Operation Elevator

Operation Elevator
Part of 2033 Winnecomac County crisis
(Clockwise from top left) Members of the Arcerion Parachute Regiment conduct a night-time infiltration onto Runway 44 of Yarmouth International Airport; Terminal D of Yarmouth International Airport burns during the first day of fighting; An Aeroco Kestrel of No.11 Squadron AAF flies over Asteria as part of the no-fly zone enforcement; A helicopter lands on the deck of a Burgoignesc ship with evacuees from Asteria.
Date 7-11 July 2033 Location Yarmouth Interntional Airport, Asteria, Crona Result Arco-Burgoignesc Victory
Belligerents
Arcerion Burgundie	Asteria
Commanders and leaders
Colonel Stephen Firth	Various
Units involved
Task Force Asteria	Various Asterian Regular and Militia Units
Strength
~1,600 personnel 200-300 aircraft Numerous naval vessels	~3,300 personnel
Casualties and losses
Arcerion 11 WIA	Asteria ~200 KIA, numerous vehicles destroyed

Operation Elevator was a joint Arco-Burgoignesc military operation to evacuate citizens from Arcerion, Nurgundie, Kiravia, The Cape, and Paulastra from Asteria following the 2033 Winnecomac County Crisis. The operation comprised a large contingent from the Arcer Army, as well as a joint air and naval task force comprised of hundreds of helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and a large naval task force under Task Force Asteria. The main land component was centered around 11 Para Brigade of the Arcer Army and the Arcerion Parachute Regiment. It ran concurrently to the joint Urceo-Caphirian evacuation operations in Asteria, but was not a coordinated multinational effort with the Levantine evacuation effort.

Over 1,200 evacuees were airlifted as well as a number of consular and embassy staff from different nations. The evacuation was centered around Arcerion's central role in South Cronan security initiatives, and was conducted under the authority of the Confederate Parliament to protect Arcerion, its citizens, and national security interests abroad. The operation's entirety from planning, execution, to conclusion lasted roughly two weeks, with the rapid deployment of airborne and light forces reinforcing Arcer defense policy updates to be prepared to react to crisis around the globe.

Background

The crisis in Winnemcomac COunty began due to an increasing diplomatic conflict between Asteria and Tierrador, two countries on the Southwestern Cronan Peninsula. Due to a popular referendum in Asteria over the annexation over Winnecomac county, which is a disputed territory, 70% of the Asterian population wished to reclaim the lost territory. Despite the majority of nations both in Crona and the wider global diplomatic community condemnation the actions, Asterian populists began revolting internally leading to domestic unrest and attacks on indigenous Cronans and foreign diplomats began to rise.

Prior to the beginning of open hostilities, cross-border exchanges of fire (including some artillery and mortars), the Tierradorean embassy was besieged by protestors, resulting in a hostage crisis.

Rising tensions caused Arcer Prime Minister Iain Donnegal to summon the Arcer General Staff, as well as the ambassadors of Kiravia, Brugundie, and Paualstra. Concurrent diplomatic discussions took place in The Cape where Arcer diplomats were already visiting to look into expanding the Arcer diplomatic and economic presence there.

The Arcer General Staff identified the situation as highly likely to increase in hostility towards foreign nationals, as well as assessing there was an increasing likelihood of open conflict between Tierrador and Asteria spilling into Alstinian-aligned Cronan territories and protectorates. After consultation with other foreign governments, the direction from the Prime Minister was to prepare an evacuation of Arcer citizens, permnanet residents, and consular staff from Asteria. Fighting over Concordia Airport had prevented it being used by any forces and it was overurn by Asterian militias, meaning that an alternate location was required to be selected. The Arcer General Staff chose Yarmouth International Airport as the main location, and in conjunction with Burgoignesc naval vessels reacting to the crisis, plans rapidly were made and leave cancelled for much of the Arcer Army to prepare to respond to the conflict.

Operation Elevator

Map of Yarmouth within Asteria.

TF Asteria

Task Force Asteria was composed of three main units, all with intertwined but separate roles. The Land Component, commanded by Colonel Stephen Firth, was centered around 11 Para Brigade and the Arcerion Parachute Regiment. It consisted of four battalions of airborne infantry, as well as mortars, reconnaissance elements, and additional enabling elements. Based out of Presdale Garrison, in Northlea Governorate, Arcerion it had its leave cancelled and reconstituted into the land component within 18 hours of receiving notice it was required to deploy to Asteria.

The aerial component was a tri-national grouping of fighter aircraft from Arcerion, Brugundie, and in a historic first, The Cape. It enforced a no-fly zone over much of Southern Asteria, with the explicit intent of preventing interference of Asterian aircraft from interdicting evacuation flights, degrading the ability of Asteria's armed forces to continue to wage war, and protect TF Asteria units from hostile intent. Commanded by BURG PUT SOMETHING HERE, it centered around multiple composite squadrons of Arco-Burgoignesc Aeroco Kestrel fighter aircraft, as well as airborne early warning (AWACS), and transport aircraft.

The naval component, which arrived last due to the distance between berthing and Asteria, was commanded by BURG YOU AGAIN, and provided the forward staging and replenishment areas for both the aerial and land task force. The naval component was able to resupply, rearm, provide medical services, as well as act as the drop-off point for evacuees and noncombatants airlifted out of Asteria.

Insertion of Arcerion Parachute Regiment

0130 drop

partially under fire

aerial battles

Battle of Turnpike 91

highway junction near airport

2 companies of arco inf versus militia

Insert +1

securing airport and airfield clearance

Insert +3

arrival of engineers final clearances and beginning of evacuations

Contact at Freight Terminal

close contact between dug in airport security, militia, and regular asterian units

2 Arco Para in the fight

Final Stage

withdrawal

See also

• Burgoignesc Security Forces
  • Royal Air Service of Burgundie