Gabon Arises

[Kevin Kingswell]

A flurry of change has swept across the land of Gabon in Africa. Dissatisfied with the current government and its way of handling matters both domestic and foreign the people took to the streets in mostly peaceful protest. Of course some members of the protesters got out of hand and violent but they were few and far between and over the course of two months they brought the nation of the Grand Republic to a stand still. faced with little choice the Chancellor stood down and abolished the government then he turned to the people to see what they wanted. The vast majority favored a democratic process of having a president who would be voted for every four years from what ever political party he or she belonged to. The president would then go on to form a cabinet from his party to help him in running the nation.

 

The people were over joyed when elections were announced for the short term future and soon various different political groups sprouted up across the nation and eventually these small groups would join with others to form three major parties. These would be the capitalists who had their political focus on improving and maintaining the economic wealth of the nation and the people, the socialists who had their focus on ensuring that all people were treated fairly and equally and finally there was the green party who felt that everything must be put into maintaining and improving the environment.

 

The three parties argued with one another on almost all aspects of how the run the nation but very rarely did their chosen candidates ever lose control of their tempers and even as they argued and competed all three parties agreed that the nation should return to the old name of Gabon upon which many of the more rustic members of the population called the land. Thus agreed the name of the Grand Republic was stricken from the records and in its place Gabon was put.

 

In the elections that came the capitalist party managed to secure a victory by a small margin and so President Ali Ondimba was elected into office. In his victory speech he thanked his supporters for ensuring he managed to achieve the presidency as well as telling his opponents that though he did not put a priority on their views he would still consider them in his plans. President Ondimba then left for the presidential building where he would go on to finish forming his cabinet. 

[Captain Enema]

Private

 

Prime Minister J. Denard secretly orders a working group to begin monitoring Gabon and to make suggestions for Legion's handling of the new government. For now, Legion will quietly watch and wait as the situation develops. Contingency orders are dispatched to the Legion Rapid Reaction Force and Legion Intelligence Service to prepare for a variety of scenarios should a forceful intervention to return the area to stability is needed. As the election seems to have gone through without too much trouble it is decided that the planning will remain theoretical for now with no physical preparations made other than the positioning of supplies in depots earmarked specifically for a prolonged campaign in Gabon under the title of Reserve Supply Depots, Central African Division.

 

Public

 

"Legion welcomes this change of government and looks forward to working with the newly elected officials of Gabon."

Edited December 16, 2013 by Tidy Bowl Man

[lkfht]

"The government of the Republic of Ireland formally recognizes Gabon's new government and wishes it the best of luck. Ireland also hopes that formal diplomatic relations may be established in order to sustain peaceful relations."

- Minister of Foreign Affairs Mary Baron

[TheShammySocialist]

"The Fourth Republic of Poland recognizes the newly christened land of Gabon, and wishes her well in this time of transition."

[Kevin Kingswell]

"President Ondimba thanks everyone who has sent in their congratulations and recognition. Hopefully diplomatic meetings can be arranged for the short term future but for now the President is unfortunately too busy."

 

In other news President Ondimba has already began to make his mark on the nation as he has given personal approval to his newly formed cabinet to have them begin work on improving the nation's industry and infrastructure. Big improvement is expected in these areas as well as in public transportation, it is hoped a massive rail way project can be carried out to link the nation's many cities and towns together so that no citizens have to ever feel like they are cut off from their fellows.  

[Kevin Kingswell]

*Breaking News*

 

Reports have just come in that a bus has exploded outside the Libreville Methodist Church in downtown Libreville leaving a confirmed thirty two dead and another seventeen injured. So far investigators initially examining the scene have ruled out accidental causes and it now appears to have been a deliberate attack. The damage caused from the blast against Libreville Methodist Church has shown that it appears the building was indeed the bomber's target.

 

So far no group has come forward to take credit for the attack. Religious violence has to date been a very minor problem in Gabon with no deaths and few injuries recorded. However, Africa has be known to harbor extremists and authorities are appealing to anyone with any information about the bombing to come forward.

 

More news as the situation updates.  

[Kevin Kingswell]

*Further breaking news*

 

Reports have come in that another seven explosive devices have been detonated across the nation leaving over one hundred and sixty four dead and over three hundred injured. Further more a radical religious group calling themselves the the Sons and Daughters of God or the SDG for short have claimed responsibility for the attacks. The so far unknown leader of the group appeared in a short video tape, keeping himself cloaked by shadows and using a modified voice system he or she expressed their beliefs that the conflicts in this world have shown that only the faithful deserve to inhabit this Earth and that the unfaithful shall perish.

 

It is unknown why Gabon has been targeted as the nation has never been a part of any conflict and many experts wonder if the message given was in fact a cover for an ulterior motive.        

[Captain Enema]

Classified

 

Immediate priority is given to discovering who the SDG is comprised of and the length of the organizations reach. A dedicated intelligence collecting task force is organized under the Director of Legion Intelligence Services. Members of the task force are ordered to prepare to depart to Gabon for field operations under the guise of foreign reporters. Further, the 2nd Legion RCT is given orders to prepare for overseas duties. Transport for the 2nd Legion RCT is requisitioned from Legion's Merchant Marine fleet.

Edited January 31, 2014 by Tidy Bowl Man

[Kevin Kingswell]

*More breaking news*

 

The SDG have struck again and this time with disastrous consequences, an explosive device was used to set off a chain reaction at the oil refinery complex located not far from the capital. Of the seventy five workers on duty there only thirteen have been found unharmed with another six badly injured, two in a critical state. The rest of the workers are either dead or missing and as the complex is engulfed in flames chances of any survivors being found are slim.

 

However, a much more terrible tragedy was struck when a suicide bomber drove an explosive laden pick up truck into the central government building before detonating. The explosion and almost sudden collapse of the surviving building structure left many of the current government member dead including the President himself. With the government still reeling from the blow the military has stepped in and declared martial law.

 

As of now citizens are to carry on with their daily lives but must report anything suspicious to the military at once. Citizens must also always follow any order given to them by the military without refusal. On top of this a eight pm curfew has been put into immediate effect whilst the military begin searching for anyone or anything with links to the SDG. 

[Centurius]

"The Athenian Federation would like to offer Gabon military aid and dedicated anti-terrorism units to combat this horrible wave of attacks"

[Captain Enema]

"Legion, acting in cooperation with Athens, would too like to extend an offer of support."

[Kevin Kingswell]

Private and classified

 

To: Athens and Legion

 

From: General Duo Maxwell, Gabon Army

 

I will gladly accept the offer of support from both Athens and Legion however, before any movements are made would both of your nations please send whomever they will be putting in charge of the support actions to Gabon's capital Libreville. I have urgent and important information that I can not afford to release except in person. A military escort will be waiting at the international airport if you decide to follow this request.  

[Captain Enema]

Classified:

to: Gabon

from: Legion

 

Legionnaires serve under their own chain of command. Should it be required, an adviser from the host nation can be attached to the staff of the General Officer in Charge of Legion Forces on the scene, but no more than that would be allowed under Legion's constitution. A representative will be sent in the form of Colonel Samuel Howise to meet with your forces.

 

 

Libreville Airport

 

Colonel Howise, or at least someone that appeared to look greatly like Colonel Howise, was somewhat nervous as he was required to fill out a life insurance policy in advance of this trip, departed the Legion Air Force Transport that carried him and his security team. The eighteen man team have the man that looked much like Colonel Howise surrounded and are heavily armed. In the air above Libreville Airport is a Legion Air Force C-130 with a RRF platoon and ELINT team who are monitoring the airwaves. The team on the ground are equipped with powerful cell phone jammers and signals blockers that create a bubble of electronic noise around them to prevent the detonation of remote devices.

 

As they depart their plane, they remain on the tarmac as they refuse to enter the terminal knowing that such a place is a natural ambush point. With them comes a single Legion RAV armed with a .top mounted 50 caliber machine gun and side mounted 7.62 x 54mm GPMG.  They wait at a safe distance for the Gabon representative as they keep their eyes peeled for signs of snipers and the ELINT team above monitors local radio traffic for signs of coordinated hostile movement.

[Kevin Kingswell]

Libreville Airport

 

Captain Stuart Petrach and his three man guard detail swiftly made their way across the open tarmac at a fair jog to the Legion team, the guards kept their hands on the butts of their rifles but did not bring them up as to not provoke the Legion soldiers. Coming to a stop before the Legion team Captain Petrach would quickly begin to lay out the situation. 

 

"Welcome to Gabon sir" he said to Colonel Howise "we had initially intended to transport yourself to General Maxwell's location by helicopter however, your team's size and the fact you have brought your own ground transport complicates that plan. No matter though I have a Humvee coming to pick myself and my team up and if you would follow us we will take you to the general's location."

 

As if on cue as Petrach finished speaking a Gabon Army Humvee came driving across the tarmac, its only occupants being the driver and the gunner manning the .50 cal mounted on the roof. Said gunner made sure to keep the barrel of the mounted machine gun pointed away from the Legion team. Coming to a stop next to Petrach and his guards the Gabon soldiers climbed in to their vehicle and would wait for the Legion soldiers to mount up in their own vehicle.

[Captain Enema]

The man who looks a great deal like Colonel Howise, loads up into the RAV. A pair of Legion Light Assault Vehicles, LAVs, dismount the transport and take up a front and rear position with the RAV. Two Legionnaires board each vehicle and the remaining twelve form a perimeter around the waiting transport. Up above the transport circling overhead relays the change in plans and is given permission to fire danger close in populated urban areas if needed. With this permission given the C-130's Weapons Officer activates a wing mounted pod that contains hellfire missiles.

 

As the plan has changed from a simple meeting at the airport to transport to another site, a somewhat dusty contingency plan is activated. The 2nd RCT, 4th RCT, and 5th RCT are given orders for OPERATION REVENGE. In the event that the government of Gabon fails to ensure the safety of the man who looks like Colonel Howise, an immediate response will be launched once those three units have fully deployed. As deployment is an issue, Legion puts what airlift capabilities it has at its disposal and starts what will be an extended process of lifting three entire Regimental Combat Teams, plus attached units- 29,000 men- across the entire continent of Africa.

 

Heavy equipment is loaded onto ships as the base to launch OPREV, or the original mission, is of course located in the Athenian Protectorate, along the border of Gabon. As the 2nd RCT is already deploying, it is decided to commence pushing the 2nd's men and equipment through and then move the 4th and 5th along if needed. At this time, the 4th and 5th are given recall orders and are told to organize their men, equipment, and supplies.

Edited February 6, 2014 by Tidy Bowl Man

[Kevin Kingswell]

Captain Petrach would lead the way out of the airport in his Humvee and as they passed the airport's perimeter the Legion vehicles and the Captain's Humvee would be joined by two Bradley IFVs with one taking the front position and the second the rear most position. These two vehicles had special orders, if the convoy was to come under attack they must do everything they can to protect the Legion representative even if it meant their own destruction.

 

As it was though the convoy would come under no attack on it's journey through Libreville, it would however, be quite obvious that the city was on edge as their would be multiple military units patrolling the streets with the occasional pair of military helicopters passing over head. Eventually the convoy would pass through the city itself and enter the barren land on its outskirts.

 

It was here that the convoy would reach its destination arriving at a makeshift military encampment consisting of little more than rows of field tents, basic barbed wire fortifications and a single helipad that seemed to be constantly in use by various sized transport helicopters. To the rear though an easily sighted construction area stood and it was quite simple to tell they were constructing some form of bunker complex.

 

Now deemed to be in safe territory the two Bradley IFVs pulled away from the convoy and the Captain lead the Legion troops to a large tent surrounded by dishes and communication equipment. Exiting his Humvee Petrach would walk over to the Legion RAV and stand waiting for Colonel Howise so that he could lead him inside the command tent where General Duo Maxwell and his command staff were busy at work.    

[Captain Enema]

Colonel Howise, more so the man who looked like him, would follow along to meet the general. The rest of his team would take up positions to effect the fastest possible departure of the area. The C-130 overhead would continue circling and observing. The onboard electronics warfare team would be scanning the airwaves looking to sniff out radio, cellular, and other signals that might indicate a possible threat. A full suite of data recorders are sucking up every electron of data they can compress onto their hard drives for later examination. Cameras are also up and running and as the plane circles it deploys intelligence collection drones, four of them each equipped with a pair of hellfire missiles, are sent out to cast a wider net.

[Captain Enema]

The first wave of Airborne, Logistical, Engineering, and Specialist troops needed to create a vitally needed Forward Operating Base begin to land just north of the Gabon border. The Airborne troopers form into their companies and with one providing close in security the others are dispatched with orders to screen the border and to provide a 360 degree perimeter of the drop zone. The Engineers quickly follow on with their CEVs deployed out of the back of C-130 transports which are landed on a long stretch of straight highway. Logistical and Specialist troops come in on the third wave of planes and immediately begin setting up tents, surveying, and conducting tests of the soil.

 

This base is to be named FOB Destiny and the next coming wave will consist of the 1st of the 1st Battalion which will add another wave of infantry troopers that are needed to run security patrols. Once the 1st of the 1st is fully deployed it will be followed by the 2nd of the 1st, the 3rd of the 1st, and then several attached companies. These companies will include an intelligence company, two Air Defense Companies, several Military Police Companies, and then finally the remainders of the Services and Support Battalion that have not fully deployed. The total force on the ground by the completion of the airlift is set to be 7300 men.

 

The heavy vehicles are slated to arrive at the end of the week via sea transport. Until then the tank, armored troop carriers, and other heavy vehicle crews will remain in Legion. A token force of drivers will be deployed with the ships to help move the vehicles off the RORO carriers and into their assigned vehicle parks at FOB Destiny. While the troops wait for the ships to arrive they will be busy stringing razor wire, laying in ground sensors, running security patrols, keeping their drones in the sky, and assisting the Engineering troops with returning the abandon airstrip that FOB Destiny is located to full active duty.

 

Once the strip is fully operational a Legion Composite Air Wing will be flown in to provide air cover and air defense. At that time a full battalion of Legion Heavy artillery and rocket artillery will be landed as part of the attached units to the 1st RCT. Once all is in place and the signal is given, the 1st RCT will then commence an advance into Gabon to provide support for the local government, or it will wait for the follow on RCTs to arrive and then conduct Operation Revenge, which as stated before is a full invasion of Gabon.

Edited February 9, 2014 by Tidy Bowl Man

[Captain Enema]

With the bulk of the 2nd RCT in place, sans heavy equipment, the Engineers and Legionnaires are hard at work digging in and improving FOB Destiny. The heavy equipment is expected to arrive shortly and once the ships begin offloading the crews and vehicle commanders will be flown in. Until they arrive the 2nd RCT's dedicated Services and Support Battalion, not to be confused with the attached Services and Support Battalion, will continue to prepare the vehicle parks and living quarters for the crews and commanders. All other attached units, minus their heavy vehicles, have arrived and are busy constructing their own personal work and living areas. The Legionnaire Engineer detachment is hard at work to modify the airstrip and to assist other detachments with their building projects.

 

The air transported CEVs are supplemented by a variety of locally sourced and hired vehicles. Payment for these vehicle and the hours of their owners/drivers are at Legion's standard contractor rates with the protectorate bonus scheme. The bonus scheme being an incentive to work hard and to work safely to complete projects and to build goodwill with local populations through by offering good pay, good working conditions, and fair treatment.

 

ooc- 2nd RCT's entire strength has been deployed minus vehicle crews and commanders. 4 attached MP companies, 2 attached intelligence companies, 2 ADA companies, an additional services and support battalion have been deployed as well.

 

ooc- The deployment of the 2nd RCT is occurring a bit quickly given the colonel has only spent a few moments on the ground. Consider the deployment to have happened during and after the visit. Once completed I'll hold off posting anything more about it till rp has time to catch up.

 

ooc- and in fairness, if you want to do some crossborder harassment of the unit landing, let me know when exactly and I can wind back the rp to reflect that desire.

Edited February 10, 2014 by Tidy Bowl Man

[Kevin Kingswell]

Forward Operating Base Destiny would be untouched during its set up and construction as the SDG leaders felt the risks entailed with attacking the Legion base were too high to allow such an attack to go forward. However, they did begin to use a system of observers with basic one use mobile phones to spy on and report any Legion movements crossing the borders. The observers themselves would be unarmed and appear to be like any other regular citizen of Gabon and the experienced observers would make sure they were in covered shelter before making their calls. Said calls would also be routed through the Gabon public telecommunication system making tracking an arduous task at the best of times.

 

Meanwhile General Duo Maxwell would step away from his subordinates to greet Colonel Howise offering his hand in greeting and immediately briefing the Legion commander on why he had been called.

 

"Welcome to Gabon Colonel I wish you were here under better circumstances unfortunately the situation has grown far worse than we all expected. Gabon originally agreed to disband all attempts to create nuclear weapons after talks with the Athenian Federation. Unfortunately it has been brought to my attention that a single working nuclear warhead was created and stored away instead of being handed over."

 

"Even worse reports given to me state that the facility holding this warhead was raided by the SDG and the warhead stolen. These terrorists now possess a viable and deadly weapon and we don't even know where it is at this time. I had to inform you of this and had hoped to before your forces deployed in case it affected your nation's deployment plans. The reason I also chose to tell you in person is that neither the general public or the international community know of this and my government would prefer to keep it this way. I am sure you can understand why."  

[Captain Enema]

"Legion forces are here under the employment of Athens. I will make a report and send it via courier to Legion Headquarters. The report will then be forwarded by hand to the Council of 13. The Council of 13 will then deliberate, make a decision, and forward the report plus Council recommendations to the Athenian authorities. I suspect, that in a little under 48 hours the Athenians are going to know about this nuclear device. I need the full specs on it and I need them immediately. Along with that, I need to begin deploying aircraft into the skies over Gabon with equipment to try and sniff out this nuclear device," the Colonel replies as he removes his Legion Colonel Eagle Medallion and replaces it with a Legion Brigadier General pip.

 

He removes his name tag and replaces it with one that reads Denard. After he's taken care of that he says, "We have 48 hours to preserve the future of your nation. Everyone in this room ought to know that fooling about with nuclear weapons in this modern world brings immediate consequences. Immediate consequences."

 

A snap of his fingers brings his orderly and a secured radio. A few finger taps later and he has made a connection to Legion's headquarters in Mogadishu. A request is made for the immediate deployment of a mixed squadron of aircraft. Four C-130 Spectre Gunships, four aircraft to be equipped with a full suite of emissions detection equipment, and four C-130 troop transports and a company of paratroopers each. He returns his attention to the General and says, "General, I highly advise you get your government to evacuate. Further, begin evacuation of your primary population centers. This could well flush the device out into the open to the point where either your troops or my forces can locate it. Until we locate the device, facing the rebels head on will not be possible. As this is a nuclear situation, I am authorizing Legion Special Rules of Engagement. Any person showing any sort of suspicious activity can and will be considered a legal target.

 

FOB Destiny

 

A single .50 caliber sniper round would be fired aimed at a car right next to one of the spotters. A loud broadcasted message is then played, "THE NEXT PERSON SEEN OBSERVING LEGION TROOPS WILL POSSIBLY BE FIRED UPON." The Legion snipers, their spotters, their excellent rifles, and their drones settle in and keep a careful watch. Bets are made as to who will get the first kill, so far all bets lean towards Sergeant Digale Mbembe of the 3rd Battalion with his .338 Lapua rifle.

 

Orders calling for the establishment of a much wider security zone are received as well. With these in place and the arrival of the 2nd RCT's heavy equipment, the tanks, armored troop carriers, and scout vehicles assist the troops of the 2nd RCT with expanding the security perimeter by nearly a kilometer. Vehicles are given checkpoints to enter which are situated nearly 1000 meters away from the Legion lines. These checkpoints are remotely operated and utilize a NBC suite. Once the vehicle is cleared remotely, an inspection team of four men will then clear it.

 

[Kevin Kingswell]

General Maxwell blew out a soft sigh of disappointment before replying. "I understand, you must do what is required" he said as he picked up a nearby file and handed it over to the Colonel. "That file contains everything on the weapon. The warhead is not very powerful but it could still deal sizable damage to any of our major cities as for evacuation that is out of the question for now. For all we know if the SDG see us trying to evacuate the citizens they could detonate the device. However, the device should be easily found by your equipment that file states they were unable to properly contain the radiation leakage so with luck you can find its location quickly."

 

"Hmmph seems I am not the only one with secrets. Sir" said General Maxwell throwing Denard a salute as befitting his rank. "Once the nuclear device has been secured we can work on hunting down and defeating the SDG".  

[Captain Enema]

"General, don't look so glum, in 48 hours either all our asses with be toast via nuclear destruction or the Athenians will have all our scalps. Or we get busy and find this nuke," Denard replies as he hands the file over to a subordinate to immediately depart with it to FOB Destiny. To speak of the device over the airwaves would be too risky at this time. The Intelligence Companies at Destiny would be better suited to analyzing the contents of the file and making suitable recommendations. The file along with satellite data collected by Legion's Space Command ought to give a clearer picture.

 

"Now General, I need to know what you are doing to find this thing, we can't have wasted effort through duplication."

[Centurius]

Word of the presence of a nuclear threat had certainly given Gabon renewed importance but the conclusion was made Legion seemed to have things well covered. Athenian authorities would inform them they were cleared to take any measure they deemed needed.

 

In case everything went wrong however a unit of Manticores would prepare for rapid insertion.

[Kevin Kingswell]

"Unfortunately unlike the scientist in charge of ensuring all working prototypes were destroyed or handed over the one sin charge of getting rid of the associated equipment stayed true to their orders. Currently I have small teams spread out across the various major population centers with scratch built detection equipment but progress remains slow and they may not even pick up any traces as is" replied the General before they were interrupted by an arriving private. 

 

Saluting General Maxwell the private immediately made his report. "General sir. Doctor Steiner has been located and apprehended and the unit holding him in custody is no on their way here".

 

"Very good private. Inform the men that the esteemed doctor is to be incarcerated in our detention block upon his arrival then return to your unit".

 

"Yes General" said the Private before saluting and leaving the command tent, turning away from the departing private General Maxwell gave Denard a quick explanation. "Doctor Steiner was in charge of disposing of the prototypes. It is his failure that has placed the nation in such danger. If you wish to interrogate him when he arrives you have my go ahead".