Road to Homs – Prologue

RSVP: 25 05 04 – 12:00 (please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan)
Activity: Mission – Recon
Theatre: Syria
Modules: Combined Arms, F/A-18C, OH-58D
Prerequisites: Case 3 for Navy
Organizer: Blichten

1 SITUATION

1.1 Overview

For details see briefing for the main mission

1.2 Area of operations

Western Syria, between Tartus and Homs, centered on grid square BU44

1.3 Time and weather

* May 12 – 2010
* 02:00 local time
* SCT 8/9
* Wind from 305 / 2
* FORCE QNH 2992 / 1013

1.4 Air threats

None

Syrian Air Force has not sortied during the last 24 hrs and is not expected to interfere with this mission

1.5 Ground threats

BMP-1, T-72, ZSU-23 Shilka, MANPADS, SA-8, SA-9

The enemy has prepared defensive positions between OBJ ORLANDO and OBJ WACO.

1.6 Friendly forces

N/A, we are the only blue forces in the AO.

1.7 Civilian/3rd part

N/A

2 MISSION

Forward elements of 2nd Marines have encountered fierce resistance in a valley along the M1 highway to Homs. The push will continue after sunrise, with air support, but first we need to know what we’re up against. The objective is to locate hostile forces and plan ingress / egress routes for ground and rotary wing units. No weapons employment at this time, other than in self-defense.

3 EXECUTION

3.1 Commander’s intent

Blackjack4 will recon the hills in the north, with emphasis on safe ingress and egress for the upcoming mission. Arctic1 will observe from any of the three designated hold-points. Ground units will recon from a distance, not engaging the hostile forces at this time.

3.2 Packages

N/A

3.3 Order of events

Flights depart at their own discretion.

3.4 Rules of engagement

ROE: B
As per SPINS

3.5 Acceptable level of risk

ALR: LOW
As per SPINS

3.6 Flight tasking

ARCTIC1 / INDY9
* Depart Mother / Ramat David
* Check in with STINGRAY when established outbound
* Recon from designated HOLDs at own discretion – never closer than 10 nm to OBJ ORLANDO or WACO
* Refuel at ARCO1 / TEXACO2 as needed
* RTB on order from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. Hold N
2. Hold W
3. Hold S
4. Obj ORLANDO
5. Obj WACO

BLACKJACK4
* Depart Rene Mouawad
* Proceed at own discretion
* Scout suitable routes for the upcoming mission
* RTB on order from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
TBA

2nd Marine Recon

* Starting location: Village in grid BU4043
* Monitor channel 3 for coordination with air assets
* Proceed at own discretion
* Scout targets for the upcoming mission
* Avoid enemy contact, withdraw if fired upon
* RTB on order from STINGRAY

4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

4.1 Airfield operations

* Ramat David
* TCN: 84X
* Active runway: 33
* Departure via Exit Hayim
* Approach via Entry Amos Lake

* Rene Mouawad
* TCN (mobile): 101X
* Active runway: 24
* NOTICE: VTOL / STOVL only due to craters in NE section of rwy

4.2 Carrier operations

* CASE 3
* FB: 021
* Departure time: 02:15
* Departure sequence: N/A
* Marshal time: 04:00

As per Carrier Ops SPINS

4.3 Tankers

As per Aerial Refueling SOP

5 COMMAND AND CONTROL

5.1 Commander

* Mission commander is STINGRAY
* Mission commander deputy is ARCTIC11

5.2 Frequencies

As per Comms SOP

5.3 Authentication

RAMROD: GRANDSLICE
As per Authentication SOP

5.4 Freq flow (Airfield flights)

7, 9, 3/5, 7
Remain on Tower (ch 7) during startup and departure. Go to Check in (ch 9). Expect Tactical (ch 3) or CAP A (ch 5). Use Tower (ch 7) for recovery.

5.5 Freq flow (Carrier flights)

1, 9, 3/5, 16, 1
Remain on Tower (ch 1) during startup and departure. Go to Check in (ch 9). Expect Tactical (ch 3) or CAP A (ch 5). Use Marshal (ch 16) and Tower (ch 1) for recovery.

5.6 Brevity

* TANGOUNIFORM – Mission declared successful
* NIGHTFALL – Abort mission

5.7 Bullseye

Lake in Grid BU44

N34 44.00 / E36 12.00 (37 S BU 4365 4705)

6 ANNEXES

Maps