A Shattered World and Israeli Glue

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Xiphos
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A Shattered World and Israeli Glue

Post by Xiphos »

On June 1st, 2020, the world ended.

Economic crises, anti-religious crack-downs, and corrupt central governments led to global unrest and dissatisfaction with standing authority. Republics splintered, dictators toppled, and the world shattered into potently explosive shards.

The shards erupted.

World powers - Russia, China, and the United States - fell under top-heavy governments. Without the stabilizing influence of their respective rivalries, smaller countries leapt to war. Past offenses and hatreds, both stoked and guided by now-defunct world leaders, blossomed into ferocious conflict and horrifying atrocities. Each country, each crumb of once-powerful empires scrambled for vacant thrones glistening with power, wealth, and security.

National agreements dissolved. Without national identities, millions of people found race, religion, or ancestral homeland to define and protect themselves. Populaces left homes for ancestral lands and religious centers. Fortunately for Israel, we are both to millions.

With the influx of immigrants came experience, knowledge, tactics, and of course . . . secrets. Secrets were easily shaken loose in conflict, and loyalty brought them to us. Money helped, too. Loose secrets find themselves in the hands of the prepared, and Mossad scooped up every design and technology available.

New minds brought new ideas, and fresh influencers made their way into commercial and industrial leadership, the Knesset, and the military. Tactics evolved. Industries expanded. Israel was preparing herself for her new, superpower role.

Plans had hardly begun to form when Egypt issued a declaration of war. With multiple industrial centers and military supply factories under construction, funds and supplies were low. Though the majority of our military had been activated, military experts and advisors had just begun transforming our armed forces into the machine that would calm the world. Though interrupted, we struck back swiftly and without mercy.

My men, the 1st Mechanized Infantry Division, raced east to Rafah from our temporary base at Ramon to head off advancing Egyptian tank columns. That American ex-patriots wielded our Merkava IV’s against Egyptians in American-made Abrams was lost on none of us. Fighter/bombers scrambled from air bases across the country to help blunt, then turn the assault. The 2nd ID, under the command of Tat Aluf Sayed Arafat, deployed from the north and arrived in time to encircle Arish. Leap-frogging brigades halted, encircled, and destroyed enemy units on our way to the Suez Canal. Within less than two days, we had claimed the Sinai peninsula.

As we halted at the canal, enemy artillery shells exploded among our formations, disrupting our attempts to fortify our positions and destroying tanks and lives alike. Any attempt across the canal was met with harsh and concentrated artillery fire and air-to-ground bombardments. So swift had been our response, so fierce our assault, the unorganized Ministry of Defense was unable to field consistent air cover until nearly 24 hours after our brave soldiers rolled up to the water.

We could not wait. The fire was intense, especially from the military base at Ismailia. I ordered my division across the canal in an assault on the base. As 2nd brigade formed up and prepared to move, I received word that Arafat was going to push across the canal at Suez. His men were under fire from tanks in the town and fighter/bombers from Fayed. He had to silence them. I dispatched 3rd brigade to assist in the assault and to take Fayed, forming a southern prong to my own attempt on Ismailia.

The assault was slow and bloody. Shells fell among my men and the ferry we’d captured. It was all we could do to keep fresh units at the front, whittling down the strong Egyptian defensive positions. Arafat’s 2nd ID managed to cross at Suez and had expanded to capture Fayed and push the Egyptian air forces back. My 3rd brigade reported that Arafat’s blitz on Cairo had been halted - though not before he decimated enemy artillery and anti-tank positions en route. This eased the pressure on my southern force, which took position at the bridge south of Ismailia.

We continually revolved our battalions through the front, fresh soldiers pressing forward even as the wounded and bloodied wandered their way back. We were nearly to our reserves when we broke through to the city. I ordered the advance, and we pushed forward - hoping that the worst was behind us. The battle only intensified as we gained the beachhead. There was no respite. None of my men balked.

We marched into the base and weathered ambush after ambush, nearly at every turn. Damaged tank battalions popped up from advantaged positions in the city and my infantry responded, throwing them back. It took days to clear the base and city, even after we had possession of the installations. Artillery positions from surrounding towns would not let us gain much of a foothold - though we raided them again and again. Even worse, our supply lines were stretched thin, and supplies themselves became sparse. Yet my men held.

As we considered moving the bulk of our force back across the canal, we received word that the Egyptians had accepted a ceasefire. Obviously unaware that our advance had lost steam, they were also dealing with severe supply shortages. We had our breather. We took advantage.

It took a couple months, but soon our military supply infrastructure expanded and reinforcements bulked up our understrength battalions. Arafat and I were ready to resume our push. We met at Ismailia and planned our assault. His 2nd ID would push south to capture Helwan, then At Tarfayah, Sinnuris, and Beni Suef. My 1st ID would move south from Ismailia and raid Cairo, destroying as many defensive positions as possible before withdrawing to Fayed. Arafat would push north west, angling for Alexandria, and I would assault Cairo. That would leave him in position to capture Alexandria, including any government officials that managed to escape my assault on the capitol.

We resumed hostilities three months after they’d halted, and struck swiftly and accurately. Cairo fell to me, and Alexandria fell to Arafat. Egyptian officials at Mansoura declared that Egypt was still viable, and continued to do so until my 1st brigade drove them out of the city. A local official at Port Said made one defiant broadcast, but immediately surrendered as they spotted my 4th Amoured brigade approaching. Egypt was ours.

Peace again. That was a decade ago. For over ten years we’ve had security from our neighbors. Our response to Egypt’s aggression held back our enemies - for now.

- "Dawn: Israel’s Awakening," Rav Aluf Yosef Sayar, Chief of General Staff
Last edited by Xiphos on Aug 07 2012, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: A Shattered World and Israeli Glue

Post by GIJoe597 »

Entertaining read. I can but wonder what has transpired over the last ten years.
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Re: A Shattered World and Israeli Glue

Post by Xiphos »

Military Reorganization and Expansion Program
June 1st, 2031

Command Structure
The Chief of General Staff is the supreme commander of the Israel Defense Forces, and is the head of the general staff - the commanding body of the armed forces. Among the general staff are commanders of the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Sayaret (Special Forces).

Also among the general staff are the commanding officers of the Central and Africa Commands. Other commands will be formed as territory expands. Each command contains at least one army corps, which may be supplemented by air wings, fleet task forces, or Sayeret groups as deemed necessary by the general staff.

Army
An army corps will be made up of three maneuvering divisions and one HQ/Support division. While the bulk of corps maneuvering divisions will include at least one armoured brigade, the MBTs will primarily be used to anchor a position or (rarely) for heavy support. For this reason most maneuvering divisions will be referenced as Mechanized Infantry (or ID) instead of Combined Arms divisions. Airborne divisions will be made up of six light mechanized and armoured brigades supported by long range aircraft.
Current Table of Organization and Equipment:

Army Corps (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Corps)

Three Maneuvering Mechanized Divisions
  • - Two Light Mechanized Brigades (M113/M2A4)
    - One Heavy Mechanized Brigade (Namera/Alligator)
    - One Armoured Brigade (Merkava IV/V)
    - One Combined Arms Reserve Brigade (Three light, Two heavy, Two MBT battalions)
    - One Fires Brigade
HQ Division
  • - Three Light Mechanized Brigades or Two Light/One Heavy
    - One SAM Brigade
    - One Logistics Air Group (Seven Fortified Rotary Transport Squadrons)
    - One Combat Engineer Brigade
Airborne Corps

Two Assault Divisions
  • - Five Light Airborne Mechanized Brigades (MRF-x)
    - One Light Tank Brigade (M8 Ridgeway/Four Battalions)
    - Seven Fortified Heavy Air Transport Squadrons (AN-225 Cossack/Six transport, One logistics)
Air Force
Air wings will be made up of seven squadrons and will serve one purpose per wing in active commands. Air wings in maintenance commands will be multi-purpose. Currently, air wings are temporarily assigned to active commands until expansion and growth necessitate more permanent organization.
Current Table of Organization and Equipment:

Air Superiority (Falcon, Viper)
  • - Seven Air-to-Air Fighter Squadrons (F-16A, F-16 ADF, F-15I, F-15C)
Air Superiority/SEAD/CAS (Puma, Hammer)
  • - Seven Multi-Role Fighter Squadrons (F-14D)
Close Air Support (Lightning, Thunder)
  • - Seven Fighter-Bomber Squadrons (F-16C, F-111G)
Surveillance (Albatross)
  • - One AWACS Squadron (IAI Sea Scan)
    - Three Air-to-Air Fighter Squadrons (F-16A, F-16 ADF, F-15I)
Automated Surveillance (Vigilant)
  • - Various UAV AWACS Squadrons (Global Hawk)
Strategic Bomb (Wraith)
  • - Seven Strategic Bomber Squadrons (B-2A)
Navy
Fleets will form task forces and shift between commands to support offenses as necessary. Carrier and Expeditionary strike groups (CSGs & ESGs) will spearhead or support amphibious assaults. Destroyer squadrons (DESRONs) will defend key waterways, bombard targets, and support land offenses.
Current Table of Organization and Equipment:

Heavy Assault Carrier Strike Group (CSGs Eagle and Stalwart)
  • - One Heavy Carrier (Gerald Ford-class)
    - Four Fighter-Bomber Squadrons (F-14D Tomcat)
    - One Guided Missile Frigate (FFG-7 Oliver H. Perry-class)
    - Two Guided Missile Destroyers (DDG-1000 Zumwalt)
    - Two Submarines (SSN-774 Virginia-class)
    - One Heavy Transport (AOE-6 Supply)
  • Heavy Marine Expeditionary Group
    • Transport
      - One Fortified Long-Range V/STOL Transport Squadron (CV-22 Osprey)
      - Two Fortified Rotary Transport Squadrons - Embarked (MH-47E Chinook)
      - Three Fortified Heavy Supply Truck Battalions
      Assault
      - Two Light Mechanized Brigades (M2A4 Bradleys)
      - One Heavy Mechanized Brigade (EFV Alligator)
      - One Shayetet 13 Regiment
      - One Light Tank Brigade (M8 Ridgeway)
      - Five SAM Battalions
      - Six ECB Airborne Engineer Battalions
Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG Fillmore and Hornet)
  • - Amphibious Landing Ship (LHD-1 Wasp)
    - One VTOL Fighter-Bomber Squadron (F-35B Lightning II VTOL)
    - One Guided Missile Frigate (FFG-7 Oliver H. Perry-class)
    - One Guided Missile Cruiser (CGN-38 Virginia Mod I)
    - Two Guided Missile Destroyers (DDG-1000 Zumwalt)
    - One Submarine (SSN-774 Virginia-class)
    - One Heavy Transport (AOR-509 Protecteur)
  • Light Marine Expeditionary Group
    • Transport
      - One Fortified Long-Range V/STOL Transport Squadron (CV-22 Osprey)
      - Two Fortified Rotary Transport Squadrons - Embarked (MH-47E Chinook)
      - Two Fortified Heavy Supply Truck Battalions
      Assault
      - Two Light Mechanized Brigades (M2A4 Bradleys)
      - One Shayetet 13 Regiment
      - Four ECB Airborne Engineer Battalions
Destroyer Squadrons (DESRON Snyder, Angel, Reynolds, and Whitfield)
  • - Two Guided Missile Frigates (FFG-7 Oliver H. Perry-class)
    - Five Guided Missile Destroyers (DDG-1000 Zumwalt or DD-228 Indian Sea)
Shayetet 13
  • - Two Amphibious Landing Ships (LHD-1 Wasp)
    • - Four Fortified Rotary Transport Squadrons (MH-47E Chinook)
    • - Twelve Shayetet 13 Teams (Three/Transport)
    - Five Submarine Escorts (SSN-774 Virginia-class Submarine)
Sayaret Command
A new command to manage recently expanded special forces groups. Sayaret forces will operate both as separate units and integrated in other units as necessary. Shaldag units operate with long range aircraft to capture positions containing or surrounding airfields in order to increase maneuverability in an operation. Sayaret Maktal units operate with rotary aircraft to cover short range distances quickly in support of a larger advance. Long range aircraft support these units by maintaining supply and providing long range transport. Shayetet 13 (S'13) units operate from carriers or dedicated S'13 fleets to support or perform amphibious landings in advance of or support for larger landings.
Current Table of Organization and Equipment:

Shaldag Division
  • - Three Special Forces Regiments
    - Three Fortified Heavy Air Transport Squadrons (AN-225 Cossack)
Sayeret Maktal Division (1st, 2nd Div)
  • - Two Lightened Special Forces Regiments (Six Battalions)
    - Four Fortified Rotary Transport Squadrons (MH-47E Chinook)
    - Two Fortified Heavy Air Transport Squadrons (AN-225 Cossack)
Unit Recruitment and Equipment Manufacture
Each command, after hostilities have ceased, will have facilities to train and equip the local populace for defense. Facilities in Central Command will maintain offensive forces as necessary. Descriptions and locations for Central Command bases are listed below:

Army
Training and production requirements necessitated three training and fabrication centers, including bases in Hadera, Ramallah, and Alexandria. These facilities, when running at full capacity, can train and equip a full corps in very short order.

Air Force
Fixed-wing and rotary aircraft are used in each of our force commands. These aircraft are fabricated and their pilots trained in Fayed and Hebron.

Navy
Naval yards have been constructed at our naval base at Hurghada in support of the shipyard at Haifa. Given the time that a single ship takes to construct, these facilities are always operating at full capacity.

Sayaret
With special requirements for Sayaret personnel and in an effort to train without disrupting production of normal line units, land and air facilities have been constructed at Ramon, and Sayaret Command HQ has been moved to that town. This provides Sayaret Command with limited autonomy both in targets and training.
Last edited by Xiphos on Aug 10 2012, edited 2 times in total.
Xiphos
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Re: A Shattered World and Israeli Glue

Post by Xiphos »

I'll try to update this weekly. With a full-time job, two kids and one on the way, I don't have a lot of time to play or write. I have a buffer of a few weeks set up in case I'm not able to put anything together one week, but I may burn through it pretty quick. I'm hoping a steady pace will make it easier to complete the campaign.
GIJoe597 wrote:Entertaining read. I can but wonder what has transpired over the last ten years.
A lot of boring economic development and military reorganization. There were a lot of crickets for a really long time . . .
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Re: A Shattered World and Israeli Glue

Post by GIJoe597 »

Xiphos wrote:
GIJoe597 wrote:Entertaining read. I can but wonder what has transpired over the last ten years.
A lot of boring economic development and military reorganization. There were a lot of crickets for a really long time . . .

I was more referring to anticipation of what is to come, considering what you could have accomplished internally in ten years :) Nice update and overview of your(planned) TOE.
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Re: A Shattered World and Israeli Glue

Post by Sawedoff »

Starting out interesting! Looking forward to the continuation.
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Re: A Shattered World and Israeli Glue

Post by Xiphos »

Situation - 7/1/2031
Training/Fabrication Facilities and Troop Positions in Israel and Egyptian Territory
Image
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Re: A Shattered World and Israeli Glue

Post by Xiphos »

OPERATION BOWSTRING

OBJECTIVES
Phase 1: Capture Benghazi (Ajdabiya)/Sabha (Murzuq/Awbari)
Phase 2: Capture Tripoli

COMMITTED ASSETS

3rd Expeditionary Force, Africa Command (CO: Aluf Hyman Horowitz)
  • 3rd Corps (CO: Tat Aluf Reis Bashevis, 95,646 personnel)
    1st Airborne (CO: Tat Aluf Ber Halevi, 17,108 personnel)
Task Force 133, Mediterranean Fleet (CO: Tat Aluf Yoav Shain)
  • CSG Stalwart (CO: Tat Aluf Yoav Shain, 7,166 personnel)
  • 4th Marine Expeditionary Force (CO:Tat Aluf Avidan Predikin, 24,074 personnel)
  • ESG Hornet [i](CO: Tat Aluf Evan Dovgal, 2,641 personnel)[/i]
  • 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (CO: Tat Aluf Joshua Thompson, 10,278 personnel)
  • DESRON Whitfield [i](CO: Aluf Mishne Meir Dobrun, 1,220 personnel)[/i] DESRON Snyder [i](CO: Aluf Mishne Anika Kravets, 860 personnel)[/i]
Air Command
  • Air Wing Puma (CO: Aluf Mishne Meira Redko, 252 personnel)
    Air Wing Viper (CO: Aluf Mishne Zohar Samulaik, 126 personnel)
RESERVE

Sayeret Command
  • 1st Battalion, Shaldag Division (CO: Tat Aluf Raz Sayar, 1,998 personnel)
    1st Sayeret Maktal Division (CO: Tat Aluf Ephraim Shulman, 3,780 personnel)

OPERATIONS
Phase 1
Image


Primary Objective: Benghazi
(3rd Corps, Task Force 133, and Air Wings Puma and Viper)
Secondary Objective: Sabha
(1st Airborne Division and Air Wing Puma)

1. Transport and Logistics squadrons for the 1st Airborne Division will depart Helwan AFB and link up with Air Wing Puma from Mansoura AFB.
2. Airborne package will transit the Libyan border covertly and proceed to designated landing-zone east of objective.

<Declaration of War issued to Libya>
3. Air Wing Puma will achieve air superiority in theatre.

Image

4. Air Wing Viper will achieve air superiority in theatre.
5. 3rd Corps will secure Tobruk en route to Darnah.
6. DESRON Snyder will provide anti-aircraft and fire support to 3rd Corps advance.
7. ESG Hornet will perform amphibious landing northeast of Benghazi.
8. 1st Marine Expeditionary Force will advance on primary objective to secure and hold Benghazi.
9. INS Hornet fighter squadron will provide CAS during Phase 1 as necessary.
10. DESRON Whitfield will provide anti-aircraft and fire support to 1st MEF and 3rd Corps around Benghazi.
11. INS Stalwart transport squadron will covertly insert S’13 battalions at Ajdabiya.
12. S’13 battalions will secure and defend Ajdabiya.
13. INS Stalwart air wing will achieve air superiority and provide CAS during Phase 1 as necessary.


Image

14. 1st AD will deploy in landing-zone.
15. 1st AD Transport and Logistics will loiter east of landing zone to provide support as necessary.
16. 1-1 AD will secure and hold Murzuq, Awbari, and the junction between the towns.
17. 3-1 AD will separate north before securing and holding Birak.
18. 1st AD remaining forces will advance on secondary objective to secure and hold Sabha.
19. 1st AD Transport and Logistics will land at Sabha when secured.



20. 9th ID will proceed south from Darnah to secure and defend Ajdabiya.
21. 7th ID and 8th ID will advance to secure Al Bayda.
22. 7th ID will advance to secure Benghazi en route to Ajdabiya.
23. 8th ID will advance to secure and defend Ajdabiya.


24. INS Stalwart transport squadron will recover S’13 battalions.
25. Air Wing Viper will redeploy to Benghazi airfield.
26. Air Wing Puma will redeploy to Sabha airfield.
27. DESRON Snyder will redeploy northwest of Tripoli
28. ESG Hornet will recover 1st MEF and redeploy northeast of Misratah.
29. DESRON Whitfield will redeploy north of Al Khums.
30. CSG Stalwart will redeploy east of Misratah.

Phase 2
Image

Primary Objective: Tripoli
(3rd Corps, Task Force 133, and Air Wings Puma and Viper)

1. DESRON Snyder will begin bombardment of enemy troops in unpopulated zones and provide anti-aircraft support.
2. DESRON Whitfield will begin bombardment of enemy troops in unpopulated zones and provide anti-aircraft support.
3. Air Wings Puma and Viper will achieve and maintain air superiority in theatre.
4. INS Stalwart fighter/bombers will maintain air superiority in theatre and provide CAS as necessary in Phase 2.
5. CSG Stalwart and ESG Hornet will begin bombardment of enemy troops in unpopulated zones and provide anti-aircraft support.
6. 3rd Corps will secure Surt.
7. 7th ID will secure Misratah.
8. 8th ID will secure Bani Walid.
9. 9th ID will secure Yafran.
10. 3rd Corps divisions will converge and secure Tripoli.
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Re: A Shattered World and Israeli Glue

Post by Xiphos »

CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS

In the event of international aggression resulting from our advance into Libya, the following contingency operations have been developed for all bordering nations (and Saudi Arabia):

CONOP Jordan
1st and 2nd Corps are prepared for the invasion and defeat of Jordan if a declaration of war is received. 1st Corps will defeat defenses north and south of Amman and will draw out an assault on Jerusalem. 2nd Corps will exploit through Jordan’s southern border and assault Amman from the south.

Image

1st Corps will attack and secure or defend the following towns and cities (south to north):
  • 2nd Division
  • 1-2 ID: Al'Aqabah
  • 2-2 ID: Industrial Complex SE of At Tafilah
  • 3-2 ID: At Tafilah
  • 1st Division
  • 1-1 ID: Irbid, then Ar Ramtha
  • 2-1 ID: Irbid
  • 3-1 ID will hold Ram Allah
  • 4-1 ID will hold Jerusalem
2nd Corps will attack through Al’Aqabah and At Tafilah before swinging north to assault Amman.
  • 4th ID will attack and secure Al Jafr
  • 5th ID will attack and secure Al Azraq, before supporting 6th ID in assaulting Amman.
  • 6th ID will attack and secure Amman.
BDEs in Irbid, Ar Ramtha, Ram Allah, and Jerusalem of 1st Corps will assault Amman from the north and northeast.


CONOP Lebanon
Defenses in northern Israel have been hardened to halt a Lebanon advance in case a declaration of war is received. CSG Eagle and ESG Fillmore will sail to the northern Lebanon coast and shell troop positions as they deploy south. DESRON Reynolds will sail to the southern Lebanon coast and support land defenses. INS Eagle’s air wing will assist by striking at targets in the Lebanon capitol. Lebanese forces will be thinned until reinforcements are available to assault or until Lebanon accepts a cease-fire.

Image

CONOP Syria
Marine forces on CSG Eagle and ESG Fillmore are prepared to invade and hamper Syria’s ability to attack the homeland if a declaration of war is received. Transport squadrons from the INS Eagle and INS Fillmore will covertly insert Shayetet 13 troops attached to the 2nd and 3rd Marine Expeditionary Forces to capture and secure the port at Tartus. DESRON Reynolds will provide anti-aircraft and fire support as necessary throughout the operation. The 3rd MEF of the CSG Eagle will use the port to disembark and then assault the barracks at Hamah. The 2nd MEF of ESG Fillmore will disembark at Tartus and assault the military base at Shayrat. The 3rd MEF will assist when Hamah is captured. INS Eagle’s air wing will assist by providing CAS as necessary throughout the operation. The 2nd and 3rd MEF will hold Tartus, Hamah, and Shayrat until reinforcements are committed or Syria accepts a cease-fire.

Image

CONOP Saudi Arabia
Sayeret and Airborne forces are prepared to hamper and distract Saudi Arabia’s military efforts if a declaration of war is received.

Image

1. The 1st Sayeret Maktal Division will capture and secure Haql.
2. DESRON Angel will sail to a point east of Jiddah and begin shelling troop positions.
3. Shayetet 13 Command Fleet will sail south to a point between Yanbu’ Al Bahr and Rabigh.
  • a. The 1st S’13 BDE of INS Dvei Ilai will attack and secure Yanbu’ Albahr.
    b. The 2nd S’13 BDE of INS Shedim will secure Rabigh.
4. The 2nd AD from airfields in Qena will deploy east of Rabigh and assault Jiddah and Makkah.
5. Yanbu’ Al Bahr, Rabigh, Jiddah, and Makkah will be held until reinforcements are committed or Saudi Arabia accepts a cease-fire.


CONOP Sudan
Intelligence analysts find it highly unlikely that Sudan will declare war on Israel at this time, given their current conflict with Lybia and diplomatic relations with Israel. Notwithstanding these factors, the Ministry of Defense has developed the following contingency operation in the event a declaration of war is received.

Image

1. 10th ID will assault Aswan from the west.
2. 11th ID will assault Aswan from the east.
3. 12th ID will travel south along the Sudanese coast and capture Bur Sudan.
4. 10th ID will capture Abu Simbel. Amphibious brigades will cross the Nile south of Lake Nasser and capture Wadi Halfa.
5. 10th ID will advance south along the Nile and capture Dunqulah.
6. 11th ID will move south and capture Atbarah.
7. 12th ID will advance to capture Kassala.
8. 10th ID will move to and fortify a position west of Al Khartum Bahri.
9. 4th Corps will stage for an assault on Al Khartum Bahri.


4th Corps will maintain all towns and cities until ordered to assault Al Khartum Bahri, or until Sudan accepts a cease-fire.
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Re: A Shattered World and Israeli Glue

Post by Xiphos »

“So we're sending 3rd Corps. With three lizards and a scorpion occupying Libya, we're sending 95,000 soldiers across the desert."

"Don't forget the 17,000 we'll fly over it.”

"Over 110,000 men and women. What's the Hebrew word for overkill?”

"Not as important as the one for victory. The road from Mersa Matruh to Benghazi is littered with empty and undefended towns. Benghazi won’t put up much of a struggle for even one of our divisions, and Tripoli won’t last long under sustained assault. Still, this is more a strategic maneuver than tactical. Operation Bowstring will move key assets out of the Egyptian Territory and farther west. Tripoli is the first step in the Corps’ march along northern Africa. After this bottleneck has broken, 3rd Corps will have plenty of maneuvering room into west Africa. We’ll see plenty of opportunities for single division and brigade-level engagements at that point."

"Indeed. Then we'll be wishing for overkill. I think we're done here. The minister will want to see this before we execute. Hopefully he'll see it the same way."

"Arafat and I go way back. I was with him when we finished Egypt, remember. I'm sure he'll see the strategic necessities we've addressed here. Let's get things moving while I get the final blessing on this."
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Re: A Shattered World and Israeli Glue

Post by Xiphos »

November 7th, 2031
7:56pm
The sun's rays burst up above the horizon in a final gasp of sunset, illuminating thin streaks of clouds in a final glow before darkness slid over the silent sea. The cold evening air offered a harsh welcome as Rav Seren Gavril Eshel stepped out onto the flight deck. Precision chaos swirled around him as he watched the transport squadron prep for their mission under the gaze of great flood-lamps. Elevators lifted the large birds onto the deck, and blue-shirted crewmen towed them to their staging areas. Green shirts swarmed over them in detailed inspection while purple shirts fueled them in sequence. Once they were checked and fueled, his men boarded in full battle-gear. With troop-launch operations underway, most of the aircraft on the deck were the V-22 transports slated to insert his men on the target. There were 36 aircraft to be checked and loaded, and not enough room on the flight deck for all of them. He had 540 S'13 commandos to get to the target, and the Ministry of Defense would only allow 15 men and their equipment on each aircraft - though he knew the transports could hold at least 9 more each. Bureaucracy. Great for spreading blame and slowing things down.

The first group of aircraft lifted from the deck and began a fixed-wing holding pattern south of the carrier. Moments later, the elevators were full and the next cycle began again. He watched as the next group were prepped, then approached the lead craft with his command staff. As his group lifted off from the deck, he saw the next group prepping below. It was going to be a long wait.

8:45pm
The soldiers stood on the red-tiled floor of the suite, each of them hunched over the map resting on the glossy surface of the long wooden table at the center of the room. The soft red glow of the chandelier hanging from the cone-shaped ceiling was drowned in the stark pale brilliance of three flood-lamps situated around the room. Through the opened french doors and balcony shone lights from the rest of the hotel, from rooms once entertaining guests but now billets hosting troops and command headquarters.

“We have orders to execute Operation Bowstring within the hour. Rebbecca, is 7th Division prepared to lead the advance?” Tat Aluf Reis Bashevis straightened and turned to his niece.

“Yes, Reis. They will be in formation within the hour and will move as soon as we receive final orders.” The short, trim officer looked up at her uncle and offered a sharp nod.

“Gal. Your division?”

“I have formed up south and east of 7th, and will shadow her to Al Bayda and offer assistance as necessary.”

The thin, lanky officer at the end of the table looked up from the map “And my division will shadow 8th until Darnah is ours. Then we will march across the desert to capture the oil fields east of Ajdabiya.”

Bashevis tapped his thick fingers on the shiny tabletop. “Thank you, Ronnie. We’re ready, then. HQ will remain here until Barnah is ours, then we will move with the rest of the corps. We will meet again at Ajdabiya. To your posts. Be careful out there.”

Each of the officers filed out, their staffers following until the commander and an orderly were the only remaining occupants of the room. Reis nodded at the young man, then looked back at the battle plan - their first major offensive in 10 years, and the beginning of a long series of conflicts. May they all be as simple as this one.

10:45pm
The aircraft tilted forward, and Rasan Eshel firmed his grip on the strap looped from the ceiling of the V-22. The rear door began to open, and the deafening roar of the props rushed in with a blast of rotor wash. A slight tilt back, and the ground met the underside of the transport with a solid jolt. The aircraft rolled to a halt within seconds, and Gavril dismounted with a short hop. A dozen dark-clad commandos were kneeling around a short stack of tactical communications equipment and looked up as he approached - their only acknowledgement of their commander’s arrival. A quick glance at the display showed exactly what he wanted to see: each of his men were in position. Four teams held major junctions at the south, east, north east, and north approaches, and six smaller teams worked their way through the town - ensuring local law enforcement and government understood they were in Israeli territory now.

In short, curt commands, Eshel checked in with his teams. The four defensive teams were constructing defenses as quickly as possible - they had to be able to hold out against sustained assault for days, if necessary. The town had fallen without conflict, but it would surely take conflict to hold it.

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11:30pm
His feet vibrated on the floor of the transport as he checked his gear again. Tat Aluf Ber “Bear” Halevi should have been on the command and control aircraft, but he always believed a real leader led from the front - and on the ground. His officers would be assisting from above - giving him the perspective and feedback he'd need to respond quickly to any threats his men faced. He listened on the command frequency while dozens of airborne controllers directed the transport aircraft in their drops. With 17,000 men and their machines, it was a precise and critical task. Even with a landing zone 48 kilometers by 32 kilometers, there would not be much room for error. Just one inattentive pilot could throw off an entire brigade's landing. Fortunately they couldn't ask for better ground - the LZ was relatively hard and flat, with few major obstacles to separate battalions from each other.

Advance infantry companies were already on the ground. By now they would be confirming optimal landing sites and setting up beacons for navigation aids. Forward air controllers were directing final aircraft approaches, and yet other soldiers and officers were setting up staging areas for various units.

He saw the tail door begin to lower to his left. It was time. He stood, linked up, and stepped out into the empty black.

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November 8th, 2031
12:30am
An imposing formation sat in the dark desert. Light APCs and tanks formed lines and columns in designated rally zones. There were few lights and little talking, but the earth trembled at the sound of hundreds of rumbling engines. Ta’al Ber Halevi stood in front of his command vehicle, watching his communications officers check in with each of the brigades on the ground and the C&C aircraft floating above them. After each of the officers signaled that everyone was in position, he grabbed a mic from the nearest man.

“Move swiftly, strike decisively. We will have our target before the sun sets again. Move out.”

He turned to his vehicle and crammed his large frame into the hatch. A communications officer followed, managing the tactical command system in the vehicle while Ber listened on the radio. The low rumble swelled into a mammoth roar, and the formation lurched forward. First brigade, positioned at the southern edge of the formation, turned southwest and sped to their targets: the villages Murzuq and Awbari.

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1:30am
A dull moonlight reflected from hundreds of large-caliber cannons ringing the city, mounted in defensive positions and atop centuries-old bulwarks. Thrown-together yet sturdy anti-tank checkpoints sat miles outside of town, positioned with artillery batteries and set up to defend the approach to Sabha. Anti-air units sat alongside armoured battalions around the airport at the southeastern edge of town. News of the Israeli declaration of war had spread throughout Libya, but the units at Sabha had not yet been put on alert. Israeli tank brigades, that had for almost a century defied hostile neighbors, would take days to roll across the desert. The two colonels responsible for defenses at Sabha had already contacted their superiors, offering their own units in support of the defense of Tobruk.

Some of the first battalions were already preparing to move north when farmers at the outskirts of town reported the rumble. A cloud of dust rose from the desert as the growl grew.

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1:45am
“Separate and engage. Roll through them to the city.”

The swarm of APCs and light tanks accelerated as they reached the farmland. Integrated command and control digital infrastructure provided Halevi with a live feed from high resolution cameras mounted on C&C aircraft circling south of the area. A digital overlay indicated his units and identified enemy positions ahead of their advance. The data was routed through other command vehicles in each brigade and battalion, then fire orders were distributed to individual units. Cannons mounted on the APCs and tanks automatically tracked identified enemy units and fired, the combined force sending waves of fire into the unprepared defenders.

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2:15am
The defenders struck back, but were on their heels as quickly as the assault began. The Israeli armour rolled past dug-in positions, ignoring any attempt to “dig-out” the defenders. Instead they swept through, demolishing equipment from range and rolling over entrenched positions. Their momentum pushed them into the city, where the pattern continued. Without hesitation or slowing, they rolled down the streets. Wave after wave of armoured vehicles advanced through the town, igniting explosions and pushing rubble and smouldering hulks out of their path.

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2:45am
It had only taken half an hour. Third brigade had assisted in the assault, then continued north to capture Birak. First brigade encountered no resistance at their objectives, and had set up defensive positions in and around Murzuq and Awbari. The rest of the division, after clearing the city of enemy equipment in a sweeping raid, had surrounded Sabha. The infantry were dismounted, and the C&C aircraft had taken station above the city. Enemy morale was undoubtedly very low, but every man expected a protracted struggle to dig out the enemy. Infantry were scattered throughout the city, but were expected to fight to the end.

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Xiphos
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Posts: 41
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Re: A Shattered World and Israeli Glue

Post by Xiphos »

November 8th
5:30am
“DESRON Snyder reports contact with a squadron of TU-22 Backfire bombers launching anti-ship missiles.”

“Hold all naval elements. Delay Hornet’s landing. Re-route interceptors from Viper to support Snyder. Priority is anti-ship missiles. Drain their stockpiles.”

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2:45pm
“DESRON Snyder reports TU-22’s down, continuing fire support. Viper confirms air superiority over the objective.”

“Order Hornet to continue her landing. Get a SITREP from 7th ID.”

“7th ID reporting. Still positioning for their assault on Tobruk.”

November 9th
11:15am
“2nd brigade, in position and in contact with the enemy.” The voice of Aluf Mishne Datz in her ear was the final confirmation she was waiting for. Her three mechanized brigades stood at the outskirts of town, already exchanging fire with the defenders. It would be a quick battle, but positioning had taken almost a day to arrange. Too slow.

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Ta’al Rebbecca Bashevis turned to her communications officer. “Issue the order. Take Tobruk.”

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12:30pm
“Ta’al Bashevis, what is taking so long?”

The voice erupted from her earpiece, and she winced at the tone and message.

“Supply problems, Reis. We’re having problems maneuvering. We’ve captured Tobruk and we are setting up supply routes and caches now. We will be prepared to move within a couple days.”

“We don’t have a couple of days! S’13 is holding at Ajdabiya and waiting support. You will begin moving by tonight. Take Barnah by tomorrow, midnight, and then Al Bayda early the next morning. We need a supply corridor opened to Ajdabiya as soon as possible.”

“We need our own supplies! We’re burning through fuel too quickly, and I’m trying to keep everyone together for the advance.”

She heard a sigh in the earpiece. “The 5th ALB is tasked to support your advance. I’ll give your division priority. I’ll talk to Aluf Horowitz about getting additional airlift support. Maintain your timetable, Rebbecca, we need to relieve our men at Ajdabiya as soon as possible.”

Irritation burned in her chest and flushed her face. “Yes sir.”


2:45pm
“Rasan Eshel reports the defeat of an enemy mechanized infantry battalion at Ajdabiya. No friendly casualties. Remaining enemy forces have retreated.”

“SITREP on the Hornet landing, please.”

“Alam Pazy reports the landing is under way. No opposition is expected.”

“Very good.”

“Ta’al Bashevis is requesting additional airlift support for 3rd Corps.”

“Inform him that there is none available at this time.” Horowitz turned to a neatly-groomed officer seated behind him. “Jaffe, 3rd Corps needs supply. Assess our operational assets and recommend a solution. Quickly.”

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4:15pm
“Ta’al Thompson reports an unopposed landing north of the objective. FARP assembled, and all support units on station. 1st and 2nd brigades en route to objective. Recon units of the 1st MEF report no garrisoned forces at Al Bayda. He is sending his remaining S’13 teams to capture the town.”

“Very good. Inform Bashevis of the objective change. 3rd Corps will rally at Ajdabiya after Darnah is captured.”

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Xiphos
Warrant Officer
Posts: 41
Joined: Jul 08 2011
Human: Yes

Re: A Shattered World and Israeli Glue

Post by Xiphos »

November 9th, 2031
4:45pm
“Ta’al Thompson reports Al Bayda is captured. 1st and 2nd brigades in position to capture Benghazi.”

Aluf Mishne Jaffe Meier walked into the room and placed a note in front of Horowitz. After receiving his commander’s acknowledging nod, he returned to his place among the staff coordinating the campaign.

“Request three support squadrons from Halevi’s airborne division to provide support for 3rd Corps.”

5:00pm
Tat Aluf Joshua Thompson stood atop the hill above the road from Ar Rajmah as his 1st Brigade moved out of the ravine and into view of the city against the sea. Through his binoculars he scanned the nearby airfield and as much of the city as he could see. The airfield was packed with old, Russian-made aircraft with a few more modern versions sprinkled in amongst them. It was a flurry of activity - his scouts told him it had been as soon as his brigades had been spotted. The aircraft were being prepared for evacuation.

Alam Idan Gadi was below on the road, organizing the mechanized formation as it spilled out from the ravine. Alam Osher Yadin’s 2nd Brigade would be performing similar maneuvers north of the city in preparation for the assault. Other than a few hastily-constructed roadblocks, he could see no defenders. Tripoli had left Benghazi defenseless.

He gestured toward one of his communications officers, then brought the mic to his mouth.

“Alam Gadi, Yadin, begin the assault.”

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5:15pm
Aircraft streamed from the airfield. He shook his head as he watched the last of Libya’s military abandon the city. Their routes would undoubtedly take them over the INS Stalwart and her air wing, and there were two air force wings in the region as well. Many of them probably wouldn’t make it.

“Ta’al, Gadi. We’re at the first roadblock. There’s a white flag above it, and a man walking towards us.”

Moments passed as he waited. He could hear explosions at the north end of town, and saw a pillar of black smoke rising from the city.

“Ta’al, Gadi. He’s the governor of the province, and is surrendering the town.”

“Gadi, 2nd Brigade is still in contact. He is to order a ceasefire immediately.”

“Yes Ta’al. He said he will.”

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5:40pm
“Ta’al Thompson reports he has captured Benghazi. No friendly casualties.”

Horowitz smiled. “Very good. Give me a operation SITREP, please.”

“Phase One primary target is captured, Phase One secondary target is captured. 1st Airborne Division is holding at Sabha, 1st MEF is holding at Benghazi. S’13 teams of 1st MEF are holding Ajdabiya and Al Bayda . . .”

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“. . . 7th ID is en route to Darnah with 8th ID in support. 9th ID is en route to oil fields southeast of Ajdabiya. Airlift transports are supporting the 7th ID’s advance and providing some support to 9th ID. 3rd Corps is still lacking adequate supply.”

“Task additional transport aircraft from the 1st Airborne to support 3rd Corps.”

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November 10th, 2031
6:30pm
It was different this time. Setting up the formation en route, Bashevis had organized her division to arrive in position to assault. It took only 30 minutes for her soldiers to set and check themselves, and they were prepared to advance. Supplies were still low, but she would not be caught waiting this time.

“Order the assault.”

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7:45pm
1st Brigade pushed up the middle of the ravine and approached the edge of the city while 2nd and 3rd Brigades advanced from the west and east, respectively. Explosions rippled back from the front of the column.

“Rebbecca, we are under fire, nearly out of fuel and unable to maneuver! We are pinned down and cannot proceed without support!”

Bashevis muttered a curse under her breath. They'd formed up too far away from the town and 2nd Brigade hadn't had a chance to fully refuel before they moved. She turned to her radio operator.

"Call for heavy airlift support for 2nd Brigade. Have 2nd hold and defend position. Direct our column west to relieve them and encircle the town."

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8:30pm
“7th ID reports Darnah has been captured. 8th ID has been ordered south to Ajdabiya.”

“Very good. Contact Arafat. Tell him Phase One is complete, and we will be mopping up in preparation for Phase Two.”

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November 11th, 2031
12:15pm
“Order DESRON Whitfield and ESG Hornet to Benghazi for resupply. 3rd Corps is to proceed to the oil fields at Ajdabiya and prepare for Phase Two.”

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Xiphos
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Posts: 41
Joined: Jul 08 2011
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Re: A Shattered World and Israeli Glue

Post by Xiphos »

November 11, 2031
2:15pm
“9th ID has control of the oil fields, the rest of 3rd Corps is en route to rally.”

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7:30pm
“Expand our CAP over Surt. Cover the approach until 3rd Corps is ready and supply lines are established.”

“Air Wing Puma is engaging enemy MiG-25P Foxbat fighters. Air Wing Viper en route to assist.”

“Ta’al Horowitz, Puma reports no sign of enemy land units at Surt. The town is undefended.”

“Achieve air superiority, then get S’13 of 1st MEF to the town. Make it quick.”

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November 14th
3:30am
“Air Wing Puma and Viper report air superiority over Surt. S’13 of the 1st MEF is en route.”

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12:00
“Ta’al Thompson reports his S’13 teams have captured Surt.”

“Order 3rd Corps to link up and relocate to anchor their rally in the town. Task Force 133 is to take position north of Surt. We will move into Phase Two from there.”

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November 27th, 2031
12:00pm
“Air Wing Puma reports contact with enemy MiG-25P Foxbat fighters. DESRONs Synder and Reynolds supporting CAP. 3rd Corps reports they have finished their rally at Surt.”

“Good. Order 3rd Corps to swing forward. We will hold a command council in five days. Please have the commanders prepare for my arrival at Benghazi.”

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Xiphos
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Posts: 41
Joined: Jul 08 2011
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Re: A Shattered World and Israeli Glue

Post by Xiphos »

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December 2nd, 2031
“ . . . which brings us to the current disposition of 3rd Corps: 8th, 9th, and 7th Divisions running north to southwest. Naval assets are positioned off the coast to support the line for the time being, and the 1st Airborne Division is holding at Sabha. Air wings Viper and Puma are maintaining CAP along with wings from both carrier groups offshore.”

Horowitz turned from the projected map at the wall and nodded to his aide, who adjusted the dimmer switch at his elbow and brightened the lights. In front of him the long, dark, sumptuous conference table extended most of the length of the room. On one side of the table sat Defense Minister Sayed Arafat, Chief of General Staff Rav Aluf Yosef Sayar, and a few other general staff. Along the wall behind them stood their aides and intelligence officers. At the other side of the table sat field officers of the 3rd Expeditionary Force and Naval Task Force 133, with their respective aides. A row of windows lined the west wall - heavy blinds now blocking sunlight and a view of Benghazi Port.

“Thank you, Hyman.” Arafat waited for Horowitz to be seated before leaning forward and addressing the other side of the table. “So what challenges has the first phase of this campaign posed? What happened that we did not plan for?”

Reis Bashevis lifted his hand slightly before responding. “The only significant challenge our ground forces faced has been supply. Even after capturing cities and towns for caching, our advance quickly outpaced our supply. Our corps-level supply brigade was inadequate to both support an engaged division while two other divisions moved through barren terrain. Bear - “ he turned to motion towards Halevi, who nodded in acknowledgement “. . . Bear provided a couple heavy squadrons for airlift support after achieving his objective, which significantly increased our ability to move, but that assistance came days into our advance. What took nearly a week should have taken a couple of days, and we still have at least a week still to recover before we can move against Tripoli.”

Arafat nodded. “What do you suggest, Reis?”

“The only solution is more support. Whether that comes from expanding our divisions to include additional logistics brigades or from an external source, I don’t know.”

Halevi leaned forward. “In order to maintain my own operational and mobility options, I could only spare a couple squadrons of heavies for the advance. If we are to take a back seat for the rest of the campaign as planned, I can refit and detail more aircraft to support the move into Tripoli. It’ll take a few days, but it sounds like everyone will be taking a breather for a little while as it is.”

“Thank you, Bear.” Bashevis tipped his head toward Halevi, then turned back to Arafat. “This solution is only short term, though. This weakness severely limits our mobility - we must be free to move quickly when necessary.”

“You’re right, Reis. But adding division-level support brigades will create additional burden and complexity for your division commanders.” He gestured at the woman and two men seated next to Bashevis. “Additionally, too many divisions seeking out their own supply will put strain on a chain of command that needs to be focused on tactics.” He paused for a moment before slapping his hand against the table and turning back to the projected map on the wall.

“The short-term problem is resolved. The General Staff will meet to discuss operational needs and develop a longer-term solution. Back to Libya. What else took us off guard?”

“Libya’s air force has been stronger than we anticipated,” Ta’al Yoav Shain spoke from his reclined position in his chair. “Our destroyer squadrons were too close to the shore and had little time to respond to aircraft launching anti-ship missiles. The enemy had significant missile stockpiles, and one squadron of bombers was nearly able to overwhelm a DESRON’s point defense and anti-air defense systems. One destroyer from Snyder was damaged during the assault on Tobruk. It could have been much worse if air assets hadn’t already been in the area. The Stalwart was threatened as well by aircraft from here in Bengahzi, but our interceptors were able to drive them off.”

“So we need to position farther from shore. It would give defenses more time to identify and engage threats, and a more concentrated formation will have the added benefit of overlapped defenses. How will that affect your ability to support a ground offensive?”

Shain stroked his white close-cropped beard as he responded. “With respect, Sayed, I think naval involvement in future offenses should be curtailed until we better understand the threats we face. Bombardment is still inaccurate and the risk for collateral damage in cities is very high. I recommend that the navy largely be reassigned back to channel and shore defense.”

Seeing Arafat’s furrowed brow, Shain leaned forward and continued. “Israel has a long and storied history on the ground and in the air. Our navy is strong and disciplined, but has had limited experience supporting massive offenses, especially when enemy air forces are so well and inexpensively equipped. We can provide strike packages drawn from our air wings and insert S’13 where they’re needed. The dangers facing our men and women on our ships is too great, even taking station so far from shore. The cost of losing just one ship is enormous, both in lives, money, and time.”

The edges of Arafat’s mouth had slowly dropped as Shain spoke until a disappointed frown pulled his face toward the table. His eyes studied a document in front of him for a few moments before he looked up.

“Aluf Shain, thank you for your report. Any lost man or woman is a tragedy, no matter the branch of service they honor with their sacrifice. Every soldier, sailor and pilot is asked to take the same risks as the men and women serving in any other service. However, I will take your recommendation under consideration. In the meantime, Task Force 133 will remain near Surt while 3rd Corps advances to Tripoli. You will provide fire support as needed from your position.”

“Anything else? No?” He turned to Horowitz. “Then tell me how we will end this conflict.”
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