Able Archer I

RSVP: 25 09 25 – 19:30 (please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan)
Activity: Mission – CAP, Offensive counter-air, Strike, CSAR
Theatre: Cold War Germany
Modules: F/A-18A, F-14A, F-16A, F4 Phantom II, UH-1H, AJ-37 Viggen
Prerequisites: None

1 SITUATION

1.1 Overview

At the proverbial freezing point of the cold war, Exercise Able Archer -83 intends to train military and political leaders alike for the prospect of an all-out war with the Warszaw Pact. One that starts with conventional weapons but potentially ends in a nuclear holocaust. While it is mainly a command-level exercise, there will also be elements simulating the conflict on the tactical level, providing the leadership with some measure of realistic feedback to their decisions.

1.2 Area of operations

West Germany

1.3 Time and weather

* Sept 07 – 1983
* 06:30 local time
* SCT 8-10
* Wind from 270 / 7 kts
* Temp 23° C
* FORCE QNH 3051

1.4 Air threats

On this side of the Iron Curtain no threats are expected. Stray to the other side and you will find the entire arsenal at the Warszaw Pact’s disposal.

1.5 Ground threats

On this side of the Iron Curtain no threats are expected. Stray to the other side and you will find the entire arsenal at the Warszaw Pact’s disposal.

1.6 Friendly forces

N/A, we are the only blue forces in the exercise area

1.7 Civilian/3rd part

Civilian air traffic is suspended over the exercise area but otherwise unrestricted

2 MISSION

Day ONE of Able Archer ’83. The briefing for the political and military leaders that participate in this exercise describes a short period of increased tensions between Nato and the Warszaw Pact, after which hostilities suddenly erupt across the German border. Hostile fighters engage the NATO CAP while attack aircraft focus on airfields and SAM-sites. The military leadership will initially focus their training on execution of pre-planned defensive missions while the political leadership have to consider how they migt protect the civilian population as well as how attempts could be made to find diplomatic solutions to the conflict before it escalates out of control.

The Carrier Battle Group is participating in the exercise but only at command level. The Air Wing conducts routine CAP.

Viggens at Kallinge are the routine incident alert fighters. It is expected that the Warzsaw pact will conduct aerial and/or naval intelligence gathering during the ongoing NATO exercise. If they venture into the Baltic sea we will intercept them for VID and “wave the flag”.

3 EXECUTION

3.1 Commander’s intent

Packages LONGBOW and PICKAXE conduct exercises as detailed below. NOTE! All pilots must be familiar with the range regulations (3.4.1).

CSAR resources conduct separate exercises but are on stand-by in case their services are needed.

The Carrier Air Group is not participating in the exercise. Their mission is the same as always – keep the Carrier Battle Group safe.

Viggens are the routine alert interceptors at F17 Kallinge.

3.2 Packages

The mission contains 2 packages: LONGBOW and PICKAXE (consisting of F/A-18, F-16, and F4).

LONGBOW (Arctic1 and Banshee2) is the A2A component of the exercise. Blue forces will set up CAP and maintain EMCON conditions. Redfor will simulate a low-level incursion from the east, following expected Soviet doctrine.

PICKAXE (Bender2, Jester1 and Indy9) simulates a strike by Redfor (Jester and Indy) on a blue airfield. Bluefor (Bender) is the QRF at Gutersloh air base.

3.3 Order of events

LONGBOW (blue and red) and PICKAXE (red) depart Ramstein and assemble at designated IP:s. Pickaxe (blue) starts up at Gutersloh, awaiting STINGRAY’s orders.

“Defeated” aircraft return to IP in anticipation of either a new round of exercise or RTB, depending on time and fuel constraints.

3.4 Rules of engagement

ROE: A
As per SPINS

3.4.1 Range regulations

• Only CAPTIVE missiles are used. (Live ordnance loaded as needed for systems to function in DCS but for all intents and purposes these missiles are considered inert.) MASTER ARM shall be set to SIMULATION or OFF, depending on aircraft type, at all times. Guns shall be UNLOADED.
• Supersonic flight is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN
• No electronic warfare, including Self-protection jammers

Altitude separation

• • BLUE forces own the “6-10” altitude blocks 6000-10000, 16000-20000 and 26000-30000
  • RED forces own the “1-5” altitude blocks 0-5000, 11000-15000 and 21000-25000
  • Passing through the opposing side’s altitude block may be requested by FL and authorized by STINGRAY if deconfliction is certain.
  • An individual pilot who wants to violate the other side’s altitude block without explicit authorization from STINGRAY may only do so if the following conditions are met:
    • Fighters from opposing sides have merged
    • Pilot intends to maneuver for a “kill”
    • Pilot has situational awareness of both BLUE and RED air in his immediate vicinity

Calling shots

• • Shots may only be called if the aggressor has radar lock on his opponent and is within indicated Rmax of the selected weapon. Good sportsmanship is expected at all times. Cheaters get latrine duty.
  • Aggressor calls on the common frequency: [Callsign] [Fox1 / Fox2 / Guns guns guns] on [aircraft type] my [o’clock, high/low, in level flight / in a right- / left hand turn]
  • A defeated aircraft, recognizing it was the target, will rock its wings to acknowledge the “kill” and then safely return to IP. If needed, STINGRAY will advise the target aircraft that it is hit and it will then follow the procedure described above.

3.5 Acceptable level of risk

ALR: LOW
As per SPINS

3.6 Flight tasking

Package LONGBOW (Lead: ARCTIC11)

ARCTIC1

BLUFOR – CAP in exercise area ABLE SKY

* Depart Ramstein
* Hold at IP CHARLIE (WP3) at 28000’
* Radars off until you have received vectors to aggressors (or ordered LIGHTS ON by STINGRAY)
* Expect REDFOR ingress from the east, defeat “hostiles” in BVR and/or dogfight
* Refuel at ARCO5 as needed
* RTB on order from STINGRAY

Loadout: AIM-7M (considered captive), AIM-9M (considered captive)

Waypoints:
1. ALPHA (belongs to ABLE STRIKE)
2. BRAVO (belongs to ABLE STRIKE)
3. IP CHARLIE (western edge of exercise area
4. DELTA (also marks eastern edge of exercise area)

BANSHEE2

REDFOR – aggressors in exercise area ABLE SKY

* Depart Ramstein
* Hold at IP DELTA (WP4) at 14000′
* When STINGRAY orders GAME ON descend below 5000′ and head west (vectors will be provided by STINGRAY)
* Engage BLUFOR CAP in BVR or dogfight
* Refuel at TEXACO2 as needed
* RTB on order from STINGRAY

Loadout: AIM-7M (considered captive), AIM-9M (considered captive)

Waypoints:
1. ALPHA (belongs to ABLE STRIKE)
2. BRAVO (belongs to ABLE STRIKE)
3. CHARLIE (western edge of exercise area
4. IP DELTA (also marks eastern edge of exercise area)

 

Package PICKAXE (Lead: INDY9)

INDY9 and JESTER1

REDFOR – aggressors in exercise area ABLE STRIKE

* Depart Ramstein
* Hold at IP BRAVO (WP2) at 14000’
* When STINGRAY calls GAME ON descend below 5000′ and start your attack run on Gutersloh (WP2)
* Expect BLUFOR interceptors that must either be avoided or defeated
* Mission considered successful if you overfly Gutersloh and call “bombs away”
* Return to IP for re-run if time permits
* Refuel at TEXACO2 as needed

Loadout: Practice bombs BDU-33 or other A2G munitions (which will be considered captive), AIM-9m (considered captive)

Waypoints:
1. ALPHA (marks western edge of exercise area)
2. IP BRAVO (also marks eastern edge of exercise area)
3. CHARLIE (belongs to ABLE SKY)
4. DELTA (belongs to ABLE SKY)
5. Gutersloh

 

BENDER2

BLUFOR – alert interceptors at Gutersloh (exercise area ABLE STRIKE)

* Start up on ramp at Gutersloh (ATIS 270.6)
* On STINGRAY’s orders take off and expect vectors to incoming “hostiles”
* Defeat aggressors in BVR or dogfight
* Mission considered successful if aggressors are unable to overfly Gutersloh
* RTB Gutersloh, expect a second round if time permits

Loadout: AIM-7M (considered captive), AIM-9M (considered captive)

Waypoints:
1. ALPHA (marks western edge of exercise area)
2. BRAVO (marks eastern edge of exercise area)
3. CHARLIE (belongs to ABLE SKY)
4. DELTA (belongs to ABLE SKY)
5. Gutersloh

 

Not part of packages

FENRIS6 and GRIM7:

Alert interceptors at Kallinge (Peenemünde will be the proxy airfield)

* Start up and await orders from STRIL
* Expect departure via Bornholm and then west to AO

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. Bornholm

 

NITRO5

CSAR

* You are the actual CSAR on standby for the exercise but unless your services are called for, perform own exercise as detailed below
* General James R. Blichter will supervise this exercise from the back seat of Nitro51
* Depart Fritzlar (468.00 kHz FTZ) as soon as the general is on board
* Locate simulated downed pilot in presumed hostile area using FM beacon (40.5 FM)
* Simulated hostile ground forces will be placed in the area, these may be engaged with your 7.62 mm
* Transport pilot to designated hospital H Med FRG 17 (marked on area map for Nitro)
* Survey the area as instructed by the accompanying general
* RTB

Waypoints:

 

ELVIS5

CAP for the Carrier Battle Group in the North Sea west of Denmark

* Depart Mother and report to STINGRAY for tasking
* Expect CAP-track over Denmark
* DO NOT establish STT lock on any Warszaw pact aircraft unless explicitly ordered to

Waypoints:
1. CAP N
2. CAP S

4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

4.1 Airfield operations

* Ramstein AFB
* TCN: 81X
* Elevation: 805 ft
* Active runway: 27
* Departure TBA
* Approach TBA

* Gutersloh AFB
* TCN: 108X
* Elevation: 213 ft
* Active runway: 27
* Departure TBA
* Arrival TBA

* F17 Kallinge (proxy: Peenemünde)
* Active runway: 31

* Lübeck AFB (divert airfield for Elvis, Fenris and Grim)
* Active runway: 25
* Arrival on radial 360-030 (note proximity to the border)

4.2 Carrier operations

* CASE 1
* BRC: 308
* Departure time: 07.00
* Departure sequence: N/A
* Charlie time: 8.30

As per Carrier Ops SPINS

4.3 Tankers

ARCO5 and TEXACO2 orbit north of the exercise area

ARCO1 orbits east of the Carrier Battle Group

As per Aerial Refueling SOP

5 COMMAND AND CONTROL

5.1 Commander

* Mission commander is STINGRAY
* Mission commander deputy is ARCTIC11

5.2 Frequencies

#3 TACTICAL
#4 STINGRAY (For Elvis5)
#5 Exercise area ABLE STRIKE
#6 Ramstein GROUND
#7 Ramstein TOWER
#9 Check-in
#10 Exercise area ABLE SKY
#13 Swedish STRIL (Fenris and Grim)
270.5 Ramstein ATIS
270.6 Gutersloh ATIS

As per Comms SOP

5.3 Authentication

RAMROD: GRANDSLICE
As per Authentication SOP

5.4 Freq flow (Airfield flights)

Flights based at Ramstein (Arctic1, Indy9, Jester1, Banshee2): Contact GND #6 for departure clearance and taxi. Switch TWR #7 for departure. Go to check-in #9. Expect #5 for exercise area ABLE STRIKE and #10 for exercise area ABLE SKY. On RTB contact TWR #7.

Flights based at Gutersloh (Bender2): Contact check-in #9 when started up, before departure. Expect #5 for exercise area ABLE STRIKE.

Rotary wing (Nitro5): Contact check-in #9 when started up, before departure. Expect TACTICAL #3.

Viggen: Contact STRIL on #13 when starting up, before departure.

5.5 Freq flow (Carrier flights)

Remain on Tower (ch 1) during startup and departure. Go to STINGRAY on #4. Use Marshal (ch 16) and Tower (ch 1) for recovery.

5.6 Brevity

* GAME ON – Call to begin exercise in designated area
* KNOCK IT OFF – Call to abort ongoing exercise and return to IP
* LIGHTS ON – Turn on air-to-air radar
* NIGHTFALL – Abort mission

5.7 Bullseye

WRB 84X
N 51 30’17” E9 06’46”

5.8 Restrictions

Mission date is set to 1983 meaning no GPS. Make sure your aircraft startup procedure is in accordance with this.

No targeting pods

No GPS- or laserguided munitions

No datalink for F-16 and F-18

A2A ordnance limited to AIM-54A, AIM-7M and AIM-9M

 

6 ANNEXES