taylor.html):
Send 10,000 UN troops to Darfur? A colossal waste of money. You do not create security and peace by throwing more mediocre, uncommitted people into the fray. A 2,000-strong contract army could perform security duties and eventually turn over the operation to the United Nations for post-conflict management, he said, stressing that is what non-governmental groups do best. He cited an example of African Union [AU] troops in the Darfur region of Sudan, saying they were powerless to stop the horrific violence being committed just 300 yards (meters) away.

Article (http://www.globalpulse.net/archives/military/got_insurgency_1_000120.php)

When you have that number you can split it up in different classes of manpower and their costs. Think that would give you an accurate idea of how many financial resources are needed.

[Hellfish]

You're protecting three closely kept camps. Not a whole region. Your job is to protect those camps and escort the supply convoys in and out. Your mandate isn't to pacify the entirety of Darfur.

[Ironsight06]

You're protecting three closely kept camps. Not a whole region. Your job is to protect those camps and escort the supply convoys in and out. Your mandate isn't to pacify the entirety of Darfur.
OK that is more feasible. How many men were you thinking?

[Hellfish]

OK that is more feasible. How many men were you thinking?

It's not up to me. You've got your operating budget and your mission. :)

If you just want to provide local security, you've got one set of requirements. If you're looking to take the fight to the Janjaweed, you've got another.

[SBL]

Sign me up.

[Snoshi]

Both victims and international observers allege that the Janjaweed are no longer the scrappy militias of yore, but rather well-equipped fighting forces that enjoy the overt assistance of the Sudanese government. In testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in June 2004, a field researcher with Human Rights Watch stated that the Sudanese army was openly recruiting horse-owning Arab men, promising them a gun and a monthly salary of $116 in exchange for joining a Janjaweed cohort. The International Crisis Group says that money that gets paid to the Janjaweed "comes directly from booty captured in raids on villages," giving them an additional incentive to act with extreme brutality.

There are numerous reports from international aid workers maintaining that Janjaweed raids are preceded by aerial bombardments by the Sudanese air force, that Janjaweed commanders are living in government garrison towns, and that Janjaweed militiamen wear combat fatigues identical to those of the regular army. Those who've interviewed refugees from Darfur also allege that Janjaweed commanders are using racism as a rallying point, encouraging their charges to rape the dark-skinned villagers they encounter during their raids.
http://www.slate.com/id/2104210/

[Barnes]

Everything you need to know, is in the briefing. You have clear objectives and a budget, like Hellfish has pointed out. They don't call it a challenge for nothing... p-)

[Barnes]

http://www.slate.com/id/2104210/

Well best make sure, people factor in the right kit for the job then :)

[Mike Keenan]

Count me in.

[oscarni]

Count me in, working on my brief now!

Can one of the guys arranging this, tell me the local of these maps so i can have a look on google maps?

- Phil

[Mike Keenan]

Barnes, what is the size of the area shown in the aerial photo and what is the population of the three camps?

[safety_match]

$35,000,000 budget for purchase and operating costs of all personal and equipment for one year.


All weapons and transport must be realistically obtainable and be in par with 2008. No fleets of gunships, squads of tanks etc.


You have one month to prepare the operation, starting the 20th March 2008.

EO's operations in Angola cost $60 million, and they were supplied air assets by the Angolan government.
Sierra Leone $30 million per year, again with Air assets and BMP's supplied by the SL government.
$35 mil will get you something. Just not sure what.

I'm in though. Looks like a great brief even if the price is low.
My questions.
The camps, in what relation are they to the region?
What is our enemy's current status and disposition?
Do we have any information about the latest contacts?
What is the status of the local population?
Are we free to engage a hearts and minds job?
In addition to that, are we under obligation to provide medical assistance to the camps?
What is the status of non-indigenous civvies - NGO/Missionary/Whatever?
AU contingent? What is their status? Since they are our employers can I assume they would provide logistic capability on demand, or fund it over and above our ticket price?

What is our relation to France? Will they provide interdiction in Chad should our targets cross the border? Are we allowed hot pursuit?

I think that is all for now...


You're protecting three closely kept camps. Not a whole region. Your job is to protect those camps and escort the supply convoys in and out. Your mandate isn't to pacify the entirety of Darfur.
Missed this.
400 security guards @ $80K PA.
Left over 3 Million on vehicles. AU to supply weapons.
Done deal.

[Barnes]

Count me in, working on my brief now!

Can one of the guys arranging this, tell me the local of these maps so i can have a look on google maps?

- Phil

Right anyone wishing to view the mapped area of operations, i have pinned it on Google earth. Go to places and search for 'Op Darfur'

[Ironsight06]

Just a quick draw-up for a contract budget. Total is just a little under $ 35mil. Light equipment and camp expenses are very rough estimations.

Personnel Expenses:
Class 1 full-year-equivalent contractors (40 men @ 200K) $ 8mil.
Class 2 full-year-equivalent contractors (40 men @ 150K) $ 6mil.
Class 3 full-year-equivalent contractors (40 men @ 100K) $ 4mil.
Total Personnel $ 18mil.

Equipment Expenses:
Small Arms $ 10mil.
Uniforms & Personal Gear $ 3mil.
Total Equipment $ 13mil.

Heavy Equipment Expenses:
Utility Vehicles (15 vehicles at 50K) $ 0,75mil.
Hardened vehicles MRAP’s (5 vehicles at 200K) $ 1mil.
Total Heavy Equipment $ 1.75mil.

Camp Expenses:
Main buildings (headquarters, hesco, kitchen units etc.) $ 1,5mil.
Misc Construction Material (bought locally) $ 0,5mil.
Total Camp $ 2mil.

Personnel notes:
Class 1 – Close protection, convoy duties etc.
Class 2 – Guard.
Class 3 – Support Personnel
Price per person includes all expenses made during deployment as well as pay and benefits.

[James]

While I'm chewing on this, here's something for the rest of you to think about...

Consider a vast increase in manpower by using some of your expensive westerners to train a cadre of men recruited right from the camps... Don't have 40 or however many westerners pulling guard duty - have 5 or 6 westerners supervising 300 locals. Pay the locals $300 a month or something - more than the Janja gets... Doing this will allow you to greatly expand your force. After you've got a feel for your men, the best can be hand picked and trained further for the convoy escort duty. These guys will have a stake in defending their homes.

[Ironsight06]

While I'm chewing on this, here's something for the rest of you to think about...

Consider a vast increase in manpower by using some of your expensive westerners to train a cadre of men recruited right from the camps... Don't have 40 or however many westerners pulling guard duty - have 5 or 6 westerners supervising 300 locals. Pay the locals $300 a month or something - more than the Janja gets... Doing this will allow you to greatly expand your force. After you've got a feel for your men, the best can be hand picked and trained further for the convoy escort duty. These guys will have a stake in defending their homes.
Interesting thought, paying $500 a month, a full-year-equivalent contractor only costs you $6000. A 100 man guard detail will cost you only 600K a year. On the other hand it would require extensive vetting and training though which might incur higher costs.

[oscarni]

Question:

Logistics Support, do we have access to a local airfield or is it what we build we have? Is Logistical support provided, aka airlifts or do we provide it ourselves [I prefer this option]. Do we also provide Medical Evac support?

There is currently a no fly zone in operation in this zone, what restrictions does this place on us, can we operate a type of air patrol in the local region? What are our ROE's in terms of hostile action by Government forces?

Great concept!
- Phil

[Barnes]

While I'm chewing on this, here's something for the rest of you to think about...

Consider a vast increase in manpower by using some of your expensive westerners to train a cadre of men recruited right from the camps... Don't have 40 or however many westerners pulling guard duty - have 5 or 6 westerners supervising 300 locals. Pay the locals $300 a month or something - more than the Janja gets... Doing this will allow you to greatly expand your force. After you've got a feel for your men, the best can be hand picked and trained further for the convoy escort duty. These guys will have a stake in defending their homes.


Hmmm, you've rumbled my plan.p-)

I was in favor of this James, much like the Special forces advisors did in Vietnam, with the Montgnards. Plus you got first hand knowledge of the area, using locals.

[safety_match]

While I'm chewing on this, here's something for the rest of you to think about...

Consider a vast increase in manpower by using some of your expensive westerners to train a cadre of men recruited right from the camps... Don't have 40 or however many westerners pulling guard duty - have 5 or 6 westerners supervising 300 locals. Pay the locals $300 a month or something - more than the Janja gets... Doing this will allow you to greatly expand your force. After you've got a feel for your men, the best can be hand picked and trained further for the convoy escort duty. These guys will have a stake in defending their homes.
Yep.
Looking at the costs, and working it over, this is the only realistic scenario.

[SBL]

Will we be investing in a short-term detail? An adequate team to run security while the locals are being trained. Or will we be passing out AKs on arrival?

[Barnes]

Question:

Logistics Support, do we have access to a local airfield or is it what we build we have? Is Logistical support provided, aka airlifts or do we provide it ourselves [I prefer this option]. Do we also provide Medical Evac support?

There is currently a no fly zone in operation in this zone, what restrictions does this place on us, can we operate a type of air patrol in the local region? What are our ROE's in terms of hostile action by Government forces?

Great concept!
- Phil

Phil,

Use of a nearby airfield would be non advisable, as you would not know the situation regarding hostile forces (Unless you employed reconnaissance.)

The area your operating in, would be sufficent for a dirt runway, advising pilot of coordinates. So it would be something you would have to sort.

MedVac, Serious cases is something you would have to factor in. Assuming you have a medic, they could stabailze. Non serious, a doctor travels with the relief convy.

Rules of engagement, you are there as a security force. Your main concern are the camps, but you have every right to defend yourself.

And breath....

[Evil Scientist]

Right anyone wishing to view the mapped area of operations, i have pinned it on Google earth. Go to places and search for 'Op Darfur'


Sorry, but the fact that you have it pinned doesn''t mean that i can find it in my G-Earth.

Or am I wrong?

[safety_match]

Do the convoys run on a fixed schedule?

[Barnes]

Sorry, but the fact that you have it pinned doesn''t mean that i can find it in my G-Earth.

Or am I wrong?

Try 13º27'24.66"N 22º13'47.48"E

[Flagg]

While I'm chewing on this, here's something for the rest of you to think about...

Consider a vast increase in manpower by using some of your expensive westerners to train a cadre of men recruited right from the camps... Don't have 40 or however many westerners pulling guard duty - have 5 or 6 westerners supervising 300 locals. Pay the locals $300 a month or something - more than the Janja gets... Doing this will allow you to greatly expand your force. After you've got a feel for your men, the best can be hand picked and trained further for the convoy escort duty. These guys will have a stake in defending their homes.

Bullseye!

And to expand on that I'm thinking the possible use of veteran ethnic African soldiers from Rhodesia/Zimbabwe, South Africa, etc...EX-RLI, EX-Selous Scouts, Ex-Recce, 32, etc......good real world experience...and may possibly come much cheaper due to relative standards of living....possibly even consider Aboriginal RFSU folks from Aus if it made sense operationally and financially

I'm thinking 3 tiers instead of 2

1 ......the expensive guys that bring huge/recent/relevant skillsets...the glue that binds the op together

2.....former long serving ethnic African soldiers preferably with a respected Commonwealth security force, still fit, with lots of COIN experience/training on the continent(if not recent), maybe just in need of a brief PDT for consistency, safety, train the trainer stuff...plus it may be a bonus to have section commanders from the continent, rather than from the other side of the planet...possibly huge bang for buck operationally and in shaping perceptions

3.....vetted locals with a long-term vested interest in operational success....a stake in the outcome as you said!

[Barnes]

Do the convoys run on a fixed schedule?

Mid-week (Wed) Up to you, to determine time, route, etc... As your calling the shots, security wise.

[safety_match]

Mid-week (Wed) Up to you, to determine time, route, etc... As your calling the shots, security wise.
Thanks. What about the convoy composition?
Vehicle types
Load types
Numbers

[Barnes]

Thanks. What about the convoy composition?
Vehicle types
Load types
Numbers

Six Decommissoned US Army M35 Trucks, transporting Rice/water, etc. Plus two landrover defenders, containing medical personal.

[goat89]

Questions:
Placement of enemy combatants?
Level of training of enemy combatants?
Availability of air cover?
Terrain? (Desert/Savannah?)

[California Joe]

Where's Ravage and his "Littlebird" fixation...Wouldn't it be prudent to budget for a couple of overhead cover type helos? Rotorhead would probably fly for free...Just an idea. The convoy guys might appreciate it...

[safety_match]

Anyone have a contour map of the primary location?

[Snoshi]

Where's Ravage and his "Littlebird" fixation...Wouldn't it be prudent to budget for a couple of overhead cover type helos? Rotorhead would probably fly for free...Just an idea. The convoy guys might appreciate it...

I dont know if they would be able to stay alive for long, we should not forget that Sudan supports Janjaweed and Sudan have Mi-24's and fixed wing aircraft

[FriFraFro]

Where is the convoy comming from and what is the distance it must travel from A to B and does it need to be escorted back?
Fuelstation on the compound?

[California Joe]

Good point. But doesn't that mean they could just strafe the sh*t out of our convoys anytime they felt like it?

[SBL]

I dont know if they would be able to stay alive for long, we should not forget that Sudan supports Janjaweed and Sudan have Mi-24's and fixed wing aircraft

Should we anticipate having to deal with the 'official' Sudanese armed forces, though? We're trying to protect some camps, not overthrow the government. Would the Sudanese government be willing to commit their resources to fighting an AU-sanctioned mission?
I like the idea of a cover helo.

[perdurabo]

something like robinson r44 or rotorway exec wouldnt cost much but would give eyes, prabably there is posibility tu buy or hire som old helo like Jetranger or Aluette in region...
http://www.veheli.com/images/sale.jpg
450k for R44

[Barnes]

A Hughes 500 is easily obtainable for $500,000 or an UH1-H for $400K.

[goat89]

A Hughes 500 is easily obtainable for $500,000 or an UH1-H for $400K.
I like. Can we paint it? ;)

[Barnes]

No need, comes ready painted in OD p-)

[goat89]

No need, comes ready painted in OD p-)
Paint with Shark face Vietnam style? Plz? ;)

[ardent]

I am thinking of maybe setting up an informer network within the surrounding area. If not in in the enemy themselves then employing young adults in the surrounding hills with mobile phones.

EDIT: I say this because i do not know whether the enemy react to bribes or are they too religious with a heavy induction system..

[Ironsight06]

I doubt that's feasible. Leasing a helicopter maybe...

[SBL]

I doubt that's feasible. It would be possible to lease a helicopter at most.

A possibility.

Russia proposing choppers for Darfur force
(*******)

6 March 2008

UNITED NATIONS - Russia is proposing to supply some of the helicopters the United Nations has been urgently seeking to back up the U.N./African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur, Moscow’s U.N. ambassador said on Wednesday.
“The most likely scenario of the use of Russian helicopters would be Russia supplying the helicopters with crews from other countries,” said envoy Vitaly Churkin.
The United Nations has for months been seeking six attack and 18 transport helicopters to support the planned 26,000-member UNAMID force, which is starting to deploy in the violence-torn Darfur region of western Sudan.
The U.N. peacekeeping department says the helicopters are essential for UNAMID to operate in an area the size of France.
Countries have been slow to respond. The United Nations has accepted four attack helicopters from Ethiopia and is discussing transport helicopters with Ethiopia and Bangladesh.
Churkin said the Russians offered several helicopters that could be used in the desert, but he had no further details.
He also said Russia would send helicopters and crews to work with Euro pean Union peacekeepers in neighboring Chad.
The lack of helicopters has been one of many problems slowing deployment of UNAMID, which is replacing an ineffectual 7,000-member AU force to try to end five years of violence involving Sudanese forces, allied militias and Darfur rebel groups. International experts say 200,000 people have been killed and more than 2 million made homeless by the Darfur violence. Khartoum says the actual figures are far lower.
On the ground
Richard Williamson, the new US special envoy to Sudan, met U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday to speed the deployment.
“I think we’re wrong to obsess about the helicopters,” he said later. “Our immediate obsession should be to try to get peacekeepers on the ground.”
There are more than 9,000 peacekeepers in Darfur. About 3,600 more, from Egypt and Ethiopia, were to arrive in May.
Williamson said on a visit to Sudan last week he had urged President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, who wants UNAMID to consist mainly of African troops, to authorize 1,600 Thai and Nepalese troops the United Nations wants to send.
He said that in return, the United States was willing to help African contingents to deploy.
Williamson also said several countries are forming “friends of UNAMID” to help with training and equipment.
Diplomats said the group, to be announced on Thursday, includes the United States, Britain, France, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Tanzania, the Euro pean Union and the U.N. peacekeeping department.
The Save Darfur Coalition called on the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday to impose targeted sanctions on Sudanese officials responsible for obstructing UNAMID deployment and for crimes against humanity. It said these should include Bashir.
In a letter to Churkin, this month’s council president, the activist group’s president, Jerry Fowler, said that in March, ”Russia has the opportunity to play a crucial role in ensuring that the peacekeeping force is fully deployed more quickly.”
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theworld/2008/March/theworld_March220.xml&section=theworld

[Ironsight06]

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theworld/2008/March/theworld_March220.xml&section=theworld
Feasible financial wise.

[Suicaine]

price on MANPADS? i thought it was established on the other topic that there is considerable fixed wing and helicopter enemy forces. was thinking Mistral or Stinger type (can't remember the ex-soviet gear of the same generation) i was under the impression of round 30kusd/u for the russain one.

- Alex.

[SBL]

price on MANPADS? i thought it was established on the other topic that there is considerable fixed wing and helicopter enemy forces. was thinking Mistral or Stinger type (can't remember the ex-soviet gear of the same generation) i was under the impression of round 30kusd/u for the russain one.

- Alex.

If one of the dungeon masters could clarify exactly who we're up against, it would be appreciated. I was under the impression that this is a strict matter of protecting the camps and convoys from Janjaweed/Bandits/etc. and NOT the Sudanese government/Military, per se.

[Barnes]

- Objective



To organize a security operation of men and material, secure immediate area of camps and give increased protection for displaced persons in three refugee camps only feasable for one year.


The AU peacekeeping force have gone, its up to you to execute. Were not out on a sweep and clear, ROE's are defend if there is a clear threat to the security force or camp.

Janjaweed/Bandits/etc. and NOT the Sudanese government/Military, per se. - Correct

[goat89]

- Objective


To organize a security operation of men and material, secure immediate area of camps and give increased protection for displaced persons in three refugee camps only

With that, the FOB used is that of like Vietnam style firebases to protect the area?

[little icebear]

As long as the Little Birds wont come under attack by goverment forces, they could be a very effective weapon for recon and as a makeshift-CAS and for medevac.
Of course since the Janjaweed get weapons from the Sudanes Army anyway, there is a good chance that they get manpads and operators if they want to - but that´s a risk we´ll have to live with, I guess.
Although for Recon a small plane like a Cessna would be interesting if there was a road capable to be used as an airstrip.
How expensive would it be if one would hire an african bush-pilot? Would it make sense at all?

[Barnes]

With that, the FOB used is that of like Vietnam style firebases to protect the area?

Similar, yes.

[Suicaine]

If one of the dungeon masters could clarify exactly who we're up against, it would be appreciated. I was under the impression that this is a strict matter of protecting the camps and convoys from Janjaweed/Bandits/etc. and NOT the Sudanese government/Military, per se.

ahh ok, i understand, i had become confused on the matter and was under the impression Sudan would create some problems. thanks.

- Alex.

[Snoshi]

I dont know about the "chopper" idea. What will we do if it gets damaged? We will have to fly it to some other country for repairs that will cost more money.

If we take some chopper then let it be ex-soviet MI-24

[Suicaine]

I dont know about the "chopper" idea. What will we do if it gets damaged? We will have to fly it to some other country for repairs that will cost more money.

If we take some chopper then let it be ex-soviet MI-24
that would be the obvious choice, but again it might be another misconception but i thought that any helicopter would not be heavily armed and used for casevac.

- Alex.

[goat89]

Just for fun, these are Base defenses used by the South Korean Military during the Vietnam War. All pics are from blue_shark who took it from www.vietvet.co.kr (http://www.vietvet.co.kr/).

[orange]

Buying a Little Bird seems a bit over the top but as somebody already said, a couple of R44's would give some great recon capabilities. We can buy some used ones cheap. One of the greatest pluses is the fact that they are very easy to maintain in flying condition, parts are cheap and you don't need alot of training to reapair, or to even fly one.

If we would go for the 44 we could probably even put some guys with m249's or equivalent in the back to provide some aircover for the convoy and recces. Heck, let 'em lob 'nades from the back to.

We don't need any Mi-24 or other gunships. We simply can't afford them.

[SBL]

I What will we do if it gets damaged? We will have to fly it to some other country for repairs that will cost more money.

If we take some chopper then let it be ex-soviet MI-24

If you could fly it to another country, why wouldn't you repair it at camp? According to the article as of March 9, the Russians are considering loaning helos to the UN/AU mission. If it's decided we go that route, the presumably that means spare parts as well.

[safety_match]

Can anyone help with some wholesale price guidelines?
For instance, how much for:
500 AKM
1000000 rounds 7.62
50 PKM
750000 rounds 7.62
10 14.5mm
50000 rounds 14.5
8 82mm Mortars
1000 82mm flares
250 82mm Anti-Personnel
250 82mm HE
36 RPG7
500 RPG7 rounds
100 fragmentation grenades
500 Uniforms

Just rough guidelines if possible.

[Dave-Sappy]

These coup threads are great! They make fantastic reading! For vehicles try Jankel...they do work on old Landcruisers...They would make perfect vehicles for the operation.
Website: www.jankel.com (http://www.jankel.com)
Thanks for the entertaining reading guys!

[Snoshi]

Maybe we can get an UAV instead? Much cheaper then getting a recon chopper

[safety_match]

These coup threads are great! They make fantastic reading! For vehicles try Jankel...they do work on old Landcruisers...They would make perfect vehicles for the operation.
Website: www.jankel.com (http://www.jankel.com)
Thanks for the entertaining reading guys!
At what cost? Their vehicles look great, but I don't think they come at toyota prices.

[SBL]

Maybe we can get an UAV instead? Much cheaper then getting a recon chopper

I had the impression the chopper was for convoy overwatch, not necessarily for reconnaissance.

[orange]

I had the impression the chopper was for convoy overwatch, not necessarily for reconnaissance.
Or both..?

It can stay over the convoy and/or scout ahead and it can also make passes of the base outer perimiters at times. Fuel is cheap there I belive.

[Dave-Sappy]

Thats true...I'm unsure as to the cost of such vehicles. A few of the ambulances or the 105s might be useful for the convoys... Depends on if a few armoured transports or such would be really necessary.
Re the helicopters, I can't see a helicopter such as an Mi-24 being useful..upkeep and armaments would surely be too expensive, and maybe provocative towards the Sudanese government (?)
Agree on the R44s though, They would certainly have a multitude of uses.

(My knowledge of such things is limited however, being a 20 year old student!)

[SBL]

Or both..?

Right. Which is why I like the helicopter idea. Flexible.

[Snoshi]

Right. Which is why I like the helicopter idea. Flexible.

Like one article said, Janjaweed get their weapons from Sudan and if they would find out that there is a hostile chopper in a region then they would get Strela or any other MANPADS without a problem. That will create a situation where the chopper will have to fly at high altitude to avoid AA fire and it will be reduced to a recon roll that UAV's are better at.

[goat89]

Right. Which is why I like the helicopter idea. Flexible.
Where the heck is Ravage when you need him? ;)

[BloodyTalon]

- Objective



To organize a security operation of men and material, secure immediate area of camps and give increased protection for displaced persons in three refugee camps only feasable for one year.


The AU peacekeeping force have gone, its up to you to execute. Were not out on a sweep and clear, ROE's are defend if there is a clear threat to the security force or camp.

Janjaweed/Bandits/etc. and NOT the Sudanese government/Military, per se. - Correct
I think we should take into consideration that the Sudanese government may intervene as they've done in the past. If we fend off a few initial attacks, It won't be long until the Janjaweed try and get some CAS to drive us off. If they do, i suggest we invest in a little more than a few MANPADs. I think 3-6 Avengers or a cheaper equivalent vehicle would suffice.

[oscarni]

I think frankly that Helicopters are the only way to go, with Helicopters as over watch means that you aren't required to equip the convoy with too many road vehicles, hell if you get the right helicopters, you could have a troop carrier and escorts.

Hell you don't have to look at current helicopters or brand new aircraft, I thinking Chinese or Soviet Surplus, hell from the 60's if need be.

At the minute my Air Arm is around $5mil for the year, including pilots and maintenance staff.

Working on the ground force now.

- Phil

[safety_match]

UAVs require extensive support. Too much overhead for this operation.

[orange]

You could get a R44 for between $200k-$500k depending on year and equipment but say that we get one that's a couple of years old with mainly all of the necessities and some extra gear it would cost us around $300k-$350k. That's pretty cheap for what we get.


Like one article said, Janjaweed get their weapons from Sudan and if they would find out that there is a hostile chopper in a region then they would get Strela or any other MANPADS without a problem. That will create a situation where the chopper will have to fly at high altitude to avoid AA fire and it will be reduced to a recon roll that UAV's are better at.
If we attack them they would probably do that but if we don't, who knows..? If we just provide security for the camps and don't stroll out to far from them, they might not be that hostile. We need to take some chances and a helo, if up and running, would be a great plus.

[Barnes]

As a Private security company, how easy would you think it be, to obtain UAV? I was under the impression, these were rescricted to military use.

[SBL]

For all of those who are suggesting the use of MANPADs or Sudanese jets,etc; I really don't think those are legitimate fears.
It's a Humanitarian/Security op, and I don't think either the Sudanese goverment have the desire or the wherewithal to go toe-to-toe with an internationally-sanctioned mission. While I think the odd Sudanese-supplied MANPAD is feasible, I wouldn't consider it such a risk as to abandon such a flexible/useful resource as a helicopter.
It's my opinion that if things escalated to the point where there were fears of jet-attack or regular MANPAD use, the mission itself would likely change anyway.

[orange]

For all of those who are suggesting the use of MANPADs or Sudanese jets,etc; I really don't think those are legitimate fears.
It's a Humanitarian/Security op, and I don't think either the Sudanese goverment have the desire or the wherewithal to go toe-to-toe with an internationally-sanctioned mission. I think the odd MANPAD is feasible, but I wouldn't consider it such a risk as to abandon such a flexible/useful resource as a helicopter.
I'm with SBL on this.

Does Barnes or Hellfish have any input around this matter?

[Snoshi]

UAVs require extensive support. Too much overhead for this operation.

Not necessary. We can get something like this
http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/aircraft/uav/skylark2/skylark2_4.jpg

[Barnes]

The only time your going to venture from the security of the camp, is the midweek convoy, im sensing people want to start a war rofl

[goat89]

No, no we don't. *Sharpens knife, lights cigar and smile* :)
We need the old guns like CJ, Hellfish, etc. to guide us. Where are they?

[Snoshi]

The only time your going to venture from the security of the camp, is the midweek convoy, im sensing people want to start a war rofl

So we are NOT buying the MLRS? :)

[Dave-Sappy]

For all of those who are suggesting the use of MANPADs or Sudanese jets,etc; I really don't think those are legitimate fears.
It's a Humanitarian/Security op, and I don't think either the Sudanese goverment have the desire or the wherewithal to go toe-to-toe with an internationally-sanctioned mission. I think the odd MANPAD is feasible, but I wouldn't consider it such a risk as to abandon such a flexible/useful resource as a helicopter.

Agreed...A helicopter would provide so many options; recon, protection, supplies, Casevacs even. As others have said, a UAV would be difficult to maintain and anyway, with helicopters you get eveything you get from a UAV plus more, and on a tight budget you need all the options you can get!

With regards the protection of the camps, How many are in the 3 camps all together? I guess the more people the more it might be necessary to factor in medical staff etc...last thing you want is unsettled refugees.

[Barnes]

Ok,

To tell you the truth, i was not overly keen on a whirly bird. But with anything i do, i like to know whats around me. You would have to map out a safe route, because as you study the area, there are villiages nearby perfect for an ambush. From the centre of the camp, you have a perfect 360 field of fire. Thats great for about a couple miles with the naked eye.

But I would also like to know beyond, like its already been stated Helo's good for Medevac, recon and convoy protection. To be honest, I would prefer wheeled transport but thats just a personal preference. UAV bad idea.

[SBL]

^I'm saying that a 'weed might be less likely to mess with a convoy at all if he knows there is an armed chopper overhead that would most likely spot him before he could get close enough to effect an attack. Medivac, Recon, etc. all an added bonus.

[James]

The only time your going to venture from the security of the camp, is the midweek convoy, im sensing people want to start a war rofl

Part of conducting a good defense is putting security patrols out beyond your perimeter. In this case the open ness of the terrain might negate that need if we're able to use rotary wing assets to conduct daily sweeps of the area. But then, what if we do see a horde of Janjaweed moving to the attack? Are we to let them approach the camp and conduct an assault? To me, sending a force to meet them or ambush them is completely within the realm of "defense".

Honestly, I'd be very tempted to organize a small force along the lines of the LRDG during the North African campaign - small and highly mobile, outfitted with good radios. Get eyes on the Janja, FAR away from the camps, and call in air.

[Snoshi]

About infantry weapons. Should we get mortars? They would be effective if used against incoming infantry.

[Dave-Sappy]

Honestly, I'd be very tempted to organize a small force along the lines of the LRDG during the North African campaign - small and highly mobile, outfitted with good radios. Get eyes on the Janja, FAR away from the camps, and call in air.

What kind of air would you call in? With the tight budget id imagine anything above a basic gunship would be unfeaseable. The LRDG concept sounds good, Would you use a combination of trained locals and western soldiers to do it or just exclusively western PMCs?

Not picking apart your ideas at all, just a fascinated reader interested in the plans of a far more knowledgeable person!

[FriFraFro]

About infantry weapons. Should we get mortars? They would be effective if used against incoming infantry.

I think so, zero in on all main routes, and maybe some high profile well mapped minefields.

[Flagg]

Part of conducting a good defense is putting security patrols out beyond your perimeter. In this case the open ness of the terrain might negate that need if we're able to use rotary wing assets to conduct daily sweeps of the area. But then, what if we do see a horde of Janjaweed moving to the attack? Are we to let them approach the camp and conduct an assault? To me, sending a force to meet them or ambush them is completely within the realm of "defense".

Honestly, I'd be very tempted to organize a small force along the lines of the LRDG during the North African campaign - small and highly mobile, outfitted with good radios. Get eyes on the Janja, FAR away from the camps, and call in air.

Exactly!

Very open terrain combined with a very active insurgency would call for(in my book) aggressive and reasonably long range vehicle based clearing patrols(3-4 vehicles each). 1-2 GPMG-sized weapons each wagon, 2-4 heavy machine guns per patrol, 1-2 ATGM launcher(s) per patrol, 1 RPG launcher per wagon, 2 NVG per wagon, enough to sustain a 1-2 week patrol, 3-4 pers in each wagon

I'd dedicate a light fixed wing manned aircraft(or commercial unmanned UAV if more cost effective) with NVG/FLIR as lead scout during patrolling and as overhead sentry during harbouring...out of a total fleet of 3.

I'm thinking 2 Helos.....probably Mi17/35 with one kept on 24/7 standby for QRF/MEDEVAC.

I don't think R22/R44 is big enough for QRF/MEDEVAC..I'd rather use light fixed wing......and use bare minimum numbers of full sized Helos for the rough stuff.

I'm probably overemphasizing the likelihood of contacts...but I'm thinking small scale Desert Scorpions meets Fireforce and maybe even contingency Pseudo operations :)

[safety_match]

I'm probably overemphasizing the likelihood of contacts...but I'm thinking small scale Desert Scorpions meets Fireforce and maybe even contingency Pseudo operations :)
I have already got a total of 60 man months worth of small team and 24 months worth of intel budgeted.
:D

Not going to go pseudo, but we need situational awareness.

[little icebear]

...and maybe some high profile well mapped minefields.

"Who are you guys?"
Oh, we´re the security-detail for the refugee camp.
"And those men of yours over there? What are they doing?"
Uhm, nothin´... preparing the minefield, I guess. Not a big deal, fellow.

:D

But I think mortars are all right. ;)

[Alpheus]

Can I join in?
I'm no good with logistics/money management, but I've got a few thoughts on the camps. More later when I've put pen to paper, as it were.

[BloodyTalon]

Can I join in?
I'm no good with logistics/money management, but I've got a few thoughts on the camps. More later when I've put pen to paper, as it were.
Go ahead. The more the merrier. :D

[goat89]

Go ahead. The more the merrier. :D
CRACK ON. :)

[Hellfish]

^I'm saying that a 'weed might be less likely to mess with a convoy at all if he knows there is an armed chopper overhead that would most likely spot him before he could get close enough to effect an attack. Medivac, Recon, etc. all an added bonus.

If you can find the price of buying (or leasing) and operational cost of a helicopter (i.e. something like $1000/flight hour to operate) and you work it into your budget, go ahead.


Part of conducting a good defense is putting security patrols out beyond your perimeter. In this case the open ness of the terrain might negate that need if we're able to use rotary wing assets to conduct daily sweeps of the area. But then, what if we do see a horde of Janjaweed moving to the attack? Are we to let them approach the camp and conduct an assault? To me, sending a force to meet them or ambush them is completely within the realm of "defense".

Honestly, I'd be very tempted to organize a small force along the lines of the LRDG during the North African campaign - small and highly mobile, outfitted with good radios. Get eyes on the Janja, FAR away from the camps, and call in air.

That was what I was thinking, but more along the lines of the Rhodesian SAS or Selous Scouts flying column. Find the enemy and strike them before they can strike you. I don't know if the UN would mandate such an operation. At the very least some kind of long range LP/OP, mobile or otherwise, would be a huge benefit. Beats sitting around waiting for someone to attack.


About infantry weapons. Should we get mortars? They would be effective if used against incoming infantry.

If you can afford it and justify it.


Exactly!

Very open terrain combined with a very active insurgency would call for(in my book) aggressive and reasonably long range vehicle based clearing patrols(3-4 vehicles each). 1-2 GPMG-sized weapons each wagon, 2-4 heavy machine guns per patrol, 1-2 ATGM launcher(s) per patrol, 1 RPG launcher per wagon, 2 NVG per wagon, enough to sustain a 1-2 week patrol, 3-4 pers in each wagon

I'd dedicate a light fixed wing manned aircraft(or commercial unmanned UAV if more cost effective) with NVG/FLIR as lead scout during patrolling and as overhead sentry during harbouring...out of a total fleet of 3.

I'm thinking 2 Helos.....probably Mi17/35 with one kept on 24/7 standby for QRF/MEDEVAC.

I don't think R22/R44 is big enough for QRF/MEDEVAC..I'd rather use light fixed wing......and use bare minimum numbers of full sized Helos for the rough stuff.

I'm probably overemphasizing the likelihood of contacts...but I'm thinking small scale Desert Scorpions meets Fireforce and maybe even contingency Pseudo operations :)

I'm with you and James. I think aggressive patrolling, at the least, is required. Darfur is huge - 90% of the area of France. You're isolated and on your own. You have little/no support other than yourselves. You should expect, at least, the Janjaweed or a bandit attack. You need to be alert for that, and it requires a significant recon/forward presence. Simply building some bunkers won't do you good if the Janjaweed parks a Chinese-made 82mm MRL 5km away and hammers away at you.

[Alpheus]

Ok, a couple of things about the camp. First, it's less then a kilometer and to the border, only 4 km from the town of Adre, Chad.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o32/Bun--Bun/sudan_pol_1989.gif
With the camp so close to Chad, are we going to have to escort the weekly convoys through Chadian territory, or do the convoys originate some else. I guess I'm asking where do the convoys come from? Would the Janjaweed cross into Chad to raid aid convoys? If it turns out that the convoy don't need escorting, this exercise just become a whole lot less fun.:) Would we pick another camp to guard or what?

More on the camp itself:
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o32/Bun--Bun/campmap1.jpg

Ok, the white line with red dots is a mere 1.29km, and the square-ish one is 1.5km. I'm thinking the square perimeter is best, have our facilities in the SW corner.
I'm thinking a simply Hesco wall would be best, probably 1 wide and 2 high. Maybe a ditch/moat as well? Barbed wire/concertina/thorny bush fences? Bunkers/watch towers at each corner, and 2 at each gate, each with a PKM or something. What about the entrances? Vehicle traps/obstacles? More permanent/resistant fortifications ala concrete?
Use local labor to clear fire zones?
What about the water supply? Is it secure ala a well/borehole or is it trucked in as well?

[goat89]

Agressive patrolling... you mean like Long Range Reconaissance Patrols? Patrols which go in deep into 'unknown' territory and ID potential hostile targets? Or just 'hold/enforce gound' patrols?

[Hellfish]

What about just buying a bulldozer and building a berm? Why bother with Hescos if you can use a dozer to basically do the same thing?

[goat89]

Ok, the white line with red dots is a mere 1.29km, and the square-ish one is 1.5km. I'm thinking the square perimeter is best, have our facilities in the SW corner.
I'm thinking a simply Hesco wall would be best, probably 1 wide and 2 high. Maybe a ditch/moat as well? Barbed wire/concertina/thorny bush fences? Bunkers/watch towers at each corner, and 2 at each gate, each with a PKM or something. What about the entrances? Vehicle traps/obstacles? More permanent/resistant fortifications ala concrete?
Use local labor to clear fire zones?
What about the water supply? Is it secure ala a well/borehole or is it trucked in as well?
Hmmm... I agree on SW area. Pls look at my post on pg 4 for type of FB I am talking about to see if it works. About the dictces/moats... interesting... but wont it take too long?

[Alpheus]

If you go for a more firebase-ish approach with multiple bunkers/interlocking fields of fire etc, you'll need more then a berm. Is the ground/sand suitable for making into a berm, or will the Janjaweed's horses be able to climb over it?

EDIT:
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/omelet4th/berm.jpg

That's a pic of berms made in W. Sahara. I think this area is less sandy though.

[Hellfish]

If you go for a more firebase-ish approach with multiple bunkers/interlocking fields of fire etc, you'll need more then a berm. Is the ground/sand suitable for making into a berm, or will the Janjaweed's horses be able to climb over it?

When I was in Kuwait, we had a big, 7-8 foot high berm outside and a chainlink fence on the inside. There may have been anti-tank ditches here and there too. IIRC they were built really fast with a single dozer. It accomplished a couple things:

1. Prevented vehicles from approaching the camp (you can push out your perimeter as far as you want, and as long as it's under observation it's still an effective system - with Hescos you need to buy and transport more of them to use as a perimeter, leaving you inclined to keep a tight perimeter).
2. Silhouetted anyone trying to go over it
3. Prevented direct fire into the camp
4. Was easy to build and maintain.

I've seen Hescos deteriorate, but a berm is pretty easy to repair. Also less of a logistics load - gotta truck in all the Hesco bags, still need a dozer or excavator or something to fill them. I think the KISS option would be to buy a dozer - it's multipurpose (makes a great roadblock for the main gate), can be used to recover vehicles, repair infrastructure, etc - and skip the Hescos, unless you just wanna use them for internal structure protection.

[Alpheus]

Good points there Hellfish. Okay, so a berm sounds very doable. Something like this: Big perimeter berm, with a smaller barrier of some kind, like a another berm/fence with bunkers/observation points on the inside separated by a cleared area. Keep the Hesco for the bunkers/entrances/interior facilities.

After a close (as possible with Google Earth) look, it seems like most of the area around the camp is fairly sandy/not much exposed rock, so material for the berm shouldn't be a problem. The dozer would also be useful for other jobs in the camp.

What do you guys think about the location problem? Do we simply ignore it?p-)

[Hellfish]

What location problem?

[LaoSexMachine]

how much would it cost to operate two Hips year round?

[ChuckThunder]

We will NEED some covert foreign support. I'm thinking along the lines of Israel/U.S./Iraqi stockpiles of former Soviet bloc weapons and equipment. Even kit form WWII can still give the assclown militias in Sudan a fight, even if we just give M1's and Enfield's to the indig and teach them small unit patrolling. For us I suggest AK's & SKS's, GPMG/PKM/RPD/RPK's, RPG's, ect. We shouldn't need anything more than infantry and infantry support weapons. (DShk or M2 - ATGM: MILAN? - offensive frag grenades - SA7 or some sort of shoulder fired SAM). The only vehicles we would need are those of the 4x4 Land Rover and Toyota variety with fabricated anti-mine kit and support weapons for QRF and recce purposes.

We shouldn't need more than 300 men. Now remember we MUST be self sustaining, so we must consider things like months with most rainfall for water, relationships with international aid groups (will they be willing to provide medical support perhaps even feed us?), and what to do with these people once we liberate them?

Great topic by the way, look forward to other ideas.

[safety_match]

What about just buying a bulldozer and building a berm? Why bother with Hescos if you can use a dozer to basically do the same thing?
I factored an earthmover type affair into my price. Good to see I'm not the only one with this line of thought.

[Alpheus]

What location problem?

EDIT: Nevermind, I read up about the Janjaweed. Location is irrelevant, Eastern Chad is pretty much hostile territory. Though I still wanna know where the convoys come from.

[LaoSexMachine]

i will need about 2 company size personnel. a near by well will need to be found and dig. latrines will have to be expanded to accommodate my people and the refugees. i will need two surgeons at all time doubt they work cheap

[oscarni]

Viking Solution's
This is our bid for the 2008 Security Protection Plan for the Camps located in the Darfur Region.

Our Goals
Protect the Camps Population with a secure site.
Promote Hearts and Minds within the local area of Operations.
Conduct long range patrols to prevent further attacks within the region.
Peace Keeping in the Camp with Rapid Reaction Riot Control.Operations
Camps - The Camp will have a security force of 200 African Troops which will be trained by a number of the Gurhkas with Crowd control and improved small unit tactics. Camps will be closed at an hour after sunset every day. All people entering the camp will have a search to confirm no weapons or IED's, A newly formed camp council will then direct the new arrivals to a section or place etc. With roving patrols during night and day to prevent any crimes etc. Patrols along the fence will operate randomly day and night within the camp.

Base - This will be closed off to the rest of the camp except for workers or our personnel.

Convoy's - These will be operated with 2 Mi 8TVK's as close in protection, Cessna 0-2a operating in the over watch post, orbiting the convoy, the convoy's route will also be confirmed and scouted out by the O-2a and then a recce by a small group. The convoy will be escorted by 2 APC's and 6 Land-rovers, with 8 men in each of the Hip's a total force of around 60 men would be escorting the convoy to and from the base. The Med Evac Hound and another Hip would be on ready 5 status.

Air Ops - One Hip 8 would conduct a local patrol once a day randomly around 60 to 80 miles from the base/camp perimeter, the O-2a would be conducting patrols at around 200 miles out.

Patrols - long range patrols will go out on roving patrols around 100 miles from the base camp this will operate randomly with support from 0-2a on demand and helicopter support if required as well, these patrols will operate with 2 land rovers and around 12 men total. Mix Gurhka and African Nationals. Short ranges patrols will also operate around 20 / 40 miles from the perimeter.

Medical Services - As a means of getting Red Cross Resources the Mi-4 would be offered for Case Evac and Medical Support in the local area, helping hearts and minds and securing a cheap / free medical personnel ability. Good PR as well.

******** Air Arm *********
As much as I would like a few mig fighters and a few strike fighters, there just isn't the support nor is there a friendly airport within a useful combat range in the the region, that could be used as a local FOB for any thing that requires more than 100FT of Tarmac, so that leaves us with rotor wing or prop aircraft with a rough field ability.

All aircraft would be painted in the Israeli Close Support Camouflage unless otherwise stated.

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/848/israelif16gl2.jpg

1 - 1967 Cessna O-2a $58,000

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/5073/02bskymasterdisie8.jpg

Role: Patrol / Convoy Protection / CAS
Armament: 1x PKT 7.62mm machine gun [2000 rounds], 2x 57mm Rocket Pods [5 per pod] and 1 Molniya R-60
Combat Patrols: 2 to 3 Day - 1 Night - 2 hour Patrols
Update/Repair Costs: $10,000

Reason: Without support from the AU or Chad in-relation to combat air patrols or even in terms of operational intelligence this is going to be the key to keeping any large buildups of hostile troops from getting into the region without any one knowing, while they don't have a FLIR for night options, night vision optics will be the order of the day. Heavy support will also be key for escorting these convoys back and forth from neighboring countries to the camps and frankly I believe in Overt force and a willingness to use it.

Frankly the MIG's scare the sh*t out of me and well while I don't think that they would be a threat with the AU looking on, I do believe that should the Sudanese Government take a more overt hand, I would like the ability to deal with the governments wide range of military helicopters before they enter their effective range to engage either the camp OR the convoys, the O-2a's will fulfill that task. I also like the fact that the aircraft that take off easily with less that 300ft, even with a full load. This will only work if it fly's under a UN and AU mandated order.

DIY CAS Bird :)

http://www.usedaircraft.com/boardview.cfm?BBSID=13992&GroupID=9&CatCode=OFZ

[B]4 - 1974 Mi 8TVK's (NATO - HIP-E) Direct Air Support Platform $380,000 each

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/67/mi8dfst8607906wq7.jpg

Role: Convoy Protection / Base Patrol
Armament: 1x Tail PKT 7.62mm machine gun, 2x Side Mounted PKT 7.62mm machine gun, 2x 57mm Rocket Pods [12 per pod], 2x SPPU-22 Gun pods with GSh-23 and 400 rounds and 1 Flexible 12.7mm machine gun in the nose.
Combat Patrols: When Required.
Update/Repair Costs: $7,000 per aircraft
Note: Rear Clamshell doors removed, Stub Pylons fitted. 2 Aircraft will be in a ready 5 condition at all times the other 2 ready 30 with munitions fitted.

Reason: This is as close to a combat gunship as frankly the budget will support, the reason I selected this aircraft is simple, its the one gunship that many nations actually operate in this region, the examples which I plan to operate would be of ex-Egyptian / ex-Jordan examples and they are one of the easiest models to repair and keep running. Simply because they still fly and they are of a similar fit and well they are dirt cheap with these 'Features'. These models also have the integrated dust filters fitted. The reason I selected 4 is due to the belief that I can operate 2 over the convoy with one carrying troops and then the other purely for offensive action, another for defense over the camps if needed and then one down for maintenance.

1 - 1967 Harbin Z-5 (NATO - Hound-C) $37,000

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/9433/z5bjh9.jpg

Role: Humanitarian / Med Evac
Armament: None
Update/Repair Costs: $2,000
Note: This will be painted white with UN markings and a large Red Cross, Albania Air Force Surplus.

Reason: It will be operated as a general purpose craft for moving heavy aid and development supplies around the camps, they will also be used to aid people actually approaching the camps and should they be required they will offer medical aid to local villages, Hearts and Minds. They will operate as an Air Ambulance when the convoys are operating. Its cheap and the Albanian air force are currently scraping all their Z-5's for scrap and most are air worthy.

Personnel:
O-2a = 1 Pilot / 1 Spotter
Mi 8 TVK's = 2 Pilots / 3 Gunners x 4

Mi 8T = 2 Pilots / 2 Crew Chiefs
This aircraft will use Pilots which aren't currently needed for ops.

Pilot Total = 10 x $150,000
Recruited from Soviet Union Nations hopefully pilots with combat experience. Hopefully I could convince some Finish Pilots as a Good Cause?

Aircraft Techs = 10 x $50,000
Normally 4 operate per Hip, with 2 being the standard for the O-2a in Vietnam. Techs will be recruited from Russian Republic Nations if possible and African Nations.

Grand Total
Personnel: $2,000,000
Aircraft: $1,130,000
Spares: $1,000,000
Total: $4,130,000

********* Ground Arm *************

All Vehicles would be painted in the Israeli Close Support Camouflage unless otherwise stated.

--Vehicles--
4 - FV432 (APC with Fox Turret) $60,000

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/2265/image008od7.jpg

Role: Convoy Protection / Camp Rapid Reaction Force
Armament: 2A42 30 mm auto cannon

Reason: I believe that there should be at least some thing in relation to armored support for two reasons, tanks are scary things when they are trundling towards you and well the small arms protection is alot better than the respective land-rovers, another reason that frankly i believe should not be over looked is riot control and armored assets are not to be ignored in these types of situations, I live in Northern Ireland, I know! lol Convoy protection will also be a benefit.

3 - FV432 (Support) $52,000

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2870/fv432mortar1mp3.jpg

Role: Heavy Support
Armament: L18 81mm Mounted Mortar

Reason: Now I am not sure if I will be the only one with this option but well I look at it this way, the main threat will be from small arms and RPG's, no tanks, and should tanks come into play, the operation will change and hopefully UN and AU support will come in, but RPG's and the Helicopter force would have some strike ability against them. ::grins:: MLRS is out for budget reasons but I still wanted some form of ability to strike at long range should it be required, this is considering any losses in combat aircraft should the situation arise were the government get a bit miffed off. The reason I mounted them was the fact that I would be able to quickly react to any enemy action and then respond in kind. Plus I would rather try and scare the sods off if I could before fully engaging them and arty fire is a nice way to do it.

18 - Land Rover Wolf Diesels [Long Wheel Base] $8,000

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/5249/wolfja8.jpg

Role: Convoy Protection / Camp Duties
Armament: 1 PKT 7.62mm Machine Gun [When Required] and Rear Bed M2 Browning Machine Gun [When Required]
Note: Ex-British Army

Reason: Best in the world.

6 - Ural 375 (Covered Truck) $10,000

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/4555/start158xd8.gif

Role: Camp Duties
Armament: None

Reason: A two year old could fix them things. Used in alot of these nations in the region and a good cross country ability.

2 - 1956 Green Goddess Fire Engine $7,000
Role: Fire Engine
Armament: None

Reason: Should there be a strike or attack I want some form of fire fighting ability, either for the aircraft or in the camps

Spares - $200,000

--Standard Weapons--

250 - AK-74's 7.62 mm - Cheap Cheerful and every one seems to be able to use them.
100 - Berreta 92F 9 mm
5 - Berreta 50 Sniper Rifles
50 - PKM's 7.62 mm - Commonality between aircraft and ground forces, will be used on the perimeter.
20 - M2 Browning 0.5inch Heavy Machine Guns - These will be used on Landrovers and camp defense
20 - RPG-7's
20 - Shotguns [Rubber Bullets]
10 - Strela 2 [SA-7 Grail] MANPAD SAM

3 - L18 81mm Mounted Mortars

3,500,000 Rounds of 7.62 mm
200,000 Rounds of 9 mm
800,000 Rounds for Browning M2
200,000 Rounds of 30 mm

60 RPG Rockets
100 Rubber Bullet Munitions
400 Frags
600 81mm Mortar Rounds: HE, Frag, Lumm

800,000 Rounds for Hip's 12.7mm
600 57mm Rockets
4 R60 AA missiles

Including Spares and Pods

Total: $4,250,000

--Standard Kit--
British Rank System in Place.

300 Sets of Khaki BDU's
300 Sets of Boots
350 Mk6a Helmets with Desert DPM Covers
50 Sets of Dark Blue PSNI Riot Suits [Flame Proof]
50 Sets of Plate Carriers - Black
50 Riot Shields

300 Sets of American Alice LBV's WOODLAND
120 Sets of Osprey Armor Desert DPM

90 Sets of NVG's Gen 3
80 Radios

Total: $2,200,000

--Personnel--
I would prefer to use Ex British Military Personnel
80 x Gurhka Soldiers - $100,000
14 x Operations Officers - $140,000
200 x Local Trained Security Force - $20,000 Aka trained South African Fighters.
15 x Mech's - Contracted British Personnel - $500,000
20 x German Sheperds aka Guard Dogs

Medical Support - AU nations / UN Support With outside support from the Red Cross etc
Local Labour - $4 per hour

Local labour would be used were possible and they would be paid for their duties.

Total: $14,460,000

*********** Base **************
The camps will be enclosed by a single 6 FT high Barbed fence with a 200 ft dead zone in-front of and behind the fence with gun emplacements every 200 ft located within the camp, a 5ft high berm will then be built inside the camp around the perimeter. There will be one entrance into the camp with security and all aid entering the base and then spilt up and sent to the different camps. The Perimeter will be a large Rectangle with the base being broken up from the camps by a single 6 foot hit fence with barb wire and 200 ft dead zones etc.

Desert -- 200ft Dead Zone -- 6ft High Fence with Barb Wire Top -- 200 ft Dead Zone with Gun emplacements -- Berm 5ft -- CAMP

6 - Bermed Aircraft hangers with Tin Roofs.
10 - Prefab Buildings
1 - Rolled Flat 400ft x 50ft Strip
1 - Field Hospital
1 - Field Kitchen
2 - Living Locations + Rec + showers etc
2 - Diesel Generators for Base and Camp Perimeter Lighting and resources
4 - Ammo Dumps
1 - Cell Block
2 - Ranges, Pistol and Rifle
1 - Vehicle Park
2 - Water Farm
2 - Fuel Farm

Base Costs: $3,200,000

Grand Total $29,054,000
*Note the rest will be used for operational costs, such as food, fuel etc.

[safety_match]

How much is food and fuel going to cost?

[LaoSexMachine]

oscarni, fuel is not cheap and mechanics will probably a third of your personnel

[oscarni]

oscarni, fuel is not cheap and mechanics will probably a third of your personnel

Yeah I was factoring in UN or AU support in that area... [Fuel] The reason I factored in just 10 folks for the crew i have a book here on the Soviets in Afghanistan that mention a standard of around 4 mech crew per Hip and then 2 for the O-2a as mentioned on a site on the net and the Vietnam War Diary Edited by Chris Bishop.

Great Thread
- Phil

[Hellfish]

oscarni, fuel is not cheap and mechanics will probably a third of your personnel

Yeah, fuel will have to be trucked in as well, making it even more expensive and vulnerable.

[Hellfish]

Viking Solution's
This is our bid for the 2008 Security Protection Plan for the Camps located in the Darfur Region.

---truncated---

Wow. I like the effort you put into it, as well as the detail. I'll critique it in a little while.

[Alpheus]

wtf...... oh, Zeke and Hellfish have the same avatar! I thought I was going crazy for a minute there.

Ummmmm, that's some plan oscani. One thing, you forgot the ammo for your 30mm cannon on your APCs p-)
What about the possibility of IEDs on the convoy? Or do you figure your air arm will spot the planters?

[oscarni]

Yeah, fuel will have to be trucked in as well, making it even more expensive and vulnerable.

Yeah Fuel is always going to be an issue in Africa, I would have to edit my post and include at least 4 of my heavy trucks picking up fuel along with some AU transports and then run them in during the wednesday convoy runs.

lol yeah, I may have to cut back on some of the hip patrols, but hell, the internet is an amazing thing, I actually had a lot more choice in aircraft than I first thought, there are a lot of DC 3's, Sky Vans, Shorts 360s, An-26s for around 300,000 airworthy. Mi-8s' ranged from around 80,000 to 2mil plus and then the odd ones being a Vampire Fighter for 107,000 ex Swiss Air Force and Hounds for around $30,000, Hell I found a site offering Westland Lynx's for hire including support from 1,4 mil per aircraft. Support is another issue and you were correct in high lighting in, i guess I went with the aircraft that I knew would be cheaper to operate and support. I still think those Helo's are required, I could cut back to 3...

- Phil

[Hellfish]

I'd worry more about mines than IEDs, but operationally protecting against them isn't much different.

[LaoSexMachine]

as for food. 4 days a week will be hot chow the rest MREs. too many convoy runs if it were 7 days a week. some of t refugees will be hired as laborers and do menial jobs around camp.

[oscarni]

Ummmmm, that's some plan oscani. One thing, you forgot the ammo for your 30mm cannon on your APCs p-)
What about the possibility of IEDs on the convoy? Or do you figure your air arm will spot the planters?

I knew I didn't add some thing... ::edits and checks again:: Thanks Alpheus, yeah I am looking at the Air arm to keep the convoy routes under surveillance and then a ground recce a day before the convoy comes down the route, I had a choice mine protected vehicles or Helicopters and well I factored in that that IED's hadn't migrated down to Sudan just yet and with the convoys route being different each time will hopefully reduce the chance of a IED strike... Yeah mines could be a problem, in typical british fashion "There is a Med Evac Chopper dear boy, what more do you want?!".

- Phil

Next time could we have some water action lol

[little icebear]

Until now, I haven´t heard about the Janjaweed planting IEDs or laying mines.

They may chance their tactics as soon as they´re confronted with a force, not sitting on its hands, but right now, we are talking about Bandits who are known for raiding villages on horseback, sometimes they may use trucks.
As long as they don´t get direct support from the military (which has happened before), they have to rely on their handguns and RPGs.

[safety_match]

Yeah Fuel is always going to be an issue in Africa, I would have to edit my post and include at least 4 of my heavy trucks picking up fuel along with some AU transports and then run them in during the wednesday convoy runs.

www.containerworld.co.za is my supplier for all things boxy.
I've personally used their kit. Tough as nails and they deliver (They'll get it to Sudan no problem).
Their base kit: 3/6/12m shipping containers. Conversion to tanks for hazmat as well.

[BloodyTalon]

4 - FV432 (APC with Fox Turret) $60,000

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/2265/image008od7.jpg

Role: Convoy Protection / Camp Rapid Reaction Force
Armament: 2A42 30 mm auto cannon

Reason: I believe that there should be at least some thing in relation to armored support for two reasons, tanks are scary things when they are trundling towards you and well the small arms protection is alot better than the respective land-rovers, another reason that frankly i believe should not be over looked is riot control and armored assets are not to be ignored in these types of situations, I live in Northern Ireland, I know! lol Convoy protection will also be a benefit.
Two problems with having a tank in this situation:

1. I understand the "JESUS CHRIST IT'S A TANK, GET IN THE CAR" factor of having the FV432, but since a confrontation with the Sudanese military has been ruled out, the worse we're gonna deal with vehicle-wise with is a Toyota Hilux filled with overzealous militiamen. A tank is certainly gonna get rid of that problem, but perhaps its a bit overkill price-wise when there's other options out there that are more practical and less costly.

2. I don't think a tracked AFV would be an ideal vehicle for escorting a convoy. Even though we're likely gonna outgun the Janjaweed, we still want to get the convoy in and out of the camp as fast as possible to avoid any ambush and damage to the vehicles. A tracked vehicle isn't gonna be fast or agile enough to do this.

Instead of buying FV432s, perhaps we should instead use LAV-25s:
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/7846/lav25ef2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
They may not be as intimidating as a tank, but its better suited for rapid-reaction and escort roles. Plus, they will cut through Janjaweed forces just as well.

Also, if we are gonna get a bulldozer as a makeshift gate, why not go all they way and have a sweet IDF D9R at our disposal:
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/8051/d93li2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Alpheus]

The unit replacement cost for a LAV-25 is $900,000 If you just want a couple, it'll be more. And I doubt the USMC sells 'em second hand. And a tracked vehicle is better off-road then a wheeled one. Period. And maintaining some LAV-25s in the arse-end of nowhere will be tricky.
The IDF caterpiller is overkill too. As the gate? Are you kidding? What if it breaks down, then your stuck.

[LaoSexMachine]

patrol times and intervals will be random. keep any janja scouts/spies guessing.

[LaoSexMachine]

no need for a bulldozer. a 4 wheeled loader with backhoe will work just fine

[BloodyTalon]

The unit replacement cost for a LAV-25 is $900,000 If you just want a couple, it'll be more. And I doubt the USMC sells 'em second hand. And a tracked vehicle is better off-road then a wheeled one. Period. And maintaining some LAV-25s in the arse-end of nowhere will be tricky.
The IDF caterpiller is overkill too. As the gate? Are you kidding? What if it breaks down, then your stuck.
well...forget the LAV lol.

I still stand by my idea of using a wheeled vehicle instead of a tank for the reasons i mentioned; we're gonna need a fast vehicle and its not like we're going toe-to-toe with T-62s anytime soon. Maybe a South American Bushmaster would be a good choice...does anyone have any suggestions?


Also, I'm basing the bulldozer idea from Hellfish.

[little icebear]

I think some uparmored gun-trucks Iraq-PMC-Style should do just fine. No need for IFVs and APCs... keep the limited budget in mind.

[LaoSexMachine]

my gun trucks will be hilux or 350s

[Alpheus]

If you want to go off chasing the Janjaweed through Darfur, you've picked the wrong contract. You won't be driving on "roads" in the strictest sense of the definition, tracks are better in rough terrain. They just are.

lol @ zeke's 350 guntrucks.

[little icebear]

You won't be driving on "roads" in the strictest sense of the definition, tracks are better in rough terrain. They just are.

lol @ zeke's 350 guntrucks.

Have you followed the media coverage about Darfur? How many tracked vehicles have you seen in relation to cars?
Offroaders will do. No need for tracked IFVs and APCs, bud.

[LaoSexMachine]

long bed of course

[oscarni]

Intell Dump

Ok I should mention this, I was looking at the area of operations and well there is a Government Airfield less than 18 miles due east from the camp and well there is more bad news. It seems there are are at least 2 Mi8s or Mi17s, a Puma and well 3 Bo 105s and then 3 An-26s...

Maybe a over watch is in order or time to re think those MANPAD options lol

-- End Dump --


Two problems with having a tank in this situation:

1. I understand the "JESUS CHRIST IT'S A TANK, GET IN THE CAR" factor of having the FV432, but since a confrontation with the Sudanese military has been ruled out, the worse we're gonna deal with vehicle-wise with is a Toyota Hilux filled with overzealous militiamen. A tank is certainly gonna get rid of that problem, but perhaps its a bit overkill price-wise when there's other options out there that are more practical and less costly.

2. I don't think a tracked AFV would be an ideal vehicle for escorting a convoy. Even though we're likely gonna outgun the Janjaweed, we still want to get the convoy in and out of the camp as fast as possible to avoid any ambush and damage to the vehicles. A tracked vehicle isn't gonna be fast or agile enough to do this.
As for the LAV... Yeah I did look at wheeled Personnel carriers, mainly soviet BTR-60's, BTR- 80's and BRDM's but well I do see your point about speed as a rapid reaction force, I looked towards tracked apcs instead due to the regions geography, I also couldn't find any unit prices for those units either.... I like the fact that the FV432 has been used operational in this region, Gulf War 1, 2 etc Also most British Troops are fimilar with its abilities etc Also RPG protection is better with this tracked APC's than the soviet wheeled APCs. Plus I am buying second hand and well 60,000 compared to 900,000 is always a bonus lol But your points are well taken, but I would always consider my landrovers fast enough to move ahead with the convoy and a rear guard action with the FV432's, hell I think helicopters are pretty rapid lol.

- Phil

Note* I found some Czech T-72's for 55,000 / 125,000 euros and then some Czech self-propelled gun howitzer 152mm type 77 heavy arty for 35,000 / 90,000 euros, all serviceable!

[Alpheus]

Have you followed the media coverage about Darfur? How many tracked vehicles have you seen in relation to cars?
Offroaders will do. No need for tracked IFVs and APCs, bud.

I'm not the one who wants some IPVs or APCs. I'm just saying that all else being equal, if you are going down that road, go tracked. Though I get what you are saying.

Zeke, you gonna put hillbilly armor on 'em? p-)

[Alpheus]

Oscani, the thing about your air arm that troubles me is the Sudanese. All that firepower is sure to concern them, and they ain't the most reasonable of folks. Mess it up with them, and things will go south real fast.

I'd go with a lower profile, and hope the Sudanese don't escalate by giving the weedies some heavier toys.

[LaoSexMachine]

no. but a " dont mess with texas" bumper stick will be on all the trucks

[Alpheus]

no. but a " dont mess with texas" bumper stick will be on all the trucks

roflroflrofl

.................

[oscarni]

Oscani, the thing about your air arm that troubles me is the Sudanese. All that firepower is sure to concern them, and they ain't the most reasonable of folks. Mess it up with them, and things will go south real fast.

I'd go with a lower profile, and hope the Sudanese don't escalate by giving the weedies some heavier toys.

Yeah i considered that... Its a dammed if you do, dammed if you don't, No armaments on the aircraft, inviting targets, sudanese air force and rebels alike. Small armaments, yeah self defense could be claimed, but i dare say the sudanese government would still complain and damm it, if they are going to be bit*hing about something I may as well load the craft up as well as I can and make them as hard to hit at as possible...

Its a double edged sword...

- Phil

[little icebear]

Intell Dump

Ok I should mention this, I was looking at the area of operations and well there is a Government Airfield less than 18 miles due east from the camp and well there is more bad news. It seems there are are at least 2 Mi8s or Mi17s, a Puma and well 3 Bo 105s and then 3 An-26s...

Maybe a over watch is in order or time to re think those MANPAD options lol

-- End Dump --


Should the Sudanese Government decide to directly support the Janjaweed against our PMCs, than there are only two options left:

Dying a hero´s death or asking for a budget, big enough to take on the Sudanese State as a whole.
The latter option would be fun...

*ring-ring*

"Hello... ? What?! We hired you in order to protect a refugee camp and now you´re telling me, that you´ve just invaded Karthoum and seized the Presidential Residence?!"

:D

[safety_match]

no need for a bulldozer. a 4 wheeled loader with backhoe will work just fine
JCB Midi Cx Backhoe loader.

[LaoSexMachine]

the company will be called 'lone star pest and janjaweed control'.

[gammbino]

I think at this point what we need most is to know where the convoy is originating from. In order to plan manpower and equipment it is necessary to know the route. Seems logical that the starting point would be somewhere in Chad. Preferably an EU base, though I have no idea where in Chad they are currently deployed.

Adre seems like a fairly built up town and would be a short drive to the camp. I have no idea what the current security situation is like though. Also, I could not locate an airport nearby the town. If you look a bit south of the town there is a compound with what appears to be a fairly substantial wall. Maybe some Chadian forces based there?

There is a large airport in Al Junayah, Sudan with a long dirt runway. Seems like this is probably where we will have to bring in any heavy equipment that might be necessary. As a starting point for the convoy, though, it does not look ideal. The overland route would have to be long and indirect. Also from what I can gather that dry river bed to the east of the camp does flood. I have no idea where a bridge might be located.

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p24/gammbino/NewPicture.jpg
(The flames are apparently villages that have been attacked/destroyed by the Janjaweed. I have no idea on dates. It would be nice if we could find a list of dates and locations of recent Janjaweed raids. Blue tents are current refugee camps.)

The airport: Someone with more knowledge might be able to identify the fixed wings and helicopters
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p24/gammbino/airport.jpg

Without knowing the route it seems premature to start discussing equipment and manpower.

Edit:
Here is the compound I was talking about in Chad
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p24/gammbino/basezout.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p24/gammbino/base.jpg

[oscarni]

The airport: Someone with more knowledge might be able to identify the fixed wings and helicopters
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p24/gammbino/airport.jpg

Without knowing the route it seems premature to start discussing equipment and manpower.

Yeah I don't think that Sudan would even be willing to allow UN or AU mandated flights to operate from their airfields, the image above is the airfield, 18 miles east of the camp and well it would be ideal, but I doubt we could have access to it. There doesn't seem to be any air defenses... I still can't find any of their sodding fighters....

As for the aircraft... Its a guess and was mentioned in my earlier intel dump: It seems there are are at least 2 Mi8s or Mi17s, a Puma [Helo far on the left] and well 3 Bo 105s [Camo'd aircraft on the right hand side] and then 3 An-26s... Plus 2 broken up 4 engined curls?

- Phil

Note* You got to love Google Earth as a Operational Planning Tool, 11 attacks within 10 miles of the camp perimeter, using the additional levels in google earth you also have intelligence gathering abilities...
http://earth.google.com/ig/directory?pid=earth&synd=earth&hl=en&gl=gb&num=24&url=http://www.google.com/mapfiles/mapplets/earthgallery/Crisis_in_Darfur.xml&output=html

[SBL]

Yeah I don't think that Sudan would even be willing to allow UN or AU mandated flights to operate from their airfields, the image above is the airfield, 18 miles east of the camp and well it would be ideal, but I doubt we could have access to it. There doesn't seem to be any air defenses... I still can't find any of their sodding fighters....

As for the aircraft... Its a guess and was mentioned in my earlier intel dump: It seems there are are at least 2 Mi8s or Mi17s, a Puma [Helo far on the left] and well 3 Bo 105s [Camo'd aircraft on the right hand side] and then 3 An-26s... Plus 2 broken up 4 engined curls?

- Phil

I still say any publicly hostile action by the Sudanese is unlikely; all these fears of Mig strikes etc.
Between a government split three ways, an already negative global opinion; I can't help but think the fallout from massacring of unarmed civilians and perhaps more importantly their UN protectors would threaten to destabilize Khartoum. It wouldn't be worth the risk.
I think we can get away with a reasonably robust security force so long as we give take care not to appear too threatening.

[James]

I've been putting some numbers together... I'm basically thinking now, that if someone approached me (the president of a PMC/Military Support Contractor/whatever) and offered us $35 million to do this for a year, I'd either laugh in his face or tell him to go f*** himself.

Everyone who's doing this needs to factor in all the things like... Getting Americans(hypothetically) over there in the first place. A flight from New York to N'Djamena, Chad, is anywhere from $4000 to $5000 per man - multiply that by 50, and at least $200K is gone, just to get guys into the country next door!

Fuel? Food?

I think with a budget of only $35 Million, you'd get one helo that doesn't fly, a couple of trucks, and a bunch of guys who sit around waiting for something to happen.

Here are some of my figures:

500 locals @ $300/mo + $375 ea for kit = $1,942,500
15 terps @ $500/mo + $375 each for kit = $95,625
50 westerners @ $200K/yr + $1150 ea. for kit = $10,062,500
7 pilots and 15 maintenance/aircrew = $5,050,000
2 western Physician Assistants = $500,000
5 medics/nurses = $1,000,000

So, before we've gotten any vehicles or taken care of any logistics, we've burned through $18,650,625.

50 Hilux trucks @17,500 ea = $875,000
3 MI17 @ 2 mil each = $6 million
2 MI24 @ 3 mil each = $6 million

Now we're down to $5,775,625 to buy food and fuel, spare parts, any weapon bigger than an AK47 (those are included in "kit"), ALL of our ordnance, pay ALL of our operational costs, plus any contingencies. Oh, and since we're a private company, we need to make a tidy little profit too.

[LaoSexMachine]

im thinking the same thing. 250 mil. no less.

[James]

They should turn this around - give us the mission, time line, and ROE, and let us bid on it.

What are the ROE, anyway?

[gammbino]

After more research it looks like the location of our refugee camp is right in the middle of some of the worst violence. The rebels claimed to have taken control of Adre on multiple occassions. A major battle was fought there in 2005, apparently with 100+ casualties. The town was attacked again in February 2007 rebels claimed to have killed 100 Chadian troops. The hospital treated 120 injured civies. Generally, rebels will conduct raids then retreat back across the border.

Apparently the town is currently under control of government forces and there is a decent sized garrison inside the city (no idea how many troops). I also read that the town is a hub for international aid going to camps inside Chad and to Sudan.

One of the main roads between Chad and Sudan is located just south of our camp, strategic importance for rebels and Chad's government. Not sure if EU forces have deployed/are deploying to this area.

[Hellfish]

They should turn this around - give us the mission, time line, and ROE, and let us bid on it.

What are the ROE, anyway?

That's not a bad idea, but I'll let Barnes make the call.

[Barnes]

Ok,

After reading through all the new posts, there seems to be a problem with budget. I understand all the points rasied, i.e.. food, fuel. Hellfish and I came up with a figure and met halfway.

So far, Im amazed and impressed on peoples contributions. Excellect work. We want to have fun but keep things realistic, hence the $35 mill. We didn't want fleets of gunships/tanks etc.

With that though I hope people understand, this brief was put together quickly and there were bound to be kinks.

So on the strength of what on has been proposed, (which i also prefer) the plan and location stays the same. Ditch the $35 mill budget, take the details away and plan accordingly. Draw up and then submit and someone appointed will make the call on who gets the bid.

- ROE

Nothing in these ROE limits your right to take apropriate action to defend yourself and your unit.

A. You have the right to use force to defend yourself against attacks or threats of attack

B. Hostile fire may be returned effectively and promptly to stop a hostile act.

C. When a force are attacked by unarmed hostile elements, mobs etc. The force should use minimum action necessary under the circumstances and proportional to the threat.

D. You may not seize the property of other to accomplish your mission.

Remember

Your not at war.
Treat all persons with dignity and respect.
Use minimum force to carry out mission.
Always to prepared to act in self-defense.

With regards to a timeline, would you think one month is sufficient?

Barnes

[Suicaine]

just had an idea... rigging some up armoured gun trucks with GIAT M621 20mm's incase the **** really does hit the fan. (to complement the gun trucks with DShK's)

- Alex.

[James]

So on the strength of what on has been proposed, (which i also prefer) the plan and location stays the same. Ditch the $35 mill budget, take the details away and plan accordingly. Draw up and then submit and someone appointed will make the call on who gets the bid.

That's what I'm talking about! Now we're back in business.

[Hellfish]

That's what I'm talking about! Now we're back in business.

You better impress us. p-)

[little icebear]

I think hooking up with the NGOs responsible for providing help in the area we work in would be a good idea.
Who else has seen this documentation about the Ex-US Army Officer who´s been working as an UN watcher in Darfur?
He constantly said that his biggest wish was for some lads who can kick ass, in order to provide protection.

[Hellfish]

Not speaking with experience, but from what I understand the purpose of NGOs in Africa is to keep NGOs in Africa. If you know what I mean.

[Barnes]

As this thread is getting longer, i just thought i would remind (if you haven't already) read and re-read the brief on page one and that you understand it.

[FriFraFro]

Can we get some travel distances for the convoy, think this is essential information.

[little icebear]

Not speaking with experience, but from what I understand the purpose of NGOs in Africa is to keep NGOs in Africa. If you know what I mean.

I think I get what you´re saying but since we have to guard their convoy anyway I thought good contacts to the NGOs who do have some experience with working in this enviroment might be valuable.

[Chops]

A few thoughts...

Keep the Mi8s low pro- GPMGs only as door and ramp guns and painted in a similar pattern to the Sudanese AF sand and green pattern. Four I think is a good number with three operational (1x dedicated CSAR/CASEVAC, 2x convoy/patrol overwatch and QRF) and one down for maintaining. SADF crews. Cessna or OV-2 is another good idea- CASEVAC and route recce.

Vehicles- rather like James and Flagg's LRDG idea as aggressive force protection- LandCruisers, 110s or Hilux- GPMGs/PKMs and 12.7s/fifties if available. A Milan or two with MIRA would be handy too and a few bar mines please. Unimogs as motherships. Convoy protection should be gunned up wheeled MRAP- poss former SADF Buffels or commercial equiv- Mambas etc.

Guard force should be 90% local hires with 10% foreign national trainers (as many black exSADFie NCOs as we can hire).

Now where's Ngati the coup planner extraordinaire when we need him...? p-)

[oscarni]

Barnes,

I am reworking my brief to the new budget, aka unlimited ;) lol

I would like to ask, from what you had said in your adjustments, should we assume that we must provide TOTAL logistics support in relation to supporting our operations, aka I need a new jet engine for my helo's, I either need a C-130 or Hire an aircraft, transporting fuel in etc will be our response ability, could you also give us a idea of were these convoys will be coming from etc

Also our briefs should assume transporting all our kit into the region and area of operations and well what nations near by are friendly?

- Phil

Edit... Out of all the nations bordering Sudan, Kenya seems like the only one really without issue or problems in relation to support for western governments, Egypt maybe.. but damm that is one hell of a round trip for trucks...

[Dragonscript]

Question 1: Do i have to buy equipment?

The reason i ask is this. As an owner of a private security company, hypothetical, i would already have assets to commit so i wouldn't have to buy anything new. The only thing i would have to pay would be personnel costs, operational costs and insurance, unless i was self insured.

Question 2: NGOs

What kind of cooperation will we get? If one of my guys gets shot, will they get treatment or do i need to provide my own doctors?

Questions 3: Convoy

Do i need to provide the vehicles or are they provided? Can i change the vehicles to something else that i provide, like C-130s. If so, how many tons of food are delivered each week?

Questions 4: Prices

Anybody have any good websites on what prices for these kind of equipment are? Most of the numbers i find, which are few, vary depends on who buys what. What is the price that a private security company is likely to pay for a given piece of gear?

Question 5: Contacts

What kind of hypothetical contacts can i have? Can i say i have a contact in the CIA that provides me, completely legal, with basic Intel on the operational area so that if an attack is planned on the compound or convey i can get it in time to act on it?

Questions 6: Black market

Can i buy things on the black market, and if so what kind of prices am i looking at? For example, say i want to hire locals at 200$ a month and supply them with cheap, used AK-47s that i pay no more than 100$ for.

[perdurabo]

A few thoughts...

Keep the Mi8s low pro- GPMGs only as door and ramp guns and painted in a similar pattern to the Sudanese AF sand and green pattern. Four I think is a good number with three operational (1x dedicated CSAR/CASEVAC, 2x convoy/patrol overwatch and QRF)
4? just to protect 1 base and 1 convoy/week ??:roll: biggest helo i would buy is Bo105, UH1 and it would be 1 maximum 2 to have spare one...

[Chops]

4? just to protect 1 base and 1 convoy/week ??:roll: biggest helo i would buy is Bo105, UH1 and it would be 1 maximum 2 to have spare one...

Three camps, one convoy plus support for the force protection ops- minimum four birds. Plus having the lift capability to unass the AO in WCS is a definate morale boost.. You've never done a conop have you?

And a friendly warning son- lose the attitude asap.

[Daniel San]

1:250,000 topo map of Al-Junaynah (also called Al-Geneina) and surroundings:

http://unosat.web.cern.ch/unosat/freeproducts/sudan/CDE_sudan_west_Al_Junaynah_250k.jpg

or .tif

http://unosat.web.cern.ch/unosat/freeproducts/sudan/CDE_sudan_west_Al_Junaynah_250k.tif

Another better topo map:

pdf or jpg (I suggest .pdf) Raster resolution 90 meters with settlements in Area of operations:

http://www.cde.unibe.ch/sudan/maps/darfur/Release2-Sheet3-AlGeneina250k_high.pdf

http://www.cde.unibe.ch/Tools/GIS_Sudan_TS.asp#DarfurSheet3_1

Humanitarian access map (more info is good info)

http://www.humanitarianinfo.org/darfur/uploads/maps/planning/West%20Darfur%20Humanitarian%20Accessibility%20Map_A3_14Nov05.pdf

Reported road access difficulties during rain season:

http://www.humanitarianinfo.org/darfur/uploads/maps/planning/West%20Darfur%20Reported%20Road%20Access%20difficulties%20during%20rainy%20season_A3_Sept05.pdf

Al-Geneina town plan with helo LZ and NGO emplacement (few years old)

http://www.humanitarianinfo.org/darfur/uploads/maps/Town/Western%20Darfur_El%20Geneina%20Town%20with%20locations%20of%20NGOs,%20Security%20Sectors%20and%20Heli%20Zone_A3_16May06.pdf

http://www.humanitarianinfo.org/darfur/uploads/maps/Town/Western%20Darfur_El%20Geneina%20Town%20with%20locations%20of%20all%20agencies%20Sector%20&%20Heli%20Zone_A3_09Aug06.pdf

Al-Geneina Town plan

http://www.humanitarianinfo.org/darfur/uploads/maps/Town/Western%20Darfur_Geneina%20Overall%20Town%20Plan%20Map_A3_28Aug04.pdf

Accessibility through Chad

http://www.humanitarianinfo.org/darfur/uploads/catalogue/chad/CHD_accessibility_east_n_1sep04_A4PC.pdf

[Hellfish]

Nice, Daniel.

[oscarni]

Ok I now know just how painful logistics operations are, I am working on the principle that my base of operations is within Libya as a training site for my contractors going out to afghanistan and Iraq and as such my kit will all be there and transported from there to the camps in the Sudan, my ordered fuel will also be transported to that site and then transported to the darfur camps by my logistical assets.

I first used Northern Ireland as my base of ops and well it would have required me to operate at least 3 An-12's with a refueling pit-stop in africa before I even get to the camps, not to mention having to transport 18 landrovers would have required over 6 flights to ferry them over, hell that isn't even ignoring the fact that the FV432's don't fit in the aircraft and then ferrying hips 5,000 kms from my base to the Area of Ops, that can only really do around 1,000 km in ferry mod without armament. Sooo lol I have had to change a good bit of my plans lol

Ok question I have found a source of HIND's on the net and well I was wondering what you guys think?

http://www.pilotmarket.com/aircrafts/Aircraft_For_Sale/Helicopters/Mi/listing-12497.html

And here is some sources for equipment and aircraft costs:
http://www.tanksforsale.co.uk/Tanks_Trucks_Jeeps_for_sale.htm
http://www.tankride.com/Russian_Tanks_For_Sale.html
http://www.aircraftbargains.com/ad/525/buy/

- Phil

[Ironsight06]

After reading the topic, seeing some bottlenecks, I thought it would be useful to post some links that might solve some of the problems met:

Regis Trading (http://www.regis.co.za/): Armoured vehicles and prefab buildings, delivers all over Africa
N4 Trucks (http://www.n4trucks.com/): South African surplus trucks and armour
Draganfly Tango (http://www.rctoys.com/rc-toys-and-parts/DF-TANGORC/INDUSTRIAL.html): Commercial long-range surveillance UAV
Skylink Aviation (http://www.skylinkaviation.com/): Air charter to risk areas
Witham SV (http://www.witham-sv.com/): UK surplus equipment sales
Govliquidation (http://www.govliquidation.com/): US surplus equipment auctions
Armor Solutions (http://www.armor-solutions.com/hostile.htm): Equipment, vehicles and supplies, supplies to hostile environments.

[CombatBoots]

Ok question I have found a source of HIND's on the net and well I was wondering what you guys think?

http://www.pilotmarket.com/aircrafts/Aircraft_For_Sale/Helicopters/Mi/listing-12497.html


- Phil

1496:42 is not much flight hours on that airframe. No pictures shown, stated is that he got 6 helos but not all can have identical hours so I guess that given number is the minimum. though I get the feeling you were asking something else.

[oscarni]

1496:42 is not much flight hours on that airframe. No pictures shown, stated is that he got 6 helos but not all can have identical hours so I guess that given number is the minimum. though I get the feeling you were asking something else.

Yeah, that was my opinion as well, the thing i was wondering was the actual fact of operating a HIND within the camp for defense and convoy protection... thats what I am wondering about, I know tha UN/AU have HIND's as part of their deployed Peace keeping OOB so thats why i am wondering, 1 HIND would be ok in my opinion for armed recon but well i wanted to ask what you guys think?

- Phil

[CombatBoots]

Well it is hefty fireopower, scary beast... And it can carry a small force in or out. I wouldn't try attacking your convoy with a hind around. 1 helo is never, never a good idea... no machine is perfect and if you can't get it off the ground for some reason this big investment of money and trust in this machine will bite you really painfully.

[safety_match]

Yeah, that was my opinion as well, the thing i was wondering was the actual fact of operating a HIND within the camp for defense and convoy protection... thats what I am wondering about, I know tha UN/AU have HIND's as part of their deployed Peace keeping OOB so thats why i am wondering, 1 HIND would be ok in my opinion for armed recon but well i wanted to ask what you guys think?

- Phil
2 is 1. 1 is none.
I'd hate to sound so corny but that about covers it.

[oscarni]

Well it is hefty fireopower, scary beast... And it can carry a small force in or out. I wouldn't try attacking your convoy with a hind around. 1 helo is never, never a good idea... no machine is perfect and if you can't get it off the ground for some reason this big investment of money and trust in this machine will bite you really painfully.

Yeah I am look at 2 hinds and then 2 hips, but well I am finding it hard at the minute to work it out without know how far the convoy will be traveling etc, can brian give us a heads up on this, as this will effect any helicopter support.
- Phil

[perdurabo]

Ok I now know just how painful logistics operations are, I am working on the principle that my base of operations is within Libya as a training site for my contractors going out to afghanistan and Iraq and as such my kit will all be there and transported from there to the camps in the Sudan, my ordered fuel will also be transported to that site and then transported to the darfur camps by my logistical assets.

I first used Northern Ireland as my base of ops and well it would have required me to operate at least 3 An-12's with a refueling pit-stop in africa before I even get to the camps, not to mention having to transport 18 landrovers would have required over 6 flights to ferry them over, hell that isn't even ignoring the fact that the FV432's don't fit in the aircraft and then ferrying hips 5,000 kms from my base to the Area of Ops, that can only really do around 1,000 km in ferry mod without armament. Sooo lol I have had to change a good bit of my plans lol

Ok question I have found a source of HIND's on the net and well I was wondering what you guys think?

http://www.pilotmarket.com/aircrafts/Aircraft_For_Sale/Helicopters/Mi/listing-12497.html

And here is some sources for equipment and aircraft costs:
http://www.tanksforsale.co.uk/Tanks_Trucks_Jeeps_for_sale.htm
http://www.tankride.com/Russian_Tanks_For_Sale.html
http://www.aircraftbargains.com/ad/525/buy/

- Phil
maybe sending hardware by sea would be better option than air? (send to nearest friendly port then you could do short airbridge or maybe there is rail enough near to use it... -altough knowing africa there isn't)

[FriFraFro]

http://militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=129891

[Daniel San]

There is an airfied in ABECHE, Chad about 175 km away from ADRE, Chad which is at the border with Sudan. It is more than 1,5 miles long and paved.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=46856&stc=1&d=1206046085

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=fr&geocode=&saddr=adr%C3%A9&daddr=&mra=pr&sll=13.84458,20.84321&sspn=0.06317,0.062656&ie=UTF8&ll=13.829662,20.833082&spn=0.063174,0.062656&t=h&z=14

On one of the maps I posted, there is a runway near ADRE, Chad but it isn't paved. VERY NEAR AREA OF OPERATIONS.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=46857&stc=1&d=1206046085

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=fr&geocode=&saddr=adr%C3%A9&daddr=&mra=pr&sll=13.84458,20.84321&sspn=0.06317,0.062656&ie=UTF8&ll=13.481314,22.180839&spn=0.007908,0.011351&t=h&z=17

Airfields in the vicinity:

http://www.humanitarianinfo.org/darfur/uploads/catalogue/chad/CHD_accessibility_east_n_1sep04_A4PC.pdf



There are two different airfields near EL-GENEINA, Sudan. One north of the town, the other north-east of the town. Runways aren't paved. But it is Sudan so it might be more appropriate to land in Chad.


Heavier equipment (Helos, Vehs, etc.) could land in ABECHE and could be trucked in to SUDAN while supplies and personel could land in ADRE.

The road from ABECHE to ADRE is an important supply route for the humanitarian effort in Sudan. It is large and well troden. It goes by the airport in ADRE.

[Dragonscript]

maybe sending hardware by sea would be better option than air? (send to nearest friendly port then you could do short airbridge or maybe there is rail enough near to use it... -altough knowing africa there isn't)


Unless you are going to truck half way cross Africa, you'll need to steam up the nile river. It looks possible to off load ship in Khartoum and drive 600 miles to the camp.

[oscarni]

http://militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=129891

Thank you!

Ok I would ask Brian and Hellcat to allow us to use this UN Base in Chad as our logistics point, aka the location of all aid coming into the camps, the location of our fuel, were our forces equipment will be airlifted out to by the UN etc does that sound fair? it means we all have to provide logistics support for some where with 400 km within chad... this would answer all our questions in relation to convoy starting point, logistics point, starting point etc.

I Second, ABECHE, Chad as the location of UN Logistics point and starting point of the convoy's!

- Phil

[Daniel San]

Brian and Hellcat

Who are you talking about?

Barnes and Hellfish?

[BloodyTalon]

Unless you are going to truck half way cross Africa, you'll need to steam up the nile river. It looks possible to off load ship in Khartoum and drive 600 miles to the camp.
Except we have to unload everything in Khartoum. Just because the Sudanese government isn't gonna fight us doesn't mean they won't try and stop us somehow, especially if a ship filled with military hardware shows up in the capital.

[oscarni]

Who are you talking about?

Barnes and Hellfish?

Yeah, bloody hell how did i screw that up... lol thanks Daniel

[safety_match]

Unless you are going to truck half way cross Africa, you'll need to steam up the nile river. It looks possible to off load ship in Khartoum and drive 600 miles to the camp.
I was in touch with a specialised transport crew in Johannesburg today.
They do the odd relief agency gig now and again. Running rigs North is totally doable, but not easy.
Time constraints, cost, loss potential and difficulty are limiting factors.
Also, trucking shiny bits of kit through Africa is going to bring out the Magpie nature in most.

If you can be sure that a route through Sudan will be acceptable or possible the best bet would be Freighter to Port Sudan, rail from Port Sudan to Nyala, Convoy from Nyala to the camp.

[Hellfish]

If you can be sure that a route through Sudan will be acceptable or possible the best bet would be Freighter to Port Sudan, rail from Port Sudan to Nyala, Convoy from Nyala to the camp.

I really doubt that the Sudanese are going to let you use their ports.

Expect to have to ship all your equipment and supplies in by air to Chad, and from there land convoy to your position. Or obtain them locally.

[ed316]

I'll do it for 300 million because of the risk and year long duration.

Weapons-Eastern bloc. Heviest is a DShka. Indirect will be 60mm( static and defensive only)

Vehicles-Hilux or gun trcuks and two tankers for water and fuel.

Men- around 300 +/-. Most would be people from the region with military backgrounds. The remainder will be people from the west as leaders/trainers.

Aircraft. 3 Mi8s (all will be medevac/gunships fitted with PKMs).

Just my very brief idea. Will think of more later

[safety_match]

I really doubt that the Sudanese are going to let you use their ports.

Expect to have to ship all your equipment and supplies in by air to Chad, and from there land convoy to your position. Or obtain them locally.

That would be an ideal situation.
I'm not about to send anything through Sudan.

[Hellfish]

Where do we stand? Kinda quiet around here. Any unresolved questions/issues?

[oscarni]

Where do we stand? Kinda quiet around here. Any unresolved questions/issues?

Nope I think at least I am good, will have my finished brief in a few hours, I any objections to using the airfield in chad as my pick up point for the convoys etc?

- Phil

[Barnes]

I know i listed the time frame as one month, but people may submit anytime they like. Be nice to review what depths everybodys gone too.

[Flagg]

Where do we stand? Kinda quiet around here. Any unresolved questions/issues?

Finished first draft...should be posted tomorrow.

[goat89]

Finished first draft...should be posted tomorrow.
Thx! Anyone know how well trained are the bandits? I just want to know their morale and training. Thx.

[Hellfish]

Thx! Anyone know how well trained are the bandits? I just want to know their morale and training. Thx.

Minimal. They're basically local nomads who are armed enough to pose a threat.

[gammbino]

Nope I think at least I am good, will have my finished brief in a few hours, I any objections to using the airfield in chad as my pick up point for the convoys etc?

- Phil

Convoy will originate at the airfield in ABECHE? Seems to be the most logical starting point as lot of Darfur aid originates there anyway. My question is, does the convoy need protection along the entire route? Seems like, yes, as Chadian rebels are still operating in the area between ABECHE and ADRE. Weekly convoy of 110 miles along a decent road seems pretty doable.

Edit: Does anyone else keep getting the "Teen Forums" banner at the bottom of this thread!?

[Hawkeye]

Just your basic battlefield radar could be an excellent alternative to flying a cessna out every day. (read: more cost-efficient).

Just saying ...

[oscarni]

Just your basic battlefield radar could be an excellent alternative to flying a cessna out every day. (read: more cost-efficient).

Just saying ...

Yeah but the thing about those types of radar really only work with vehicles, so far only the Sudanese Army operate vehicles, I did see a SA-2 Radar set up for sale 800,000 that would be interesting for air ops. How much would a battlefield radar set cost?

- Phil

[Hawkeye]

Yeah but the thing about those types of radar really only work with vehicles, so far only the Sudanese Army operate vehicles, I did see a SA-2 Radar set up for sale 800,000 that would be interesting for air ops. How much would a battlefield radar set cost?

- Phil
I was just reading up on the BF radars, and they could detect a man crawling at 10km. That's not too bad, is it?

No idea about the cost though.

[Ironsight06]

Just your basic battlefield radar could be an excellent alternative to flying a cessna out every day. (read: more cost-efficient).

Just saying ...

Yeah but the thing about those types of radar really only work with vehicles, so far only the Sudanese Army operate vehicles, I did see a SA-2 Radar set up for sale 800,000 that would be interesting for air ops. How much would a battlefield radar set cost?

- Phil
Neither a battlefield radar nor an SA-2 setup are available for commercial purposes. :roll:

[Flagg]

Op Taiaha

Concept of Operations:

Mission:

To secure a forward operating base in an area of operations within Western Sudan, to provide security and peace enforcement support for three specific refugee camps within the area of operations, to provide proactive security for a weekly relief convoy, and to secure local and regional main supply routes.

Intent:

To execute a company plus sized deployment using a balance of maximum aggression, speed, firepower, and C4I force multipliers to dominate the intended area of operations, with particular emphasis on centers of gravity and MSRs, for a period not to exceed one year.

Execution:

The operation will be conducted in five phases:

Preliminary Phase: Conduct Pre Deployment Training

Phase 1.) Recce Group to intended AO, Move to FRV, Battle Prep, FUP

Phase 2.) Initiate overland move to AO adjusting to last minute Int derived from Recce Group

Phase 3.) Prep FOB, immediately conduct short distance clearing patrols with aerial overwatch, emphasizing defensive protection and completion of minimum Air Wing support infrastructure needs.

Phase 4.) Complete FOB, immediately conduct short/medium/long distance patrols with aerial overwatch including MSR recce, emphasizing AO dominance and conduct indigenous security support training.

Phase 5.) Begin convoy escort routine, continue and complete indigenous security training, begin indigenous logistical/public health training to ensure basic continuity upon completion of 1 year deployment.

Outline Tasks:

Preliminary Phase: (T-Day, minus 30)

Pre-Deployment Training will be conducted in the country with the best balance of: most similar topography, most sympathetic government, and most geographically/logistically conducive to executing operations. Short-list includes, but is not limited to: Chad, Libya, South Africa, Namibia, and/or Angola. The training will build on basics to ensure all participants are “singing from the same sheet of music” in terms of vehicle based tactical operations, open country operations, immediate action drills, communication procedures as well as ensuring minimum standards of physical fitness, medical fitness, basic emergency medical training, AO specific survival/E&E training, relevant laws of armed conflict/rules of engagement training, individual and direct fire support weapons training, and most importantly small unit team bonding.

Phase 1.) (T-Day –7 to 0 )

The Recce Group, consisting of:

XO
S2
Liaison Officer
1 Signaller
1 Loggie(SNCO)
4 Training Wing members as Close Protection and Advisors

Recce Group will focus on AO threat assessment, MSR(s) feasibility, primary and secondary FOB site selection, and make initial contact with NGOs and Indigenous centers of gravity to develop Int picture.

Simultaneously, the balance of the company plus deployment will be moving to the final rendezvous point, conducting their respective battle preparation and, once completed, awaiting command for execution of Op Taiaha at form up point.

Phase 2.) (T-Day)

Initiate movement of entire Operation Taiaha contingent overland in three groups, each group built around, secured by, and under the command of the three respective mobile pipehitter platoons. Support Platoon’s vehicles and personnel, as well as HQ will be split amongst the three to ensure overall unit viability is assured if one group is lost in transit. Platoon positioning within the company plus movement will be changed as conditions warrant. Training Wing will act as lead/cover/flank/rear scout as conditions dictate. Air Wing will provide sufficient aerial overwatch for duration of movement as well as MEDEVAC/CSAR support from FUP, until Air Wing support infrastructure is in place at FOB.

Phase 3.) (T-Day +2 to +7)

Begin construction of Forward Operation Base Selous, 50% work party, 25% FOB security & short-distance clearing patrols, 25% down. Clearing patrols are to avoid contact, where possible, and divert any potentially hostile forces away from FOB. Once FOB defensive fortifications are completed, including the use of such force multipliers as wireless video/acoustic/seismic sensor nets to reduce minimum personnel required for FOB security, the emphasis is now on completing minimum support needs to shift Air Wing from FUP to FOB.

Support Platoon’s is tasked with providing:

Medical Wing:

· 24/7 medical support up to and including immediate surgical/trauma care
· basic dental extraction/pain relief
· basic veterinary care with the assistance of Training Wing personnel.
· All serious surgical/trauma patients will require MEDEVAC from Air Wing once stabilized.

Air Wing:
· 24/7 QRF or MEDEVAC rotary wing capability
· Sustain 12 hours daily AO surveillance and/or MSR/patrol overwatch
· Provide limited rough field high value cargo transport
· Provide limited “Baby Puff”gunship support
· Provide limited Fireforce operations vertical envelopment and Command & Control support
· All Air Wing aircraft possess limited night operation capability.

Maintenance Wing:
· Limited depot level maintenance on all company equipment excluding radios

Training Wing:
· Developing indigenous paramilitary security force of company strength
· Developing HUMINT network
· Provide broad and deep specialist support for HQ as needed(handson battle space management, Int support, coalface Medical/Veterinary support, CSAR, etc.)
· Provide emergency reinforcement to pipehitter platoons as needed
· Provide Pseudo Operations development and management if needed

Phase 4.) (T-day +8 to +14)

Complete FOB, consolidate Air Wing in vicinity of FOB, begin patrolling sequences as follows:

The pipehitter platoon tasks are fourfold:

1.) Provide clearing/fighting patrols within 200KM radius of FOB under QRF/MEDEVAC/CSAR umbrella
2.) Provide weekly clearing/fighting patrol escort along, and up to 50KM to either side, of MSR
3.) Provide +5 minute mobile QRF capability
4.) Provide FOB security overwatch, depot maintenance, necessary low op tempo rest & recovery

The 3 pipehitter platoons are capable of providing ALL FOUR tasks on short notice for a VERY LIMITED DURATION . The company cannot sustain Task #1 & #2 simultaneously without impairing minimum critical QRF, safety, and welfare needs.

The pipehitter platoons are also capable of conducting proactive Fireforce operations and supporting Pseudo operations if the threat level dictates their use at the expense of impairing the four primary tasks.

Phase 4 is where AO dominance is achieved via aggressive and persistent patrolling, leveraging organic C4I force multipliers, and the capability and will to destroy any platoon minus or larger hostile forces within a 200km radius of the FOB or within 50KM of relevant MSRs.

Simultaneously, Training Wing will have completed initial vetting of local indigenous personnel into three groups.

1.) Indig Security: Indigenous personnel vetted for training as local paramilitary security managed by Training Wing
2.) Indig Support: Indigenous personnel vetted for training as deployment general labourers managed by Support Platoon
3.) Indig Skilled: Indigenous personnel vetted for training as specialists such as interpreters, vehicle mechanics, water purification specialists, public health/basic first aid specialists each managed by a dedicated mentor.

Phase 5.) ( T-Day +15 to +365)

Begin convoy escort routine. Convoy support will NOT be conducted on a normal weekly routine per the contract. Convoy timings will be randomized to reduce risk of hostile contact. If MSR road quality and/or threat warrants, night convoy operations will be considered to leverage NVG and Thermal Imaging capabilities.

Training Wing will conduct Indig Security Company training with the following benchmarks:

· Basic Training with emphasis on weapons handling, fieldcraft, basic first aid, squad/section level operations
· Static security as outer-ring of FOB security with emphasis on duties of a sentry and rules of engagement and clearing patrols on foot.
· Patrolling Phase 1, conducted on foot in immediate vicinity of FOB and especially around refugee camps to maximize PR value and vet out any wannabe warlords
· Patrolling Phase 2, conducted on vehicle in immediate vicinity of FOB with emphasis on successfully completing training scenarios
· Co-Patrolling, conducted with pipehitter patrols in the following order, short-distance, long-distance, and finally convoy escort.
· Handover, upon completion of the deployment the Indig Security Company should be capable of providing semi-independent convoy escort as well as FOB refugee camp defense with minimal external support at a basic level.

Although the size of the deployment is only company plus strength, Air Wing will have provided considerable intelligence acquired from overwatch flights for the Senior National Officer and his XO to make efficient use of available resources.

Considerable effort will have been made prior to the deployment and upon the commencement of operations to develop specific relationships with the following nations/organizations/individuals of particular focus:

· French government/military, especially in regards to Chad and the influence it has there
· Individual French Military and Foreign Ministry personnel in Chad
· Sudanese government/military, especially regional leaders/commanders
· Local Indigenous village/tribe/clan leaders
· Chinese government/military/infrastructure industries
· Individual Chinese…particularly suspicious ones with laptops and sat phones ;)
· NGOs

Force posture is best described as “active defense”. Due to the small size of the unit, due to the massive size of the AO, due to the desperate need for stability and aid in the AO, and due to a history of considerable and recent organized violence in the AO, all platoon minus or larger sized armed groups within the AO that fail to immediately disarm when challenged are to be engaged as safely as possible with respect to minimizing friendly casualties by maximizing use of speed, long-range firepower, localized information dominance (Comms, NVG, Thermal Imaging, aerial overwatch) and training/experience. The goal is to attrit ALL hostile forces within 50KM of MSR and 200KM of FOB to squad/section minus strength.


Personnel/Org

HQ: 10 pers
· SNO(Senior National Officer), Op OC
· XO
· CSM
· S2
· Signaller x3 (including 1 SNCO)
· Loggie x2 (both SNCO)
· Dedicated Liaison Officer

1 Platoon: 2 pers HQ(Platoon Commander and Platoon Sergeant)
· One One Alpha 14 pers
o Landrover 6x6 armed with 1x GPMG, 1x HMG, 1x Light Anti-Armour weapon, 1x DMR, 3x NVG, 1 HF/UHF/VHF kit, heaps of diesel and water Jerries, self-recovery kit, individual bug out bags

o Landrover 6x6 armed with 1x GPMG, 1x 40mm AGL, 1x Light Anti-Armour weapon, 1x DMR, 3x NVG, 1 HF/UHF/VHF kit, heaps of diesel and water Jerries, self-recovery kit, individual bug out bags

o Landrover 6x6 armed with 1x GPMG, 1x ATGM, 1x Light Anti-Armour weapon, 1x DMR, 3x NVG, 1 HF/UHF/VHF kit, heaps of diesel and water Jerries, self-recovery kit, individual bug out bags

o UNIMOG 6x6 armed with 2x GPMG, 1x MANPAD, 1x DMR, 2x motorbikes, 2x HF/UHF/VHF kit, heaps of diesel and water Jerries, lots of spare parts and recovery winch, individual bug out bags
· One One Bravo 14 pers
· One One Charlie 14 pers

2 Platoon 2 pers HQ(Platoon Commander and Platoon Sergeant)
· Two One Alpha 14 pers
· Two One Bravo 14 pers
· Two One Charlie 14 pers

3 Platoon 2 pers HQ(Platoon Commander and Platoon Sergeant)
· Three One Alpha 14 pers
· Three One Bravo 14 pers
· Three One Charlie 14 pers

Support Platoon
· HQ 3 pers(1 Officer & 2 SNCO)
· Medical Wing 4 pers (1 Doctor, 3 Physician Assistants/Nurse Practitioners, dental support limited to extractions/pain relief, surgical support limited to emergency general surgery to stabilize for MEDEVAC)
· Air Wing (6 pers Rotary, 9 pers Light Fixed Wing, 10 pers Cargo/Spooky)

*3 MI8/Mi17 Helos for QRF/MEDEVAC/CSAR/Fireforce

*3 Cessna 337 light observation aircraft for overwatch/surveillance/command & Control

*2 C47 Dakota aircraft for MEDEVAC/high value transport/Spooky Junior gunship/command & control

· Maintenance Wing provides vehicle & all kit maintenance & depot armourer(10 pers)
· Cooks(3 including 1 SNCO)

Training Wing
· 10 pers, the most experienced SNCOs in the entire over-strength company responsible for standing up an indigenous security force of company strength, providing broad and deep specialist skill support to the company in the following fields:
· Foreign Internal Defense
· 18D level medical/veterinary care
· HUMINT source recruitment and development
· Foreign Language(particular emphasis on Sudanese dialects, Chinese, and French)
· COIN
· Unconventional Warfare(Pseudo Ops)
· Convoy Escort Operations with particular emphasis on current best practices in Afghanistan/Iraq/Sudan/etc.


Recruitment of personnel for the Op would include specific focus on those with operational experience from the following units:

Rhodesian Selous Scouts
Rhodesian Light Infantry
Rhodesian Air Force, Fireforce specific operational experience

South African Army Special Forces
South African 32 Battalion

Any/all highly experienced veterans of the 70’s/80’s/90’s Bush Wars in Southern Africa

French Military personnel with experience in the 80’s/90’s Toyota War in Chad

Australian RFSU veterans

Commonwealth/US Special Operations personnel with experience on the African Continent or relevant experience(particularly convoy/anti-IED ops) pertinent to this operation.

For Aircrew I would look closely at South African ex-PMC pers.

For senior medical personnel I’d look to India possibly for a highly qualified general surgeon with long-serving current military experience or someone similar if budget was getting tight.

Budget and Kit/stores will be in my next post

[Chops]

Absolutely ****ing outstanding. Where do I sign? :)

[CombatBoots]

Flagg I'd buy you a beer and a cigar for this good work. Just don't ask me to I am near on broke. p-)
This is awesome, is somebody staging OPFOR to see if there are any holes?

[safety_match]

Op Taiaha


Makes my 9 Platoon setup look positively huge (Which it is. I'm going to have to cut it severely.).

I'll only be finished with my proposal next week. I'm including a lot of pricing and options. It's taking a lot more time than I anticipated.
EDIT:
Nice read Flagg.

[Hellfish]

Damn, Flagg. Nice.

[oscarni]

Damm Flagg... Bloody hell put the rest of us to shame lol Excellent Post

[James]

Flagg, I spent an hour in a plane in Cairo once - does that count as Africa experience?

p-)

[Hellfish]

Flagg, I spent an hour in a plane in Cairo once - does that count as Africa experience?

p-)

Hey, me too! It's gotta count for something if you can see Africa out the window, right?

[Flagg]

Here's my budget(Kit/Stores/Personnel):

Line Item Gear/Kit

1 MI-8/17 MEDEVAC/CSAR/QRF Helos
2 Cessna 337 Surveillance/ C & C birds
3 C47 Duel Role Cargo/Spooky Gunship
4 6x6 Landrovers or equivalents
5 6x6 Unimogs or equivalents(1 Heavy Recovery Variant)
6 Motorbikes, 250-400cc Scout/Message running
7 therman imagers
8 NVG
9 UHF Radios, commercial crypto
10 VHF Radios, commercial crypto
11 Handheld, short-distance intra-patrol radios
12 6m HQ Comms & Comms Maintenance container
13 6m water purification container & spare rubber water bladders
14 6m medical support container
15 6m mess/fridge/freezer container
16 6m workshop/spares container
17 6m POL tank container & spare POL bladders
18 Surplus Tentage
19 Katyusha wagon and 2 reloads each(FOB Defense)
20 IED/EOD/Demining Kit
21 ATGM + 8 reloads
22 MANPADs
23 Automatic Grenade Launcher(AGL)
24 Heavy Machine Gun(HMG)
25 Medium Machine Gun(GPMG)
26 AK47, 7.62x39mm
27 Designated Marksman Rifle(DMR)
28 Ammunition
29 Issue Patrol Order PMC
30 Issue Patrol Order INDIG
31 Early Warning Sensor Array
32 Sat Phones & prepaid airtime
33 Sat Internet, prepaid bandwith, WiMax transmitter
34 Pre Deployment Training
35 Fuel
36 Food
37 Transport
38 Operational Incidentals(In Theatre Kit Purchase, Bribes, etc)

Personnel Costs

39 HQ
40 1 Pipehitter platoon
41 2 Piephitter platoon
42 3 Pipehitter platoon
43 Support platoon
44 Training Wing
45 Indigenous Security
46 Indigenous Work Detail
47 Indig Specialist

48 Sub Total

49 Contingency Funds(MEDEVAC, Insurance, Indigenous personnel)

50 Profit Markup

51 Bid Tender

---------------------------------------------

LI Qty Unit Cost Total Cost

1 3 $2,000,000.00 $6,000,000.00
2 3 $150,000.00 $450,000.00
3 2 $250,000.00 $500,000.00
4 36 $75,000.00 $2,700,000.00
5 12 $100,000.00 $1,200,000.00
6 8 $10,000.00 $80,000.00
7 3 $25,000.00 $75,000.00
8 100 $3,000.00 $300,000.00
9 50 $7,500.00 $375,000.00
10 50 $2,500.00 $125,000.00
11 150 $250.00 $37,500.00
12 1 $100,000.00 $100,000.00
13 1 $100,000.00 $100,000.00
14 1 $100,000.00 $100,000.00
15 2 $25,000.00 $50,000.00
16 2 $100,000.00 $200,000.00
17 3 $50,000.00 $150,000.00
18 50 $2,000.00 $100,000.00
19 2 $100,000.00 $200,000.00
20 1 $100,000.00 $100,000.00
21 8 $80,000.00 $640,000.00
22 3 $80,000.00 $240,000.00
23 12 $20,000.00 $240,000.00
24 12 $20,000.00 $240,000.00
25 24 $7,500.00 $180,000.00
26 325 $500.00 $162,500.00
27 50 $1,000.00 $50,000.00
28 1 $1,500,000.00 $1,500,000.00
29 200 $2,000.00 $400,000.00
30 120 $500.00 $60,000.00
31 1 $100,000.00 $100,000.00
32 12 $7,500.00 $90,000.00
33 2 $75,000.00 $150,000.00
34 1 $1,000,000.00 $1,000,000.00
35 1 $5,000,000.00 $5,000,000.00
36 425 $2,500.00 $1,062,500.00
37 1 $1,000,000.00 $1,000,000.00
38 1 $2,000,000.00 $2,000,000.00


Average Wage Total Wages per Sub-Unit
39 10 $150,000.00 $1,500,000.00
40 44 $100,000.00 $4,400,000.00
41 44 $100,000.00 $4,400,000.00
42 44 $100,000.00 $4,400,000.00
43 45 $100,000.00 $4,500,000.00
44 10 $200,000.00 $2,000,000.00
45 120 $5,000.00 $600,000.00
46 72 $2,500.00 $180,000.00
47 36 $7,500.00 $270,000.00


48 $49,307,500.00

49 $692,500.00

50 $5,000,000.00

51 $55,000,000.00

One thing I forgot to include was about eleventeen jillion IR Flares, IR Cylume sticks, and reflective tape....for night ops. ;)

[Flagg]

Flagg, I spent an hour in a plane in Cairo once - does that count as Africa experience?

p-)

No worries, but don't forget it's BYOS( Bring Your Own Shemagh ) and BYOSPW (Bring Your Own "Seven Pillars of Wisdom" ). However, sunblock is complimentary :)

[Flagg]

Hey, me too! It's gotta count for something if you can see Africa out the window, right?

There is a simple 2 part test:

Can you say: " You come here with your laptops, your hand sanitizer, and your malaria tablets and think you can change the world!?!" with an Afrikaans accent?

And do you have the pants Leonardo Decaprio wore in Blood Diamond?

Owning the entire Rat Patrol collection, or the movie Tobruk, on DVD would be beneficial as well. Unfortunately, owning McHale's Navy DVD reruns, will not be very useful until the next littoral AO contract. :)

If you can meet these exacxting standards, you too can be a bearded briggand ;)

[LaoSexMachine]

Damn, Flagg. Nice. Where do I sign?

[James]

Can you say: " You come here with your laptops, your hand sanitizer, and your malaria tablets and think you can change the world!?!" with an Afrikaans accent?

And do you have the pants Leonardo Decaprio wore in Blood Diamond?

"Oim fraam Rhowdesia, right bru?"

I can do the pidgin too:

"Are you crase? You gum fight dem gubment troop wit dem new AK?"

That might come in handy if we need to interview a captured Janja.

I will find those pants, believe you me...

[Flagg]

March 24, 2008
Peacekeeping in Darfur Hits More Obstacles
By LYDIA POLGREEN

ABU SUROUJ, Sudan — As Darfur smolders in the aftermath of a new government offensive, a long-sought peacekeeping force, expected to be the world’s largest, is in danger of failing even as it begins its mission because of bureaucratic delays, stonewalling by Sudan’s government and reluctance from troop-contributing countries to send peacekeeping forces into an active conflict.

The force, a joint mission of the African Union and the United Nations, officially took over from an overstretched and exhausted African Union force in Darfur on Jan. 1. It now has just over 9,000 of an expected 26,000 soldiers and police officers and will not fully deploy until the end of the year, United Nations officials said.

Even the troops that are in place, the old African Union force and two other battalions, lack essential equipment, like sufficient armored personnel carriers and helicopters, to carry out even the most rudimentary of peacekeeping tasks. Some even had to buy their own paint to turn their green helmets United Nations blue, peacekeepers here said.

The peacekeepers’ work is more essential than ever. At least 30,000 people were displaced last month as the government and its allied militias fought to retake territory held by rebel groups fighting in the region, according to United Nations human rights officials.

For weeks after the attacks, many of the displaced were hiding in the bush nearby or living in the open along the volatile border between Sudan and Chad, inaccessible to aid workers. Most wanted to return to their scorched villages and rebuild but did not feel safe from roaming bandits and militias.

A week spent this month with the peacekeeping troops based here at the headquarters of Sector West, a wind-blown outpost at the heart of the recent violence, revealed a force struggling mightily to do better than its much-maligned predecessor, but with little new manpower or equipment.

Despite this, the force is managing to project a greater sense of security for the tens of thousands of vulnerable civilians in the vast territory it covers, mounting night patrols in displaced people’s camps and sending long-range patrols to the areas hardest hit by fighting. But these small gains are fragile, and if more troops do not arrive soon, the force will be written off as being as ineffective and compromised as the one before.

“We really don’t have much time to prove we can do better,” said Brig. Gen. Balla Keita, the Senegalese commander of the roughly 2,000 troops in West Darfur, just one-third of the expected total for the area.

“God gave the prophets the ability to achieve miracles so that people would believe. So people here will believe when they see improvements on the ground. And that cannot wait for more troops. We need to do better with what we have.”

The deployment of the biggest peacekeeping force in modern history in one of the most remote, hostile and forbidding corners of the globe was bound to be a logistical nightmare. Darfur is landlocked, water is scarce, the roads are rutted tracks crossed by the mud and sand traps of dry riverbeds.

A Troubled Mission

But those problems pale in comparison with the diplomatic and political struggles the mission faces.

When previous large missions were organized in Congo, Liberia and Sierra Leone, the central governments in those countries had collapsed or were so weak that they had little choice but to accept peacekeepers. The government of Sudan agreed to accept United Nations-led peacekeepers in Darfur only after a long diplomatic tussle and under a great deal of pressure.

The progress to get the mission in place has been slow, and much of the blame for this has been placed at the feet of the Sudanese government. For months after the United Nations Security Council approved the force, Sudan insisted on limits on its makeup and independence, demanding the power to dictate which countries contributed troops, to shut down its communication systems when the government carried out offensives and to restrict the movement of peacekeepers at night.

Ultimately, the government signed a compromise agreement with the United Nations allowing the force to operate, but Sudan was successful in insisting that the vast majority of troops come from African countries, and will be supplemented by soldiers from other regions only if suitable African troops cannot be found.

This has delayed the force’s mission, because African armies are not usually able to deploy quickly with equipment and training to meet stringent United Nations standards, United Nations officials and Western diplomats said. Sudanese government officials have argued that African troops are up to the job, and that non-African troops would be seen as neocolonial interlopers.

These problems have raised fears that the United Nations force would suffer the same fate as the African Union force, which was hobbled from the start by a weak mandate, which was to observe a cease-fire, not protect civilians. The thousands of troops deployed by Rwanda, Nigeria, Senegal and other nations were mainly there to protect the military observers, who were unarmed, and the unarmed civilian police, whose job it was to guard the camps for the internally displaced people.

But the original cease-fire was quickly violated, and later agreements failed to bring peace. The African troops soon were seen, perhaps unfairly, as useless note-takers who visited the scene of atrocities long after the evidence had been carried off and the dead buried, gathering testimony that seemed to disappear into a bureaucratic black hole.

A Town in Ruins

All of that has changed with the new hybrid mission. The force has a robust mandate to protect civilians. But that is easier said than done, said Maj. Sani Abdullahi, the man in charge of the single company charged with fending off roaming militias and rebels to protect tens of thousands of displaced villagers in a handful of camps and thousands more vulnerable residents of remote villages.

One Sunday morning, Major Abdullahi, 34, a wiry Nigerian officer who served in peacekeeping operations in Sierra Leone and Liberia, led a few truckloads of troops to visit Abu Sorouj, one of the towns flattened by a recent government offensive in West Darfur.

The town is just a few dozen miles away, but the drive took three bone-crunching hours. Abu Sorouj was attacked nearly a month earlier, and most of the villagers had fled, some to Chad. They said they were blocked by the Chadian authorities from reaching refugee camps. So within days, some were returning, afraid of losing their land if they became long-term displaced people living in camps.

Before the attack, Abu Sorouj was a bustling town of hundreds of mud-brick huts roofed with thatch, clumped together in sprawling family compounds. It had a cinder-block school and clinic supported by a nongovernmental aid agency.

Today, it is an apocalyptic scene of ashy ruin. The residents who have returned salvaged what they could, sifting through the blackened rubble to find cooking pots, bedsteads and buried troves of grain.

Fadila Ahmed Mahamat, a great-grandmother whose legs are withered stalks, sat amid the charred ruins of her home, digging holes in the sand with bare, gnarled hands to construct the frame of a makeshift dwelling out of branches from a pen that had been used to keep sheep.

“Everything is gone,” she said. “I have nothing.”

Surveying the scene, Major Abdullahi let out a low whistle.

“My God,” he said. “Look at this.”

A few of the town’s sheiks remained, and they clamored to tell him their complaints. Arab gunmen, whom the villagers here call janjaweed, roam the edge of town, they told Major Abdullahi, coming at dawn and dusk to steal what little remained here. The women could not go to the river to collect water. The men could not leave the town to find big branches to build shelters.

“We need security,” one said.

“Why don’t you patrol more often?” another asked. “When you come, the janjaweed stay away for two or three days.”

Major Abdullahi told them: “We don’t have the number of troops on ground we need. As soon as we do, we will spread out. We are doing everything we can to make you feel more secure.”

All talk ceased as a pickup truck loaded with government soldiers drove up. An officer jumped out, smiling with an outstretched hand. But his smile was tense, and after some pleasantries he asked why the peacekeepers had come.

“The place is secure,” said the officer, Maj. Amar Ibrahim. “Even the Arabs who ride on camels and horses and harass people, we have patrols to chase them away.”

Major Abdullahi smiled and nodded.

“We really appreciate that and commend your efforts,” he said through an interpreter. “But we really need to ask you to do more. People still do not feel safe.”

Despite the agreement giving the peacekeepers free rein, government troops complain about their presence. Major Abdullahi said he must be careful not to alienate these troops because he must rely on them to help provide security. “The reality is we need to work with them,” he said. “It does no good to antagonize them.”

Major Abdullahi checked his watch. It was noon, and already he had to think about heading back. The armored personnel carriers, which had been provided to the African Union by the Canadian government and had been battered by years of abuse in Darfur’s harsh conditions, were already acting up. Two flat tires and engine trouble had made the journey to Abu Sorouj slow. But he could not risk being stuck on the way back.

He promised the sheiks that he would return soon, but he could not say for sure how soon that might be.

The Task Ahead

It is unclear how exactly the deployment of troops in Darfur can be speeded up, give the built-in constraint that African troops be used first. Western activists concerned about Darfur say the Sudanese government is primarily responsible and have demanded that China, Sudan’s main trading partner and one of its suppliers of weapons, join other countries to press Sudan to allow troops of any origin the troops to deploy quickly.

While the Sudanese government has been blamed for some of the delay, United Nations requirements have also slowed the force, some diplomats and political analysts say.

The deployment “is not principally being delayed by the Sudanese government,” said a senior Western diplomat in Khartoum, Sudan’s capital, who is not authorized to speak publicly. Other problems, like the United Nations bureaucracy and the reluctance of troop-contributing countries, were as much to blame, the diplomat said.

There is certainly no lack of money. Rodolphe Adada, of the Congo Republic, the mission’s civilian chief, said the force had a budget of $1.7 billion. What it needs is troops and equipment, and neither has been easy to get. More pressure on the Sudanese government, he said, would not help matters. “What more pressure can be put on the Sudanese government,” he said. “All the decisions have been taken. There is nothing left to say. What we need to do is act.”

Some countries are reluctant to commit troops in an active conflict with no peace agreement or even a working cease-fire.

“The international community had two choices — get a peace accord and deploy the mission after, or send the mission anyway,” Mr. Adada said. “It chose the latter. But how do you keep the peace when there is no peace to keep?”

By "reducing" organized groups inhibiting peace?

[Yarrick2]

Owning the entire Rat Patrol collection, or the movie Tobruk, on DVD would be beneficial as well. Unfortunately, owning McHale's Navy DVD reruns, will not be very useful until the next littoral AO contract. :)

If you can meet these exacxting standards, you too can be a bearded briggand ;)sweet i have Tobruk on DVD am i in?woot

[perdurabo]

i was playing OFP with some desert mode and AA helicopter rescue can i go too?

[oscarni]

I will be honest, I have readjusted my brief to take into consideration the possible Sudanese Government "Reaction" to heavily armed choppers within their borders... I still believe that overt force is the best option when dealing with rebels and in helping with the hearts and minds of the locals. aka look we have big guns and we know how do use them, so we can protect you.

**** ROE ****
1. Protection of life within the camps and people ENTERing the camps will be protected by all force required to drive the enemy combatants away.
2. Protection of life during convoy runs will be protected with all force available to stop and then silence the enemy combatants.
3. When involving combat between sudanese Government troops, firing in defense of the contractors and then civilians and only when fired upon first by the sudanese forces.
4. During patrols, should Rebels be found, the patrols will entice said rebels to fire on them and then part 2 will come into effect.

All weapons collected from the rebels will be taken to the care of teams and then serviced and then

**** Operations Plan ****

1. All Vehicles will be transported via 2 contracted AN-12 flights to the Abeche, Chad. The Choppers will be ferried from southeast england to the airfield with the maintenance crews and two armed 30mm Wiesel 2 tanks, 2 landrovers and the Radar Equipped Wiesel, with 20 gurkas securing the airfield for the following air ops the next day.
2. AN-12s will transport in the remaining cargo and vehicles to the airfield, troops as well.
3. 3 Hips, Fully armed, each with one Wiesel 2 30mm cannons and 10 troops, once on the group, the troops will secure an LZ for the following aircraft, 2 hips will leave with the other orbiting and conducting roving patrols within 30miles range
4. Ferry Operation with the remaining hips carrying troops with the Halo's carrying the rest of the fighting vehicles and then the cargo.

Once this operation is complete the setting up of a permanent perimeter will be first with some ranging patrols.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

**** Air Arm ****
Due to the Logistical readjustments made to the brief requirement, I have adjusted the Viking Air Arm to take these conditions into account, With a number of requirements of the Air Arm.
1. Protection of the Convoy's.
2. Protection of the Camps and Base.
3. Convoy Replacement.
4. Medical Evacuation.
5. Intelligence Gathering.
6. Long Range Logistics.

I have also removed the O-2a from the proposal due to the fact that well I have been looking at the geography in that region needs more than just rolling the ground flat and then the added space needed to both protect and have upkeep for is just too much for this contract, with this in mind I have moved to an all helicopter force, with its own logistical support ability to support or even replace convoys duties should enemy action be considered too risky. These helicopters can all reach the UN Logistics hub in Chad.

4 - 1974 Mi 8TVK's (NATO - HIP-E) Direct Air Support Platform $380,000 each Used
Role: Convoy Protection / Base Patrol / Med Evac
Armament: 1x Tail M2 Browning Heavy machine gun, 2x Side Mounted GPMG 7.62mm machine gun, 2x 57mm Rocket Pods [12 per pod], 2x SPPU-22 Gun pods with GSh-23 with 400 rounds.
Combat Patrols: When Required, Roving patrol during the day and one night op.
Update/Repair Costs: $17,000 per aircraft
Note: Rear Clamshell doors removed, Stub Pylons fitted. 2 Aircraft will be in a ready 5 condition at all times, with heavy munitions fitted, the other 2 ready 30 with No heavy munitions fitted. [Heavy Munitions refer to pylon mounted weapons, the Hips, will always carry 2 door mounted PKT's and a rear M2 Browning heavy mounted machine gun in the tail.]

Reason: This is as close to a combat gunship as frankly the budget will support, the reason I selected this aircraft is simple, its the one gunship that many nations actually operate in this region, the examples which I plan to operate would be of ex-Egyptian / ex-Jordan examples and they are one of the easiest models to repair and keep running. Simply because they still fly and they are of a similar fit and well they are dirt cheap with these 'Features'. These models also have the integrated dust filters fitted. The reason I selected 4 is due to the belief that I can operate 2 over the convoy with one carrying troops and then the other purely for offensive action, another for defense over the camps and med evac if needed and then one down for maintenance.

2 - 1991 Mi 26T (NATO - Halo-A) Logistics $900,000 each Used
Role: Long Range Logistics
Armament: 2x GPMG 7.62mm machine gun, door mounted.
Update/Repair Costs: $25,000 per aircraft.
Note: 800km Useful range with full load aka 43,000 kg - 300km with 43,000kg internal load and then 10,000kg unslung load.

Reason: I had three options with this, purchase AN-12's or Herc's and build a runway to operate them from, purchase a heavy helicopter force or contract an outside force to supply heavy logistics support and build a runway for them to operate from. Frankly I didn't like the idea of hiring a logistics force which I did not have total operational control, while it would reduce costs I still felt that while it would be cheaper I would rather know that I could use the aircraft how and when I need them. I didn't like the idea of the AN-12's or Herc's for that matter either, as neither can really operate from african dirt strips without heavy maintenance support, look at the RAF herc's in Afghanistan and the damage that they were taking after 2 months of ops! The heavy Helicopter force is my trade off, they have the load carrying ability of the herc's and AN-12's, a useful range so that they can ferry goods and fuel from friendly african nations and then the VTOL ability frankly makes them the first option, I looked at CH-53s, Chinooks and MI 26 Halo's, the MI's worked out cheapest with a 42,000kg load carrying ability.

**** Ground Forces ****
Air Mobile Concept
I have redefined my vehicles based on the air mobile concept and without a runway I needed to use Helicopters, this means that I am restricted by the cabin size of the smallest unit. so 2.8 by 2.8, aka the HIP, and weight. So all of my gear is capable of being transported in my aircraft. All Wiesels are fitted as standard with Passive Night Vision Gear, GPS Nav System, Air Con systems, although I have included a SLAB armor option to all the wiesels which provide armored protection up to .50 cal and 12.7mm standard armaments with the Sudanese Military and the biggest weapon that the Rebels could get and well I will rely on speed and offensive firepower to protect myself and teams from RPG's.

Heavy Support Group
3 - Wiesel 2 [120mm Mortar Version + 7.62mm GPMG Machine Gun] $110,000 New
2 - Landrovers [Ammo Carriers with 1x M2 Browning Heavy Machine Gun and 1x 7.62mmGPMG Machine Gun]

Reason: I have selected these for the reason that I would like some long range punch should the camps come under attack and air assets aren't available or they have been damaged, the ability to launch Lumm rounds is another benefit. Another feature which I will be employing is the use of these assets in over watch positions along selected points on the convoy, providing additional firepower should it be needed, these will hop along using the HALO and HIP's. Fighting Rebels will require mobility and heavy fire power.

Logistics / Support Group
1 - Wiesel 2 [Air Radar Version - 40 / 60 mile range + 7.62mm GPMG Machine Gun] $290,000 New

Reason: This was one of things that I believe will benefit the operation as a whole in two ways, security and safety, by operating a air search radar, it will provide additional safety to the aircraft operated by myself and any humanitarian aircraft that should require navigation to the camps. With many of the flights being patrol based and logistics based, the ability to monitor and vector aircraft will be another benefit in improving safety. Security, like it or not, Sudan, is not a safe country and by its very nature a potential powder keg waiting to explode and with MIG's and Attack Helicopters in its arsenal there is always a chance that some Sudanese Pilot might want to play shooting fish in the barrel. I know the likely hood is not there, but well stranger things have happened.

2 - Landrovers with 2 Fuel Tanker Kits
1 - Landrover with Water Tanker Kit
1 - Crash Fire Fighting Landrover [Ex RAF]

Tactical Support Group
6 - Wiesel 2 [30mm Cannon] $125,000 New

Reason: I believe that there should be at least some thing in relation to armored support for two reasons, tanks are scary things when they are trundling towards you and well the small arms protection is alot better than the respective land-rovers, another reason that frankly i believe should not be over looked is riot control and armored assets are not to be ignored in these types of situations, I live in Northern Ireland, I know! lol Convoy protection will also be a benefit. Plus these Wiesels are nippy little sods and are battle tested with current ops in africa and Afghanistan

6 - Wiesel 2 [APC with M2 Browning Heavy Machine Gun] $100,000 New
Note 2 crew with 4 passengers

Reason: I have expanded the APC Section and reduced the Landrover was due to further reading on the topics with relation to the threats at present in the region and well while they are smaller than a BMP and FV432 I felt that small arms protection is there, mobility is there and then offense power is there as well.

6 - Landrovers [Armament when required of 1 M2 Browning Heavy Machine Gun and 1x 7.62mm GPMG Machine Gun]

Reason Best in the World.

Spares $750,000

**** Personnel Logistics ****

Contracted Wiesel Support Group from Supplier - $1,200,000 for 1 year
10 Man Unit with Parts.
Contracted Aircraft Support Group from Mi - $2,000,000 for 1 Year
20 Man Unit

**** Weapons ****

250 - AK-74's 7.62 mm - Cheap Cheerful and every one seems to be able to use them.
100 - Berreta 92F 9 mm
5 - Berreta 50 Sniper Rifles - Easy way to reach out and touch some one :) and there is anothing more scary that than a trained long range gun.
50 - GPMG's 7.62 mm - Commonality between aircraft and ground forces, will be used on the perimeter.
20 - M2 Browning 0.5inch Heavy Machine Guns - These will be used on Landrovers and camp defense
20 - RPG-7's
20 - Shotguns [Rubber Bullets]
10 - Strela 2 [SA-7 Grail] MANPAD SAM

3 - L18 120mm Mounted Mortars

3,500,000 Rounds of 7.62 mm
200,000 Rounds of 9 mm
800,000 Rounds for Browning M2
800,000 Rounds for 30mm

60 RPG Rockets
100 Rubber Bullet Munitions
400 Frags
600 120mm Mortar Rounds: HE, Frag, Lumm

800,000 Rounds for Hip's 12.7mm
600 57mm Rockets

Including Spares and Pods

Total: $4,250,000

--Standard Kit--
British Rank System in Place.

300 Sets of Khaki BDU's
300 Sets of Boots
350 Mk6a Helmets with Desert DPM Covers
50 Sets of Dark Blue PSNI Riot Suits [Flame Proof]
50 Sets of Plate Carriers - Black
50 Riot Shields

300 Sets of American Alice LBV's WOODLAND
120 Sets of Osprey Armor Desert DPM

90 Sets of NVG's Gen 3
80 Radios

Total: $2,200,000

**** Personnel ****
I would prefer to use Ex British Military Personnel with a minimum of 8 years service and at least one tour in Afghanistan or Iraq
80 x Gurhka Soldiers - $100,000
14 x Operations Officers - $140,000
200 x Local Trained Security Force - $20,000 Aka trained South African Fighters.
20 x German Sheperds aka Guard Dogs

Medical Support - AU nations / UN Support With outside support from the Red Cross etc
Local Labour - $4 per hour

Local labour would be used were possible and they would be paid for their duties.

12x Pilots - $290,000 - These pilots will be West German or British were possible.
2x Flight Engineers - $120,000

*********** Base **************
The camps will be enclosed by a single 6 FT high Barbed fence with a 200 ft dead zone in-front of and behind the fence with gun emplacements every 200 ft located within the camp, a 5ft high berm will then be built inside the camp around the perimeter. There will be one entrance into the camp with security and all aid entering the base and then spilt up and sent to the different camps.

Desert -- 200ft Dead Zone -- 6ft High Fence with Barb Wire Top -- 200 ft Dead Zone with Gun emplacements -- Berm 5ft -- CAMP

6 - Bermed Aircraft hangers with Tin Roofs.
10 - Prefab Buildings
1 - Rolled Flat 200ft x 50ft Leveled strip for Helicopter operations.
1 - Field Hospital
1 - Field Kitchen
2 - Living Locations + Rec + showers etc
2 - Diesel Generators for Base and Camp Perimeter Lighting and resources
4 - Ammo Dumps
1 - Cell Block
2 - Ranges, Pistol and Rifle
1 - Vehicle Park
2 - Water Farm
2 - Fuel Farm

Base Costs: $2,800,000

Grand Total Bid: $59,000,000

[Barnes]

Does anybody object to bringing the deadline forward? Seems people are submiting in more then enough time.

[Coop]

4 - 1974 Mi 8TVK's (NATO - HIP-E) Direct Air Support Platform $380,000 each UsedJust to make sure: are you suggesting you could get a fully-operational Mi-8 at a price of US$ 385.000?

Where can you get them that cheap?

Just asking since I've seen a number of offers and contracts for Mi-8s over the last ten years. The lowest avialable would go at US$1.2 million. And that Hip was actually in terrible condition, given requirement for at least one new engine, new rotor shaft, IRAN-style maintenance requirement and general inspection before getting airborne again....

[perdurabo]

Just to make sure: are you suggesting you could get a fully-operational Mi-8 at a price of US$ 385.000?

Where can you get them that cheap?

Just asking since I've seen a number of offers and contracts for Mi-8s over the last ten years. The lowest avialable would go at US$1.2 million. And that Hip was actually in terrible condition, given requirement for at least one new engine, new rotor shaft, IRAN-style maintenance requirement and general inspection before getting airborne again....
maybe he thinks about charter?

[BugHunt]

**** Personnel ****
I would prefer to use Ex British Military Personnel with a minimum of 8 years service and at least one tour in Afghanistan or Iraq
80 x Gurhka Soldiers - $100,000
14 x Operations Officers - $140,000
200 x Local Trained Security Force - $20,000 Aka trained South African Fighters.
20 x German Sheperds aka Guard Dogs




Is that for one year?

Because it looks like you need to add a few zero's to the wage bills.....

PS do those dogs grow on trees? :D

[James]

Just to make sure: are you suggesting you could get a fully-operational Mi-8 at a price of US$ 385.000?

Where can you get them that cheap?

Just asking since I've seen a number of offers and contracts for Mi-8s over the last ten years. The lowest avialable would go at US$1.2 million. And that Hip was actually in terrible condition, given requirement for at least one new engine, new rotor shaft, IRAN-style maintenance requirement and general inspection before getting airborne again....

I agree - last week when I was looking into this I was allowing $2 million for an Mi-8/17, and $3 million for a Hind. There are some smaller helicopters that looked good to - Mi-2 would be good for scouting or a light gunship.

[oscarni]

I agree - last week when I was looking into this I was allowing $2 million for an Mi-8/17, and $3 million for a Hind. There are some smaller helicopters that looked good to - Mi-2 would be good for scouting or a light gunship.

Yeah those prices are for loaned examples, I did manage to find operational Mi-8s for 550,000 to 1 mil on the net all fully operational, loaned examples work out from around 100,000 up depending on type and period. I did find hounds from 20,000 up all fully operational and being sold as is for scrap. As for the Hinds, I did find 4 for sale from 600,000 up all need serviced but they are airworthy from a chinese seller.

You just have to know were to look, I did find a Venom fighter from the swiss with its airworthy cert for 120,000. And a stack of huey's that needed some repairs for 110,000 each. The Halo's I quoted are for purchased items, I will get the link for the site.

Any one interested in Herc A's for 1.1 to 1.6 mil and An-12s from 750,000 up.

[oscarni]

Is that for one year?

Because it looks like you need to add a few zero's to the wage bills.....

PS do those dogs grow on trees? :D

Lad,

100,000 x 80 not 100,000 for 80

[BugHunt]

Lad,

100,000 x 80 not 100,000 for 80

Ahhh makes a whole lot more sense now ;)

Ta granpa! p-)


[/whisper]Pooches still arent being paid enough.....

[oscarni]

Ahhh makes a whole lot more sense now ;)

Ta granpa! p-)


[/whisper]Pooches still arent being paid enough.....

LOL Yeah you could be right about the fee, I based it off what some gurkas are making in iraq that I got from a military mag over here.

[Morboute]

The A-team, hire them. p-)

[Coop]

Yeah those prices are for loaned examples, I did manage to find operational Mi-8s for 550,000 to 1 mil on the net all fully operational, loaned examples work out from around 100,000 up depending on type and period. I did find hounds from 20,000 up all fully operational and being sold as is for scrap. As for the Hinds, I did find 4 for sale from 600,000 up all need serviced but they are airworthy from a chinese seller.Sorry, but I'll disturb here again. Sure, you can get a Hind for less than US$ 1 million. And what then?

If you don't put her apart before buying, you don't even know the true condition of the bird. That's what happened even to an official country (Uganda), and that with a "very serious" dealer (based in London). Me thinks that's really not enough.

Next problem: you can fly her few hours. But afterwards: no guarantees, no spares, no technical support, nothing. The Russians are even going to turn requests for these down.

That's why I wouldn't go for any such dealers. Get it in the Ukraine, Belarus or Russia. They can supply these together with crew and maintenance personnel, and that for actually cheap money. Even more important: when you need spares, you'll get them too (though only in exchange for cash, of course).


You just have to know were to look, I did find a Venom fighter from the swiss with its airworthy cert for 120,000.I guess the seller of that plane will have to find a buyer of that kind. Though I doubt he will.

That Venom is on offer since three years at least. Nobody wants it: too expensive for private flying, and when it comes to military issues, it's too old, lacks ejection seats, has no hardpoints, no built-in guns. It might be better, (and possibly cheaper) to buy a Mustang re-built for air racing... If nothing else, with some good connections, you can still get a MiG-17 out of China for less (though I'd prefer a MiG-15, since it lacks afterburner and needs less fuel).

[safety_match]

Sorry, but I'll disturb here again. Sure, you can get a Hind for less than US$ 1 million. And what then?

If you don't put her apart before buying, you don't even know the true condition of the bird. That's what happened even to an official country (Uganda), and that with a "very serious" dealer (based in London). Me thinks that's really not enough.

Next problem: you can fly her few hours. But afterwards: no guarantees, no spares, no technical support, nothing. The Russians are even going to turn requests for these down.

I've budgeted USD4 million per helo. Second hand, but rebuilt. 4 of them.
Two spare engines - thumbsucked a total of 500k each for new items.
Miscellaneous spares - 1 million including 1 shaft
4 x goshawk optic kits - 900k
1 x goshawk spare kit - 150k
4 x comms package - 100 per

Over and above that weapons gear, rocket pods and cannons @ 1 million.
Then crew, 5 techs, 5 assistant techs, fuel bowser and a light crane for engine removal (truck mounted). Around 4 million. Don't have my document on this machine, but the air side of things is feck off expensive.
Rocket reloads budgeted @ 100k.
Aeromotive tool kit - 100k
Kenyan Casevac standby (NBO or closer) - 500k P/A retainer. 50k per flight.
I've missed some stuff out, but still these prices are not off the shelf. They'll require a massive effort on the wheeling and dealing side.

No such thing as an airworthy mi-8 for 385k. It's a scam.

[JesperAFCA]

Are we allowed to travel in Tchad?

And by the way, in Abache there are now Dutch Marines stationed as part of EUFOR. Do we have any support from them?