020830H November 1966

Operation Order 007-66

Ref:     (a)        Map: Viet Nam, 1:50,000, AMS Series L701, Sheet 6560 III and 6559 IV

(b)              Phu Bai Base Coordination OpOrder 1-66

Time Zone:            H

1.            Situation

a.                 Enemy Forces:  See current INTSUMS and PERINTERPS

b.                 Friendly Forces:

(1)               1^st Battalion 4^th Marines (rein) will be the Vital Area Defense Battalion.

(2)               Reference (b)

c.                  Attachments and detachments.

(1)               Company F, 2^nd Battalion 26^th Marines

(2)               As assigned by 3^rd Marine Division.

2.         Mission.  The vital area defense Battalion occupies and defends a sector of the vital area perimeter; conducts offensive operations in the Phu Bai TAOR; conducts civic action and MEDCAP programs; provides Sparrow Hawk on 5 minute alert; provides reaction company/roughrider security as directed by higher headquarters; provides security elements and combat outpost as directed by higher headquarters.  Assumes operational control of the Combined Action Company; and coordinates and controls the defense of the vital area.

3.         Execution.

a.                 Concept of operations.  The vital area defense Battalion defends the vital area perimeter with two rifle companies, elements of units assigned by higher headquarters; and one rifle company counterattack force.  Establishes combat outpost on Hills 180 and 225; Maintains patrol base and conducts extensive patrols in Gia Le and Truoi Bridge areas; maintain a COC as designated by the Vital Area Defense Commander; maintains communications with each sector; provides an 81mm mortar section at Col Co Beach with FSCC capabilities, and conducts offensive operations as assigned by higher headquarters.  Supporting forces for vital area will be preplanned.

b.                 Other units (as assigned by higher headquarters)

(1)               Occupy and defend designated portions of the Vital Area perimeter.

(2)               Repair and emplace tactical wire and defensive positions in assigned portion of Vital Area.

(3)               Maintain a CP in direct communications with the Vital Area Defense COC.

(4)               Maintain a squad (rein) reaction force.

c.                  Companies A and F

(1)               Maintain communications with perimeter platoon positions and Battalion COC.

(2)               Maintain observation posts covering your sector of the perimeter during daylight hours.

(3)               Insure that individuals manning perimeter are instructed in the use of the weapons with which they are armed, and to maintain constant surveillance of their assigned area.

(4)               Automatic and crew served weapons will compile and use range cards at each position.

(5)               Maintain a squad (rein) reaction force.

d.                 Company B.

(1)               Maintain 1 platoon (rein) as COP on HILL 225, (YD 847085).

(2)               Provide company (-) as security at the Gia Le position (YD 811154).

(3)               Conduct extensive patrols and ambushes in assigned area of TAOR.

e.                 Company C.

(1)               Provide security at the Truoi Area position (YD 931059).

(2)               Conduct extensive patrols and ambushes in assigned area of TAOR.

f.                    Company D.

(1)               Provide Rough Rider Security as required.

(2)               Provide Sparrow Hawk on 5 minute alert.

(3)               Provide Battalion reserve Counter attack Force.

(4)               Be prepared to conduct offensive operations within the TAOR directed.

g.                 H&S Company.

(1)               Provide squad (rein) as COP on Hill 180 (YD 855133).

(2)               Provide mortar section for employment at Col Co Beach (YD 835320)

(3)               On order provide Battalion Reserve Counter attack Force.

h.                  CAC Company.  Reference (b)

i.                    Coordinating Instructions

(1)               Submit Overlay of defensive positions and fire plan within 24 hours after receipt of this order.

(2)               Submit hourly SitReps during the hours of darkness by radio.

(3)               Submit SpotReps immediately upon enemy contact.

(4)               Rules of engagement apply.

(5)               Lateral coordination of sectors of observation and fire plans between units is directed.

(6)               Sector Assignments.  Annex B (sector assignment overlay)

(7)               Supporting Arms.  Annex C (supporting arms)

(8)               Defense Reaction Conditions. Annex D (defense reaction conditions)

4.            Administration and Logistics

a.                 Attached units, less CAC, submit request to S-4.  Units assigned by higher headquarters submit request to parent unit.

b.                 Ammo bunkers.  All units assigned sectors of vital perimeter will construct ammunition storage bunkers within respective sectors.

c.                  All ammunitions will be clean, serviceable and rust free.

5.            Command and Communication/Electronics

a.                 See Annex E (communication/electronics)

b.                 Command post.  Report changes and locations of command post when established.

This page last corrected 25 August 2011