Operation Marlborough was not as glamorous or newsworthy as some SF operations but it was planned and executed with such precision and elegance that it is certainly worthy of recording here as an example of how to do things properly.
In July 2005 British Agents working for MI6 discovered a plot in Baghdad, Iraq for several suicide bombers to detonate their explosive vests at various restaurants and cafes frequented by the Iraqi military. The terrorist base was quickly identified as a certain house near the targets and listening devices were placed in the walls to overhear conversations inside.
It was soon determined there were to be three suicide bombers cooperating in a synchronized attack. In addition, within their house was a bomb factory and an unknown amount of explosives.
Task Force Black, a joint US/British Special Forces unit comprising SAS, SBS (Special Boat Service) and Delta Force, was given the job of eliminating the terrorists and a plan was devised where the British SAS would kill the terrorists while British and US troops provided support and cut-off groups in case of unforeseen events.
To kill the terrorists four two-man SAS sniper teams would be deployed on rooftops surrounding the house and take down the bombers as they left the building. That is three snipers to shoot in the plan and one in reserve. Shooting the bombers outside the house would minimize the chances of collateral damage to civilians in the house, and perhaps neighbours, from the detonation of further explosives which would be likely to occur in the event the house was stormed.
The sniper teams were armed with the bolt-action Accuracy International Inc. Arctic Warfare Magnum rifle which fires the .338 Lapua Magnum (8.58mm x 70mm) round. This is a specialized rimless bottlenecked centre-fire cartridge developed for military long-range sniper rifles. And it knocks down targets like they have been hit by a train.
On the morning of the attack the sniper teams took up position unnoticed and a US drone flew overhead providing live video coverage to the operation commander. Intelligence operators provided a live translation of conversations within the house.
At 08:00 the three terrorist suicide bombers left the house and the operation commander gave the order to open fire when they were well clear and all in vision at the same time. With three shots the bombers were killed, without detonating their explosive vests, and the support troops moved in to secure the area and search the bodies and building.
That is how an operation should work. Clean and quick with no drama.
Seconds later a call comes in over the radio, ‘Alpha 9er this is Alpha 1, a convoy is approaching our location from the west at speed. Distance 3½ miles. 12 vehicles, company of infantry and light armour, over.’ You reply, ‘Alpha 9er, copy that. RV extraction out.’ Looks like someone is coming to take a look. Probably the locals will not get involved but you had better warn the fly boys. ‘Heelo 9er this is Alpha 9er, we have local troops three miles from extraction over.’ ‘Heelo 9er copy that. I confirm extraction. Out.’
All your teams arrive at the extraction point together although two men from Alpha 5 are being carried. You look to your sergeant, ‘Form a perimeter, strong on that side please’. The men are already rushing to form a loose circle to protect the Blackhawks as they land except for the wounded who are being tended in the centre. The choppers will come down one at a time to take up the men, wounded first. Moments later the distinctive sound of chopper blades brings a smile to a man’s face. ‘The cavalry’s here.’
A HH-60G Pavehawk loads men immediately after a successful operation. (USAF)
The first Blackhawk touches down, loads men and soars away. The next lands, loads and away, then the third and last approaches. A rocket trail lances up from behind a low hill and an explosion rocks the second chopper. Trailing smoke it switches to auto rotate and begins to lose height quickly. ‘S**t!’ The third chopper aborts its approach and speeds off low over the ground sprouting anti-missile flares as it goes. The damaged aircraft hits the ground with a crunch of metal just audible.
You call the Blackhawk commander: ‘Heelo 9er, Alpha 9er do you have a visual on the downed chopper?’ ‘Heelo 9er the air frame in intact and men are climbing out over.’ ‘Alpha 9er can you extract them and us over?’ ‘Heelo 9er that is a negative. The locals have missiles. Sorry Buddy, withdrawing my callsign from range. Will remain within theatre, out.’ The men close to you are watching. They know the choppers will leave them and their mates in the downed chopper rather than risk more aircraft and crew. What are you going to do?
You switch channels to your commanding officer. ‘Sunray Alpha this is Alpha 9er over.’
‘Sunray Alpha send over.’
‘Primary mission accomplished. We have contact with local forces. They have missiles and one chopper is down. Ground team under fire. Request permission to destroy locals over.’
‘Sunray Alpha wait out.’ So now you just have to wait for a decision from brigade headquarters about destroying the missile launchers.
Command decision one
Air support is granted.
As you wait first one, then a string of 82mm mortar bombs drop around your position. A heavy machine gun is firing high and you can see the tracer rounds flash over. The enemy are less than half a mile away and you have no heavy weapons. How long will HQ be in making a decision? Will someone think it is easier to make no decision than the wrong decision?
You make a decision and switch channels. ‘Reaper 9er, Alpha 9er take down the enemy missile launchers and infantry over.’ ‘Reaper 9er confirm target missile launchers and infantry over.’ You confirm, ‘Alpha 9er confirm target missile launchers and infantry over.’ ‘Reaper 9er wait out.’ Your sergeant looks you in the eye, ‘He doesn’t think you have clearance Boss. He’s going to check.’
Then all hell breaks loose as missiles, Paveway bombs, cluster bombs, all sorts of munitions rain down on the enemy and destroy them in seconds. ‘I think we owe the Reaper detachment a few beers lads.’ The radio squawks into life, ‘Alpha 9er this is Heelo 9er confirm continue extraction over.’
‘Alpha 9er confirm extraction out.’
A Blackhawk swoops in to collect the last of your men while Heelo 9er collects the survivors and bodies from the stricken chopper himself. As you pull away a CH-53E Super Stallion, which has been held in reserve to allow for accidents, prepares to recover the Blackhawk airframe.
Command decision two
Alternate command decision when the air support is refused.
‘Alpha 9er this is Reaper 9er we do not have clearance for this mission over.’
You reply, ‘Alpha 9er copy out.’ You change channels and call the Pavehawk commander.
‘Alpha 9er. Can you give me some suppressive fire with those miniguns over?’
‘Heelo 9er. Sorry buddy, just had a straight negative order on that. Over.’
You think for a moment.
‘Alpha 9er. You have 16 of my men aboard two of your callsigns. Can you drop the 14 who can walk for me?’
‘Heelo 9er. I certainly can bud. So long as I can keep my ships away from those damn missiles. Will take figures 5 as they are on their way home. Where do you want them?’
‘Alpha 9er. Just shy of the top of that hill a click north east of me on the side away from the enemy.’
‘Heelo 9er, that is affirmative. They have a pair of grenade machine guns on board ready for infantry use. Shall I drop them as well? Do you want the enemy radio net jamming?’
‘Alpha 9er both would be very welcome. Alpha 9er out.’
You turn to your sergeant, ‘Billy, we are going to line out to face the enemy. They will either turn or fight. Lets see what they do.’