Package WOLVERINE

Situation

We have learned the hard way that the SyAF can be lethal when operating from dispersed road bases. In the past few days we have hit several such targets and the area near Palmyra is now regarded as neutralized in this respect, as it has not seen any fixed wing activity in the last 24 hrs. However, occasional flights still sortie in the eastern AO, around the oil fields west of Deir ez-Zor. A dispersed roadbase has now been pinpointed in that area (NAI SABERTOOTH) and with the SAA now on the move towards Damascus it is imperative that we shut down all SyAF fixed wing operations ASAP. With TLAM resources all but exhausted and limited time for planning, this will have to be a conventional air strike. 

Low-level incursion will be vital; any more than a few minutes of warning will allow MiG-29:s to get airborne for an intercept. 

There are no major SAM systems active in the area. SIGINT has seen occasional SA-8 search radars but no specific locations have been pinpointed. Also, SA-13, ZSU-23 and MANPADS should be expected.

Orders

• Strike NAI SABERTOOTH, disabling any aircraft on the ground and the stretch of road being used as a runway

Brevity

• Report BRADDOCK on success

Resources

• One flight of F-15E as primary strike aircraft
• One flight of F/A-18C or F-16C (TBD) as CAP/SEAD escort
• All flights are based at Damascus Intl
• Tanker ARCO1 orbits the Shayrat area (70 nm NNE Damascus)
• Tankers ARCO5 and TEXACO2 orbit the At Tanf area (100 nm E Damascus)
• Friendly SAM Cover at Damascus Intl

Mission Details

NAI SABERTOOTH is a confirmed dispersed roadbase from which the SyAF operates MiG-21 and MiG-29. The runway being used is a 2nm stretch of straight road which runs in a NW direction. Due to the current overcast weather we do not know if they have aircraft on high alert at this time but it must be assumed that they do. Occasional SA-8 search radars have been detected in the area and if active, they could provide early warning of your attack. It is therefore imperative that all aircraft stay below 300 ft AGL within 30 nm of SABERTOOTH until TOT minus 1 minute. Furthermore, you are advised to avoid major population centers during ingress due to the risk of raid warning as well as possible presence of SHORADS.

The area between Palmyra and Damascus is heavily contested. Do not overfly unless explicitly communicated with package leads for THOR and PUNISHER.

Flight Tasking

TBA

Annexes

ANNEX 1 – Named Area of Interest SABERTOOTH N35 13.85′ E39 46.36′ elev 1163 ft

ANNEX 2 – Low angle orbital imagery of SABERTOOTH on 5/15/10 08.15 local