The goal of the operation was to destroy the headquarters of the B2 Front's Military Region 1, a five-province area east and north of Saigon, and to engage the five major units currently under its command: the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) 9th Division's 271st and 273rd Regiments; the Viet Cong 5th Division's 274th and 275th Regiments; and the 308th Main Force Battalion, totaling almost nine thousand soldiers.

[1] On 7 March the 1st Brigade, commanded by Col. Edgar N. Glotzbach moved southeast of Phước Bình District into the area designated Nevada, while the 173rd, commanded by BGen Paul F. Smith moved to an area east of Sông Bé Province designated Arizona.

[1]: 181–2 On 14 March Company C, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment located a well-entrenched enemy force east of Sông Bé.

Two Battalions were deployed south of the battle site in the hope of blocking escaping forces but made no contact.

[1]: 183 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.