Friendly ORBAT
| Category | Strength | Availability |
|---|---|---|
|
Immediate Response Forces |
6,200 personnel | |
| 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines (1st MAR DIV) | 900 personnel | |
| - Echo Company | ||
| - Fox Company | ||
| - Golf Company | ||
| - Weapons Company | ||
| 42 Commando Royal Marines [outside our AOR] | 650 personnel | |
| - X Company | ||
| - Y Company | ||
| - Z Company | ||
| West German Panzer Brigade 2 | 4,200 personnel | |
| - Panzer Battalion 23 | ||
| - Panzer Battalion 24 | ||
| - Panzergrenadier Battalion 22 | ||
| - Artillery Battalion 2 | ||
| • Danish Jutland Division (Elements) | 450 personnel | |
| - 1st Reconnaissance Battalion | ||
|
First Reinforcement Wave |
8,800 personnel |
Estimated Available: July 6-8 |
| 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines (2nd MAR DIV)[outside our AOR] | 900 personnel | |
| - India Company | ||
| - Kilo Company | ||
| - Lima Company | ||
| - Weapons Company | ||
| British 3rd Commando Brigade (Elements)[outside our AOR] | 2,400 personnel | |
| - 40 Commando Royal Marines | ||
| - 45 Commando Royal Marines | ||
| - 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery | ||
| US 82nd Airborne Division (Elements) | 3,200 personnel | |
| - 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment | ||
| - 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment | ||
| - 1st Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment | ||
| West German 1st Airborne Brigade [outside our AOR] | 2,300 personnel | |
| - Fallschirmjäger Battalion 251 | ||
| - Fallschirmjäger Battalion 261 | ||
| - Fallschirmjäger Battalion 271 | ||
|
Heavy Reinforcement Wave |
12,500 personnel |
Estimated Available: July 10-14 |
| British 1st Armoured Division (Elements) [outside our AOR] | 6,000 personnel | |
| - 7th Armoured Brigade | ||
| - 4th Armoured Brigade | ||
| US 3rd Armored Division (Elements) | 4,500 personnel | |
| - 3rd Brigade, 3rd Armored Division | ||
| - 2nd Brigade, 3rd Armored Division | ||
| West German 6th Panzergrenadier Division (Elements) [outside our AOR] | 2,000 personnel | |
| - Panzergrenadier Brigade 17 | ||
| Total Peak Strength | 27,500 personnel | Estimated Available: July 18+ |
Naval Aviation and Support Aircraft
| Aviation Element | Aircraft Strength | Availability | Primary Mission |
|---|---|---|---|
| USS Nimitz Carrier Air Wing | 86 aircraft | Estimated Available: July 1-3 | Air superiority, strike operations |
| • VF-41 Black Aces (F-14A Tomcat) | 12 aircraft | Fleet air defense, CAP | |
| • VF-84 Jolly Rogers (F-14A Tomcat) | 12 aircraft | Fleet air defense, CAP | |
| • VFA-82 Marauders (F/A-18A Hornet) | 12 aircraft | Multi-role fighter/attack | |
| • VFA-86 Sidewinders (F/A-18A Hornet) | 12 aircraft | Multi-role fighter/attack | |
| • VA-34 Blue Blasters (A-6E Intruder) | 10 aircraft | All-weather attack | |
| • VA-176 Thunderbolts (A-6E Intruder) | 4 aircraft | Tanker, electronic warfare | |
| • VAW-124 Bear Aces (E-2C Hawkeye) | 4 aircraft | Airborne early warning | |
| • VS-32 Maulers (S-3A Viking) | 10 aircraft | ASW, surface surveillance | |
| • HS-7 Dusty Dogs (SH-3H Sea King) | 6 aircraft | ASW, SAR, logistics | |
| • VQ-2 Batmen (EA-6B Prowler) | 4 aircraft | Electronic warfare | |
| HMS Invincible Task Group | 24 aircraft | Estimated Available: July 3-5 | ASW, air defense |
| • 801 Naval Air Squadron (Sea Harrier FRS.1) | 8 aircraft | Fleet air defense, CAP | |
| • 820 Naval Air Squadron (Sea King HAS.5) | 9 aircraft | ASW operations | |
| • 826 Naval Air Squadron (Sea King HAS.5) | 7 aircraft | ASW operations | |
| Land-Based Air Support | 96 aircraft | Estimated Available: July 2-6 | Close air support, interdiction |
| • RAF No. 1 Squadron (Harrier GR.5) | 12 aircraft | Close air support | |
| • RAF No. 4 Squadron (Harrier GR.5) | 12 aircraft | Close air support | |
| • USAFE 81st TFW (A-10A Thunderbolt II) | 24 aircraft | Close air support, anti-armor | |
| • USAFE 52nd TFW (F-16C Fighting Falcon) | 24 aircraft | Air superiority, SEAD | |
| • West German JG 71 (F-4F Phantom II) | 24 aircraft | Air defense, ground attack | |
| Total Aviation Strength | 206 aircraft |
Amphibious and Maritime Support
The USS Saipan Amphibious Ready Group provides primary sea-based logistics and fire support capabilities for Marine Corps operations in the Baltic region. Intelligence assessments indicate this formation includes approximately 2,400 naval personnel operating LPH-2 Saipan, LPD-4 Austin, and LSD-36 Anchorage with embarked Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron HMM-264 providing CH-46E Sea Knight and CH-53D Sea Stallion rotary-wing transport capabilities. The amphibious group maintains organic landing craft air cushion vehicles and conventional landing craft for sustained shore-to-ship logistics operations supporting extended Marine Corps deployments in Estonian coastal areas.
Air Defense and Electronic Warfare
Integrated air defense operations rely primarily on naval-based systems supplemented by rapidly deployable ground-based assets brought forward by Marine Corps and British Royal Marines units. USS Nimitz carrier battle group provides comprehensive area air defense through AN/SPY-1 Aegis radar systems and Standard SM-2 surface-to-air missiles capable of engaging multiple aerial threats simultaneously across extended ranges. Intelligence assessments indicate carrier-based E-2C Hawkeye early warning aircraft provide surveillance coverage extending approximately 200 nautical miles from launch platforms, enabling detection and tracking of Warsaw Pact aviation activities throughout the Baltic region.
British contribution to air defense includes deployment of Rapier surface-to-air missile systems organic to Royal Marines commando units, providing point defense capabilities for critical logistics nodes and command facilities established in occupied Estonian territory. RAF Regiment elements deploy lightweight air defense systems including Blowpipe man-portable air defense missiles and 35mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft guns providing coverage for forward airfield operations and helicopter landing zones throughout the operational area.
Electronic warfare capabilities center on EA-6B Prowler aircraft embarked aboard USS Nimitz providing communications jamming and radar suppression missions against Warsaw Pact command and control networks. US Marine Corps deploys tactical electronic warfare assets including AN/TLQ-17A jammers and signals intelligence collection equipment operated by specialized communication reconnaissance personnel. British electronic warfare support includes deployment of RAF elements operating specialized equipment for monitoring and disrupting Warsaw Pact communications throughout Estonian territory during ongoing suppression operations.
Logistics and Medical Support
Sustainment operations for NATO forces in Baltic operations depend heavily on sea-based logistics coordinated through allied naval cooperation and established supply lines from West German and British ports. US Navy Military Sealift Command provides strategic sealift capabilities through deployment of fast sealift ships USNS Algol and USNS Bellatrix capable of transporting heavy equipment and bulk supplies directly to forward operating areas established in Danish and West German coastal facilities. Intelligence assessments indicate NATO logistics planning anticipates requirement for sustained operations lasting 30-45 days with organic supply capabilities before requiring major resupply operations from Continental European sources.
Medical support capabilities include deployment of US Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort providing comprehensive surgical and critical care facilities for casualties from all NATO allied forces participating in Baltic operations. British medical support includes establishment of field hospitals operated by Royal Army Medical Corps personnel with specialized trauma surgery capabilities developed through recent experience in conflict zones. German medical support provides evacuation and treatment capabilities through deployment of specialized medical helicopters and mobile surgical units positioned at forward operating bases established near operational areas.
West German logistics support includes deployment of territorial army units providing fuel distribution, ammunition handling, and maintenance capabilities for allied armored and mechanized units operating in extended deployment conditions. Intelligence reports indicate German logistics planning includes pre-positioned supplies and maintenance facilities capable of supporting sustained combat operations by mixed NATO forces without requiring immediate resupply from rear-area facilities located in West Germany or other allied territory.
Intelligence and Reconnaissance
Intelligence operations coordinate through established NATO intelligence-sharing mechanisms with emphasis on real-time tactical intelligence supporting ongoing combat operations against Warsaw Pact forces in Estonian territory. US intelligence capabilities include deployment of specialized reconnaissance assets including U-2 high-altitude surveillance aircraft operating from West European bases and RC-135 electronic reconnaissance aircraft providing signals intelligence collection throughout the Baltic region. CIA paramilitary personnel coordinate with Estonian resistance networks established during previous phases of Soviet suppression operations, providing real-time intelligence on Warsaw Pact force movements and logistics activities.
British intelligence support includes deployment of Special Air Service reconnaissance teams providing deep reconnaissance and target acquisition capabilities throughout occupied Estonian territory. Intelligence assessments indicate SAS personnel maintain coordination with Estonian resistance elements and provide targeting information for precision strike operations conducted by allied aviation assets. Signals intelligence capabilities include deployment of RAF reconnaissance aircraft and specialized ground-based collection assets providing comprehensive monitoring of Warsaw Pact communications and electronic emissions throughout the operational area.
West German intelligence contributions include deployment of specialized border reconnaissance units with extensive experience in monitoring Warsaw Pact military activities and comprehensive knowledge of Soviet and East German tactical procedures and equipment capabilities. German intelligence assets provide valuable assessment of enemy force capabilities and likely tactical responses to NATO operations based on years of observation and analysis of Warsaw Pact training exercises and deployment patterns throughout Central Europe.
Assessment and Capabilities
Total NATO strength committed to Baltic operations reaches approximately 27,500 personnel supported by 206 combat and support aircraft across all participating allied nations. Intelligence assessments indicate this force structure provides sufficient capability for sustained defensive operations and limited offensive capabilities against Warsaw Pact forces deployed in Estonian territory, though extended operations would require additional reinforcement from strategic reserves located throughout NATO member nations. The combination of amphibious assault capabilities, rapid deployment forces, and comprehensive air and naval support provides NATO with flexible response options ranging from humanitarian evacuation missions to sustained combat operations against organized Warsaw Pact resistance.
Command and control operates through BALTAP headquarters with coordination centers established aboard USS Nimitz and at forward operating bases in West Germany and Denmark. Intelligence indicates NATO force integration benefits from extensive joint training exercises and established communication procedures, though coordination challenges remain significant given the multinational composition and varying national rules of engagement governing combat operations in Baltic waters and Estonian territory.