09SEP2020

Summary
On 09 September, 2020 at approximately 0600, a squad sized element of United States Midshipmen began conducting a routine show of force patrol in the Japanese Gardens region in the country of Gardenia. Shortly after arriving to the Japanese Gardens, the patrol received reports of CLF and UDF activity in the area and prepared to launch operations intended on securing the area from the hostile forces.

On several occasions, the patrol encountered enemy forces and was engaged in fire fights with fire team sized elements of insurgents and militia. On their patrol, the squad was able to successfully neutralize insurgent/militia forces and secure the area, who retreated into the surrounding farmlands. The squad sustained heavy casualties over the course of the operation, but was able to medically evacuate the most severely wounded and killed. By the end of the operation the patrol was reduced to nearly 50 percent strength but was successful in achieving their objective.

As the first operation during this rotational period, this patrol should be characterized as a successful, albeit costly lesson.