After Action Report, Task Force 3rd Battalion Combat Operations, 15 OCT

 FROM: Deputy Head of Intelligence Staff, 19th Separate Mech Cav Regt

TO: Regimental Commander, 19th Separate Mech Cav Regt
COPY TO: Deputy Commander ChCOG; Commander Intelligence ChCOG; ChCOG Senior Staff Intelligence Analyst
REF: AAR-19MECH-28OCT
SUBJECT: AFTER ACTION REPORT - Task Force 3rd Battalion Combat Operations, 15 OCT

1. SITUATION
a. Enemy Forces: Separatist elements of significant strength, including local levy infantry, special forces teams (estimated 3 squads), and mixed armor (T-72 MBT, BTR-80A APC). Demonstrated capability for coordinated counter-attacks and armor ambushes.
b. Friendly Forces: Task Force from 3rd Battalion, 19th Separate Mechanized Cavalry Regiment. Composition: Command/Assault Squad, 2nd Squad (12x effectives), 3rd Squad (12x effectives), Armor Element (2x T-72, 2x T-55).

2. MISSION
Attack and clear enemy-occupied locales, commencing at the Landfill and proceeding to the village of Troitskoye, to re-establish government control.

3. EXECUTION
a. Phase 1: Assault on Landfill (Morning, 15 OCT)

• (1) Command/Assault Squad, supported by 2x T-72, initiated primary assault, penetrating enemy infantry cordon.

• (2) Armor Element (T-72s) engaged and destroyed 1x enemy T-72 and 1x enemy BTR-80A.

• (3) 2nd Squad, mounted on 2x T-55, maneuvered to occupy and secure high ground Northeast of the objective to block enemy reinforcement.

• (4) Upon clearing the initial objective, Command/Assault Squad established a blocking position between the main road and 2nd Squad's position, engaging and destroying medium enemy armor moving along the road.

• (5) Enemy special forces (3x squads) conducted a concentrated assault on the heights, resulting in the annihilation of 2nd Squad.

• (6) Task Force Commander committed operational reserves to stabilize the flank and prevent enemy exploitation.

• (7) Task Force conducted a tactical withdrawal from the Landfill to proceed to secondary objective.

b. Phase 2: Assault on Troitskoye (Afternoon, 15 OCT)

• (1) Task Force Commander's plan relied on prior intelligence indicating an enemy T-72 was positioned on the western edge of the village.

• (2) 3rd Squad, mounted on 2x T-55, was ordered to advance and dismount on the western approach.

• (3) Command/Assault Squad began its penetration of the village's defensive perimeter.

• (4) Enemy T-72, positioned on the eastern extent of the village, engaged and destroyed both friendly T-55s and eliminated 3rd Squad within two (2) minutes.

• (5) Friendly Armor Element (Tank 2) subsequently engaged and destroyed the enemy T-72.

• (6) With no reinforcements available, the Task Force Commander personally led the remaining Assault Squad in a west-to-east clearing operation of the village.

• (7) Upon completion of the sweep, a lone enemy BTR-80A engaged, inflicting 50% casualties on the Assault Squad and destroying both regimental gunships providing CAS.

• (8) With combat effectiveness critically degraded, the Task Force Commander ordered a full withdrawal to base.

4. SERVICE SUPPORT
Logistics and recovery operations performed adequately. No issues reported.

5. COMMAND AND SIGNAL
Command and control was maintained throughout the operation. Loss of key assets (gunships) severely degraded situational awareness and fire support capability during final phase.

6. CASUALTIES & EQUIPMENT LOSSES

• PERSONNEL: 2nd Squad (12x KIA), 3rd Squad (12x KIA), Assault Squad (>50% casualties).

• EQUIPMENT: 2x T-55 Destroyed, 2x Gunships Destroyed.

7. ANALYSIS & RECOMMENDATIONS
a. Analysis:

• The operation failed to secure two of its three primary objectives.

• Failure was attributable to two primary factors:

  • (1) Effective and devastating counter-attack by enemy special forces at the Landfill, which eliminated a key maneuver element and forced the premature commitment of reserves.

  • (2) Critical intelligence failure regarding enemy armor disposition at Troitskoye. The misidentification of the enemy T-72's position led to the catastrophic loss of 3rd Squad and its armor support, crippling the Task Force's combat power for the main objective.

b. Recommendations:

• (1) Review and enhance battlefield reconnaissance and intelligence verification procedures to prevent repeat of armor disposition errors.

• (2) Develop and drill contingency plans for rapid response to enemy special forces infiltration and counter-attack on flanking positions.

• (3) Assess the viability of committing T-55 platforms against modernized MBTs without significant stand-off or top-attack capability.

8. CONCLUSION
Task Force 3rd Battalion displayed courage and maintained offensive momentum despite initial setbacks. However, due to effective enemy action and a critical intelligence oversight, the operation culminated at Troitskoye without achieving its primary goals. The unit is no longer combat effective and requires reconstitution.

CAPTAIN ESEDULLA ABACHEV
DEPUTY HEAD OF INTELLIGENCE STAFF
19TH SEPARATE MECHANIZED CAVALRY REGIMENT

This is based on the Arma 3 wargame. The report and reporter are AI generated and represents no individual, living or dead. The text of the transcript, while AI generated, is based on data provided by the channel author.