Seven Days to the River Rhine

RSVP: 26 01 08 – 19:30 (please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan)
Activity: Mission – CAP, SEAD, CAS, Air Interdiction
Theatre: Cold War Germany
Modules: F/A-18A, F-16, A-10C, AH-64, OH-58D
Prerequisites: CASE III departure

 

1 SITUATION

1.1 Overview

Gentlemen, we are operating under the assumptions of the Warsaw Pact’s (WP) worst-case scenario:
‘Seven Days to the River Rhine.’

The Soviet Group of Forces Germany (GSFG), spearheaded by the Second Guards Tank Army, has initiated a massive, non-nuclear push across the Inner German Border (IGB) and into the North German Plains. Their primary objective is to bypass resistance and reach the logistical hubs of Hamburg and Bremerhaven within the next 72 hours, effectively severing the supply line for US reinforcements (REFORGER). The advance is rapid, heavily mechanized, and protected by a dense, mobile air defense umbrella (SA-8, Shilka, SA-6). Fassberg Air Base is already under direct, imminent threat from WP strike packages.

1.2 Area of operations

North German Plains

1.3 Time and weather

* Mars 11 – 1987
* 06:46 local time
* Scattered (11000′)
* Wind 099 / 4
* Temperature: 7 degrees Celsius
* FORCE QNH 2992 / 1013

1.4 Air threats

MiG-23, MiG-29

1.5 Ground threats

BMP-1/2, T-72B, ZSU-23 Shilka, MANPADS, SA-13, SA-6, SA-10, SA-11, SA-5

SA-5 and SA-10 are known and should not be a factor west of the inner border.
SA-11´s have been approximatley located, they are marked on the map.
SA-6´s have not been spotted, but it´s well known they travel with the ground forces. Their appearance is to be expected.

1.6 Friendly forces

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

1.7 Civilian/3rd part

Civilian air traffic is suspended.

2 MISSION

Prevent the enemy ground forces to advance through Sector Wittenburg. Locate and neutralize enemy indirect fire support to cripple their long-range capabilities. Deny enemy strike packages by all means necessary from achieving effects against Bremerhaven and Hamburg.

3 EXECUTION

3.1 Commander’s intent

3.2 Packages

The mission contains 2 packages, callsign STRIKE EAGLE and WOLF PACK.

3.3 Order of events

3.4 Rules of engagement

ROE: C
As per SPINS

3.5 Acceptable level of risk

ALR: High
As per SPINS

3.6 Flight tasking

Package STRIKE EAGLE (Lead: TBA)
Packade WOLFPACK (Lead: TBA)

4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

4.1 Airfield operations

* Fassberg (A-10C Take-off)
* Sittensen (A-10C Landing)
* Hamburg (Divert & Re-arm)
* Wunstorf (F-16)
* Wittenburger FARP (Rotary Take-off)

4.2 Carrier operations

* CASE III (departure)
* BRC: TBA
* Departure time: ASAP
* Departure sequence: TBA
* Charlie time: TBA by STINGRAY

As per Carrier Ops SPINS

4.3 Tankers

As per Aerial Refueling SOP

5 COMMAND AND CONTROL

5.1 Commander

* Mission commander is: DeadGun_SWE
* Mission commander deputy is: TBA
* Package STRIKE EAGLE lead is: TBA
* Package WOLFPACK lead is: TBA

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 (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 (ch 5). Use Marshal (ch 16) and Tower (ch 1) for recovery.

5.6 Brevity

* TIMBER – Mission declared successful
* SIX DAYS – Abort mission
* CHAINSAW – Air superiority over Sector Wittenburg achieved

5.7 Bullseye

N 53° 37′ 40″ E 11° 23′ 36″ (Football field Schwerin)

6 ANNEXES

1987 loadouts apply

AO

Sector Wittenburg