Time Z	Prec.	Message	Gist
171542Z	FLASH	SPOTREP 00	Atlantique 2: laden tanker ORIOLE SPIRIT, suspect false identity, 390 nm SSW of Réunion. TRIPWIRE.
171800Z	IMMEDIATE	WARNO 00	Standing Watch Cell likely to be ordered to find, identify and visit. Be ready from 180200Z.
171900Z	PRIORITY	FLAG REQUEST	Verification request sent to The Gambia. Reply will come as LANTERN.
172100Z	IMMEDIATE	INTSUM 000	False identity highly likely. Second tanker astern. Front on the 18th. (Annex B)
172200Z	IMMEDIATE	FRAGO 00	This package. Task Force MASCARIN under your tactical control from 180000Z.

NIGHT ORDERSUNTIL RELIEVED

EPISODE 00 · FALSE COLOURS

Issuing HQ: Allied Joint Watch Headquarters (AJWHQ)
Copy: 1 of 1
DTG: 172200Z NOV 26
Msg ref: AJWHQ/J3/26-300/F00

FRAGO 00 TO OPORD 26-300 (STANDING WATCH) — OPERATION MASCARIN

References

a.OPORD 26-300 STANDING WATCH, DTG 010001Z NOV 26.
b.WARNO 00 TO OPORD 26-300 (STANDING WATCH), DTG 171800Z NOV 26.
c.AJWHQ INTSUM 000 — OPERATION MASCARIN, DTG 172100Z NOV 26 (Annex B).
d.Real-world precedent — Naval News, French Navy intercepts and boards shadow fleet tanker DF Peak south of Réunion, 12 Oct 2026. www.navalnews.com
e.Real-world precedent — The Moscow Times, French Navy boards Russia-linked tanker in Indian Ocean, 13 Oct 2026. www.themoscowtimes.com
f.UNCLOS 1982, article 110 (right of visit).
g.Chart: south-west Indian Ocean, Réunion to 36°S, WGS 84.

Time zone

ZULU. Réunion local time is Z+4. At 28°S on 18 Nov: sunrise 0122Z, sunset 1457Z.

1.SITUATION

General.

On 12 Oct 2026 the French Navy boarded the sanctioned tanker DF Peak 450 nm south of Réunion, on suspicion of a false flag (refs d and e). Since then, laden tankers bound from the Gulf for the Cape of Good Hope have been routing further south of the Mascarenes. At 171530Z an Atlantique 2 on a routine sortie photographed the Aframax tanker MT ORIOLE SPIRIT, laden, at 27°00'S 052°48'E, 390 nm SSW of Réunion, course 215, 12 kt. Her AIS name and IMO number match a ship reported scrapped in 2023. She claims Gambian registry.

Contact.

Known. MT ORIOLE SPIRIT, about 115,000 dwt, laden. Assessed position at 172200Z 28°05'S 052°00'E, course 215, 12 kt. AIS intermittent since 171800Z.
Assessed. False identity, highly likely. The master is likely to have orders not to cooperate. Mixed crew; Russian officers aboard, even chance. A second laden tanker, identity unknown, is reported about 150 nm astern of her on the same route.
Not known. Whether armed security personnel are aboard. Whether any state will intervene on her behalf. No foreign warship is known within 1,000 nm; this may change. After the October boarding the Russian embassy in Paris called it "piracy"; Moscow has threatened retaliation for such seizures (ref e).

Friendly forces.

F730 FLORÉAL, with one Dauphin helicopter and an embarked visit team, returning from a fishery patrol off Crozet. At 172200Z: 32°30'S 051°30'E, course 010, 16 kt.
P781 AUGUSTE TECHER, alongside Port-des-Galets, sails 180200Z.
A623 CHAMPLAIN, alongside Port-des-Galets, at four hours' notice.
One Atlantique 2, detached to Saint-Denis (BA 181), ready from 180130Z.

Civil considerations.

Shipping is sparse south of 25°S. A cold front crosses from the south-west on the afternoon of 18 Nov: wind SW 25 to 30 kt, sea state 5, building to 6 after about 1500Z. French and foreign media have followed the shadow fleet closely since October.

Attachments and detachments.

F730, P781, A623 and the Atlantique 2 detachment are placed under the tactical control of the Standing Watch Cell from 180000Z NOV 26.

2.MISSION

The Standing Watch Cell, with Task Force MASCARIN, finds and identifies MT ORIOLE SPIRIT and, on order, conducts a right of visit to verify her nationality; if her flag is not confirmed, escorts her towards Port-des-Galets; between 180200Z and 181800Z NOV 26, in order to show that a false flag is no shelter on the high seas, without escalation.

3.EXECUTION

Commander's intent.

Purpose. A false flag is no shelter, even five hundred miles from land.
Key tasks. Regain and hold contact. Identify her positively: name, IMO number, hull markings, photographs. Visit only on NIGHTJAR and within safe deck and winching limits. No force against the crew.
End state. By 181800Z, ORIOLE SPIRIT is either confirmed under a valid flag and released, or under escort towards Port-des-Galets with a French team aboard. The evidence is complete. Nobody is hurt.

Concept of operations.

Phase 1, Find. The Atlantique 2 regains contact at first light.
Phase 2, Identify. Photographic passes, hailing on VHF 16, FLORÉAL closes.
Phase 3, Visit. On NIGHTJAR: the team goes aboard by helicopter, or by boat if the sea allows.
Phase 4, Escort or release. According to the result of the visit and to any reply from the flag state.

Tasks.

F730 FLORÉAL. Commander afloat. Visit unit. Stay within the helicopter's radius of the tanker once contact is regained.
Dauphin. Identification passes; insertion and recovery of the visit team.
Atlantique 2. Regain contact by 180400Z. Hold the track. Photograph. Locate and identify the second tanker.
P781 AUGUSTE TECHER. Sail 180200Z, south-south-west at best speed, to take over the escort.
A623 CHAMPLAIN. Remain at four hours' notice as relief escort.

Coordinating instructions.

(1) ROE changes. SW-5 activated for MT ORIOLE SPIRIT only, on NIGHTJAR. SW-6 activated after the visit, if her nationality is not confirmed: diversion to Port-des-Galets. SW-7 not activated. All other rules: no change (Annex A). Intelligence: Annex B. Assets: Annex C. Chart: Annex D. J2 exhibits (imagery, AIS, register, flag request, press): Annex E. Special actions: Annex G. Abbreviations, codewords and terms: Annex H. Operations room: Annex I.
(2) Restrictions. Against the second tanker: shadowing and identification only. No boarding without NIGHTJAR. The commander afloat alone decides whether deck and sea conditions allow an insertion.
(3) Flag verification. A request was sent to the claimed flag state at 171900Z. Its reply, LANTERN, may come at any time, or never. LANTERN CONFIRMED ends the operation: release the ship.
(4) Reporting. TRIPWIRE when contact is regained. DAYLIGHT on positive identification. Immediate report before and after the visit. SITREP at 0600Z, 1200Z and 1800Z.
(5) Timings. H-hour 180200Z. End of mission 181800Z, or on CLOSEOUT.
(6) Operations room. Optional, off game, on a second screen: totobimbo.com/NO/OPS/00 (Annex I). Signals in Command carry a traffic ref that opens their full text there. Register findings marked case note go on the file for Paris with the special action J2 — Log case note.

4.SERVICE SUPPORT

Port-des-Galets is the only port. FLORÉAL has fuel for the operation. Helicopter flying hours are limited: plan on three sorties at most. One Atlantique 2 sortie only; no relief aircraft before 190000Z.

5.COMMAND AND SIGNAL

Command.

The Standing Watch Cell is under the tactical control of COMSUP FAZSOI (Port-des-Galets) for the duration. NIGHTJAR is issued by COMSUP FAZSOI once Paris has approved. Commander afloat: the commanding officer of F730.

Signal.

Additional codeword: LANTERN, flag state reply received, followed by CONFIRMED or DENIED. Hailing on VHF channel 16. Full text of signals and the J2 registers: operations room (Annex I), by traffic ref. Other nets: no change.

ACKNOWLEDGE.

H. VANDERMEER
Vice Admiral
Commander, AJWHQ

OFFICIAL:
A. RASK, Commodore, ACOS J3

Annexes: A — ROE card — FRAGO 00 · B — Intelligence — INTSUM 000 · C — Assets — Task Force MASCARIN · D — Situation chart and grading keys · E — Exhibits — J2 working file · F — Decision log — Operation MASCARIN · G — Special actions · H — Abbreviations, codewords and terms · I — Operations room

Annex A to FRAGO 00 TO OPORD 26-300

ROE card — FRAGO 00

State of the SW rules for Operation MASCARIN. Changes from the standing card are highlighted.

Rule	Measure	State
SW-1	Self-defence of the unit and of other friendly units and persons.	IN FORCE
SW-2	Shadowing and identification outside foreign territorial sea and airspace.	IN FORCE
SW-3	Hailing; visual, radio and light warnings; illumination.	IN FORCE
SW-4	Close approach and interposition, without contact.	IN FORCE
SW-5	Right of visit (UNCLOS art. 110) — MT ORIOLE SPIRIT only, on NIGHTJAR.	ACTIVATED
SW-6	Diversion to Port-des-Galets — after the visit, if nationality not confirmed.	ACTIVATED
SW-7	Warning shots.	NOT ACTIVATED
SW-8	Disabling fire against a vessel.	PROHIBITED
SW-9	Engagement of uncrewed vehicles.	NOT ACTIVATED
SW-10	Entry into foreign territorial sea or airspace.	PROHIBITED
SW-11	Engagement of a crewed platform other than in self-defence.	PROHIBITED

Annex B to FRAGO 00 TO OPORD 26-300

Intelligence — INTSUM 000

Issued by: AJWHQ J2 — Standing Watch Cell
DTG: 172100Z NOV 26
Period: 171500Z – 172100Z NOV 26
Msg ref: AJWHQ/J2/INTSUM/000

1.BOTTOM LINE

MT ORIOLE SPIRIT is highly likely to be sailing under a false identity. Her claim to Gambian registry is unverified. If she holds course and speed she will be about 500 nm south-south-west of Réunion at 180200Z, inside the reach of F730 FLORÉAL during daylight on 18 Nov, before the weather turns.

2.BACKGROUND (REAL WORLD, OPEN SOURCES)

Date	Fact	Source
12 Oct 26	The French Navy boards the sanctioned shadow-fleet tanker DF Peak about 450 nm south of Réunion, under UNCLOS article 110, on suspicion of a false flag. Helicopter insertion from a surveillance frigate's Dauphin.	Naval News, 12 Oct 26 www.navalnews.com
13 Oct 26	The Russian embassy in Paris calls the boarding piracy.	The Moscow Times, 13 Oct 26 www.themoscowtimes.com

3.CHRONOLOGY (EXERCISE)

Time Z	Event	Grade
171530Z	Atlantique 2 sights a laden Aframax tanker at 27°00'S 052°48'E, course 215, 12 kt. AIS name ORIOLE SPIRIT, flag claimed The Gambia. Stern name freshly painted.	A2
171542Z	SPOTREP 00 at FLASH precedence. TRIPWIRE.	—
171600Z	Broadcast name and IMO number match a hull reported scrapped in 2023 (commercial ship database).	B2
171800Z	Her AIS becomes intermittent (satellite AIS).	B2
171900Z	Flag-verification request sent to The Gambia. Reply will be passed as LANTERN.	—
172030Z	A second laden tanker, identity unknown, reported about 150 nm astern of her on the same route (satellite AIS gap analysis).	C3

4.ASSESSMENT

KNOWN

Aframax tanker, about 115,000 dwt, laden.
Her broadcast identity belongs to a ship reported scrapped in 2023.
Course 215, 12 kt at 171530Z. Claims Gambian registry.

ASSESSED

She is sailing under a false identity. highly likely
She carries sanctioned crude from the Gulf, bound for the Cape of Good Hope. likely
Her master has orders not to cooperate with a boarding. likely
Russian officers are aboard. even chance
The second tanker is linked to her. even chance
She will hold course and speed through the night: dead-reckoning position at 172200Z 28°05'S 052°00'E. likely

NOT KNOWN

Her true identity and flag.
Whether armed security personnel are aboard.
Whether The Gambia will answer (LANTERN), and when.
Whether any state will act on her behalf.

5.THREAT TO FRIENDLY FORCES

No foreign warship is known within 1,000 nm. A naval escort reaching her before 181800Z: highly unlikely.
A hostile act against the visit team: unlikely. The main hazards are a non-compliant crew, the height of her freeboard and the sea state.
An information campaign against any boarding, as after 12 Oct: highly likely.

6.WEATHER AND LIGHT (28°S, 18 NOV)

Morning: wind SW 15 to 20 kt, sea state 4.
A cold front crosses from the south-west in the afternoon: wind SW 25 to 30 kt, sea state 5, building to 6 after about 1500Z.
Sunrise 0122Z, sunset 1457Z.

7.INTELLIGENCE GAPS — PRIORITY INTELLIGENCE REQUIREMENTS

PIR	Question	Collection
PIR 1	What is the true identity and flag of ORIOLE SPIRIT?	Atlantique 2 imagery, hull markings, visit team, flag-state reply
PIR 2	Is the second tanker linked to her, and where is it heading?	Atlantique 2, satellite AIS
PIR 3	Are armed guards aboard?	Dauphin and Atlantique 2 imagery before any insertion

M. OKONJO-HALE
Commander
J2 watch officer, Standing Watch Cell

NEXT INTSUM: 180600Z NOV 26, or on significant change.

Annex C to FRAGO 00 TO OPORD 26-300

Assets — Task Force MASCARIN

F730 FLORÉAL

Surveillance frigate, Floréal class

At sea, 32°30'S 051°30'E at 172200Z

Max speed about 20 kt
One helicopter, one visit team
Seaboats for a boat transfer in moderate seas

DB3000 #3889

Dauphin

Embarked helicopter (Flottille 34F)

Aboard FLORÉAL

Photo-ID and insertion by fast rope
Three sorties at most
Deck limits worsen after the front

DB3000 #1884 (SA.365F1, stand-in for AS365N3)

Atlantique 2

Maritime patrol aircraft

Saint-Denis (BA 181), ready 180130Z

Search radar and long-range camera
One sortie only
About 500 nm transit each way

DB3000 #4249

P781 AUGUSTE TECHER

Overseas patrol vessel, Félix Éboué class

Port-des-Galets, sails 180200Z

Escort and evidence
More than 500 nm from the contact
Arrives after the end of mission

DB3000 #3955 (P779 class)

A623 CHAMPLAIN

Support and assistance vessel

Port-des-Galets, four hours' notice

Relief escort
Towing capacity

DB3000 #4706 (A621 class)

Annex D to FRAGO 00 TO OPORD 26-300

Situation chart and grading keys

Positions as known at 172100Z. The probability area is a dead-reckoning estimate, not a track. Seabed relief is shaded for orientation only: no soundings.

Friendly surface unit Unknown surface contact Estimated position Area of probability Air base Range from Port-des-Galets Tanker route Cold front

Grading and probability keys

Sources are graded with the NATO system: a letter for the reliability of the source, a figure for the credibility of the information (for example, B2). Assessments use the NATO probability terms below, and no others.

Source	Reliability
A	Completely reliable
B	Usually reliable
C	Fairly reliable
D	Not usually reliable
E	Unreliable
F	Cannot be judged

Info	Credibility
1	Confirmed by other sources
2	Probably true
3	Possibly true
4	Doubtful
5	Improbable
6	Cannot be judged

Term	Probability
highly unlikely	< 10 %
unlikely	10–40 %
even chance	40–60 %
likely	60–90 %
highly likely	> 90 %

Annex E to FRAGO 00 TO OPORD 26-300

Exhibits — J2 working file

As held by the J2 watch on 17 Nov, with the J2's working notes: E-1 imagery extract, E-2 AIS extract, E-3 ship register record, E-4 flag-state request, E-5 press clipping.

Annex F to FRAGO 00 TO OPORD 26-300

Decision log — Operation MASCARIN

One line per decision. Keep it: the episode debrief (Reality Check) is built from what commanders wrote here.

Time Z	Decision	Why	Reported to

Annex G to FRAGO 00 TO OPORD 26-300

Special actions

Reports to AJWHQ, orders to the tanker and the visit itself are given through special actions (Special Actions window of Command). Each action checks its conditions when it is run: if one is not met, a message says which. The wording below is the wording of the game.

The watch

Take the watch, keep AJWHQ informed, hand the watch back.

ACKNOWLEDGE FRAGO 00	Take the watch: acknowledge FRAGO 00 to AJWHQ. Task Force MASCARIN comes under your tactical control and INTSUM 001 follows.
Send SITREP	Send the situation report to AJWHQ. Due at 0600Z, 1200Z and 1800Z (within half an hour).
Call the admiral	Call Commander AJWHQ personally, as the Night Orders ask (CALL ME IF).
CLOSEOUT	End the operation early and hand the watch back (CLOSEOUT). Possible once ORIOLE SPIRIT is diverted under escort with the team aboard, released with the team recovered, or released on LANTERN CONFIRMED.

Contact and identification

Report the codewords of the FRAGO (TRIPWIRE, DAYLIGHT), question the tanker, consult the J2's exhibits, and put register findings from the operations room (Annex I) on the file.

Report — TRIPWIRE	Send AJWHQ the contact report (SPOTREP, FLASH) on MT ORIOLE SPIRIT. Only once a French unit holds her on the plot.
Report — DAYLIGHT	Report positive identification of MT ORIOLE SPIRIT to AJWHQ. Needs a close photo pass first (a French unit within 3 nm in daylight).
Hail ORIOLE SPIRIT on VHF 16	Call the tanker on VHF channel 16 and ask her name, flag, port of registry and destination. A French unit must be within 10 nm. One call an hour.
J2 — Show exhibit file	Review the J2 exhibits received during the watch (close pass, visit report).
J2 — Log case note	Put a finding from the registers of the operations room on your file for Paris: type the case note codes shown in the room (four characters each). A code that is not recognised is refused, without penalty.

Authority and visit

Ask Paris for authority (NIGHTJAR), put the visit team aboard, report her nationality, then divert or release her.

Order ORIOLE SPIRIT to stop	Order the tanker by VHF and light to stop or slow down for a visit (SW-3). A French unit must be within 10 nm. FLORÉAL close by (2 nm) adds weight.
Request NIGHTJAR (Paris)	Ask COMSUP FAZSOI to obtain NIGHTJAR from Paris: authority to visit ORIOLE SPIRIT (SW-5). Needs DAYLIGHT reported first.
Visit team — insert by helicopter	Fast-rope the visit team onto ORIOLE SPIRIT from the Dauphin. The helicopter must be airborne within 1 nm of her, FLORÉAL within 40 nm, sea state 5 or less, daylight. Needs NIGHTJAR.
Visit team — transfer by boat	Transfer the visit team by FLORÉAL's boat. FLORÉAL within 0.5 nm of ORIOLE SPIRIT, the tanker at 6 knots or less, sea state 4 or less. Needs NIGHTJAR.
Visit team — nationality report	File the nationality report on ORIOLE SPIRIT once the visit team has reported. Releases her or diverts her to Port-des-Galets (SW-6).
Visit team — recover	Recover the visit team from ORIOLE SPIRIT: by the Dauphin (airborne within 1 nm, sea state 5 or less, daylight) or by boat (FLORÉAL within 0.5 nm, tanker at 6 knots or less, sea state 4 or less).
Release ORIOLE SPIRIT	Release the tanker after LANTERN CONFIRMED (or after a report that her papers confirm The Gambia). If the team is aboard, she keeps her speed down until it is recovered.

Annex H to FRAGO 00 TO OPORD 26-300

Abbreviations, codewords and terms

Every abbreviation, codeword and service term used in this package, with its meaning.

Abbreviations

ACKNOWLEDGE	Reply confirming that an order has been received and understood. In the scenario, the special action ACKNOWLEDGE FRAGO 00 starts your watch.
ACOS	Assistant Chief of Staff. Head of a staff branch; ACOS J3 is the head of operations.
AIS	Automatic Identification System. Transponder broadcasting a ship's name, identity numbers, position, course and speed; received by coast stations and satellites (S-AIS). It can be switched off or falsified.
AJWHQ	Allied Joint Watch Headquarters. The allied headquarters that issues the series' orders (fictional).
BA 181	Base aérienne 181. French Air and Space Force base at Saint-Denis, Réunion.
COMSUP FAZSOI	Commandant supérieur des forces armées dans la zone sud de l'océan Indien. French joint commander for Réunion, Mayotte and the southern Indian Ocean; national owner of the crisis, with tactical control of your forces.
DB3000	Command: Modern Operations unit database; the numbers on the asset cards are the entries used in the scenario.
DTG	Date-time group. Day, hour and minute, time zone, month, year: 172200Z NOV 26 = 17 November 2026, 22:00 UTC.
dwt	Deadweight tonnage. Weight a ship can carry (cargo, fuel, stores), in tonnes.
F730, P781, A623…	Pennant numbers. Hull numbers of French warships: F frigate, P patrol vessel, A auxiliary.
FLASH, IMMEDIATE, PRIORITY, ROUTINE	Message precedences. Order in which messages are handled, from the most urgent (FLASH: first contact, threat) to the least.
FRAGO	Fragmentary order. Order that changes or completes the operation order for one crisis: forces, mission, rules activated.
H-hour	Time at which the operation begins.
ID	Identification. Positive identification: the identity of a contact established beyond doubt (photo-ID: from imagery).
IMO number	International Maritime Organization number. Permanent seven-digit number of a ship's hull; it stays with the hull through every change of name or flag.
INTSUM	Intelligence summary. Periodic summary of what is known and assessed, issued by J2.
J2, J3	Joint staff branches. J2: intelligence. J3: operations.
kt	Knot. One nautical mile per hour (1.852 km/h).
MT, MV	Motor tanker, motor vessel. Prefixes of merchant ship names.
NATO	North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The series follows NATO formats and terms for orders and intelligence.
nm	Nautical mile. 1,852 m; one minute of latitude.
OPORD	Operation order. Standing order of the season (OPORD 26-300 STANDING WATCH); each FRAGO amends it for one crisis.
PIR	Priority intelligence requirement. Question the commander most needs answered; collection is aimed at it.
ROE	Rules of engagement. What forces may and may not do. The Standing Watch rules are numbered SW-1 to SW-11 (Annex A).
SITREP	Situation report. Regular report of your own situation to the higher headquarters.
SPOTREP	Spot report. Immediate report of a sighting or event.
SW-1 … SW-11	Standing Watch rules. Rules of engagement of OPORD 26-300; a FRAGO may only activate existing rules (Annex A).
UNCLOS	United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982). Law of the sea. Art. 110: right of visit of a ship without nationality, or suspected of flying a false flag, on the high seas.
VHF	Very high frequency. Marine radio; channel 16 is the international calling and distress channel.
WARNO	Warning order. Advance notice of a probable mission, so that forces can prepare.
WGS 84	World Geodetic System 1984. Reference system of all positions given.
Z (Zulu)	Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). All times are Zulu; Réunion local time is Z+4.

Codewords

CLOSEOUT	End of mission: you hand the watch back.
DAYLIGHT	Positive identification achieved; you report it.
LANTERN	Reply of the flag state. CONFIRMED: the ship is on its register, release her. DENIED: she is not, she is without nationality.
NIGHTJAR	Action authorised as the FRAGO provides; here, the visit (SW-5), issued by COMSUP FAZSOI once Paris has approved.
TRIPWIRE	Contact of interest detected; reported by SPOTREP at FLASH precedence.

Terms

Aframax	Crude oil tanker of about 80,000 to 120,000 dwt.
CALL ME IF	List in the Night Orders of the events on which the duty commander wakes the admiral (special action ‘Call the admiral’).
Commander afloat	Commanding officer of the ship at sea; decides whether deck and sea allow a helicopter or boat operation.
Dead reckoning (DR)	Position estimated from the last known position, course, speed and time elapsed.
Duty commander	Officer holding the watch for AJWHQ: you.
Fast rope	Insertion of a team from a hovering helicopter down a thick rope.
Flag state	State whose flag a ship flies; only it may normally exercise authority over her on the high seas.
Flottille 34F	French Navy helicopter squadron (Dauphin, Panther) embarked on surveillance frigates.
Grading (A1 … F6)	Admiralty code: letter = reliability of the source (A to F), figure = credibility of the information (1 to 6). Keys in Annex D.
High seas	Waters beyond any state's territorial sea, where the flag state's law applies on board.
Interposition	Placing a ship between a vessel and her route to make her stop or turn, without force (SW-4).
Probability terms	NATO yardstick (AJP-2.1): highly unlikely < 10 %, unlikely 10–40 %, even chance 40–60 %, likely 60–90 %, highly likely > 90 %.
Right of visit	Boarding of a foreign merchant ship on the high seas to check her papers (UNCLOS art. 110).
Sea state	Douglas scale: 4 moderate (waves 1.25–2.5 m), 5 rough (2.5–4 m), 6 very rough (4–6 m).
Shadow fleet	Ageing tankers with opaque owners, flags of convenience or false flags, used to move sanctioned oil.
Sortie	One flight of one aircraft, from take-off to landing.
Tactical control (TACON)	Authority to direct the movements of forces assigned for a task.
Visit team	Boarding team that checks a ship's papers and identity.

Annex I to FRAGO 00 TO OPORD 26-300

Operations room

Command shows what your sensors see. The operations room is where the staff work is done: the full text of the signals, the registers the J2 searches, a chart with the navigator's tools, and your watch log. What you establish there can go on the file AJWHQ keeps for Paris.

Operations room

totobimbo.com/NO/OPS/00

Off game, optional: on a tablet or a second monitor, next to Command. The watch can be stood without it.

How to use it

Set the watch clock to the game time (DDHHMM, Zulu). It times your log and counts down to sunset; set it again when you change the time compression.
Traffic. When a signal in Command ends with Operations room · traffic ref XXXX, enter the four characters under Traffic: the full signal prints, with what the game window cannot show, and the chart locks on to what it concerns.
Registry. Search the registers with what the signals and exhibits give you: names, IMO numbers, MMSIs, call signs, companies. Only an exact query gives an answer, and one answer leads to the next question. The register of the flag state needs the access token printed in INTSUM 001.
Case notes. A result that ends with a case note (four characters) is a finding the file can use. In Command, run the special action J2 — Log case note and type it. Paris weighs the file when it decides on NIGHTJAR.
Watch log. Note what you saw, what you decided and why. Acknowledged signals, case notes and chart marks are added for you; export the log at the end of the watch.

What is in the room

Traffic	Pre-watch signals (SPOTREP, WARNO, FRAGO), then the full text of each signal you enter by its traffic ref.
Registry	Ship register, flag-state register (token), MMSI list, P&I directory, companies register, sanctions list, AIS history. Fictional registers, as in a real J2 cell.
Tools	Distance and time, intercept, Dauphin sorties, light (FRAGO times), sea state.
Orders	This briefing pack, the ROE card, the OPORD and its quick reference, the README; codewords and ROE pinned.
Watch log	Your log, timed by the watch clock, exportable.
Chart	The picture as this briefing pack gives it at 172200Z: your plot, not the game's. Ruler, marks, layers.

Nothing in the room tells you a draw, a threshold or the time of an event. It opens before you play: you may prepare your enquiries, but the signals and the flag-state register open only with the codes the watch gives you.

★	Night Orders — from the Commander. Read first.
—	FRAGO 00 TO OPORD 26-300 — main body (situation, mission, execution, service support, command and signal)
A	Annex A — ROE card — FRAGO 00
B	Annex B — Intelligence — INTSUM 000
C	Annex C — Assets — Task Force MASCARIN
D	Annex D — Situation chart and grading keys
E	Annex E — Exhibits — J2 working file
F	Annex F — Decision log — Operation MASCARIN
G	Annex G — Special actions
H	Annex H — Abbreviations, codewords and terms
I	Annex I — Operations room
✂	ROE card and asset sheets (A5, print separately, keep to hand)