Afghanistan: FOB Avalanche

RSVP: 2026-02-19 – 19:30 (please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan)
Organizer: BigSwede
Activity: Mission – Battlefield Area Interdiction, Convoy escort, MEDVAC Transport
Theatre: Afghanistan
Modules: F/A-18C, F-16, A-10C, AH-64, Max 2 CH-47, OH-58D
Prerequisites: None

Updates:
2026-02-14: Removed Red Helos from the mission and added an MQ‑9 Reaper for reconnaissance.
2026-01-01: Added Red Helos to the mission.
2025-12-31: Added ambush.
2025-12-31: Intelligence reports indicate that insurgent elements have rigged two civilian vehicles with C4 explosives. These vehicles are assessed to be designated for use in suicide attacks against friendly forces within the AO. All units are to maintain heightened vigilance and update ROE compliance accordingly.

1 SITUATION

1.1 Overview

ISAF is establishing contact with various leaders in Afghanistan to increase its presence and trust, mutual confidence is important for ISAF. ISAF wants to demonstrate that we are here to strengthen security for everyone in Afghanistan and push back the insurgents

1.2 Area of operations

NW of Kandahar, in MGRS zones QS37 and QS38. The terrain consists of mountains and plateaus.

1.3 Time and weather

* 1 January 2005
* 07:15 local time
* Scattered clouds (7500′–11500′)
* Wind (bearing / knots):
– Ground: 122 / 06
– 1600 ft: 122 / 14
– 6600 ft: 053 / 08
– 24000 ft: 313 / 12
* Temperature: –6°C

FORCE QNH 2992 / 1013

1.4 Air threats

Mi-8

1.5 Ground threats

BTR-60, Technicals with Zu-23.

1.6 Friendly forces

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

1.7 Civilian/3rd part

N/A

2 MISSION

ISAF is going to meet with a Taliban leader to negotiate his defection.

3 EXECUTION

3.1 Commander’s intent

Escort our ground convoy to ensure they reach the rendezvous point unharmed. The Kiowas will scout ahead, the AH‑64 will provide close protection for the convoy and the A‑10, F‑16, and F‑18 are on standby awaiting orders from Tactical. CH-47 depart to FOB Avalanche and be on standby for Medevac.

3.2 Packages

The mission contains of 2 packages, callsign SANTA and GIFTS. All fixed wings are part of package SANTA, all rotary wings are part of package GIFTS.

3.3 Order of events

1. Fixed wing take off and go to Hold.
2. AH-64 and OH-58D, take off and fly to FOB: Avalanche, refuel and then escort the convoy.
3. CH-47, standby for MEDVAC.

3.4 Rules of engagement

ROE: C
As per SPINS
Addition: Weapons free on all enemy. Do not use cluster munitions in populated areas.

3.5 Acceptable level of risk

ALR: MEDIUM
As per SPINS

3.6 Flight tasking

Package SANTA (Lead: ARCTIC11)

* Depart
* Hold at HOTEL (WP1)
* Report in to TACTICAL and standby for A2G tasking
* Refuel at ARCO1, ARCO5, TEXACO2 or TEXACO4
* RTB on order from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides (A2G)

Waypoints:
1. Hold HOTEL
2. FOB: Avalanche

Package GIFTS (LEAD: Rage9)

* Depart
* Refuel at FOB: Avalanche
* Escort the convoy and provide close protection
* Monitor the area during the meeting. The sitt down meeting will take about 30 minutes.
* Escort the convoy back to FOB: Avalanche

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. Tarinkot
2. Convoy

Greyhound

* Standby at FOB Avalanche, ready to take off

Loadout: FL decides

4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

4.1 Airfield operations

Fixed wings
* Kandahar
* TCN: 75X
* Active runway: 23

AH-64 and OH-58D
* Tarinkot
* TCN: N/A
* Active runway:

<!– Copy-paste friendly headers for flight taskings
ARCTIC1
BENDER2
CRIMSON3
DUSTY4
ELVIS5
FENRIS6
GRIM7
HAWG8
INDY9
JESTER1
KRAKEN2
LION3
MUSTANG4
NITRO5
RAGE9
SALTY1
BLACKJACK4
ORCA6
PIG7
QUEBEC8
TUSK2
VENOM4
HITMAN3
GREYHOUND3 –>

4.2 Carrier operations

N/A

As per Carrier Ops SPINS

4.3 Tankers

As per Aerial Refueling SOP

5 COMMAND AND CONTROL

5.1 Commander

* Mission commander is TACTICAL
* Mission commander deputy is ARCTIC11
* Package SANTA lead is ARCTIC11
* Package GIFTS lead is RAGE91

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
* SMASH – Convoy at meeting

5.7 Bullseye

N 31 37.16′ E 65 42.58′

6 ANNEXES

AO:

Route of the convoy

Meeting in village Kajran

Tankers & Stingray