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                            *EYES ONLY* 


		OPERATION: EARNEST WILL/PRAYING MANTIS

THIS SCENARIO IS BASED ON THE 1987 ESCORT OPERATIONS OF US FLAGGED KUWAITI 
TANKERS IN THE PERSIAN GULF.

AT THE REQUEST OF THE KUWAITI GOVERNMENT THE PRESIDENT HAS ORDERED US WARSHIPS
TO PROVIDE ESCORTS FOR REFLAGGED TANKERS TRANSITING THE PERSIAN GULF.  

IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN CURRENT OIL PRODUCTION LEVELS THESE SHIPS MUST ARRIVE AND 
DEPART ON A REGULAR SCHEDULE, ANY INTERRUPTION OF THIS VITAL OIL SUPPLY WOULD 
HAVE AN IMMEDIATE EFFECT ON THE WORLDS' ECONOMY.

MIDEASTFOR HAS ASSIGNED USS COPELAND (FFG-25) AND USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS
(FFG-58) TO ESCORT TANKERS: AMERICAN EXPLORER, SEALIFT ATLANTIC AND
MISSION CAPISTRANO TO THE PORT OF KUWAIT.

UNDER CURRENT "RULES OF ENGAGEMENT" ALL UNIT COMMANDERS HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED
TO TAKE MEASURES TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THEIR SHIPS' AND CREW BUT DO NOT
ATTACK UNLESS YOU OR OTHER US INTERESTS ARE ATTACKED FIRST.
IN THE EVENT OF HOSTILE ENEMY ACTIONS YOU ARE AUTHORIZED TO CONDUCT OFFENSIVE
OPERATIONS DEEMED NECESSARY TO NEUTRALIZE ANY THREAT.  
THIS INCLUDES: LAND BASES, AIR AND SEA THREATS.

	NOTE: IT IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE US OR ITS' ALLIES 
	      TO COMPLETELY DESTROY ANY IRAQI OR IRANIAN BASE.  USE ONLY
              THE FORCE REQUIRED TO PREVENT THEIR CONTINUED MILITARY USE
              AGAINST NEUTRAL SHIPPING (i.e. TARGET RUNWAYS).

INTELLIGENCE REPORT: PAST EVENTS HAVE PROVEN REPORTS OF MINE FIELDS WITHIN 
                     THE STRAIGHTS OF HORMUZ.  MINE SWEEPING OPERATIONS HAVE
                     CLEARED THE STRAIGHTS ON TWO OCCASIONS, HOWEVER WITHIN 
                     DAYS MORE MINES WERE LAID.  IT IS BELIEVED THAT IRANIAN 
                     NAVAL SHIPS ARE LAYING THESE UNDER COVER OF DARKNESS.
                     
                     ADDITIONALLY BE ADVISED, BOTH IRAN AND IRAQ HAVE MADE
                     SUBSTANTIAL ARMS PURCHASES FROM THE SOVIET UNION
                     (GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SALE?).  IT IS POSSIBLE THAT
                     ONE OR BOTH SIDES WILL BE USING ADVANCED WEAPONS SYSTEMS.

ALLIED ORDERS: SAFELY DELIVER ALL REFLAGGED TANKERS TO THE PORT OF KUWAIT
               WITHIN 27 HOURS.

               TO MAINTAIN HIGH PUBLIC SUPPORT, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT ALLIED 
               CASUALTIES REMAIN LOW.


                
 
		ALL COMMENTS ARE WELCOME THIS IS MY FIRST ATTEMPT AT A SERIOUS
		SCENARIO AND WOULD LIKE INPUT ON ANY POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE 
		ASPECT OF THIS SCENARIO.

							THANKS,
						
							TERRY KIMES
							70713,2554  

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