intelligence portion of this briefback. Operational Area Parson is in the northeast corner of Angola. It is bordered on the north and east by the international border with Zaire. On the south by Route 2, the major east-west highway in Angola, which is also the line of demarcation between American and Pan-African forces. Our western boundary is the Cuango River. Total area is approximately four thousand square kilometers.
“The land is primarily plateau grassland with rolling hills. In the river valleys and other low areas, particularly the northeast part of the AO, the terrain is heavily vegetated jungle.
“The immediate threat in the area is the UNITA rebels, under the overall command of Jonas Savimbi.” Comsky slapped the pointer onto the map. “Savimbi is headquartered in Huambo, which is not in our AO. The chief rebel stronghold in our area is in Saurimo.
“This area, while not on the front lines between UNITA and the MPLA, is critical. Lunda Norte and adjacent Lunda Sul are the center of the diamond-mining area in Angola. Illegal exportation of these diamonds is UNITA’s primary source of monetary support. There have been reports that UNITA representatives have directly traded raw diamonds for arms on the international black market.
“Intelligence analysis at Special Operations Command places control of the diamond mines as the third priority for our forces, after the destruction of the UNITA armed forces and neutralization of—”
“Excuse me, Sergeant,” Colonel Waller, the group S-3, quickly cut in. “But, please, confine yourself to your team’s area of operations and missions.”
Comsky stared at the colonel. His bushy eyebrows turned in the direction of Conner, then back to Waller. “Yes, sir. To continue.” He walked over to the map and dropped an acetate overlay down over it. “The rebel order of battle in the area is very incomplete.” Comsky scratched his head. “I suppose that it’s our job to figure it out when we get there. The AOB is working on several initial targets that we will designate for air interdiction upon arrival in country. After that, we will be searching for the enemy.”
Riley smiled. Sergeants often had a way of saying things blindly, and it cut against the formal grain of language in mission letters and operations orders. From his time serving with Comsky, he knew that the man would probably summarize their mission in one sentence and that would be that: We go in, eyeball the place, and report what we see.
“Although we don’t know the disposition or strength of the rebel forces in our area, we do know their capabilities. They have individual and crew-served weapons, to include heavy machine guns and mortars. Hand-held air-to-ground missiles of the SAM-7 type are common throughout the country. There have been no sightings of armored vehicles in our area, but the rebels do possess various types of armor and contact cannot be ruled out.
“The local population...” Comsky paused and shrugged. “We don’t really know what the local population thinks or feels. The indigenous population is most likely concerned with survival. There are numerous smugglers and black marketers in the area working the mines. There is no doubt they aren’t going to be happy to see us show up. In some cases these criminal elements are armed as well as, if not better than, the rebel or government forces.”
Captain Dorrick stirred and made a small hand gesture, indicating for Comsky to stay with the planned briefing and cut his editorial comments.
Comsky coughed and looked at the map, re-railing his train of thought. “Uh, the effect of terrain and weather on our operations.
“Movement by air should be unrestricted, and we expect to have complete air superiority. However, if our air assets are not available, movement on the ground will be difficult at best. Maps show few roads, and the reliability of the roads marked is questionable.” Comsky smiled. “We always have our feet, of
“The land is primarily plateau grassland with rolling hills. In the river valleys and other low areas, particularly the northeast part of the AO, the terrain is heavily vegetated jungle.
“The immediate threat in the area is the UNITA rebels, under the overall command of Jonas Savimbi.” Comsky slapped the pointer onto the map. “Savimbi is headquartered in Huambo, which is not in our AO. The chief rebel stronghold in our area is in Saurimo.
“This area, while not on the front lines between UNITA and the MPLA, is critical. Lunda Norte and adjacent Lunda Sul are the center of the diamond-mining area in Angola. Illegal exportation of these diamonds is UNITA’s primary source of monetary support. There have been reports that UNITA representatives have directly traded raw diamonds for arms on the international black market.
“Intelligence analysis at Special Operations Command places control of the diamond mines as the third priority for our forces, after the destruction of the UNITA armed forces and neutralization of—”
“Excuse me, Sergeant,” Colonel Waller, the group S-3, quickly cut in. “But, please, confine yourself to your team’s area of operations and missions.”
Comsky stared at the colonel. His bushy eyebrows turned in the direction of Conner, then back to Waller. “Yes, sir. To continue.” He walked over to the map and dropped an acetate overlay down over it. “The rebel order of battle in the area is very incomplete.” Comsky scratched his head. “I suppose that it’s our job to figure it out when we get there. The AOB is working on several initial targets that we will designate for air interdiction upon arrival in country. After that, we will be searching for the enemy.”
Riley smiled. Sergeants often had a way of saying things blindly, and it cut against the formal grain of language in mission letters and operations orders. From his time serving with Comsky, he knew that the man would probably summarize their mission in one sentence and that would be that: We go in, eyeball the place, and report what we see.
“Although we don’t know the disposition or strength of the rebel forces in our area, we do know their capabilities. They have individual and crew-served weapons, to include heavy machine guns and mortars. Hand-held air-to-ground missiles of the SAM-7 type are common throughout the country. There have been no sightings of armored vehicles in our area, but the rebels do possess various types of armor and contact cannot be ruled out.
“The local population...” Comsky paused and shrugged. “We don’t really know what the local population thinks or feels. The indigenous population is most likely concerned with survival. There are numerous smugglers and black marketers in the area working the mines. There is no doubt they aren’t going to be happy to see us show up. In some cases these criminal elements are armed as well as, if not better than, the rebel or government forces.”
Captain Dorrick stirred and made a small hand gesture, indicating for Comsky to stay with the planned briefing and cut his editorial comments.
Comsky coughed and looked at the map, re-railing his train of thought. “Uh, the effect of terrain and weather on our operations.
“Movement by air should be unrestricted, and we expect to have complete air superiority. However, if our air assets are not available, movement on the ground will be difficult at best. Maps show few roads, and the reliability of the roads marked is questionable.” Comsky smiled. “We always have our feet, of
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