United States | Operation Blue Coral

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OPERATION BLUE CORAL​

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SECRET​

NAVY DEPLOYMENT​

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BATTLESHIP BATTLE GROUP ONE
Rear Admiral Stanley French​

Ship Class	Vessel	Compliment	Home Port
Iowa-class Battleship	USS Wisconsin	Total: 1,932/// Compliment: 1,800 /// Pilots: 8 /// Marines: 120 /// NCIS Agents Afloat: 4	Pearl Habor, Hawaii
Ticonderoga-class Guided Missile Cruiser	USS Lake Champlain	330	Pearl Habor, Hawaii
Arleigh Burke-class Guided Missile Destroyer	USS Mary Landrieu	323	Pearl Habor, Hawaii
Arleigh Burke-class Guided Missile Destroyer	USS John Breaux	323	Pearl Habor, Hawaii
Celestial-class Frigate	USS Elbridge Gerry	140	Pearl Habor, Hawaii
Celestial-class Frigate	USS Button Gwinnett	140	Pearl Habor, Hawaii
Celestial-class Frigate	USS Lyman Hall	140	Pearl Habor, Hawaii
Henry J. Kaiser-class Replenishment Oiler	USNS Kanawha	113	Pearl Habor, Hawaii

DETAILS

Iowa-class - Fully Fueled; Non-perishable food/water for 3 month journey; x400 M4A1 Carbine and associated ammo and x400 M1911 and associated ammo in barracks;
Countermeasures: AN/SLQ-32, AN/SLQ-32, x8 Mark 36 SRBOC Super Rapid Bloom Offboard Chaff Rocket Launchers; x4 RHIBs;
Armaments: x9 16 in (406 mm)/50 cal Mark 7 guns, x12 5 in (127 mm)/38 cal Mark 12 guns (all normal reserves of ammunitions), x8 Mk 143 Armored Box Launcher mounts (For 27 RGM/UGM-109B Tomahawk Anti-Ship Missiles and 5 RGM/UGM-109E Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles), x4 Mk 141 quad cell launchers (For 16 RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles), x4 20 mm/76 cal Phalanx CIWS;
Aircraft: x1 Sikorsky MH-60S.

Ticonderoga-class - Fully Fueled; Non-perishable and perishable food/water for 3 month journey; x8 RGM-84 Harpoon missiles; x2 5 in 62 caliber Mark 45 Mod 4 lightweight gun; x2 25 mm (0.98 in) Mk 38 gun; x4 .50 in (12.7 mm) cal. machine gun; x2 Phalanx CIWS Block 1B; x2 Mk 32 12.75 in (324 mm) triple torpedo tubes (standard reserve of Mk 54 torpedoes); Onboard: x30 M4A1 Carbine and associated ammo and x30 M1911 and associated ammo in barracks;
x2 61 cell Mk 41 vertical launch systems containing: x5 RUM-139C (Mrk 54 Torpedo); x244 (Quad packed) RIM-162A ESSM; x40 RIM-161B (SM-3 block IA); x16 RGM/UGM-109B Tomahawk Anti-Ship Missile;
Countermeasures/decoys: Mark 36 SRBOC; AN/SLQ-25 Nixie;
Aircraft: x1 MH-60R; x1 MH-60S.
Boats: x1 RHIB (each with mounted .50 cal Machine Gun).

Arleigh Burke-class (Flight IIA) - Fully Fueled; Non-perishable and perishable food/water for 3 month journey; x1 5-inch (127 mm)/62 Mk. 45 Mod 4 (lightweight gun); x2 20 mm Phalanx CIWS; x2 25 mm M242 Bushmaster chain gun; x2 Mk 141 Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile Launcher (x8 Harpoon missiles each); x2 Mark 32 triple torpedo tubes: x1 per tube + full standard storage of Mark 54 torpedoes on ship; Onboard: x150 M4A1 Carbine and associated ammo and x150 M1911 and associated ammo in barracks.
96-cell Mk 41 VLS: x10 RUM-139C (Mrk 54 Torpedo); x32 (Quad packed) RIM-162A ESSM; x5 RIM-161B (SM-3 block IA); x20 RGM/UGM-109E Tomahawk Land Attack Missile; x53 RGM/UGM-109B Tomahawk Anti-Ship Missile;
Countermeasures/decoys: AN/SLQ-32(V)2 Electronic Warfare System; AN/SLQ-25 Nixie Torpedo Countermeasures; MK 36 MOD 12 Decoy Launching System; MK 53 Nulka Decoy Launching System; AN/SLQ-39 CHAFF Buoys;
Aircraft: x2 MH-60R;
Boats: x1 RHIB (each with mounted .50 cal Machine Gun).

Celestial-class Cutter - Fully Fueled; Aviation reserves fully fueled; Non-perishable food/water for 2 month journey; Well-rested, fed, and uniformed crew;
32-cell Mk 41 VLS: x5 RUM-139C (Mrk 54 Torpedo); x36 (Quad packed) RIM-162A ESSM; x3 RGM/UGM-109E Tomahawk Land Attack Missile; x15 RGM/UGM-109B Tomahawk Anti-Ship Missile;
Standard armaments including: x2 Mk 141 canister Harpoon missile launcher (x8 missiles); x1 Mk 32 triple torpedo launcher + 10 Mark 50 torpedoes stored; x2 Mk44 Bushmaster II 30-mm chain guns; x1 SeaRAM CIWS; x1 Mk 110 57mm gun; x4 crew-served .50 caliber Browning M2 machine guns; x2 crew-served M240B 7.62 mm machine guns;
Decoys: x2 Mk 36 SRBOC chaff rapid decoy launchers;
Compliment: 140 sailors;
Barracks: x100 Sig Sauer P229 DAK 9mm w/ Night Sights and x200 loaded magazines; x100 M4 Carbine and x300 loaded magazines; x10 M870P 12-gauge and x300 12-gauge shotgun shells.
Aircraft: x2 Sikorsky MH-60S;
Boats: x2 RHIB (each with mounted .50 cal Machine Gun).

Henry J. Kaiser-class Replenishment Oiler - Fully Fueled; Fully-stocked with non-perishable and perishable food/water for 6 month journey; complete storage of usable fuel for all conventionally-powered vessels for 6 month journey; complete storage of aviation fuel for all aircraft in the fleet for 6 month deployment; Onboard: x60 M4A1 Carbine and associated ammo and x60 M1911 and associated ammo in barracks;
Boats: x1 RHIB.

MARINE CORPS DEPLOYMENT​

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1st Amphibious Battalion, 3rd Marines
Colonel Matthew Hunt​

Order of Battle	Personnel	Garrison
1st Amphibious Battalion, 3rd Marines	120 Personnel	Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Hawaii

DETAILS
Marines - (All per soldier) Well rested and fed;
Apparel: x1 Enhanced Combat Helmet, x1 cold-weather combat uniform, x1 warm-weather combat uniform, x1 Full Spectrum Battle Equipment Amphibious Assault Vest, x1 part of Marine Combat boots; x1 The Individual First Aid Kit;
Weapons: x1 M4A1 5.56mm Carbine (x1 30-round magazine loaded; x7 additional 30-round magazines); x1 Beretta M9A1 (x1 15-round magazine loaded; x2 additional 15-round magazines); x1 OKC-3S bayonet.

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DEPLOYMENT ORDERS​

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CONTEXT​

Due to growing tensions in Oceania, President Gore ordered that the Navy deploy a Battleship Battlegroup to the area in order to ease tensions. The battlegroup prepared for deployment into the open Pacific from Hawaii as soon as possible. United States Marines were stationed aboard the USS Wisconsin along with its normal compliment, as well as NCIS agents afloat. It was estimated that the fleet would be ready to deploy within 48 hours. The Secretary of The Navy communicated with the Secretary of Defense, securely, and prepared to contact the Australian Ministry of Defense in order to brief them on the situation.​

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DEPLOYMENT ORDERS​

SECRET​

CONTEXT​

Battleship Battle Group One left Pearl Harbor at approximately three in the morning, local time, and set to open sea in the following order: frigates, destroyers, cruiser, oiler, battleship. The deployment was not publicized to the media or the public. The battle group took the formation, linked here, as well as that trajectory as it traveled part of the Pacific. This route is approximate because: the vessels in this deployment will avoid any situation that would involve them running into other vessels or running aground; the fleet would also avoid the territorial waters of any other country other than the United States and the United Kingdom (meaning that if this route goes directly through territorial waters, or over an island, the fleet would in reality go around the obstacle, taking the shortest and safest route possible). All the vessels continuously used their active and passive means of radar, and all passive means of sonar detection. The frigate USS Elbridge Gerry led the battle group out into the open ocean and was the spearpoint of the fleet as it sailed southwest. Twelve hours after the fleet left port, the Office of Naval Intelligence securely informed the Australia Royal Navy that Battleship Battle Group One was on the way as previously discussed.

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At HMAS Kuttabul, the main base of Fleet Base East, preparations would be underway for the arrival of the United States fleet. There had been a lot of free space created as many of the vessels based at Fleet Base East had been deployed on Exercise Ocean Explorer. The shore personnel of the Royal Australian Navy would ensure the base was ready, clean and up to standard for their arrival. Accomodation for visiting sailors would be prepared at the base. The numerous vessel operators on Sydney Harbour, including commercial operators, Sydney Ferries, Sydney Seaplanes, private owners, etc. would be alerted that large vessels will need to enter the harbour in the coming days and they should prepare for disruptions to their schedules to operate inside the harbour. The New South Wales Police Force Marine Area Command would increase its presence in the harbour and would do security sweeps of many sites around the harbour, including its internal islands. They would be assisted by 2 boats of the Australian Federal Police who operate on the harbour to provide protection operations to Kirribilli and Admiralty Houses as well as Fleet Base East. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority and Port Authority of New South Wales would also do its preparations, such as making sure the many lighthouses in Sydney Harbour were operational. The United States Navy would be asked to use these to navigate into the harbour. In total there was 14 lighthouses in the Sydney region, all were automatically operated. They include:

• Barrenjoey Head Light
• Port Jackson Entrance Range Rear Light
• Port Jackson Entrance Range Front Light
• South Head Lower Light
• Western Channel Pile Light
• Eastern Channel Pile Light
• Robertson Point Light
• Vaucluse Bay Range Front Light
• Bradleys Head Light
• South Head Upper Light
• Fort Denison Light
• Shark Island Light
• Vaucluse Bay Range Rear Light
• Cape Bailey Light

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DEPLOYMENT ORDERS​

SECRET​

CONTEXT​

Battleship Battle Group One made it to its first waypoint, off the coast of American Samoa, without any incident or disturbance. Using the previous formation, the battle group continued sailing towards Australia on this specific route. The Office of Naval Intelligence securely informed the Royal Australian Navy, in advance, that American warships would be passing near Lorde Howe Island with the intention of making the presence of the American fleet known in the region (this notice was in order to avoid causing any kind of alarm). The Office of Naval Intelligence and the United States Lighthouse Service were careful to map out the Australian lighthouses and their signatures so that the American warships could make it into Sydney harbor in the evening. Most of the American fleet remained approximately twenty miles off shore of Sydney. However, the battleship USS Wisconsin - escorted by the frigate USS Elbridge Gerry - entered Sydney harbor and would cautiously approach Fleet Base East. During the evening and twilight, the Australian lighthouses would prove to be valuable tools to navigate the unfamiliar waters and find safe harbor.

Throughout this entire process, the American Navy maintained secure communications with the Royal Australian Navy to ensure that there was no confusion or miscommunication. If the two American warships were allowed to dock at Fleet Base East, the crews of the two ships were given shore leave for the evening in accordance with Australian law. All of the sailors had the appropriate papers to present to Australian officials. All of the Marines stationed on the battleship Wisconsin would remain on board and take turns taking watch around the physical exterior of the anchored ship, as well as ten-percent of the crew. Five-percent of the Elbridge Gerry's crew also remained on board to guard the ship.

The shore leave of the American crews in Sydney was to boost morale, but also to underscore of the American warships in Australia and to allow the Australian and American press to publicize the presence of the American fleet in the area. The site of an American battleship would, undoubtedly, draw some attention. Meanwhile, the remainder of the American fleet remained approximately twenty miles off shore of Sydney, at a normal state of readiness, and travelling at about 15 knots at all times.

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As the fleet approached Lord Howe Island, the Marine Rescue NSW station on the island would transmit to the fleet that there were several geological outposts around Lord Howe Island that the fleet should be aware of, including Ball's Pyramid, Admiralty Islands, North Rock, Flat Rock, Mutton Bird Island, Salt Rock, Observatory Rock and Wheatsheaf Islet as well as Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs further away to the north of the route. The Marine Rescue NSW squadron on the island would have a large 16-metre vessel called Lord Howe 40 and this would head out to sea to help escort the U.S. Navy fleet around the archipalego, being local experts on the marine environment around the island. Unfortunately, Lord Howe Island didn't have a lighthouse. The U.S. fleet would be able to see the majestic beauty of the twin peaks of Mount Lidgbird and Mount Gower at 2,549ft and 2,871ft respectively with clouds wrapped around them which has a unique and rare cloud forest at the top of the peaks.

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As they approached the coast off Sydney the first lighthouses they would see would be Hornby Lighthouse, Macquarie Lighthouse, Barrenjoey Head Lighthouse and Cape Bailey Lighthouse. These were the ones that faced out towards the Tasman Sea along Sydney's coastline rather than internally inside Sydney Harbour. Pilot vessels from the Port Authority of New South Wales would escort USS Wisconsin and USS Elbridge Gerry into the harbour. Manly Ferry services would halt as the ships moved in, causing delays for commuters who were a bit angry. "Fucking Yanks" was muttered under a few of their breaths. The Harbour Master of the Port Authority would also be in communication with the vessels from the command centre. The Harbour Master was a unique role that had powers under the Marine Safety Act 1998 (NSW) to direct and control the time and manner in which any vessel may enter or leave Sydney Harbour.

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HMAS Kuttabul's control centre would dock the U.S. Navy vessels onto Garden Island with the assistance of Port Authority tugboats. Australian Border Force officers on the docks would sight the official movement orders of each sailor who disembarked and would check their passport, granting an electronic Special Purpose Visa linked to their passport. Royal Australian Naval Police would boost their presence at HMAS Kuttabul and in the adjacent entertainment district of Potts Point, Kings Cross and for the sailors who were more LGBTQ-persuaded, Oxford Street in Darlinghurst. Other areas which were probably going to visited a lot by sailors including Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre and Bondi Beach were also patrolled in conjunction with a boosted NSW Police Force presence. They would request assistance from their American counterparts in these duties. The Royal Australian Navy would also gift all American sailors an unlimited balance Opal card for use on Sydney's extensive public transport network.

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DEPLOYMENT ORDERS​

SECRET​

CONTEXT​

The American battleship and frigate entered Sydney Harbor without any incident and closely followed the instructions from the Australian Harbor Master and Royal Navy. Numerous American sailors lined the perimeter of the battleship in their dress white uniforms as they entered into the harbor and eventually docked into place with the assistance of local Australian assets. The Americans who were given shore leave and decided to go to shore were, as usual, under strict instruction to adhere to local laws and customs, which they had been briefed on previously. Their orders were to return to the battleship by 1300 local time the following day - the same went for the crew of the frigate.

The evening involved a night of exploration, drinking, and fun for many of the sailors who were in need of a break from their journey and the lack of recreation that was available on the battleship compared to modern American vessels. By 1300 the next day, all of the American sailors returned to their vessels. The Harbor Master and Royal Australian Navy were informed that they intended to return out to sea sometime within the next three hours, the sooner the better. Preparations were made for the two warships to leave port.

The remainder of the American fleet off the coast of Australia would continue in its formation and maintain a speed of approximately 15 knots.

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Again the Harbour Master would guide the Battleship and the Frigate out of Sydney Harbour the following day with the help of Port Authority tugboats and pilot vessels. Ferry services would be delayed as the vessels made their way through the harbour and out again. The Royal Australian Naval Police would report back that there was no incidents across central Sydney while the sailors were visiting.

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DEPLOYMENT ORDERS​

SECRET​

CONTEXT​

The battleship Wisconsin and the frigate Elbridge Gerry transited Sydney Harbor with the assistance of the Sydney harbormaster and made it back to the open Pacific. From there, the warships rejoined the original formation for Battleship Battle Group One. The Australian Royal Navy was informed that the battle group planned to remain in the area for a period of time longer, until tensions in the area died down, and would remain able to help the Australian Royal Navy and government so long as they were present. The secure transmission also mentioned that the battle group would circumnavigate Australia while remaining out of Australian territorial waters before returning home.

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FROM: NAVAL COMMUNICATIONS AREA MASTER STATION AUSTRALIA, HMAS HARMAN, CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA
TO: U.S. WARSHIP WISCONSIN

BATTLESHIP BATTLE GROUP ONE HAS PERMISSION FROM THE AUSTRALIAN DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE TO ENTER AUSTRALIAN TERRITORIAL WATERS. YOU HAVE PERMISSION TO MAKE PORT VISITS TO ANY PORT IN AUSTRALIA ON THE CONTROL OF RELEVANT STATE OR TERRITORY MARITIME AUTHORITIES. ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BASES ARE LOCATED IN SYDNEY, JERVIS BAY, CRIB POINT, PERTH, DAMPIER, DARWIN AND CAIRNS. ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY DEPOTS ARE CO-LOCATED AT MAJOR PORTS IN MELBOURNE, ADELAIDE, HOBART, NEWCASTLE, BRISBANE AND TOWNSVILLE. THERE IS ALSO A NAVAL EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE STORAGE FACILITY AT FORT DIRECTION IN TASMANIA. ALL ARE AVAILABLE FOR LOGISTICAL SUPPORT. NAVAL TRANSMITTING STATIONS ARE LOCATED IN CANBERRA, DARWIN AND EXMOUTH. EXMOUTH CAN PROVIDE VERY LOW FREQUENCY IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC AND INDIAN OCEANS AND HAS A VERY LARGE TRANSMISSION POWER OF 1 MEGAWATT. THEY FORM PART OF THE BROADER AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE MODERNISED HIGH FREQUENCY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM WHICH IS ALSO AVAILABLE TO YOUR WARSHIPS.

YOUR POSITION HAS PLACED YOU WITHIN THE AUSTRALIAN SEARCH AND RESCUE REGION. SHOULD YOU REQUIRE ASSISTANCE THE JOINT RESCUE COORDINATION CENTRE IN CANBERRA CAN BE ALERTED VIA RADIOTELEPHONE ON HIGH FREQUENCIES 4125, 6215, 8291, 12290 AND 16420 KHZ OR THROUGH THE ACTIVATION OF A DISTRESS BEACON.
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