Desert Citadel

26 05 21 – 19:30 (please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan)
Organizer: pancake
Activity: Interdiction, CAS, E-CAS
Theatre: Syria
Modules: F/A-18C, F-16, A-10C II, OH-58D, AH-64
Prerequisites:

1 SITUATION

1.1 Overview

What began as scattered uprisings has evolved into a coordinated insurgency stretching from the coast into the mountains. Tripoli—once a vital port—is now the operational nerve center of rebel forces in the north. Coalition forces secured air superiority early, eliminating the Lebanese Air Force. The enemy adapted quickly—abandoning conventional warfare and dispersing into cities, villages, and the eastern highlands, where they are harder to track and harder to strike.

Under cover of darkness, coalition naval forces executed amphibious landings south of Tripoli, establishing a foothold and beginning the push inland. Since first light, resistance has intensified. Over the past 72 hours, coalition units have reported increasing navigation errors, disrupted communications, and degraded weapon accuracy. Aircraft are drifting. Precision strikes are missing. Coordination is breaking down.

Intelligence assesses a mobile GPS spoofing network operating in SIERRA is behind the disruption. As long as it remains active, coalition forces are unable to use GPS ordinance.

At the same time, signals intercepts confirm mobile communication units moving through YANKEE, embedded within civilian infrastructure. These nodes are coordinating rebel defenses—keeping them connected, responsive, and dangerous.

1.2 Area of operations

HOTEL – Tripoli (Urban)
The city is a dense maze of concrete, narrow streets, and hidden firing positions. At its heart stands the ancient Citadel—now a fortified rebel stronghold bristling with anti-aircraft guns.

SIERRA – Eastern Highlands (Mountains)
Rugged terrain and limited visibility make this area ideal for concealment. Intelligence suggests the rebels are using the mountains to stage electronic warfare operations and coordinate resistance.

YANKEE – Southeast of Tripoli (Mixed Rural/Urban)
Scattered villages and farmland conceal mobile command units embedded among civilians. Distinguishing friend from foe will be difficult—and mistakes will be costly.

1.3 Time and weather

* March 27 – 2011
* 05:30 local time
* Rain (7500′-11500′)
* Wind (Bearing / kts)
– GND: 43 / 8
– 1600ft: 43 / 17
– 6600ft: 247 / 14
– 26000ft: 41 / 8
* Temp: +17°C
* FORCE QNH 2953 / 750

1.4 Air threats

None. The Lebanon air force were pretty much non-existent even at start of this campaign. By now, all air and helicopter bases have been neutralized along with any aircrafts.

1.5 Ground threats

Technicals are a common view around most settlements of northern Lebanon. At the citadel, in the center of Tripoli, we will find an array of 23mm and 57mm units.
Further south, outside the small, costal town of Chekka, 190th Fighter Squadron is currently cleaning up AAA of the same kind. An SA-8 have been gecking us for days near the mountains in the east.

1.6 Friendly forces

190th Fighter Squadron (AI) are supporting ground offensives to the south.

1.7 Civilian/3rd part

Rebel forces are entrenched within civilian areas, deliberately using the population and infrastructure as cover. All weapons employment must be deliberate and controlled—minimize civilian casualties and avoid unnecessary damage to infrastructure at all costs.

2 MISSION

3 EXECUTION

3.1 Commander’s intent

3.2 Packages

3.3 Order of events

3.4 Rules of engagement

ROE: C
As per SPINS

3.5 Acceptable level of risk

ALR: MEDIUM
As per SPINS

3.6 Flight tasking

4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

4.1 Airfield operations

Primary:
* LARNACA
* TCN: N/A
* Active RWY 04

Divert:
* Beirut Rafic Hariri
* TCN: N/A
* Active RWY 03

FARP:
* On the beach south west of Tripoli
* MRGS: 36S YD58791087

4.2 Carrier operations

HMS Ocean (Operational for: Apache & Kiowa)

As per Carrier Ops SPINS

4.3 Tankers

ARCO 5: 17000ft
TEXACO 2: 15000ft

As per Aerial Refueling SOP

5 COMMAND AND CONTROL

5.1 Commander

* Mission commander is STINGRAY
* Mission commander deputy is TBD

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

5.7 Bullseye

N 34° 26′ 00″ E 42° 03′ 00″

6 ANNEXES

Expected enemy “radio” units in YANKEE:

GPS Spoofer in SIERRA: