West African Anti-Terrorism Task Force

[Captain Enema]

With the conference in West Africa seemingly drawing to a close, Beckwith decides to give things a bit of a nudge. He's of the opinion it is always better to beg for forgiveness than ask permission. First, he sends a private backchannel message to some of his Legion cronies requesting information on the status of various Legion units before requesting these units through official channels.

[quote]Classified
To: Deltrane
From: Beckwith

What's the status of the Legion Special Operations Command? Can you deploy forces to West Africa?

-Beckwith[/quote]

The response is almost immediate:

[quote]Classfied
To: Beckwith
From: Deltrane

[img]http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj21/wim43/thumbs_up_smiley.jpg[/img][/quote]


Next Beckwith abuses his official capacity and sends a message to the People's Republic of Africa.

[quote]Classified
To: People's Republic of Africa
From: Beckwith, Legion Ambassador

To Whom It May Concern,

This is a tentative inquiry/request for possibility of your nation drastically increasing border security. The following attachment details the agreed upon plan to combating the terrorist issues within West Africa. Paramount to this plan is the ability to severely restrict movement in and out West Africa.

Further, as Legion does not have a land border, neither do several of the other forces considering participating, we'd greatly appreciate access to a base that will give us the chance to safely deploy our forces into the region.


Further, it would assist us greatly if your nation agreed to participate within the structure of an organized joint command. If you agree to do so, please advise us on the forces you will be contributing to the effort.

-Beckwith[/quote]

Beckwith realizing that if this blows up in his face he'll be put on penguin counting duty for the rest of his life decides to go for broke and keeps on sending messages that well exceed his mandate.

[quote]Classified
To: Imperial Imazighen
From: Beckwith, Legion Ambassador

To Whom It May Concern,

This is a tentative inquiry/request for possibility of your nation drastically increasing border security. The following attachment details the agreed upon plan to combating the terrorist issues within West Africa. Paramount to this plan is the ability to severely restrict movement in and out West Africa.

Further, as Legion does not have a land border, neither do several of the other forces considering participating, we'd greatly appreciate access to a base that will give us the chance to safely deploy our forces into the region.

Further, it would assist us greatly if your nation agreed to participate within the structure of an organized joint command. If you agree to do so, please advise us on the forces you will be contributing to the effort.

-Beckwith[/quote]


[quote]Classified
To: Amazonia
From: Ambassador Beckwith

To create a joint command structure we'll need to know what and who will be coming to the party. A location for a secured base for this organization can be worked out in all due time, for now I'm attempting to bring clarity to the organization.

What forces will you commit to the effort?[/quote]

[quote]Classified
To: United Federation
From: Ambassador Beckwith

To create a joint command structure we'll need to know what and who will be coming to the party. A location for a secured base for this organization can be worked out in all due time, for now I'm attempting to bring clarity to the organization.

What forces will you commit to the effort?[/quote]

[quote]Classified
To: Athens
From: Ambassador Beckwith

It would great assist the cause of the Joint Coalition if we could use your islands off the coast of West Africa for replenishment and refueling. Would you allow us to do so?

-Beckwith[/quote]


[quote]Classified
To: Denard
From: Beckwith

Send the following-

1 LHD, 5 Corvettes, 2 destroyers

10 Squadrons of Transport Helicopters, roll some of those old Mi-8s out of mothball if you have to, they'll be perfect for hauling cargo.

8 Wings of Medium Transports
5 Wings of Heavy Transports

1 Airborne Battalion, plus transport and gunships
2 Special Operations Companies
1 Military Police Regiment
3 Support and Services Brigades
1 Engineering Brigade

Most importantly, for the love of Allah, pull the command group of the 1st Legion Corp and dispatch them with equipment to the area. They can serve as the coffee cup holders for the new Joint Force Organization. They can handle logistics and so forth. Most of these folks are going to be coming in heavy on manpower with little thought to how to integrate it. We can call on our knowledge of serving in Africa, Asia, and Europe and put it to good use for a change.

Hold on the planes and troops till I have a safe LZ for them.

-Beckwith

[/quote]

[quote]Classified
To: Tanzania
From: Ambassador Beckwith

To create a joint command structure we'll need to know what and who will be coming to the party. A location for a secured base for this organization can be worked out in all due time, for now I'm attempting to bring clarity to the organization.

What forces will you commit to the effort?[/quote]

Edited January 29, 2012 by Tidy Bowl Man

[Axolotlia]

[quote]To:Beckwith, Legion Ambassador
From: PRA DoD

The People's Republic of Africa would be willing to close and strengthen monitoring its borders with Western Africa, as well as provide a military base open to members assisting to the region. We would be willing to participate in the joint command and would be willing to provide 40,000 soldiers and supporting air or armored forces as necessary to help stabilize the region, if necessary, as well as humanitarian aid and personnel. [/quote]

[Captain Enema]

[quote]To: People's Republic of Africa
From: Beckwith

For now the goal is to secure the borders. Moving into the region in force merely gives the insurgents something to shoot at. By depriving them of outside lines of supply we can begin starving them of munitions and the tools of war that they'll need to wage an effective campaign.

A good first step would be to strength your borders considerably and designate a spot that has good coastal access for coalition to utilize as a forward supply base. A Legion Engineering Regiment under Brigadier General M'Tembe will be arriving shortly to begin construction. While it seems advisable that we use current facilities, I find it preferable to build a base from the ground up so that customization is easily performed depending upon the needs of the mission. Further, a ground up production would cause less local disruption if the site was rather remote, making security all the more easier to ensure.

- Beckwith[/quote]

[Captain Enema]

Classified..

Operations Plan for those who missed it..

[img]http://i.imgur.com/ek4t9.jpg[/img]



[quote]

Phase 1:

Harden the borders using forces from the immediate neighboring countries.
- Provide electronic support.
- If needed financial support.
- Naval units positioned off the coast to complete the blockade.

Phase 2:

Position Naval support units off the coast, prepare long term bases for special forces operations, and drone remote control sites.
- A joint intelligence sharing network will need to be created.
- With this a joint command structure be needed for swiftly organizing armed responses as needed.

Phase 3:

Creation of safe zones on the coast.
- Build camps behind berms, fences, and mine fields to protect the inhabitants.
- Advertise these camps upon completion.
- Screen all entering into the camps for weapons and other items. No radios, cellphones, or large knives allowed. A central bank of phones will be made available for phone calls, calls that of course will be monitored.
- Small scale industrial sites will be created to provide employment.

* It is important to note that these safe zones must be as secure, yet pleasant to the eye as possible. If they are merely tent cities not many would opt to move inside one of them. Prefabricated housing, parks, lawns, flowers, and paved streets will need to be provided for this to even come close to working. As well as hospitals, schools, and other public services.

Phase 4:

Creating a Native constabulary and the gradual loosening up on cellphone restrictions and providing an intranet.
- Unarmed native policemen will be trained and put to work.
- Specially adapted cellphones will be provided. These phones will be adapted so that while they work very well with cellphones inside the safe zone, they won't be able to connect with unsanctioned phones outside the safe zone.
- An intranet will be provided as an extra enticement or if events unfold properly, full scale internet service.

Phase 5:

Pushing out into the communities with the Native Constabulary.
- Once the insurgency is starved of weapons, munitions, and support the Native Constabulary will begin to operate outside the safe zones.
- Overtures of surrender will be made to the native populations.
- A gradual draw down and equalization of status will be afforded once a native government comes into power.


During these events it is important to remember that the majority of our forces employed inside the protectorate should be drones, air assault troops, and special forces. We do not need to create a full scale battle when time will win this for us. Patience is the greatest tool at our disposal and patience will win out the day without leaving thousands dead or maimed. [/quote]

[Joel James]

To: Beckwith
From: President Abdul
I know Africa is not my business, but I can help you. My nation is establishing oil wells. While I cannot give you free oil, I would be willing to sell at $50 a barrel for this cause only.

Edited January 29, 2012 by Joel James

[VigilantWatcher]

[quote]
To: Ambassador Beckwith
From: Tanzania Federation

We will be deploying naval assets to the area under our [b]Operation Guardian[/b]. Mara Class Destroyer TNS Mara is on route as we speak as we anticipated that our offer of help would be accepted. We can send Mara Class Destroyer TNS Tarime will be sent to supplement TNS Mara and further assets can be sent in form of aircraft or more naval vessels if needs be.

Yours Respectfully,

Anna Hariaba
Tanzanian Minister of Defence

[/quote]

Edited January 29, 2012 by Curristan

[Captain Enema]

[quote]To: Tanzania
From: Beckwith

Copy, will do our best to organize refueling and replenishment while your ships are in the area.

-Beckwith

[/quote]

Edited January 29, 2012 by Tidy Bowl Man

[Sarah Tintagyl]

[quote]
[b]To: Ambassador Charles Beckwith
From: Legate Karolina Zigo[/b]

[i]Ambassador,

The Confederacy is willing to send whatever forces necessary to see the completion of your plans in West Africa. Currently there are already some one hundred thousand soldiers in the territory and we can send more if necessary. However, in reviewing your plans, I would imagine this is too much and you would rather have special forces and shock troops to handle insurgents. If that is correct, I can request that five thousand soldiers of the Prefectus Maximus, these woman are specially trained as law enforcers and will, I believe be a valuable asset in destroying loyalists to the Former Croatian Duchess.

In addition, the Empress has allowed me to request any naval presence you may require. Given that the summit in the African capital has pretty much fallen apart, the Imperial Government has given clear instructions to me not to allow protection of this protectorate pass to anyone but Legion in the end. The failure, in fact the refusal of nations to even respond shows me that Africa does not care about their internal affairs, only the internal affairs of their individual countries. We will be creating an alliance of nations soon, Legion, the Greater Horde, Manticore, and Tanzania, and these nations will do their part to keep Africa moving forward.

Of course if you have problems with this, the Empress and the Imperial Council will hear any alternative ideas. But know you have the support of our Empress and all of the Amazon Confederacy.

Sincerely,

Karolina Zigo
Legate[/i]
[/quote]

[Captain Enema]

[quote]To: Legate Karolina Zigo
From: Beckwith

It may be quite useful that your forces, the regular units, be deployed in a patrol status along the interior northern border of this region. It seems that the government of Imperial Imagazin has been quite difficult to reach.Until we can confirm that they will be ramping up their border security to keep pace with the nature of the threat, we need to take additional measures of our own.

The People's Republic of Africa will be drastically increasing border security along their stretch of the border freeing us of that burden, which simplifies matters greatly.

-Beckwith [/quote]

[Captain Enema]

[b]West Africa[/b]

Task Force Constable, consisting of 12 replenishment vessels, 5 corvettes, and 2 destroyers, and 1 LHD arrives from Africa. The replenishment vessels are made available for the allied ships in the area should they wish to resupply.

The war ships of Task Force Constable take up position off the Southern Coast of West Africa and begin patrolling the shoreline for ships and low flying aircraft that are coming and going. As they arrive a Legion Force Recon team hits the beaches of Northern West Africa.

The 202nd Legion Force Recon Company, lead by one Rol Mbembe of the Kickapoo Rebellion fame, quietly makes its way up a deserted stretch of beach. They've deliberately chosen this sector using commercially purchased satellite data. The site is no more than 50 miles from the Imperial Imagihzen border.

"Perfect," Mbembe thinks to himself as he watches his men swiftly fan out. Farther out to see the Legion Engineering Brigade under M'Tembe is waiting for orders to proceed. They'll go in shortly once the Legion Airborne Battalion is dumped onto the beach and pushes inland to secure the area.

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/n4cNc.png[/IMG]

1) Waypoint Grocery Store, constant Legion presence of 10 to 12 replenishment vessels that are available to allies.

2) Forward Operating Base Sheriff, once constructed will house the Legion's forward deployed support and services brigades, airstrips, and housing for troops coming into and going out of the West African Territory.

3) Amazonian Line of security, the 100,000 plus troops of Amazonia tasked with guarding the Northern border due to lack of II response.

4)Racetrack, the direction of Legion ships patrolling the coast.



OOC note- For racetrack if we intermingle high NS nations with low NS nations it forces the difficulty of running the blockade all the more difficult. Which is why I'm hoping one of you HIGH NS ladies or gents is willing to match low NS nation vessels with a patrol boat or something of that nature to "Assist". That way blockade running attempts require more than just one spy roll.

[Axolotlia]

[quote]To:Beckwith, Legion Ambassador
From: PRA DoD

The PRA would be willing to allow the construction of a base in the following location and deploy 2 frigates and 2 destroyers, as well as utilize our air forces in the region to assist in patrolling the borders.

[IMG]http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/zz156/JBurman94/Untitled.png[/IMG]

Further more with this message, we reaffirm that we have set into motion the strengthening of our Western African borders in discreet manners including: employment of UAV reconnaissance and protection, increased troop posts positioned 50-100 miles from the border, and increased patrolling between outposts in order to restore the stability of the region.[/quote]

Movements: Above actions are being conducted.

The PRS Barracuda, PRS Dakar, PRS Evolution, and PRS Solitude will be re-stationed to prepare to assist in monitoring the area.

[Captain Enema]

Legion's Task Force Constable is upgrade with five newly arrived frigates. The smaller more agile ships are more suited to this sort of work. Further, the six Sea Control Vessels of the Ligurian Coastal Defense Force, aka the Brighton Gun and Rod Club, arrive on the scene. This brings Task force Constable up to the following:

1 LHD- 24 UH-60 Seahawks
2 Destroyers
5 Corvettes
5 Frigates
6 Sea Control Vessels

Embarked on the SCVs are 6 MD-500 Helicopters, 2 UH-60 Seahawks, Drones, and each have 4 Patrol Boats mounted davits. While the ships have room for a pair of Sea Harrier VTOLs, none are available at this time. The SCVs, each escorted by a corvette and in one case a frigate, take up random patrol routes along the coast to instill a pattern of randomness into the Legion and Allied ship movements at the tactical level.

Legion's Airborne Battalion completes its landing evolution in Northern West Africa at Firebase Sheriff. With it is a reinforced Battalion of Combat Engineers who bring with them dozens of earth movers. Their first priority is to begin construction of a large berm around the perimeter of the growing firebase. The berm will be constructed out of gabions and will stand ten feet in height. The entire area to be encompassed by the berm is projected to be in the range of 250 standard acres. For now a much more modest sized base is in the works to support the West African Task Force's movements along the Northern border of the disputed zone.

The rest of the Engineering Detachment is routed south to the designated PRA position. Work begins nearly immediately as a forward team of Engineers is escorted ashore under the protection of a Legion Force Recon platoon from the 202nd Force Recon Company.

As this is occuring the Mi-8 helicopters are beginning their load up cycle on the Legion Carriers. They will fly off the decks of the carriers and to their bases once those bases have been completed. With them are several RORO ships carrying a large number of climate controlled Portakibins for housing, large steel prefab modules for storage and other uses, hundreds of steel runway mats, miles of razor wire, hundreds of motions sensors and tactical drones, hundreds of thousands of empty sandbags.

Two labor battalions are being formed to assist in the grunt work of the two bases being constructed.

Edited January 30, 2012 by Tidy Bowl Man

[Captain Enema]

[quote name='Axolotlia' timestamp='1327900481' post='2910272']
Further more with this message, we reaffirm that we have set into motion the strengthening of our Western African borders in discreet manners including: employment of UAV reconnaissance and protection, increased troop posts positioned 50-100 miles from the border, and increased patrolling between outposts in order to restore the stability of the region.
[/quote]

[quote]To: PRA
From: Beckwith

Good copy, keep up the great work.

- Beckwith[/quote]

[VigilantWatcher]

Mara Class Destroyer TNS Mara would arrive two hundred miles west of Nouakchott to officially start Operation Guardian. TNS Tarime was still en route but was expected to arrive in the next twenty four to thirty six hours. The orders were simple: Work with Legion and the other nations present to maintain the naval presence.

The ships would have full weapon systems in case of hostile aircraft or ships. Plans were also in place to send Submarines or Aircraft if so requested.

[Captain Enema]

[b]Firebase Sheriff[/b]

The gabion wall for the first inner line is completed. Supplies are rolling over the beach and several large helicopter landing sites are near enough to completion that they can begin landing helicopters. Roving Legion patrols are busy screening the base. A mobile water purification plant is complete as well. Once the runway is completed the first wave of Il-76 Cargo planes will begin deploying heavier equipment and manpower.

The Legion's two aircraft carriers make their way to the African coast and the 72 Mi-8 Transport Helicopters fly off the decks. The venerable helicopters are ideally suited to the harsh African conditions, are rugged, and have a respectable cargo capacity. These transports are slated with supporting the Amazonian effort to secure the Northern border by keeping them in food, water, and other expendable supplies.

With this wave of helicopters is the 24 UH-60 Seahawk helicopters off the LHD that is currently loitering in the area. These helicopters are equipped with Legion's latest in medical response equipment, thermal cameras, and side mounted rockets and machine guns. While their ideal role isn't that of a gunship, they are well suited for medical evacuation and inserting troops under fire. These too will support the Amazonian effort.

In Port Sudan the following is being organized:

Hundreds of wheeled water tankers that, not at all surprisingly, fit in the rear compartment of a Mi-8. The plan being to swap them in and out as the Amazonians need them replenished via air or by vehicle if needed. Further, tonnes of rations, mobile kitchen units, and even more climate controlled portakibins are being made ready for transport. Other equipment is being brought into the field to support the mission as well.

600 obsolete Legion Sandcat ATVs are being brought out of mothball. They aren't the most modern, but for Africa they are perfect. They are fast, light, well armed with 7.62 Machineguns and 40 mm automatic grenade launchers. Their engines are easy to maintain and with a few modern Legion tweaks they are surprisingly easy on the fuel. With them are another 300 venerable Kingdom of Cochin Axe vehicles that are being overhauled. All the vehicles were put into storage in working condition, they are optimized for extreme desert conditions, and are expected to serve the Amazonians well in the role they've been assigned.

[Executive Minister]

OOC: Would I qualify for a high NS lady? You never invited me

[Captain Enema]

[quote name='Executive Minister' timestamp='1327988751' post='2911369']
OOC: Would I qualify for a high NS lady? You never invited me
[/quote]

OOC: Whoopsie.. I double checked and realized I missed a few countries. Consider yourself invited bro.

[Executive Minister]

[quote name='Tidy Bowl Man' timestamp='1327989053' post='2911371']
OOC: Whoopsie.. I double checked and realized I missed a few countries. Consider yourself invited bro.
[/quote]

OOC: Err... I ain't a hoe... you're gonna need to invite me Brolov.

IC:

Despite Marxon's ranting report on the Novachuk Summit and the failures of the Amazons to even maintain adequate air filtration systems (he said the place smelled like !@#$), he did mention the Legion missive to deploy a peace keeping force to West Africa.

House Sidamo would immediately inquire about the status of said peace keeping operation, and would ask permission to join, barring any... complications that may arise.

[Captain Enema]

[quote name='Executive Minister' timestamp='1327989401' post='2911378']
OOC: Err... I ain't a hoe... you're gonna need to invite me Brolov.

IC:

Despite Marxon's ranting report on the Novachuk Summit and the failures of the Amazons to even maintain adequate air filtration systems (he said the place smelled like !@#$), he did mention the Legion missive to deploy a peace keeping force to West Africa.

House Sidamo would immediately inquire about the status of said peace keeping operation, and would ask permission to join, barring any... complications that may arise.
[/quote]

[quote]To House Sidamo
From: Beckwith
Regarding: Peace Keeping Operations

We could stand to benefit from the presence of smaller naval ships that are more suited to close in coastal patrol work. Corvettes, Frigates, LHDS, and destroyers would be most welcome for this effort. [/quote]


[quote]To: Beckwith
From: Denard

I said sort out the problem, not launch a multi-national peace keeping effort. Oh well, it's your baby now, have fun with it. Attached are your promotion papers to Major General and your assignment to command Legion West African Forces.

Try not to burn the place down.

-Denard
[/quote]

[Sarah Tintagyl]

[quote]
[b]To: Ambassador Beckwith
From: Legate Karolina Zigo[/b]

[i]Excellency,

With the capture of Dalian de Vicidalia and news of the dispersion of Croatian loyalists around Africa, I would like to inform you of Amazonia's withdraw from this territory. Judging by the failure of our summit, it is clear that the nations of North and Central Africa do not wish to have any Amazon presence in territory that they have only recently awakened to govern. That said, I wish Legion all the best as you are the only real hope in our minds to create a stable and influential Africa in the coming months and years.

Sincerely,

Karolina Zigo[/i]
[/quote]

[b]**Classified**[/b]

The Amazon Phalanxes stationed in West Africa would slowly begin to depart heading towards the Tixania bases in Zanzibar for relocation.

Edited January 31, 2012 by Sarah Tintagyl

[Captain Enema]

[b] Legion African Protectorate Announcement[/b]

With the utter lack of anything coming out of these so called rebels, Legion can not fathom the need for such an ongoing expensive deployment of forces.

The land around Firebase Sheriff is claimed in the name of Legion for ongoing operations. 100 square miles of land will be put under Legion's control.

The rest of West Africa will come under a very lose protection strategy in which native West African government will be paid for by Legion until such a day that they decide they are ready for self-governance.

Training academies for police, medical responders, teachers, government officials, and a variety of technical occupations will be mad available to the West Africans through the Legion.


Firebase Sheriff is renamed Legion West Africa and is nearly 25 percent completion. For the time being the SCVs, frigates, corvettes, and half the replenishment ships are returned to base. The engineers, Airborne Battalion, and Force Recon Company will remain in position. With them a Support and Services Brigade will take up residence. Likewise, a Legion expeditionary regiment loaded onto the LHDs in the area will disembark to stretch their legs will a fresh one is brought in at a later time.

Edited February 1, 2012 by Tidy Bowl Man

[VigilantWatcher]

With the situation normalising, The Mara Class Destroyers TNS Mara and TNS Tarime would be recalled back to the Tanzania Federation. Operation Guardian was considered a success by the Tanzania Federation Military High Command despite no real participation.

A message informing Legion of the withdrawal would be sent.

[Executive Minister]

While technically too late to enforce an actual blockade as envisioned, the Principality would donate five [url="http://forums.cybernations.net/index.php?showtopic=65298&view=findpost&p=2526354"]Victory-class Fast Interdiction Ships[/url] to the cause of protectorating Western Africa.

Permission would be sought to establish a liaison complex in Firebase sheriff, to better co-ordinate the five vessels with Legion directives in protecting the region.

[Captain Enema]

The West African AUP Firebase is now complete. The Firebase is renamed Opie in honor of the Legion commander's love of a certain American sitcom.

The base houses up to 50,000 men when at full capacity. It has an integrated ADA Network with ample back up targeting systems. Further, redundancy is the key for the power, water, and sewer handling capacities of the base.

The final dimensions of the base are roughly 3500 acres and includes powerplants, water purification, two runways, hangars, fuel dumps, ammo dumps, underground bunkers, and below ground living space.

The entire base is surrounded by a 12 foot wall made of thick wire mesh gabions that will be replaced with other materials over time. Roving patrols of helicopters, FAVs, sniper teams, and thermal sensor sweeps keep the approaches from the landside of the base well guarded.

The function of the base is to serve as a rallying point for AUP forces in the event a forward deployment and logistical site is needed to bring peace and security to West Africa.