Dogs of War: A Militaryphotos.net Coup

[Ironsight06]

Is the oil production in hands of foreign compagnies or the government? Because if it is in hands of foreign compagnies this could cause some trouble. They don't want an instable government and in most poor african country's they have their own merc force to protect the oilfields (for example this is the case in Niger and Nigeria). For a coup you probably have to inform them you don't want to involve their fields.
The government is instable anyway. I think they would welcome a coup run by Western people. They might even chip in to buy some helicopters.

[Quack of Doom]

The last thing they'll do is chip in "Shell sponsors Coup!" looks bad on the 8th o'clock news

[ed316]

I'm also agreeing what is said before. No one out side the circle will know. Don't want the President to be suspicious. If he puts the military on alert then it's a no go.

[Hellfish]

OK here goes...

Equipment-wise you need:
- 2 MI-24's.
- Some trainer aircraft with bombs strapped to it.
- A handfull of T-55's with improvised cage armour to defeat the RPG threat.
- Some artillery pieces.
- 1 UAV.

Strategy:
- Bomb the infrastructure and major military targets (shock and awe).
- Occupy the capital with tanks.
- Launch a motorized infantry attack into the mainlands supported by artillery and aircraft.

I have thought about this many times. Give me some detailed maps and info I will draw out an attack plan...

What country are you going to be basing this force out of? How will you transport them to EG? How will you disembark them in EG? How much ammo and supplies are you going to bring for them?

[Ironsight06]

What country are you going to be basing this force out of? How will you transport them to EG? How will you disembark them in EG? How much ammo and supplies are you going to bring for them?
The attack will be launched from within the country itself. Communications won't be very good within the country. Transport could be provided by some vague Ukrainian freight airliner. The ammo depends how long it will take.

[Hellfish]

First make a deal with drug lords soo they will not interfare and with some companies that would negotiate with new government contracts for resouce mining.

There are no drug lords as far as I know


Rest would be bribed or sympathising with our "cause" jurnalists, oil industry workers leaders and military leaders that would form new government.
Most neccesary intel where cabinet meetings are conducted, layout of that building and nearby area. Where main TV station is.

There is no freedom of the press - no journalists to bribe. You can't bribe the oil men, since they already swim in cash. Same for anybody with any power in the country - this is a HUGELY wealthy country where all the money goes into the pockets of the government. You don't have enough money to bribe them


Strike team would arrive on island as a turists. Weapons would be smuggled by drug trafickers.

This has been attempted before. Google "Bob Denard" and "Comoros" to see what happened. I'll give you a clue - it involved metal detectors, a smart customs official, and the French Foreign Legion. And again, no drug dealers.




Is the oil production in hands of foreign compagnies or the government? Because if it is in hands of foreign compagnies this could cause some trouble. They don't want an instable government and in most poor african country's they have their own merc force to protect the oilfields (for example this is the case in Niger and Nigeria). For a coup you probably have to inform them you don't want to involve their fields.

Oil production is in the hands of Mobil Oil, as well as a handful of other American oil companies.


The government is instable anyway. I think they would welcome a coup run by Western people. They might even chip in to buy some helicopters.

I'd argue that the government is VERY stable - they have all the money and power and have created a reign of terror. They've been in power since '79 with no significant internal threats to their power.

[Audio]

The end state should be a government that is favorable to your sponsors. For our purposes that could be defined as pro-West, pro-oil industry (but not necessarily current oil partners) and stable. Stability can be defined as complete, tyrannical despot (like they have now) across the spectrum to an established democracy governed by the rule of law.

Hehe, then my choice would be the tyrannical despot type of rule.
No need for sympathy from the west, we've got oil.:)


The attack will be launched from within the country itself.

Hehe, they got eyes and ears just as well as we do+home turf.

[Hellfish]

The attack will be launched from within the country itself. Communications won't be very good within the country. Transport could be provided by some vague Ukrainian freight airliner. The ammo depends how long it will take.

How much does it cost to rent an airliner with the capacity to carry Hinds and T-55s? Where would you land it in the country? There are only 4 airports in the entire place. Where would you get your T-55s and Hinds from?

I think you're being WAY too high profile - you won't be able to count on any form of suprise. Including Ukranians to fly in combat aircraft and armored vehicles is going to make a lot of people suspicious. There are only so many AN-124s in the world, and I bet you someone in Langley or Moscow is keeping tabs on all of them.

[SBL]

I dunno about the drugged congnac but it seems family and ethnic ties to the president determine promotions and influence within the military. Military decision-making is completely centralized with the President also serving as the Minister of Defense. So incompetent commanders are likely and the effect of a 'decapitation' strike will be that much greater.

Also I've already mentioned tasking a portuion of the local mercs with causing distraction and conducting misinformation operations.

Definately push the Presidential guard to the head of the centre of gravity list though.



I was just throwing it out there, but you make pretty good points on all counts. Thanks for the input.

[Asheren]

I think this thread says that the oil processing facilities are on the island where the capital is.
But I could be wrong or the poster could be wrong...doesnt matter really, there must be a gas station around there somewhere?:)

@asheren and all the other bribers:

Bribes can lead to disclosure.
If a person has taken money from you and has no interest in your success, what is there to stop him when he goes to that president saying "I have info for 10 mill$".

You know that you have to get native working for you and i don't see many other ways than few bribes here and there. Especialy considering fact that Hellfish didn't gave any info about native forces ready to support operation. Besides i wrote bribes but also had in mind any other support gaining related costs.

[Hellfish]

Hehe, then my choice would be the tyrannical despot type of rule.
No need for sympathy from the west, we've got oil.:)

They need to be sympathetic TO the west - i.e. favorable oil concessions.

[Hellfish]

You know that you have to get native working for you and i don't see many other ways than few bribes here and there. Especialy considering fact that Hellfish didn't gave any info about native forces ready to support operation. Besides i wrote bribes but also had in mind any other support gaining related costs.

Its not up to me to tell you where you get your native troops from. You guys have to figure that out and I'll play devil's advocate. If you have a good plan for recruiting them, then you're probably on the right path.

[Ironsight06]

How much does it cost to rent an airliner with the capacity to carry Hinds and T-55s? Where would you land it in the country? There are only 4 airports in the entire place. Where would you get your T-55s and Hinds from?

I think you're being WAY too high profile - you won't be able to count on any form of suprise. Including Ukranians to fly in combat aircraft and armored vehicles is going to make a lot of people suspicious. There are only so many AN-124s in the world, and I bet you someone in Langley or Moscow is keeping tabs on all of them.
Il-76 should do fine I reckon and why can't it land on a gravel strip?

Agree it would be high-profile but I think you need this form of support.

[Asheren]

There are no drug lords as far as I know



There is no freedom of the press - no journalists to bribe. You can't bribe the oil men, since they already swim in cash. Same for anybody with any power in the country - this is a HUGELY wealthy country where all the money goes into the pockets of the government. You don't have enough money to bribe them



This has been attempted before. Google "Bob Denard" and "Comoros" to see what happened. I'll give you a clue - it involved metal detectors, a smart customs official, and the French Foreign Legion. And again, no drug dealers.





Oil production is in the hands of Mobil Oil, as well as a handful of other American oil companies.



I'd argue that the government is VERY stable - they have all the money and power and have created a reign of terror. They've been in power since '79 with no significant internal threats to their power.

Sorr hell i am not that dumb to bring weapons with me. Only men. Besides it was only what i was able to mount in 5 min without going deeply in to topic i have no time atm to try find info about their politics their habbits major parties and such.

[Hellfish]

Il-76 should do fine I reckon and why can't it land on a gravel strip?

Agree it would be high-profile but I think you need this form of support.

Where are you going to make a gravel strip? Where are you going to get the heavy equipment for it? How do you prevent the locals from informing on you? How do you get an IL-76 into the country unnoticed? Where will the IL-76 originate from, and how do you get multiple flights of heavy equipment out of that origination point without raising a bunch of red flags? What about overflights?

[ed316]

I'm torn between Zodiacs or local fishing baots to transport the gear/troops from ship to shore.

[Hellfish]

Sorr hell i am not that dumb to bring weapons with me. Only men. Besides it was only what i was able to mount in 5 min without going deeply in to topic i have no time atm to try find info about their politics their habbits major parties and such.

Most of that info is here already.

And the last coup attempt in EG was by South African mercenaries who landed in Zimbabwe for a refueling stop. They didn't have any weapons either, but they were caught by an aware customs official and they're all on trial now.

[Ironsight06]

Where are you going to make a gravel strip? Where are you going to get the heavy equipment for it? How do you prevent the locals from informing on you? How do you get an IL-76 into the country unnoticed? Where will the IL-76 originate from, and how do you get multiple flights of heavy equipment out of that origination point without raising a bunch of red flags? What about overflights?
The country is not very populated I believe, just choose an area that which has a low density population.

[Hellfish]

I'm torn between Zodiacs or local fishing baots to transport the gear/troops from ship to shore.

Zodiacs have a couple benefits, I think - they are easily transportable on the ship (a simple pulley rig should let you launch them), they are low profile, can be manhandled onto shore fairly easily, and are fast.

Local fishing boats, on the otherhand, could be problematic. Unreliable engines, unreliable locals, their movements might be monitored by local authorities...

[ed316]

The country is not very populated I believe, just choose an area that which has a low density population.

Where is your flight path from? It's a long way around West Africa if you are not going to fly over countries between EQ and Ukraine

[Hellfish]

The country is not very populated I believe, just choose an area that which has a low density population.

Find a place on the map. And what about all the other issues?

[SBL]

I think this thread says that the oil processing facilities are on the island where the capital is.
But I could be wrong or the poster could be wrong...doesnt matter really, there must be a gas station around there somewhere?:)

@asheren and all the other bribers:

Bribes can lead to disclosure.
If a person has taken money from you and has no interest in your success, what is there to stop him when he goes to that president saying "I have info for 10 mill$".


I think most of the oil reserves are located offshore, which suggests drilling platforms-isolated, easily cut off and overtaken. Most European nationals are Spanish...probably not much help but it's worth mentioning I think.

[ed316]

Zodiacs have a couple benefits, I think - they are easily transportable on the ship (a simple pulley rig should let you launch them), they are low profile, can be manhandled onto shore fairly easily, and are fast.

Local fishing boats, on the otherhand, could be problematic. Unreliable engines, unreliable locals, their movements might be monitored by local authorities...

But ammo and food plus other gear. Also Jeep transport. Could use capture vehicles. Don't want the guys to hump everywhere.

Good point on local fishing boats.

[Quack of Doom]

I just found a cover for reckon http://www.exxonmobil.com/USA-English/HR/Siteflow/EqGuinea.asp Nice place to starting a inland network

[Hellfish]

But ammo and food plus other gear. Also Jeep transport. Could use capture vehicles. Don't want the guys to hump everywhere.

Good point on local fishing boats.

Break down you LOGPACs into duffel-bag sized elements? Alternately, you could sieze a pier or port and unload there. I don't think using requisitioned/captured vehicles would be a problem.

[Asheren]

Most of that info is here already.

And the last coup attempt in EG was by South African mercenaries who landed in Zimbabwe for a refueling stop. They didn't have any weapons either, but they were caught by an aware customs official and they're all on trial now.

Yes i heard about that cease but they were dumb enoguth to try fly all in one plane from what i remmember.

[Ironsight06]

Where is your flight path from? It's a long way around West Africa if you are not going to fly over countries between EQ and Ukraine
Forge cargo documents. Happens all the time. Would be the same case as launching an attack from a ship.

The south east of the country would be most suitable for the launch of the attack. It's fairly open and fairly deserted, at least that's what google earth tells me. The base shouldn't be hard to build, few buldozers and you got your runway.

[ed316]

Break down you LOGPACs into duffel-bag sized elements? Alternately, you could sieze a pier or port and unload there. I don't think using requisitioned/captured vehicles would be a problem.

Gaining a foot hold on a pier/dock is def. in the plans.

[SBL]

$25 million is cap. The tanks will eat up your budget.

Agreed. I think tanks are overkill in this situation and an unneccessary drain on the budget. Better to use a handfull of APCs with recoilless rifles and employ some heavily armed technicals, methinks.

[ed316]

Forge cargo documents. Happens all the time. Would be the same case as launching an attack from a ship.

The south east of the country would be most suitable for the launch of the attack. It's fairly open and fairly deserted, at least that's what google earth tells me. The base shouldn't be hard to build, few buldozers and you got your runway.


That 25 million is not looking good. What are your 100 troops going to be? Africans or western "experts". I would not do this for less then 6 figures if I was a lowly boot.

[Kersh]

Anybody thought of actually including the military in a coup? I'm sure that there is atleast one if not multiple generals who would just absolutely love being given a country. They could also help keep the peace after the actual coup itself. Just a thought, might work, we'll see how it holds up after ya'll think about it.

BTW, this is probably the best thread I've seen on milphotos, by far. Outstanding idea Hellfish.

[ed316]

Agreed. I think tanks are overkill in this situation and an unneccessary drain on the budget. Better to use a handfull of APCs with recoilless rifles and employ some heavily armed technicals, methinks.


This has to be quick and very low on the radar. Suprise will have to be on our side.

[Ironsight06]

That 25 million is not looking good. What are your 100 troops going to be? Africans or western "experts". I would not do this for less then 6 figures if I was a lowly boot.
Agree. The salaries might become a problem.

[Hellfish]

Yes i heard about that cease but they were dumb enoguth to try fly all in one plane from what i remmember.

I don't know if they were dumb or the locals got lucky.


Forge cargo documents. Happens all the time. Would be the same case as launching an attack from a ship.

The south east of the country would be most suitable for the launch of the attack. It's fairly open and fairly deserted, at least that's what google earth tells me. The base shouldn't be hard to build, few buldozers and you got your runway.

So your plan is to find a place in the middle of the jungle, transform it into a functional airfield and military facility, fly in multiple undocumented large cargo aircraft filled with vehicles, arms and ammunition (which you still haven't told me where you'd get it from) all without ever being noticed by the locals?

I think your plan COULD work, but not in Equatorial Guinea. The circumstances present don't allow it, IMHO, and your budget definately does not. If it was somewhere else where there was an already active rebel movement who had their own heavy weapons and vehicles your plan might make more sense.

[SBL]

This has to be quick and very low on the radar. Suprise will have to be on our side.

Scrap the APCs, keep the rifles, and requisition vehicles for mounted support/transport.

I believe I mentioned this once before, haha.

[ed316]

Anybody thought of actually including the military in a coup? I'm sure that there is atleast one if not multiple generals who would just absolutely love being given a country. They could also help keep the peace after the actual coup itself. Just a thought, might work, we'll see how it holds up after ya'll think about it.

BTW, this is probably the best thread I've seen on milphotos, by far. Outstanding idea Hellfish.

The uncle looks like a good candidate. He has ties to the military. Rather have them on our side whcih will make it that much smoother. He would be the face of the coups and not us.

[Asheren]

Anybody thought of actually including the military in a coup? I'm sure that there is atleast one if not multiple generals who would just absolutely love being given a country. They could also help keep the peace after the actual coup itself. Just a thought, might work, we'll see how it holds up after ya'll think about it.

BTW, this is probably the best thread I've seen on milphotos, by far. Outstanding idea Hellfish.

You know their current leader is ex-military soo this might indicate that he has army support. If you ask me its not a good place to plan a coup with such small forces.

[Ironsight06]

So your plan is to find a place in the middle of the jungle, transform it into a functional airfield and military facility, fly in multiple undocumented large cargo aircraft filled with vehicles, arms and ammunition (which you still haven't told me where you'd get it from) all without ever being noticed by the locals?
EG could be too small, but it should be doable. Some problems are the same as with assaulting with the boats. Especially the transport to the coast of EG. Any idea how many checkpoints you have by coastguards from different countries? How would you hide the 100 men and arms aboard?

[Hellfish]

You know their current leader is ex-military soo this might indicate that he has army support. If you ask me its not a good place to plan a coup with such small forces.

All military appointments must be approved by the President. Check out some of the background materiel in the first post. I wouldn't rely on the military to help you out, but if you act fast and violently, you might be able to make the military impotent.

[ed316]

EG could be too small, but it should be doable. Some problems are the same as with assaulting with the boats. Especially the transport to the coast of EG. Any idea how many checkpoints you have by coastguards from different countries? How would you hide the 100 men and arms aboard?

Stay in international waters.

[Quack of Doom]

The idea of bringing the military in is nice, but you have to ask yourself of the military is realeble enough. How do you want to keep them under your control?
In other words, who's helping who?

[Ironsight06]

Stay in international waters.
You have to leave from some port and what about refuelling and resupplying. You can't bring supplies for 100 men on your ship for the time of the travel. The ship will be too cramped.

[SBL]

I suppose Isla de Bioko is too small/densely populated to effect a successful airborne raid?

[Audio]

They need to be sympathetic TO the west - i.e. favorable oil concessions.

Not only the west needs oil.

[Hellfish]

EG could be too small, but it should be doable. Some problems are the same as with assaulting with the boats. Especially the transport to the coast of EG. Any idea how many checkpoints you have by coastguards from different countries? How would you hide the 100 men and arms aboard?

In international waters there is no problem. There is no such thing, as far as I know, of international airspace. EG doesn't have much of a Navy (only 2 ships IIRC) so they likely wouldn't be able to interfere. And they can't keep eyes on their entire coastline, especially if you keep your ship over the horizon from the beach. They can, however, have informants everywhere inland and I guarantee a 2km long runway is going to be noticed, nevermind all the aircraft you're going to have to use.

Like I said, if this was Angola, Mozambique, Ivory Coast or Uganda your plan might make sense, but not in EG.

[Ironsight06]

In international waters there is no problem. There is no such thing, as far as I know, of international airspace. EG doesn't have much of a Navy (only 2 ships IIRC) so they likely wouldn't be able to interfere. And they can't keep eyes on their entire coastline, especially if you keep your ship over the horizon from the beach.
I am not worried about EG but about other countries' coast guards and navies.

[ed316]

You have to leave from some port and what about refuelling and resupplying. You can't bring supplies for 100 men on your ship for the time of the travel. The ship will be too cramped.

There's are ship big enough. The 100 men will not be loaded on the same port they will load at different port so as not arise any suspicion of what are 100 white guys doing here?". They will meet the main transport ship at a predesignated spot out in the sea.

There will be no resupply or refuel. This will all be work out in the logistical phase.

[Hellfish]

You have to leave from some port and what about refuelling and resupplying. You can't bring supplies for 100 men on your ship for the time of the travel. The ship will be too cramped.

You absolutely can. Very little of the maritime shipping in the world is regulated - especially in Africa. I don't think you'd have much of a problem hiring/buying a ship in Sierra Leone or Liberia and setting sail without anybody being the wiser.

Airports, on the other hand, are extensively regulated and monitored.


I suppose Isla de Bioko is too small/densely populated to effect a successful airborne raid?

Probably. It's very mountainous and volcanic as well.


Not only the west needs oil.

True, but you're being paid to do what your sponsor wants. He wants you to install a pro-western government.

[Hellfish]

I am not worried about EG but about other countries' coast guards and navies.

If you are in international waters, I don't think they can board you without your permission. I'm not positive, though.

Aside from that, they'd have to have probable cause to board you (like your ship is registered in Wonsan, North Korea and your stated destination is Mogadishu). If you're a tramp steamer registered in Panama, sailing out of Freetown and with your destination listed as Cape Town with a cargo of lumber and fruit, who'd suspect you of anything?

I still think you're trying to hammer a square peg into a round hole here.

[Ironsight06]

There's are ship big enough. The 100 men will not be loaded on the same port they will load at different port so as not arise any suspicion of what are 100 white guys doing here?". They will meet the main transport ship an a predesignated spot out in the sea.

There will be no resupply or refuel. This will all be work out in the logistical phase.
The big boat will cost a lot of money. If different groups of men with equipment would rendezvous on the boat near the coast it could be pulled of though. Planning needs to be perfect though. If one group is a few days too late the ship could become problematic.

[ed316]

The big boat will cost a lot of money. If different groups of men with equipment would rendezvous on the boat near the coast it could be pulled of though. Planning needs to be perfect though. If one group is a few days too late the ship could become problematic.


Not as much as tanks, helos, and transport plane. Could buy your own if need be and hire a crew competent enough but that is adding too much people since OPSEC is verything. That why everything will be worked out in logisitcal phase.

[Hellfish]

The big boat will cost a lot of money. If different groups of men with equipment would rendezvous on the boat near the coast it could be pulled of though. Planning needs to be perfect though. If one group is a few days too late the ship could become problematic.

I guess it depends on how big of a boat you're getting and if you're purchasing it or renting it (from a smuggler/pirate/etc).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tramp_steamer ;)

Check this out to get an idea of what is available:

http://shipbroker.net/list/list1.asp (http://shipbroker.net/)

[SBL]

I am not worried about EG but about other countries' coast guards and navies.

Cameroon's navy is comprised mostly of ground troops, looks like. Ship strength is comprable to EG's- 2 ships with a displacement of 552 tons (total?) Gabon's navy consists of 4 minor surface ships which are moored at Port Gentil- well to the south of EG.

Nigeria has the largest local navy, with something like 11 ships (mostly minor surface). So basically, I think the biggest issue would be to keep a southerly course as we don't want to tangle with any Nigerian gunboat patrols.

[Ironsight06]

Cameroon's navy is comprised mostly of ground troops, looks like. Ship strength is comprable to EG's- 2 ships with a displacement of 552 tons (total?) Gabon's navy consists of 4 minor surface ships which are moored at Port Gentil- well to the south of EG.

Nigeria has the largest local navy, with something like 11 ships (mostly minor surface). So basically, I think the biggest issue would be to keep a southerly course as we don't want to tangle with any Nigerian gunboat patrols.
What about the terrorist fighters? The NATO has the habit to intercept suspious ships.

A running ship with a descent size would cost rougly between 2-5 million.

[Hellfish]

What about the terrorist fighters? The NATO has the habit to intercept suspious ships.

A running ship with a descent size would cost rougly between 2-5 million.

http://www.maritimesales.com/JPM10.htm

$750,000. I imagine the fuel and operating costs would be maybe another $250,000 for our purposes. Crew? I don't know. I'd be willing to bet you could find a shipless captain somewhere on the West African coast and he'd know where to find a crew. Alternately, you could recruit a western ex-military crew, just like your grunts. Estimate four officers (Captain, XO, Navigator, Chief Engineer), four ratings.

[ed316]

What about the terrorist fighters? The NATO has the habit to intercept suspious ships.

A running ship with a descent size would cost rougly between 2-5 million.


I don't think there is a NATO Op. in the area. I could be wrong.

[SBL]

What about the terrorist fighters? The NATO has the habit to intercept suspious ships.

A running ship with a descent size would cost rougly between 2-5 million.

Aside from what hellfish already mentioned or by flying a pirate flag, I think steps could be taken to adopt a convincing cover story, papers etc. Enough at least to keep from arousing any suspicion. I'll have to check and see how many NATO ships are patrolling the area.
But I don't think the region in question is known for being a hotbed of terrorist/pirate activity.

[Quack of Doom]

Why is everybody talking about western ex-mil crews? They stand out from the crowd

[ed316]

Why is everybody talking about western ex-mil crews? They stand out from the crowd


You need competent people. Helps with language.

[Hellfish]

Why is everybody talking about western ex-mil crews? They stand out from the crowd

At least 50% of your 100 men must be natives. You can make it 100% if you want to.

[Ironsight06]

http://www.maritimesales.com/JPM10.htm

$750,000. I imagine the fuel and operating costs would be maybe another $250,000 for our purposes. Crew? I don't know. I'd be willing to bet you could find a shipless captain somewhere on the West African coast and he'd know where to find a crew. Alternately, you could recruit a western ex-military crew, just like your grunts. Estimate four officers (Captain, XO, Navigator, Chief Engineer), four ratings.
That thing is way too small. How are you going to put 100 men and equipment on that. This one would be more suitable:
http://www.maritimesales.com/OV10.htm


I don't think there is a NATO Op. in the area. I could be wrong.
Just an example. It's a risk you should be prepared for.

[SBL]

Most US/NATO activity is focused around the Horn of Africa--other side of the continent.

[Hellfish]

That thing is way too small. How are you going to put 100 men and equipment on that. This one would be more suitable:
http://www.maritimesales.com/OV10.htm

I'd argue that's waaaaaay too big. You only need the ship for a couple days on a one-way trip, not for transoceanic voyages.

Still... for about $3mill thats not a bad option. Those cranes could be useful for Ed's jeeps and zodiacs too. I imagine you could sell it when your op was finished too.

[ed316]

That thing is way too small. How are you going to put 100 men and equipment on that. This one would be more suitable:
http://www.maritimesales.com/OV10.htm

Just an example. It's a risk you should be prepared for.

I been on ships before and trustme you can cram people in there Navy does it to us,Marines, all the time. Besides they are not going to be on there for no more then a couple of days. They are soldiers they can handle it.

SnakeBiter just anwsered it.

[SBL]

I'd argue that's waaaaaay too big. You only need the ship for a couple days on a one-way trip, not for transoceanic voyages.

Still... for about $3mill thats not a bad option. Those cranes could be useful for Ed's jeeps and zodiacs too.


That brings to mind the question of a staging area. Where exactly can we pool our forces and equipment before making the hop to EQ? Has to be somewhere relatively local and preferably lawless to some degree I should think. Perhaps Western Sahara?
Like Hellfish said: we don't want this to be a marathon voyage. Bad for morale and troop readiness.

[Hellfish]

That brings in mind the question of a staging area. Where exactly can we pool our forces and equipment before making the hop to EQ? Has to be somewhere relatively local and preferably lawless to some degree I should think. Perhaps Western Sahara?

Ed mentioned everyone rendezvousing with the boat at sea. I think that'd be the best option, to avoid informants and anybody deserting on land. You could train en route and be totally secure.

With that larger vessel Ironsight found, you'd probably have enough cargo space to create a half decent training room.

[SBL]

Ed mentioned everyone rendezvousing with the boat at sea. I think that'd be the best option, to avoid informants and anybody deserting on land. You could train en route and be totally secure.

With that larger vessel Ironsight found, you'd probably have enough cargo space to create a half decent training room.

Ah sorry, I missed that post obviously.

[Ironsight06]

I'd argue that's waaaaaay too big. You only need the ship for a couple days on a one-way trip, not for transoceanic voyages.

Still... for about $3mill thats not a bad option. Those cranes could be useful for Ed's jeeps and zodiacs too. I imagine you could sell it when your op was finished too.
You're going to need the ship. Believe me. This ship would be the best choice. Plus as soon as you get in territorial waters you can put some AAA on the deck for self-defence. And there's plenty of room for all your gear, and if something goes wrong you can always retreat to your ship and move away.

[ed316]

You're going to need the ship. Believe me. This ship would be the best choice. Plus as soon as you get in territorial waters you can put some AAA on the deck for self-defence. And there's plenty of room for all your gear, and if something goes wrong you can always retreat to your ship and move away.

EQ has two gunships man by foreigners. They could be bribe most definetly.

[Quack of Doom]

and the cranes are very usefull when taking your operations to land

Now, we have a ship, located in the Indian region. Where do we take it from there, where is the crew going to dock?

[Whitcomb]

AT-A-GLANCE
Politics: President Teodoro Obiang Nguema seized power from his uncle in a 1979 coup. He faces a "government in exile" and a separatist movement
Economy: Equatorial Guinea is sub-Saharan Africa's third biggest oil producer
International: Equatorial Guinea and Gabon are in dispute over islands in potentially oil-rich off-shore waters


Possible allies or weapons/cash/manpower supply?

[ed316]

Possible allies or weapons/cash/manpower supply?

If they are willing to grant our sponsor the contracts they want they can be useful.

[SBL]

Possible allies or weapons/cash/manpower supply?

that or potential rivals.

[wamp]

Hmmm....Would it be possible to get a recon team in country disguised as either journalists or possibly some type of construction contractors since tourists wont work. Does the Country need any certain type of building or structure in the intrest of an economic boost. Could try and disguise your incoming army as a construction crew if so and conceal gear and weapons as construction materials. Or pose as Missionaries? It would have to be something the govt needs or will make them look good. Just a thought, only on chapter 2 of "Regime Change in Seven Days: Coups for Dummies"


btw: Hellfish best thread in awhile, completely original

[Hellfish]

If they are willing to grant our sponsor the contracts they want they can be useful.

True.


that or potential rivals.

True too. Something to be wary of, but useful to give legitimacy to your coup.


Hmmm....Would it be possible to get a recon team in country disguised as either journalists or possibly some type of construction contractors since tourists wont work. Does the Country need any certain type of building or structure in the intrest of an economic boost. Could try and disguise your incoming army as a construction crew if so and conceal gear and weapons as construction materials. Or pose as Missionaries? It would have to be something the govt needs or will make them look good. Just a thought, only on chapter 2 of "Regime Change in Seven Days: Coups for Dummies"


Very plausible. Lots of western oil workers are in the country. At the same time, they might be under pretty close scrutiny or restricted to oil company areas.

[Flagg]

Interesting plan, Flagg. Do you think it would require an entire year to plan and execute the coup?

Based on the parameters you listed I'd say yes.

The budget and number of pers allowed, I think, is inversely proportional to the time required to develop and execute a viable plan.

A Battalion of US Marines or UK Paras, given 48 hours notice, would have the place sorted in 50 hours with time to spare :)

50 foreigners/50 locals would require considerable effort and time to recruit, vet, gather Int, develop a plan, procure stores, stage into the region, gather more Int, refine plan, and assault.

My biggest concerns based on the criteria would be:

Intelligence collection efforts would require near crystal ball clarity of the battlespace.

Even with carefully crafted cover and careful selection of pers, Int collection efforts could potentially stand out like dogs balls.

If the Presidential CP team is switched on, does not reside off duty in a singular barracks but is dispersed amongst several safe houses, and possesses significant latitude in weapons carriage...basically making themselves a difficult target to ambush or seize their armory, a platoon's worth of reliable assaulters would likely have a low probability of success against a counterattack.

A more optimal ratio of attackers/defenders is 3/1. Maximum aggression, surprise, and weight of fire can only go so far by foreign pers to offset the deficiency and likely could not be achieved using an unknown quantity like hastily trained locals.

Not nearly enough foreign pers to seize tangible control..at best you're looking at an extremely thin vaneer that would require nearly immediate and substantial support both physically and politically to ensure success.

Once you have chopped off the head, in order to maintain momentum, contingency funds(say $2-3 million for one light infantry company for one month) set aside could be used to negotiate with a neighbouring nation to send a company of "peacekeepers" via commerical jet with light arms...possibly all fitting in one short distance, short notice 737 lift would provide additional boots on the ground to protect Key Points and allow the consolidation of power, as well as provide meat for a well crafted media/PR campaign that the change of power is being achieved via regional cooperation....NOT via foreign led coup.

[Ironsight06]

Hmmm....Would it be possible to get a recon team in country disguised as either journalists or possibly some type of construction contractors since tourists wont work. Does the Country need any certain type of building or structure in the intrest of an economic boost. Could try and disguise your incoming army as a construction crew if so and conceal gear and weapons as construction materials. Or pose as Missionaries? It would have to be something the govt needs or will make them look good. Just a thought, only on chapter 2 of "Regime Change in Seven Days: Coups for Dummies"
A la Falklands?

[California Joe]

Very interesting thread pals.

This part of Flaggs post made me laugh because we have one of these hanging around the Mod lounge.....p-)

Procurement Cell:
OC the most dodgy SNCO in the Commonwealth.....probably Australian

[Hellfish]

Based on the parameters you listed I'd say yes.

The budget and number of pers allowed, I think, is inversely proportional to the time required to develop and execute a viable plan.

A Battalion of US Marines or UK Paras, given 48 hours notice, would have the place sorted in 50 hours with time to spare :)

One of the criteria I gave (maybe not listed on the first page) is that the op should be ready to go within 6 months, though it might commence later.


50 foreigners/50 locals would require considerable effort and time to recruit, vet, gather Int, develop a plan, procure stores, stage into the region, gather more Int, refine plan, and assault.

Fair enough. But "what if" you only had six months?


My biggest concerns based on the criteria would be:

Intelligence collection efforts would require near crystal ball clarity of the battlespace.

Even with carefully crafted cover and careful selection of pers, Int collection efforts could potentially stand out like dogs balls.

If the Presidential CP team is switched on, does not reside off duty in a singular barracks but is dispersed amongst several safe houses, and possesses significant latitude in weapons carriage...basically making themselves a difficult target to ambush or seize their armory, a platoon's worth of reliable assaulters would likely have a low probability of success against a counterattack.

A more optimal ratio of attackers/defenders is 3/1. Maximum aggression, surprise, and weight of fire can only go so far by foreign pers to offset the deficiency and likely could not be achieved using an unknown quantity like hastily trained locals.

What about force multipliers? If you can bribe the Hind crews, if you can seize the radio stations, if power is so centralized that a decapitation strike would essentially remove all organized opposition...


Not nearly enough foreign pers to seize tangible control..at best you're looking at an extremely thin vaneer that would require nearly immediate and substantial support both physically and politically to ensure success.

That should be taken into consideration with the planning. How fast could you get a new government in place?


Once you have chopped off the head, in order to maintain momentum, contingency funds(say $2-3 million for one light infantry company for one month) set aside could be used to negotiate with a neighbouring nation to send a company of "peacekeepers" via commerical jet with light arms...possibly all fitting in one short distance, short notice 737 lift would provide additional boots on the ground to protect Key Points and allow the consolidation of power, as well as provide meat for a well crafted media/PR campaign that the change of power is being achieved via regional cooperation....NOT via foreign led coup.

Thats absolutely feasible. If you can spare the cash and take the risk, thats a viable option.

[ed316]

http://commercial.apolloduck.com/image_bin/40199_1.jpg

Price: $825,000

Very possible

[Hunterhr]

Needs more guns. Lots more guns. :)

[D-gin]

Hellfish, this is the best thread I've read in a long time you gents are great at this coup thing I'm wondering how long until your plans come to lite....LOL....Just had to tell you guys that, I don't think I'm smart enough to give anything of use to this thread so I'm just going to keep reading. Keep it up.

[Ironsight06]

http://commercial.apolloduck.com/image_bin/40199_1.jpg

Price: $825,000

Very possible
Is it an ocean or a coastal liner?

Something to get from ship to shore:
http://www.witham-sv.com/infopage.php?ID=39&Overide=1

[Hellfish]

http://commercial.apolloduck.com/image_bin/40199_1.jpg

Price: $825,000

Very possible

And very affordable. Good find.

[California Joe]

Anyone know how many incidents of piracy happen in that area? Wouldn't want your cover blown because some ahole pirates decided you looked like a good mark....

[Hunterhr]

Anyone know how many incidents of piracy happen in that area? Wouldn't want your cover blown because some ahole pirates decided you looked like a good mark....

Don't have any hard numbers, but modern pirates tend to target ships in narrow bodies of water. You'd have room to manuever on the west coast of Africa.

If all else fails, having more guns than the pirates always works.

ICC Piracy map

http://www.icc-ccs.org/extra/display.php

The closest attack info...
Attack ID 2006/133
Date 1 Jul 2006 03:30
Vessel type BULK CARRIER
Attack type ARMED THEFT
No. crew affected 1

Looks like that happened in a bay though.

[Hellfish]

Anyone know how many incidents of piracy happen in that area? Wouldn't want your cover blown because some ahole pirates decided you looked like a good mark....

Would local-yokel pirates be a serious thread to a ship with 100 armed men on board?

[Ironsight06]

If all else fails, having more guns than the pirates always works.
But like he said, it would blow your cover.

[ed316]

Is it an ocean or a coastal liner?

Something to get from ship to shore:
http://www.witham-sv.com/infopage.php?ID=39&Overide=1



She was built in Finland in 1964 and the hull was rebuilt in 2001. She is powered by the reliable B & W engine providing 12 knots cruising in open waters. Just over 100m in length and with her four holds hold grain of almost 6000 tons, this is a very valuable asset to any company. She is in class and she has the latest electronics and safety equipment on board to allow her to be used anywhere in the world

her cargo area

http://commercial.apolloduck.com/image_bin/40199_3.jpg





http://commercial.apolloduck.com/feature.phtml?id=40199

[ed316]

But like he said, it would blow your cover.


Not if you kill them and send them to Davey Jone's locker..AAARRRGHHH!!

[Hunterhr]

Not if you kill them and send them to Davey Jone's locker..AAARRRGHHH!!

Shoot. Sink. Shut up.

6,000 tons. Sounds good. That's more than a bit of heavy equipment and munitions. Awesome thread btw.

[Ironsight06]

http://commercial.apolloduck.com/feature.phtml?id=40199
Hmmm could be interesting, would keep it near the coasts though. It would also need a bit of overhaul. It's a bulk carrier so no storage room for equipment or crew is available.


Not if you kill them and send them to Davey Jone's locker..AAARRRGHHH!!
Hehe p-)

[California Joe]

Would local-yokel pirates be a serious thread to a ship with 100 armed men on board?

They wouldn't be a threat at all. It'd probably be a helluva nasty surprise for them but you might be compromised by lighting them up. One of those Murphys Law kinda things that you can't really plan for....

[Argyll]

If you can find 50 New Guineans to keep their mouths shut for more than 5 mins then my old team would do this!!

I also agree with Flagg, you couldn't do this on a whim, you would need to have this planned 6 months to a year in advance,you would need to Vet the Locals,have them under surveillance for at least 3-4 months, to ensure you're not going to walk into a clusterfok

[ed316]

Hmmm could be interesting, would keep it near the coasts though. It would also need a bit of overhaul. It's a bulk carrier so no storage room for equipment or crew is available.





Like I said they are not going to be on that ship for no more then a couple of days. They don't need a berthing area.

[Hellfish]

Hmmm could be interesting, would keep it near the coasts though. It would also need a bit of overhaul. It's a bulk carrier so no storage room for equipment or crew is available.


You don't need state rooms - just storage containers and beds/cots/mattresses that can be secured to the deck.

[Hunterhr]

You don't need state rooms - just storage containers and beds/cots/mattresses that can be secured to the deck.

There's a place out in California that does wonders with steel shipping containers. Would make good camouflage as well.

[wamp]

Off topic for a sec but going somewhere.......on our way to lunch today we saw a couple guys walking down the street carrying shotguns acting like it was a sunday stroll, looking around we saw they are filming a horror movie by quentin tarantino and Robert Rodriquez in our neighborhood.

What about posing as a hollywood film crew filming a scene needing a jungle setting? Everyone knows making a movie in a area boosts the economy and sheds light to the public on the area. Contact their HR dept or whatever it is and tell them you want to film their, maybe work in something about shedding light on thier little known country, a cameo with their leader? Stroke his ego abit. If it works your gonna need your extras (your guns for hire) and their weapons. With his ego stroked you could possibly fly right into country using the hollywood cover. Ask to have their vehicles or air support for a scene, you could then have their main assets in the palm of your hand. Just a thought....

Back to Chapter five of "Regime Change for Dummies"

[Hellfish]

Off topic for a sec but going somewhere.......on our way to lunch today we saw a couple guys walking down the street carrying shotguns acting like it was a sunday stroll, looking around we saw they are filming a horror movie by quentin tarantino and Robert Rodriquez in our neighborhood.

What about posing as a hollywood film crew filming a scene needing a jungle setting? Everyone knows making a movie in a area boosts the economy and sheds light to the public on the area. Contact their HR dept or whatever it is and tell them you want to film their, maybe work in something about shedding light on thier little known country, a cameo with their leader? Stroke his ego abit. If it works your gonna need your extras (your guns for hire) and their weapons. With his ego stroked you could possibly fly right into country using the hollywood cover. Ask to have their vehicles or air support for a scene, you could then have their main assets in the palm of your hand. Just a thought....

Back to Chapter five of "Regime Change for Dummies"

Its a thought, but I don't know if it would be as simple as that. They might request to see your previous work, know who your financers are, charge you a tax to film there, etc. I'm not ruling out the option, but not saying it's definately possible either.

[Hunterhr]

I think the more men you try to sneak in, the more you risk having your cover blown. The more weapons etc. you try to sneak in, the more likely you run into someone who might blow the whistle.

While some infiltration will be necessary, I'm more of the mindset of having the majority of the personnel concentrated until it's time to disperse to different targets. Say 80-90 men in the ship, with 10-20 for various recce elements and a few operating independently.

KISS.

[Ironsight06]

You don't need state rooms - just storage containers and beds/cots/mattresses that can be secured to the deck.
Yeah but the problem is that there's only one deck within the bulk area. You can't store a lot of stuff there unless you are going to stack things up. That means you have to put everything in crates and containers and unload it from the containers on the ship itself. That might be problematic plus you can't put people in crates/containers.

[Hellfish]

Yeah but the problem is that there's only one deck within the bulk area. You can't store a lot of stuff there unless you are going to stack things up. That means you have to put everything in crates and containers and unload it from the containers on the ship itself. That might be problematic plus you can't put people in crates/containers.

Why not? I've seen containers modified to do all kinds of things. The less gear you bring, the less you have to worry about load plans.

[ed316]

Yeah but the problem is that there's only one deck within the bulk area. You can't store a lot of stuff there unless you are going to stack things up. That means you have to put everything in crates and containers and unload it from the containers on the ship itself. That might be problematic plus you can't put people in crates/containers.

Have you been on ships? Trust me if there's a will there's a way.

[SBL]

If you can find 50 New Guineans to keep their mouths shut for more than 5 mins then my old team would do this!


Equitorial Guineans. I hate to be so anal, but I'd hate you see you go charging into battle on the wrong side of the globe.

[Ironsight06]

Why not? I've seen containers modified to do all kinds of things. The less gear you bring, the less you have to worry about load plans.
It's possible but it's unhandy. You have to store 2 or 3 containers deep so how are people supposed to get in and out of the containers. Be aware that a bulk space doesn't have any doors, only the top hatch.

[Ironsight06]

Have you been on ships? Trust me if there's a will there's a way.
One of my dad's clients is a big shipwarf. Been on quite a few of their ships and spoke to those guys couple of times and know quite a bit of ships now, always been interested in ships though p-)

[Hunterhr]

It's possible but it's unhandy. You have to store 2 or 3 containers deep so how are people supposed to get in and out of the containers. Be aware that a bulk space doesn't have any doors, only the top hatch.

Cute holes in the containers and use ladders? If you want to get fancy there's plenty of places that will modify shipping containers to your needs. And it wouldn't draw a whole lot of attention.

[ed316]

One of my dad's clients is a big shipwarf. Spoke to those guys couple of times and know quite a bit of ships now, always been interested in ships though p-)

I was with the 31st MEU twice and you can fit things. You don't have to have them in cargo containers. The ship cargo/container can be easily remedied

[Hellfish]

Containers are dirt cheap, you can mangle them any way to want to.

[Ironsight06]

I was with the 31st MEU twice and you can fit things. You don't have to have them in cargo containers. The ship cargo/container can be easily remedied
Yeah I know but the problem is that the bulk space floor is very limited. An extra floor would be welcome. You can try to fix this with containers but it's not very handy.

[ed316]

Besides Hellfish found a ship with a crane. Pack things on the jeeps, problem solved. The heaviest weapons would probably be mortars and MGs.

[Ironsight06]

Containers are dirt cheap, you can mangle them any way to want to.
http://www.thaireefer.com/Container--Office_OK.gif

[Hellfish]

Yeah I know but the problem is that the bulk space floor is very limited. An extra floor would be welcome. You can try to fix this with containers but it's not very handy.

How much gear do you intend to bring? I'd think a rifle, pack with food and water for 3 days, and around 300 rounds of ammo - on average - is all you'd need. Heavy weapons (PKMs, RPGs, mortars) would use load distribution plans to level out the weights.

Of course, I'm not quite at the point where my own personal plan is prepared to that extent yet, but thats what I'm working towards.

[Hellfish]

http://www.thaireefer.com/Container--Office_OK.gif

Totally superfluous and expensive. I'd rather have simple 3-high bunkbeds for berthing, a couple tables and wallcharts for planning, and a pallet or two for ammunition.

[Hunterhr]

How much gear do you intend to bring? I'd think a rifle, pack with food and water for 3 days, and around 300 rounds of ammo - on average - is all you'd need.

You're going to need a lot more ammunition than that. 300 rounds might last you one good firefight. With only 100 people, you're going to be doing a lot of shooting if things go wrong, and if you get into a protracted gun battle with only 300 rounds, you're going to be in trouble real quick.

I'd say closer to 3,000 rounds per person, for a total of around 30,000 rounds. It's not like ammunition is prohibitively expensive. The same for food.

I'd go with more food and weapons as well. Maybe 10-15 days of food per person.

[Ironsight06]

Totally superfluous and expensive. I'd rather have simple 3-high bunkbeds for berthing, a couple tables and wallcharts for planning, and a pallet or two for ammunition.
Don't forget AC or else your crew will be cooked before they come ashore :roll:

[Hellfish]

You're going to need a lot more ammunition than that. 300 rounds might last you one good firefight. With only 100 people, you're going to be doing a lot of shooting if things go wrong, and if you get into a protracted gun battle with only 300 rounds, you're going to be in trouble real quick.

I'd say closer to 3,000 rounds per person, for a total of around 30,000 rounds. It's not like ammunition is prohibitively expensive. The same for food.

I'd go with more food and weapons as well. Maybe 10-15 days of food per person.

Point taken - but I was talking about personal gear. I mentioned I'd also have a couple pallets of ammo on ship - I'd assume that would all be brought ashore as needed.

[Daniel San]

I think the tactical, strategic and logistic aspects of the coup can be handled however, internal suspicion and reaction must be kept at a minimum.

Any plan for a coup must exploit existing political tensions in the country and exacerbate them in order to obtain wide acceptance within the population.

The french military have been collaborating in the training of the newly formed gendarmerie. Find ex-french military officers and soldiers involved in this training and hire them and pay them handsomely. They already have open access to a branch of the military, let them spread it throughout all the armed forces.

Meanwhile, begin contacts with Armengol Ondo Nguema, a strong opponent to Obiang's son.

Obiang is on the verge of death. He is suffering from terminal prostate cancer. The best moment for the coup will be right after his death when his irresponsible and wreckless son is due to take the reigns of the country.

A coup was apparently attempted in 2004 and several mercenaries enroute were unmasked. The coup must appear internal to be legitimate in the eyes of the population. Therefore the guinean armed forces must be seen as the leaders of it. Support for the forces in the form of mercenaries must be black in race (and fluent in french and spanish, the two official languages). At least those operating publicly or semi-publicly.

Of course, accelerating Obiang's death would make for a hastier coup but it must be pondered with great care. An unmasked or suspected murder could be used by his son to increase his legitimacy in the eyes of the guinean population.

The coup must be peaceful (if possible, of course) and swift. Political opponents to it must be detained and removed from the country and put into exile.

A military junta is to be put in place of the existing goverment, the constitution and civil rights suspended for the greater good of the Nation. All press releases must insist upon the temporary caracter of the coup and must guarantee the fastest possible return to democracy. Obiang dead, it will be easier to depict his son as being lazy and unfit for power and moreover, it will be easier to overcome the difficulty associated with the foreign bodyguards.

[ed316]

Don't forget AC or else your crew will be cooked before they come ashore :roll:

What? Ocean breeze.

[Hellfish]

Don't forget AC or else your crew will be cooked before they come ashore :roll:

Irrelevant. As long as they have water to drink they'll be fine.

[Hellfish]

I think the tactical, strategic and logistic aspects of the coup can be handled however, internal suspicion and reaction must be kept at a minimum.

Any plan for a coup must exploit existing political tensions in the country and exacerbate them in order to obtain wide acceptance within the population.

The french military have been collaborating in the training of the newly formed gendarmerie. Find ex-french military officers and soldiers involved in this training and hire them and pay them handsomely. They already have open access to a branch of the military, let them spread it throughout all the armed forces.

Meanwhile, begin contacts with Armengol Ondo Nguema, a strong opponent to Obiang's son.

Obiang is on the verge of death. He is suffering from terminal prostate cancer. The best moment for the coup will be right after his death when his irresponsible and wreckless son is due to take the reigns of the country.

A coup was apparently attempted in 2004 and several mercenaries enroute were unmasked. The coup must appear internal to be legitimate in the eyes of the population. Therefore the guinean armed forces must be seen as the leaders of it. Support for the forces in the form of mercenaries must be black in race (and fluent in french and spanish, the two official languages). At least those operating publicly or semi-publicly.

Of course, accelerating Obiang's death would make for a hastier coup but it must be pondered with great care. An unmasked or suspected murder could be used by his son to increase his legitimacy in the eyes of the guinean population.

The coup must be peaceful and swift. Opponents to it must be detained and removed from the country and put into exile.

A military junta is to be put in place of the existing goverment, the constitution and civil rights suspended for the greater good of the Nation. All press releases must insist upon the temporary caracter of the coup and must guarantee the fastest possible return to democracy. Obiang dead, it will be easier to depict his son as being lazy and unfit for power and moreover, it will be easier to overcome the difficulty associated with the foreign bodyguards.

Good considerations.

[Ironsight06]

Irrelevant. As long as they have water to drink they'll be fine.
From what do you think all those immigrants die when they are trying to enter Europe in those containers :roll:

[Hellfish]

Dehydration? I've spent time in the tropics with no AC and I was fine. At sea you'd be fine - not the same as being in a steamy jungle.

[ed316]

From what do you think all those immigrants die when they are trying to enter Europe in those containers :roll:

They are not going to be in containers but the cargo hold.

[D-gin]

Don't forget AC or else your crew will be cooked before they come ashore :roll:

Dude it gets over 120 degrees in the day in Iraq and our boys are OK. You don't need AC in open water.

[Hunterhr]

Irrelevant. As long as they have water to drink they'll be fine.

I believe he means that shipping containers tend to get extremely hot or cold, depending on the conditions. The heat would be much greater than the ambient temperature.

[Ironsight06]

They are not going to be in containers but the cargo hold.
Okidoki.

In the meantime what about transportation? Jakkals maybe?

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/5103/jakkalssouthafricasofex200401wo4.jpg

Light, cheap and for sale to anyone.

[ed316]

Jeeps or Land Rovers sound good.

[D-gin]

Jakkals maybe?



Better to use something more indigenous to the area.

[Hellfish]

Jeeps or Land Rovers sound good.

And abundant and cheap. Brand new Jakkals would make for a lot of physical evidence that can leave a paper trail back to you sponsor.

[Flagg]

One of the criteria I gave (maybe not listed on the first page) is that the op should be ready to go within 6 months, though it might commence later.

Since the assumption is that you start with yourself and $25 million, it could take half that time just to recruit core pers.

Fair enough. But "what if" you only had six months?

Mistakes, penetration, exposure would likely increase due to risks required due to short time frame.

What about force multipliers? If you can bribe the Hind crews, if you can seize the radio stations, if power is so centralized that a decapitation strike would essentially remove all organized opposition...

The Hind crews and the Hinds themselves could be questionable......the crews could be drunk/incompetent...the helos could be unserviceable/unsafe....if planning REQUIRED them and they failed you because of the fact you have no direct control over them(just some questionable influence) you would be lucky to swim home.

That should be taken into consideration with the planning. How fast could you get a new government in place?



As long as key points are protected and buy-in from a heavyweight nation-state sponsor is in place, finding a puppet should be a fairly minor issue.....ensuring the CONTINUED VIABILITY of the government would be someone else's job. ;)

[Ironsight06]

And abundant and cheap. Brand new Jakkals would make for a lot of physical evidence that can leave a paper trail back to you sponsor.
True but these little buggers would be easy to get from the boat to the shore. Maybe they even fit in a large zodiac.

Firepower:
http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/artillery/mortars/soltam_120mm_k-5_k-6/Mortar_120mm_K-5_K-6.html

[Hunterhr]

Yeah, find out what's common to the area. Pick them up second hand, fix them up.

Do you leave them fairly stock and thus less conspicous? Or do you uparmor and upgun them?

I'd say leave about half unmodified, and create a sort of 'armored' element. With sandbags and heavier weapons.

Few 2.5 ton trucks might be useful as well.

[Hellfish]

As long as key points are protected and buy-in from a heavyweight nation-state sponsor is in place, finding a puppet should be a fairly minor issue.....ensuring the CONTINUED VIABILITY of the government would be someone else's job. ;)

Fair enough. Would you rather neutralize the Hinds and/or crews that consider using them at all?

[SBL]

I think I've been rendered obsolete.

[Daniel San]

Whatever your detailed strategy may be, the capital being on an island the first thing to do is to cut it off from the rest of the world once the coup is underway. That means interdicting air and waterborne access to it. One is easier than the other. The capital island is 75 km long and generally 35 km wide. Light aircraft (as light as a cessna) could be used to observe incoming and outgoing maritime traffic.

[SBL]

Whatever your detailed strategy may be, the capital being on an island the first thing to do is to cut it off from the rest of the world once the coup is underway. That means interdicting air and waterborne access to it. One is easier than the other. The capital island is 75 km long and generally 35 km wide. Light aircraft (as light as a cessna) could be used to observe incoming and outgoing maritime traffic.

how about an ultralight?

[Hellfish]

True but these little buggers would be easy to get from the boat to the shore. Maybe they even fit in a large zodiac.

Firepower:
http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/artillery/mortars/soltam_120mm_k-5_k-6/Mortar_120mm_K-5_K-6.html

Again, a paper/money trail that could end up exposing you. I'd opt for cheap, used 60, 81 or 82mm mortars. Or even homemade mortars.


Yeah, find out what's common to the area. Pick them up second hand, fix them up.

Do you leave them fairly stock and thus less conspicous? Or do you uparmor and upgun them?

I'd say leave about half unmodified, and create a sort of 'armored' element. With sandbags and heavier weapons.

Few 2.5 ton trucks might be useful as well.

Might be a logistical nightmare to uparmor them (probably wouldn't have the time/space on the ship to do it - doing it on land could make people suspicious). The 2.5 ton trucks or similar could probably be comandeered as needed once you're ashore. I'm sure there are all kinds of civvie trucks (Unimogs and whatnot) carrying fruit and cargo between the cities. No sense taking up space on the ship with them (nevermind unloading them).

[ed316]

Whatever your detailed strategy may be, the capital being on an island the first thing to do is to cut it off from the rest of the world once the coup is underway. That means interdicting air and waterborne access to it. One is easier than the other. The capital island is 75 km long and generally 35 km wide. Light aircraft (as light as a cessna) could be used to observe incoming and outgoing maritime traffic.

Decapitation of the leaders is the priority.

[ed316]

Might be a logistical nightmare to uparmor them (probably wouldn't have the time/space on the ship to do it - doing it on land could make people suspicious). The 2.5 ton trucks or similar could probably be comandeered as needed once you're ashore. I'm sure there are all kinds of civvie trucks (Unimogs and whatnot) carrying fruit and cargo between the cities. No sense taking up space on the ship with them (nevermind unloading them).

Weight would be an issue for the cargo ship too.

[D-gin]

You should probably have some SAM's for any enemy aircraft, but if you buy those on the black market it might draw unwanted attention to you and your sponsor. just a thought

[Hellfish]

Whatever your detailed strategy may be, the capital being on an island the first thing to do is to cut it off from the rest of the world once the coup is underway. That means interdicting air and waterborne access to it. One is easier than the other. The capital island is 75 km long and generally 35 km wide. Light aircraft (as light as a cessna) could be used to observe incoming and outgoing maritime traffic.

Simply driving a truck onto the runway and setting it on fire could close down all air traffic. Likewise, using your own ship to block the main harbor might work. But how would you stop an outgoing ship or aircraft even if you did find it?


how about an ultralight?

Small, easy to use and transport - but very vulnerable. I guess it depends on what you'd need it for. What would you gain by using them? Would it be worth risking them getting shot down?

[ed316]

You should probably have some SAM's for any enemy aircraft, but if you buy those on the black market it might draw unwanted attention to you and your sponsor. just a thought

They have two Hinds that are piloted by foreigners

[Hellfish]

You should probably have some SAM's for any enemy aircraft, but if you buy those on the black market it might draw unwanted attention to you and your sponsor. just a thought

Most MANPADs only have a range of about 5km. One or two old SA-7s might be useful if an unwanted helicopter shows up, but proper planning would eliminate the air threat entirely. Also, SAMs are closely watched by the CIA et al nowadays.

[D-gin]

They have two Hinds that are piloted by foreigners

Stupid Q. "They" as in the government or those prosecuting the coup...?

[Hunterhr]

Whatever your detailed strategy may be, the capital being on an island the first thing to do is to cut it off from the rest of the world once the coup is underway. That means interdicting air and waterborne access to it. One is easier than the other. The capital island is 75 km long and generally 35 km wide. Light aircraft (as light as a cessna) could be used to observe incoming and outgoing maritime traffic.

I don't think stopping water traffic is feasible. Cutting communications might be.

If the reaction time is slow enough, it might be feasible for it to all be over before the units on the mainland can get off the dime.

[ed316]

Stupid Q. "They" as in the government or those prosecuting the coup...?

Gov. .

[Daniel San]

Backlash, anyone? Foreigners barging into a country on fancy land rovers, wearing oakley tactical eyewear and shiny equipment removing a large part of the political elite, whether it be their life or their physical presence, will not be a resounding success in so far as trying to buy credibility for the regime that will be put in place of the one removed.

[Hellfish]

Stupid Q. "They" as in the government or those prosecuting the coup...?

Government. Check page 2 or 3 - I posted a sat photo of two Hinds sitting on a pad on the mainland.

[SBL]

Simply driving a truck onto the runway and setting it on fire could close down all air traffic. Likewise, using your own ship to block the main harbor might work. But how would you stop an outgoing ship or aircraft even if you did find it?



Small, easy to use and transport - but very vulnerable. I guess it depends on what you'd need it for. What would you gain by using them? Would it be worth risking them getting shot down?

Very expendable. Crewed by only one guy, probably acting as a spotter/observer.

[Hunterhr]

Backlash, anyone? Foreigners barging into a country on fancy land rovers, wearing oakley tactical eyewear and shiny equipment removing a large part of the political elite, whether it be their life or their physical presence, will not be a resounding success in so far as trying to buy credibility for the regime that will be put in place of the one removed.

As someone said before. The longevity of the regime is someone else's problem.

[D-gin]

Government. Check page 2 or 3 - I posted a sat photo of two Hinds sitting on a pad on the mainland.

OK Sorry. If there piloted by foreigners as stated above could you bribe the pilots to work for you.

[ed316]

Backlash, anyone? Foreigners barging into a country on fancy land rovers, wearing oakley tactical eyewear and shiny equipment removing a large part of the political elite, whether it be their life or their physical presence, will not be a resounding success in so far as trying to buy credibility for the regime that will be put in place of the one removed.


No time for photo op. The people are unarmed and tire/poor. land rovers will be use miliatry ones no bling bling. That's why this coups will have an African face to it, EQ of course.

[Hellfish]

Backlash, anyone? Foreigners barging into a country on fancy land rovers, wearing oakley tactical eyewear and shiny equipment removing a large part of the political elite, whether it be their life or their physical presence, will not be a resounding success in so far as trying to buy credibility for the regime that will be put in place of the one removed.

Requirement of at least 50% native troops because of this. Also, mercenaries are probably more common than you think they are (though maybe not in EG). Often nobody even bats and eye and sometimes they are even welcome.

[SBL]

Backlash, anyone? Foreigners barging into a country on fancy land rovers, wearing oakley tactical eyewear and shiny equipment removing a large part of the political elite, whether it be their life or their physical presence, will not be a resounding success in so far as trying to buy credibility for the regime that will be put in place of the one removed.

We've been over this ground before. Check some of the earlier posts.

[Daniel San]

My suggestion of using light aircraft was only for means of observation and identification. Obviously, unless your name is James Bond, an ultra-light won't shoot down a plane or sink a boat.

Identifying boats and planes with light aircraft will allow them to be tracked and disposed of. A few fast boats on the same net as the aircraft could be directed to intercept fleeing crafts potentially carrying HVTs away.

[Daniel San]

We've been over this ground before. Check some of the earlier posts.

Hadn't noticed it. 25 plus pages are a long read and I only skimmed through them. Must have missed that part.

[SBL]

My suggestion of using light aircraft was only for means of observation and identification. Obviously, unless your name is James Bond, an ultra-light won't shoot down a plane or sink a boat.

Identifying boats and planes with light aircraft will allow them to be tracked and disposed of. A few fast boats on the same net as the aircraft could be directed to intercept fleeing crafts potentially carrying HVTs away.

That's more or less why I suggested the ultralight. Always helps to have an eye in the sky.

[ed316]

My suggestion of using light aircraft was only for means of observation and identification. Obviously, unless your name is James Bond, an ultra-light won't shoot down a plane or sink a boat.

Identifying boats and planes with light aircraft will allow them to be tracked and disposed of. A few fast boats on the same net as the aircraft could be directed to intercept fleeing crafts potentially carrying HVTs away.

Intel will tell where all HVTs (before launching the op) are they will be hit first along with comm.

[Ironsight06]

Most MANPADs only have a range of about 5km. One or two old SA-7s might be useful if an unwanted helicopter shows up, but proper planning would eliminate the air threat entirely. Also, SAMs are closely watched by the CIA et al nowadays.
Sabotage is the key word. Just disable them before the assault starts, same goes for the gunboats (scuba diver + semtex).

[Argyll]

Dude it gets over 120 degrees in the day in Iraq and our boys are OK. You don't need AC in open water.

and 95% live in accomodation with AC fitted!! ;)

[ed316]

Sabotage is the key word. Just disable them before the assault starts, same goes for the gunboats (scuba diver + semtex).

they have one ship and it doesn't even work.

[Hellfish]

Sabotage is the key word. Just disable them before the assault starts, same goes for the gunboats (scuba diver + semtex).

Thats what I was thinking. Should be relatively simple to shut down all air traffic without totally destroying the local infrastructure. Sea traffic would be a little more difficult, but its a lot harder to get a ship underway than to find a pilot and point a gun at his head to escape.

[D-gin]

and 95% live in accomodation with AC fitted!! ;)

OK, But 100 men should not have a problem living on a ship for three days without AC.

[Ironsight06]

OK, But 100 men should not have a problem living on a ship for three days without AC.
On a ship yes. In a container no.

[Hellfish]

On a ship yes. In a container no.

A tarp spread over the cargo hold should keep the containers cool and if done right allow plenty of circulation.

[D-gin]

On a ship yes. In a container no.

So sleep above deck, Cut holes in the containers or since the ship is off shore go for a afternoon dip in the water.

[F-14D]

MCDONNELL DOUGLAS 530F
http://www.controller.com/listings/forsale/detail.asp?OHID=1103161

Ex military helicopter could be used as a light gunship

[Ironsight06]

MCDONNELL DOUGLAS 530F
http://www.controller.com/listings/forsale/detail.asp?OHID=1103161

Ex military helicopter could be used as a light gunship
A brand new Robinson 44 is only $100.000.

[D-gin]

MCDONNELL DOUGLAS 530F
http://www.controller.com/listings/forsale/detail.asp?OHID=1103161
Ex military helicopter could be used as a light gunship

Probably to expensive, Plus it's probably not enough bang for the buck.

P.S. call Ravage and tell him his baby is for sale.p-)

[Hellfish]

MCDONNELL DOUGLAS 530F
http://www.controller.com/listings/forsale/detail.asp?OHID=1103161

Ex military helicopter could be used as a light gunship

Costs more than our freighter, plus we'd have to arm it. And pay a pilot. ;)

It's an option, but an expensive one. How'd you fly it off the ship or get it into the country?

[F-14D]

Dammit you'll got a freighter, i've fallen behind

[SBL]

This is just to satisfy my own curiosity but, what sorts of rifles would the military/militia likely be toting? I'm guessing the ever-ubiquitous AK-47 or something along the lines of an SLR or G3?

[Ironsight06]

Costs more than our freighter, plus we'd have to arm it. And pay a pilot. ;)

It's an option, but an expensive one. How'd you fly it off the ship or get it into the country?
If the ship was bigger you could use the deck. But I don't think it's possible with the ship we got right now.

[Hellfish]

If the ship was bigger you could use the deck. But I don't think it's possible with the ship we got right now.

Not unless we cut down one of the crane booms and make a pad. Keep the helo below decks until needed, then assemble the rotor a couple hours before D-Hour.

[Hellfish]

This is just to satisfy my own curiosity but, what sorts of rifles would the military/militia likely be toting? I'm guessing the ever-ubiquitous AK-47 or something along the lines of an SLR or G3?

All info I've seen points to Soviet-bloc small arms. AKs, RPKs, RPDs, PKMs, RPGs, etc.

[Hellfish]

I'm off work now and going out for a while. Keep the ideas coming!

[Quack of Doom]

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/6485/seaportzc5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Capital


Likewise, using your own ship to block the main harbor might work. But how would you stop an outgoing ship or aircraft even if you did find it?

One ship isn't enough to block the harbor, but with the 2 gunboats that are out of order and the 2 merchant boats EG has, why would you wanna block it? It isn't necessary in the first stage of the coup.

[Ordie]

Any consideration in hiring Colombians?
They speak the language, well trained, battle experience with the FARC / AUC, some are of African background who may not attract attention.

Any mention of the Morroccan Mercs protecting the current leadership?

[Ngati Tumatauenga]

Any mention of the Morroccan Mercs protecting the current leadership?

Yes, several mentions.



@Hellfish6, you might want to consider posting a summary of points and issues to date as well as your initial post as it seems people are starting to chase their tales on matters that have already been raised, often several times.

[wamp]

Good point Ngati,

Might of already been said...

A huge proportion of the £370 million oil revenue is confiscated by the president while most of the 500,000 subjects subsist on less than a dollar a day.
(Source wiki)

For the coup to be successful it will be one of "winning the people's hearts and minds"

If you could manage a successful takeover of the three FM stations that serve EQ then you could broadcast over the whole nation a message to rise up etc.

Like I said might of been mentioned. The summary of what is set so far will hlep

[Asheren]

I would put some AT missiles in stock judging from Lebanon conflict it shoud be not that difficult to obtain few.
While manpads might be problematic. Some of this could also be availble.
http://world.guns.ru/machine/dshkm_aa.jpg

ps.did anyone mentioned ladmines?

[goat89]

Yes, several mentions.



@Hellfish6, you might want to consider posting a summary of points and issues to date as well as your initial post as it seems people are starting to chase their tales on matters that have already been raised, often several times.
Agreed! Esp for me as I just checked the update. Too confusing!

[LaoSexMachine]

So far I got.

-cargo ship(Transport)

-eastern bloc weapon. Heaviest weapon will be Mortars, PKMs and RPGs

-jeeps and land rovers

-seaborne assault.


Anything else?

[SBL]

So far I got.

-cargo ship(Transport)

-eastern bloc weapon. Heaviest weapon will be Mortars, PKMs and RPGs

-jeeps and land rovers

-seaborne assault.


Anything else?


I'm still trying to sell the ultralight, but I don't think anybody's buyin'.

[D-gin]

So far I got.

-cargo ship(Transport)

-eastern bloc weapon. Heaviest weapon will be Mortars, PKMs and RPGs

-jeeps and land rovers

-seaborne assault.


Anything else?

That's about were I'm at, I think you might need a couple of gun boats for the harbor as already said by someone else.

[Kersh]

We already covered the tactical importance of a PR and psy-ops war, capturing of the radio and TV stations.

[LaoSexMachine]

I agree that this has to be KISS. More things you add the more things can go wrong.

[Ngati Tumatauenga]

Yep. There's a **** of 'mission creep' being added here.

[LaoSexMachine]

Gunboat and ultralight is just too much IMO. Takes away men that might be needed. Remember onlt 100.

[Hunterhr]

Maybe time for a new thread? Each iteration could discuss a new topic. I think transport is nailed down. Repost the original intel and this as a starting point I guess.


-cargo ship(Transport)

-eastern bloc weapon. Heaviest weapon will be Mortars, PKMs and RPGs

-jeeps and land rovers

-seaborne assault.

[RECON DOC]

Hellfish6/ guys, terrific thread, really interesting. I have noticed that no one
has provided for medics in their TO&E. They're awful nice to have around when the high powered party favors start popping off and you or your guys start catching rounds. Maybe 10-12 of your crew could be medics that double
as riflemen. Plus having medics on board with the show provides a certian sense of security to the other men, in knowing that they wont be left to bleed to death in the event that they are hit. Just my two cents.
Again awesome thread guys.

[goat89]

Hellfish6/ guys, terrific thread, really interesting. I have noticed that no one
has provided for medics in their TO&E. They're awful nice to have around when the high powered party favors start popping off and you or your guys start catching rounds. Maybe 10-12 of your crew could be medics that double
as riflemen. Plus having medics on board with the show provides a certian sense of security to the other men, in knowing that they wont be left to bleed to death in the event that they are hit. Just my two cents.
Again awesome thread guys.
You are right...Medics...maybe at Platoon Level? What you think? I have no experience in such planning.

[Ngati Tumatauenga]

Hellfish6/ guys, terrific thread, really interesting. I have noticed that no one
has provided for medics in their TO&E. They're awful nice to have around when the high powered party favors start popping off and you or your guys start catching rounds. Maybe 10-12 of your crew could be medics that double
as riflemen. Plus having medics on board with the show provides a certian sense of security to the other men, in knowing that they wont be left to bleed to death in the event that they are hit. Just my two cents.
Again awesome thread guys.

1 patrol medic, all the rest CLS qualed. Local hospitals utilised for anything else.

Quality of care? I hear you ask, that will become apparent from the area recon/HUMINT.

[LaoSexMachine]

1 patrol medic, all the rest CLS qualed. Local hospitals utilised for anything else.

Quality of care? I hear you ask, that will become apparent from the area recon/HUMINT.


x2. This will not be long and drawn out. Since their army is not up to par I think Nagati has it.

[goat89]

1 patrol medic, all the rest CLS qualed. Local hospitals utilised for anything else.

Quality of care? I hear you ask, that will become apparent from the area recon/HUMINT.
The utilisation of local hospitals is a real good idea! Btw, what is CLS?

[RECON DOC]

You are right...Medics...maybe at Platoon Level? What you think? I have no experience in such planning.

10 or 12 should be enough, 1 for every 10 men or so dispersed at squad level.
Plus the proffesional types should have a reasonable amount of emergency first aid training to take up the slack of less serious wounds. Again the medics have to double as riflemen as a unit of this size will need all the fire power it can muster. Every swingin **** will be needed to put rounds on the targets if
necessary.

[LaoSexMachine]

The utilisation of local hospitals is a real good idea! Btw, what is CLS?

Combat Lifesaver.

[RECON DOC]

1 patrol medic, all the rest CLS qualed. Local hospitals utilised for anything else.

Quality of care? I hear you ask, that will become apparent from the area recon/HUMINT.


x2. This will not be long and drawn out. Since their army is not up to par I think Nagati has it.

Points taken.

[goat89]

Combat Lifesaver.
Oh i see. Thx. Learned something new.

[goat89]

10 or 12 should be enough, 1 for every 10 men or so dispersed at squad level.
Plus the proffesional types should have a reasonable amount of emergency first aid training to take up the slack of less serious wounds. Again the medics have to double as riflemen as a unit of this size will need all the fire power it can muster. Every swingin **** will be needed to put rounds on the targets if
necessary.
I see that you were with the US Army Air Ambulance Unit. Thx as I learned something new. You signing up for the Op? :)

[RECON DOC]

I see that you were with the US Army Air Ambulance Unit. Thx as I learned something new. You signing up for the Op? :)

The budget isn't big enoughp-) Besides I haven't practiced trauma medicine in 20 years, I got my fill.

[goat89]

The budget isn't big enoughp-) Besides I haven't practiced trauma medicine in 20 years, I got my fill.
I see.... 20 years eh? Long time mate.....TRAIN! :)

[RECON DOC]

I see.... 20 years eh? Long time mate.....TRAIN! :)

Like I said, I've had my fill.

[LaoSexMachine]

Like I said, I've had my fill.

We need another baldy besides Hellfvcksticks.

[RECON DOC]

We need another baldy besides Hellfvcksticks.

Aww shucks :hug: You make it hard to decline, but I should leave it up to the young lions. Besides I've been out of the game way too long. You might get me to jump into a barroom brawl though, they're always fun.p-)

[goat89]

Aww shucks :hug: You make it hard to decline, but I should leave it up to the young lions. Besides I've been out of the game way too long. You might get me to jump into a barroom brawl though, they're always fun.p-)
LOL.....I dont think I will last that long!

[LaoSexMachine]

So this IS a night op. agreed?

[D-gin]

That would be my choice, But then again I'm not experienced in such matters, It just seems the smarter choice as long as you have the appropriate NVG.

[LaoSexMachine]

NVGs are cheap and Night Ops will provide us with the element of suprise. doubt EQ military has NVGs.

[Hunterhr]

Yeah, say an 0300-0400 start time. Good NVG's would be critical.

[Kersh]

I do think 0300-0400 is a bit too late. We would need the maximum amount of darkness for a succesful op, you never know which one of Murphy's Laws will come into play and you need some cushion time to deal with any problems that arise. We should shoot for the majority of combat operations to be pretty much wrapped up by the time people start waking up in the morning.

[Ngati Tumatauenga]

Currently Sunset/sunrise is 1817/0612 local. Work 30min either side for first/last light.

Time zone is West African. UTC+0100

Forecast is rain for the next five days, wind mild out of the SW, 75-100% humidity, temp 22-25c. Full moon 7 Oct.

[Hunterhr]

I do think 0300-0400 is a bit too late. We would need the maximum amount of darkness for a succesful op, you never know which one of Murphy's Laws will come into play and you need some cushion time to deal with any problems that arise. We should shoot for the majority of combat operations to be pretty much wrapped up by the time people start waking up in the morning.

I'm all for having the maximum amount of time to execute a plan (that's why most offensives throughout history have occurred at dawn) but the time of darkness just before first light tends to be the time when the enemy is most unaware, thinking that they have made it through the night.

[Ngati Tumatauenga]

I'm all for having the maximum amount of time to execute a plan (that's why most offensives throughout history have occurred at dawn) but the time of darkness just before first light tends to be the time when the enemy is most unaware, thinking that they have made it through the night.

Unless they're in the habit of conducting a 'stand to' as many professional armies are. Unlikely, but not to be discounted out of hand.

[Kersh]

As long as we still have the element of surprise, they won't he "holding out" until morning. It'll be just another night. We can start it while the majority of the population are already in bed or are on their way to bed. By the time they wake up, as I said before, the majority of combat operations (if executed quickly, efficiently, and relatively quietly) will be wrapped up. I do think that'll give the people less of a chance to fight back.

Edit - I must say I am under the impression that this is a quick op, where we strike the leadership first, preferrably at night, and move on to other targets in order of tactical importance.

[wamp]

Dont know if it has been mentioned but I found this regarding EQs President...

"His worsening medical condition demands he travel abroad twice a month, leaving the country more vulnerable to coups."

If HUMINT could get an exact date of his departure, it would leave a small window but might help with confusion in the ranks.

Read up on the infamous "Black Beach Prison" held the men from the earlier coup attempt and currently holds dozens of political prisoners or those opposed to the presidents regime. Released they could be valuable allies that just need a rifle. Unfortunetly its on the Island of Malabo, which I believe this expedition is bypassing. Have pics if furthur intrest is warranted.

[Ngati Tumatauenga]

Yep, it's already been mentioned. Apparently he goes to Geneva.

On the political prisoners, there are possibilties there for exploitation in the aftermath of the coup but giving them weapons there and then would be out of the question in my mission. Too many uknowns with them.

Malabo isn't being bypassed, it's the capital.

[Hunterhr]

Unless they're in the habit of conducting a 'stand to' as many professional armies are. Unlikely, but not to be discounted out of hand.

Of course. I think this is where recce teams would come in. If the guard around critical sites is simply a patrol or two at 3 or 4 in the morning, then you're all set to go. On the other hand, if you have a significant number of bright eyed and bushy tailed soldiers, you may have to modify things.


Edit - I must say I am under the impression that this is a quick op, where we strike the leadership first, preferrably at night, and move on to other targets in order of tactical importance.

That's my understanding as well. Get off the ship at the appointed time. Land Rover into position. Hit your targets. Hold for a few days if need be.

The professionalism of the force that is doing the job is really the critical element. Oakley jokes aside, if 100 professionals hit their targets at the appointed time, I'd think they'd come out on top. Once they're in control, thing should fall into place.

[Kersh]

I think the prisoners may be a good backup plan if things go south. Break them out and arm them, and that'll give the military a good bit to deal with while our guys get the f*ck out of there. Might make a decent Oh Sh*t plan.

[Kersh]

Dont know if it has been mentioned but I found this regarding EQs President...

"His worsening medical condition demands he travel abroad twice a month, leaving the country more vulnerable to coups."

If HUMINT could get an exact date of his departure, it would leave a small window but might help with confusion in the ranks.

Read up on the infamous "Black Beach Prison" held the men from the earlier coup attempt and currently holds dozens of political prisoners or those opposed to the presidents regime. Released they could be valuable allies that just need a rifle. Unfortunetly its on the Island of Malabo, which I believe this expedition is bypassing. Have pics if furthur intrest is warranted.

I do believe we've established that damn near all of the HVTs need to be in country and within striking distance at D-Hour. We can take as many as people in as little amount of time as possible.

[goat89]

Currently Sunset/sunrise is 1817/0612 local. Work 30min either side for first/last light.

Time zone is West African. UTC+0100

Forecast is rain for the next five days, wind mild out of the SW, 75-100% humidity, temp 22-25c. Full moon 7 Oct.
Full moon eh? Slightly down, but I dont think it will effect thee Op seriously right?

[Ngati Tumatauenga]

I'd prefer a new moon.

[goat89]

I'd prefer a new moon.
Not sure how will a new moon effect the Op? Isn't no moon better?

[Ngati Tumatauenga]

New moon is no moon. Confusing isn't it.

[goat89]

New moon is no moon. Confusing isn't it.
Oh damn....stupid me.....I have to read...learned something new AGAIN...
To me: WTF MAN!

[Flagg]

As far as medical support goes, I'd expect the following:

If I was selecting pers, minimum rank would be Sgt., maybe a bunch of full Corporals......in my world, they would all, already be CLS qualified......just maybe in need of some remedial training....that's just one advantage of using crusty old fellas.....they've done every course in the Army and the numbers are too low for one-dimensional soldiers.

HUMINTers could verify some things like local cultural stuff......like which nights are the big piss ups.

Since the Presidential Guard appear to be a substantial unit and would potentially pose the most serious counter coup threat, I'd consider trying to hit them where they congregate off duty....like their Baggies Bar/NCO Club/Officers Mess/Local Pub.....most soldiers I know feel comfortable and safe in their local.

If one or two of your HUMINTERs or sources are female, no reason why they can't get an invite....ANY woman is appreciated in a Baggies bar ;)

Once the Standby signal is given, the lady or ladies could make their way to the toilet...while the rest of the pub gets a satchel charge.

It would be extremely rude, and risk a substantial number of innocent civvie casualties...but a platoon assault on a company or two's worth of Presidential Guards probably requires a bit of quite naughty lateral thinking.

I'd consider an assault on a Saturday Night around midnight(closest to Ngati's new moon ;) )......the key players will hopefully be drunk, asleep, or on duty......

And it leaves a good 6 hours to hit secondary targets since the assault force is rally only a platoon, or, just as importantly, E & E before first light if things don't go according to plan.

[Ngati Tumatauenga]

Alright, here's my fleet.

The landing craft is $300,00USD and the coaster is $500,000USD.

I've also tracked down an MI-8T for $800,000USD but I don't have a pic. This will be based on the coaster. It will be mounted with 6x16 rd 57mm rocket pods for fire support although initially it will be used as an insertion platform.

The LC will carry the Task Groups(TG) vehicles which will consist of the same class vehicles used by the EG army and Gendarmes, ie, Land rovers, Hiliux, etc, mocked up with the same paint jobs and markings. These will be covered in plastic shrink wrap to conceal their ID till battle prep commences.

The MI-8T will be pre-loaded with 2xquad bikes with trailers for the initial insertion. More on that later...

I'll also purchase a number of CJ10A cell phone jammers for emplacement prior to and during the assault. The have a 1.5 km effective range which I guess is probably radius.

http://antennasystems.com/cellphonejammer.htm

More to follow...

[Skeletor]

I'd consider an assault on a Saturday Night around midnight(closest to Ngati's new moon ;) )......the key players will hopefully be drunk, asleep, or on duty.......

Not everyone goes to bed before midnight sunshine. Especially on a saturday! In my opinion you'd have the shortest window of time on a Saturday night/Sunday morning since you have people up until the late hours having a good time and then people up in the early hours going to church on sunday. Meaning you'd only have a few hours (if that) when the streets would be empty.

[Hunterhr]

Not everyone goes to bed before midnight sunshine. Especially on a saturday! In my opinion you'd have the shortest window of time on a Saturday night/Sunday morning since you have people up until the late hours having a good time and then people up in the early hours going to church on sunday. Meaning you'd only have a few hours (if that) when the streets would be empty.

There being a balance in everything in life, hitting the key players when they're disoriented versus an early crowd, I'd think you'd have to go with hitting the mission critical people.

If they are going to be up late, they're not going to be nearly effective as a standard guard rotations.

[wamp]

Called in some Favors to friends in Gabon. These might not help but they are intresting considering no one is allowed to take pictures of the Government, Military, or Police.


Regarding the Presidents Security. You can see in the next three photos that there is a caucasion near the President at all times. Moroccan? French? Photos are dated between 2000-2005.

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/5259/eq2xw3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Same guy again

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/1381/eq4sq6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Notice: Possibly the same guy wearing a Yankess's cap and another bodyguard behind him is wearing a Tennesee cap.

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/8932/eq1ae2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Rare photo of EQ military. Presidential motorcade in background consists of two-three black Suvs and one white one. I have also marked two cacasion men, most likely bodyguards.

http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/8247/eq3al6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Not so rare picture of front of Presidential Palce

http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/2696/eqpalaceze7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Asheren]

Most propably his chief of security or bullet catcher propably both.

[Loopster]

Rare picture of front of Presidential Palce

Not so rare...

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/6163/palaciozu4.th.jpg (http://img513.imageshack.us/my.php?image=palaciozu4.jpg)http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/6573/palaciopresidencialbi4.th.jpg (http://img242.imageshack.us/my.php?image=palaciopresidencialbi4.jpg)http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/1316/palaciodelpueblonv2.th.jpg (http://img242.imageshack.us/my.php?image=palaciodelpueblonv2.jpg)

One of the Ferraris from Obiang's son:

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/6022/elferrarideteodoringk2.th.jpg (http://img513.imageshack.us/my.php?image=elferrarideteodoringk2.jpg)

If you want to attempt a coup in Equatorial Guinea you should be ready beacuse it's the country of Africa with highest interests for CIA, DIA, DGSE, FSB, chinese intelligence, indian intelligence,... the second biggest (and growing) oil producer in west africa, in a perfect offshore zone far away from the war zones and with high ties with the US, and China at the same time.

US Embassy in Malabo, near the airport (a better place if you need to run out):

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/1848/embajadausavn6.jpg

Obiang's bodyguards are a mix of moroccans and guineanos trained by France and an israeli company. MPRI also make a proposal for training the Army, but Pentagon dennies them to do it.

I've just finished a book about a coup in Guinea, if you want to read it you need to know spanish :)

[James]

Someone go to the airsoft section and get one of those guys to figure out uniforms and kit for our pipe hitters.

Hehe

[goat89]

Good pics on intel! The bodyguard are trained by the French and an Israeli company eh? So, how do we deal with them?

[Hellfish]

Excellent intel!

[F-14D]

How much would it cost to fill up that Freighter?

[Hunterhr]

If you want to attempt a coup in Equatorial Guinea you should be ready beacuse it's the country of Africa with highest interests for CIA, DIA, DGSE, FSB, chinese intelligence, indian intelligence,... t

There are assurances of non-interference already in place.

[Hellfish]

How much would it cost to fill up that Freighter?

With what?


There are assurances of non-interference already in place.

Correct.

[F-14D]

[QUOTE=Hellfish6;1963707]With what?



QUOTE]


Srry, I meant how much does fuel cost

[Loopster]

Ok, no interferences from nobody?, let's go.

Forget Rio Muni (the continental territory) and mainly of Bioko (capital island), the important places are:

Malabo> Presidential Palace, airport and embassy's area. With about 200 hundred people you can control all this places. Theres 2 helispots just behind the presidential palace, a good place to make an air assault. 3km to the south of airport is the biggest and only militare base of the area, so put a team of 50 people covering the road and shot mortars shells over them.

Basilé> Biggest mountain of Bioko and only satellite communications systems allowed by the regime.

Luba freeport> in Bioko again, the new port, made by a mix of french and dutch companies. Big interests for the oil industry. (about $40000millon dollars in interest :D)

Annobon> A little island but generates an Exclusive Economic Zone probably full of oil and gas. This is the most important place to take, if you control Annobon you have control of the richest non-muslim's waters of the world.

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/8760/obiangysusgorilasyg7.jpg

Obiang's bodyguards:

A company of airborne soldiers by Morocco, paid by France. Other bodyguards are gaboneses and guineans, with good experience and trained by BT (you know who :P) of Israel. Obiang's son try two shoot over his father to years ago and one of the moroquians stop the bullets with his body, so they're well trained and are responsible. Remember that in the attempt of coup in Mauritania, Morocco send a company of paratroopers and stop the coup in just one night.

If you want to take the power you need to kill (or make dissappear) all the presidential family, believe, nobody will miss them. Contractin Air Bass or Air Cess you could put all the troops and weapons/vehicles you want in Malabo, because Air Bass is based at Equatorial Guinea and operates all over Africa. Just need money. Weapons avalaible in US, Thailand, Argelia, Sierra Leona (so near to Bioko Island), Liberia, ... so is not a problem.

http://img506.imageshack.us/img506/9880/tesorerageneraldb9.jpg
A good place to take control, National Tresaury, if you're hunting Obiang's circle of influence you'll find them here catching some money before running. Just ambush them, and take the money of course :P


The easy way?, pay MPRI to meke the job, just like the croatians did.

If you need to retreat quickly, stole Obiang's plane, a luxury Boeing, and make some money.

[goat89]

Steal money? Is it ethical? We are there for the coup! However, getting some cash there to bribe the locals when we are in trouble or to keep them quite is a good idea. Hellfish? Your call.

[SBL]

Steal money? Is it ethical? We are there for the coup! However, getting some cash there to bribe the locals when we are in trouble or to keep them quite is a good idea. Hellfish? Your call.

We're planning a coup here. Effectively, we're about to "steal" a country, so when you consider that, ethics have gone out the window quite some time ago.

Besides, if you're forced to scrub the op you're gonna have to pay your guys somehow...not to mention yourself.

Ethics be damned.

[Hellfish]

Ok, no interferences from nobody?, let's go.


Outstanding intel. Do you have a map location for the treasury?


Steal money? Is it ethical? We are there for the coup! However, getting some cash there to bribe the locals when we are in trouble or to keep them quite is a good idea. Hellfish? Your call.

I imagine only a relatively small amount of the national treasury is located there - the bulk of it is probably in international banks and private swiss accounts. I figure anything that can be taken would be a bonus - but I'd worry about losing C&C at that point.


We're planning a coup here. Effectively, we're about to "steal" a country, so when you consider that, ethics have gone out the window quite some time ago.

Besides, if you're forced to scrub the op you're gonna have to pay your guys somehow...not to mention yourself.

Ethics be damned.

True too. Who'd want to be trapped on a boat, hunted, with 100 pissed off, unpaid armed men? Its something for consideration.

[Loopster]

You'll need too much money to make the people stay easy. In EG are two mainly ethnics, Fangs (now in the power) and Bubis, the people in Bioko and islands are mainly Bubis and live in extreme poverty, take money and control the supplies and prices of water, food and gas, so you can quickly increase the quality of life of 50k people around you (and is better than have them extremely angry).

It's no about the ethics, is about tactics. You can't let the rule people eludes you and flow outside the country with all the cash of the goverment, because you need this money to pay not only your assault squad, also to keep the country working, services keep running, people go to their jobs,...

TVs and radio stations are not important if you control Basillé, because the info will not go out Bioko island (not enough power). You even can pay people from TecCell and Orange in Cameroon and Gabon to make interferences in cell phones over EG territory (cheap and useful) and avoid an early warning over your attack.

I think that one of the most important tasks is to take control of the crucial areas and inmediatly keep the country running.

[Hellfish]

[quote=Hellfish6;1963707]With what?



QUOTE]


Srry, I meant how much does fuel cost

I've been estimating fuel and operation costs at 25-33% of the purchase price.

[Hellfish]

Lets assemble a list of critical target locations. We've already got an HVT list, so lets think of the buildings and facilities we need to secure. That will help us determine our force organization and weapon considerations.

1. Presidential Palace
2. Airport
3. National Treasury
4. Radio/TV facilities
5. Cellular facilities and ISPs

Others?

[Hellfish]

Alright, here's my fleet.

The landing craft is $300,00USD and the coaster is $500,000USD.

I've also tracked down an MI-8T for $800,000USD but I don't have a pic. This will be based on the coaster. It will be mounted with 6x16 rd 57mm rocket pods for fire support although initially it will be used as an insertion platform.

The LC will carry the Task Groups(TG) vehicles which will consist of the same class vehicles used by the EG army and Gendarmes, ie, Land rovers, Hiliux, etc, mocked up with the same paint jobs and markings. These will be covered in plastic shrink wrap to conceal their ID till battle prep commences.

The MI-8T will be pre-loaded with 2xquad bikes with trailers for the initial insertion. More on that later...

I'll also purchase a number of CJ10A cell phone jammers for emplacement prior to and during the assault. The have a 1.5 km effective range which I guess is probably radius.

http://antennasystems.com/cellphonejammer.htm

More to follow...

Interesting. You don't think the costs will be excessive?

[Loopster]

Outstanding intel. Do you have a map location for the treasury?

I think you'll find this interesting.

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/6964/jrtjnt0.th.jpg (http://img90.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jrtjnt0.jpg)http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/152/wermy0.th.jpg (http://img501.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wermy0.jpg)http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/7826/mapaciudadbz4.jpg

As you coul see, embassys and goverment buildings (including treasury) are in very near areas, and cover on the north by the coast. You should take control of presidential area-embassys-goverment area

Just like another "Green Zone".

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/3488/newgreenzonefr6.th.jpg (http://img522.imageshack.us/my.php?image=newgreenzonefr6.jpg)

[Hellfish]

I think the prisoners may be a good backup plan if things go south. Break them out and arm them, and that'll give the military a good bit to deal with while our guys get the f*ck out of there. Might make a decent Oh Sh*t plan.

It's also a dangerous plan. Do you really want a bunch of pissed off people running around on their own with guns? I'd keep them in there until you've got new leadership in place and the dust has settled.


I do believe we've established that damn near all of the HVTs need to be in country and within striking distance at D-Hour. We can take as many as people in as little amount of time as possible.

Minimum requirement is 75% of the HVTs must be present and able to be taken out.


As far as medical support goes, I'd expect the following:

If I was selecting pers, minimum rank would be Sgt., maybe a bunch of full Corporals......in my world, they would all, already be CLS qualified......just maybe in need of some remedial training....that's just one advantage of using crusty old fellas.....they've done every course in the Army and the numbers are too low for one-dimensional soldiers.

Right. I think Ngati said one medic would be enough, with CLS guys sprinkled throughout. Hospitals are absolutely useful as well.


HUMINTers could verify some things like local cultural stuff......like which nights are the big piss ups.

Since the Presidential Guard appear to be a substantial unit and would potentially pose the most serious counter coup threat, I'd consider trying to hit them where they congregate off duty....like their Baggies Bar/NCO Club/Officers Mess/Local Pub.....most soldiers I know feel comfortable and safe in their local.

If one or two of your HUMINTERs or sources are female, no reason why they can't get an invite....ANY woman is appreciated in a Baggies bar ;)

Once the Standby signal is given, the lady or ladies could make their way to the toilet...while the rest of the pub gets a satchel charge.

It would be extremely rude, and risk a substantial number of innocent civvie casualties...but a platoon assault on a company or two's worth of Presidential Guards probably requires a bit of quite naughty lateral thinking.

I'd consider an assault on a Saturday Night around midnight(closest to Ngati's new moon ;) )......the key players will hopefully be drunk, asleep, or on duty......

And it leaves a good 6 hours to hit secondary targets since the assault force is rally only a platoon, or, just as importantly, E & E before first light if things don't go according to plan.

Good idea.