Situation
The Karzeghistan Royal Army had been striking civilian infrastructure from Al Tabqah. The worst of it hit the power grid and took 3 cities down with it.
NATO committed US and UK forces to take the airfield they were operating from.
60 minutes before the assault, US Cyber Command went through the KRA's entire digital infrastructure. Radar down. Anti-air down. Communications dead across the whole operational area.
The force went in against an enemy that could not see it coming and could not talk to itself.
The force
The 47th did not go in alone. CVO and M100F both committed forces, making Shrike a joint operation across 3 units.
45 of 57 slots were filled.
Assets were a C-130, UH-60 Blackhawks, a Global Hawk for reconnaissance only, and the Hammer mortar team with 81mm tubes.
The tasking
4 objectives, in sequence.
Seize Al Tabqah Main Airfield. Clear and hold the runway so the C-130 could bring in logistics. Secure and hold the surrounding area. Establish FOB HARRIER and hold it against the quick reaction force.
The garrison on the airfield was assessed at platoon strength. Reinforcement was expected from the western QRF, from nearby forward bases and from the city itself, with BMPs and BTRs among it.
Rules of engagement made all KRA combatants free fire. Anyone inside the airfield and military compound counted as hostile. Civilians outside the perimeter were protected.
Outcome
The airfield was taken. FOB HARRIER was established.
Holding it proved harder than taking it. Within weeks the force at HARRIER was short of supply and under repeated counterattack, and the KRA had begun fortifying the river crossings to the south to keep any relief from reaching it.
